Looking to visit Dubai? Check out these articles that help cover some of that basics about Dubai and the UAE below:
- Is it illegal to drink alcohol in Dubai? The 101 of drinking in Dubai
- Is Dubai a country or a city? Improve your knowledge of UAE!
- What is the UAE? What is it famous for? Your most wanted answers
- They only Dubai dress code guide for tourists you’ll ever need!
- Where is Dubai? Fun facts and information about Dubai!
- Emirates vs Etihad
- How to not get arrested in Dubai! Guide to the UAE’s laws
Dubai travel restrictions
Dubai has been one of the most open countries through out the Covid pandemic. They had an initial short lockdown during the early stages however quickly re-opened to tourists before many other countries.
In order to visit Dubai, they do still have some restrictions in place. This includes either showing proof of vaccination, showing proof of recovery from Covid within the last month or a PCR test taken 48 hours before boarding your flight to Dubai. To be classed as fully vaccinated, you must have received two doses of one of the approved vaccines.
If you have a medical exemption from the vaccine, you will still be required to present a PCR.
Masks are also still required to be worn indoors.
You can find more information here and keep up to date with any changes via the official Emirates website:
Emirates Entry Guidance for Covid 19
Dubai tourist entry requirements
In addition to the above Covid requirements. Dubai also has the following entry requirements according to immigration to enter as a tourist:
- Valid health or travel insurace that includes coverage for Covid 19
- Return flight
- Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months
How much does a Dubai tourist visa cost?
For many countries, Dubai offers a free on arrival tourist visa. These are valid between 30 to 180 days, depending on the country you are coming from. Some countries such as India, Pakistan and Philippines require a pre-arranged visa that costs from $10 USD up to $460 USD for a long term multiple entry visa.
For the full list of eligible countries, Emirates has the best information in a very easy format
Can I drink alcohol in Dubai?
Yes, there are almost no restrictions on tourists for drinking alcohol in Dubai. You can enjoy a drink at many locations across Dubai including hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants and in your hotel room. The only place not allowed is public spaces such as parks, outdoors etc It must be a licensed venue, hotel or private home.
For more information on all the rules and regulations in regarding to drinking in Dubai, make sure to read my helpful full guide here, “The 101 of drinking alcohol in Dubai”
Is it compulsory to wear hijab in Dubai?
There is no need to wear hijab in Dubai and in fact Dubai has never had any rules that visitors should wear hjiab. There is only one place where a hijab is needed and that’s if you decide to visit a mosque like Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque in Abu Dhabi.
For more information on what to wear in Dubai and where it’s appropriate to where certain outsides, make sure to check out my full article here “The Dubai Tourist Dress Code”
- 12 fantastic restaurants with Burj Khalifa view and Dubai Fountain
- 21 impressive Dubai restaurants with the best view
- 9 incredibly tasty Arabic desserts you must try in the Middle East!
- Traditional food of UAE; 10 dishes you have to try in Dubai!
- 8 of the best Iftars and Iftar buffets in Dubai, including family and budget friendly
- Where to get the best coffees in Dubai
- The best restaurants for healthy food in Dubai
- Best bar in Dubai? Where to get the best cocktails
- 10 unique things to do in Dubai; THE Ultimate Bucket list for 2022
- Maximise ALL the fun at Kite Beach Dubai with our guide
- Everything you need to know about buying Gold in Dubai
- 24 hours in Dubai; two options for a fabulous classic Dubai experience
- Guide to shopping in ‘Little India’ Meena Bazaar Dubai
- Ultimate list of breathtaking lakes Dubai & how to get there
- Visiting the Burj Khalifa; ticket cost & At The Top alternatives
- How to spend all your money in Dubai; 3 day luxury itinerary
- Beginners guide to visiting a mosque for the first time
- How to spend the best 48 hours in Abu Dhabi
- What is the best way between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
- Which Dubai mall is the best?
- 5 cool things to do in the hot Dubai summer
- What is traditional dress of UAE and Dubai? The names & culture explained
- Middle East Bidet and why you need it! Explaining the awesome Shatafa ‘Bum Gun’
- World Hijab Day; 10 reasons why women wear the hijab
- Beginners guide to visiting a mosque for the first time
- Traditional food of UAE; 10 dishes you have to try in Dubai!
- 8 of the best Iftars and Iftar buffets in Dubai, including family and budget friendly
- Spending Ramadan in Dubai, what you need to know!
- Juma Khutbas (Friday Sermons) in English in Dubai
- First time fasting for Ramadan, was it hard? 6 incredible things I learnt!
Who we recommend to use
Booking.com
When booking your hotel accommodation, Booking.com has a wide arrange of different types of accommodation and make using their website very easy
I particularly like to arrange their hotels available by “Best Reviewed and Lowest Price” so I can find the best hotels in terms of value
Get Your Guide
For tours and excursions, we highly recommend to use Get Your Guide.
This is for a few different reasons:
- They have good customer service & are easy to book
- The offer a generous cancellation policy, allowing you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance without incurring a fee
- They have a wide range of amazing tours, activities and excursions available
Marriott
Firstly, I like Marriott’s range of hotels and the amount that are available internationally. Even their more affordable hotels have a luxury feel to them that is hard to find in other hotel chains.
There are a few advantages to booking direct through their program:
- You earn Marriott points which are redeemable on future bookings
- They guarantee the best rate
- If you book 4 consecutive nights, you get the 5th free
- You can earn Silver, Gold, Platinum or Titanium status the more nights you stay which gets free things like late check out and free breakfast
We’re constantly updating and adding more information about visiting Dubai, the best places to go, restaurants, general information and more! So make sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back for updates! I hope you have an amazing time in Dubai and enjoy all the many things Dubai has to offer
