Part of our United Arab Emirates guide.
Dubai rewards stopover visitors with record-breaking architecture, desert adventure, and shopping that ranges from gold souks to air-conditioned mega-malls. This guide gathers 13 of our most practical pieces on the city, from what to do with your check-in baggage on a layover to where to buy a villa if you decide to stay.
Related travel guides: How To Dress In Dubai As A Tourist, Dubai Itinerary: 1 To 7 Days In The UAE, and The Ethics Of Visiting Dubai.
20 Mind-Blowing Experiences Unique To Dubai
Start at the top: the Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building, and the observation deck on the 124th floor gives you a view over the city that stretches to the desert on a clear day. The Dubai Mall next door holds the Dubai Aquarium, a 10-million-litre tank you can walk through, plus an ice rink and a cinema. For adrenaline, skydive over the Palm Jumeirah – a man-made island shaped like a palm tree – or book a dune bashing trip into the Arabian Desert, where 4x4s climb and slide over sand dunes. Indoors, Ski Dubai offers a full snow park with real runs inside the Mall of the Emirates, and IMG Worlds of Adventure packs roller coasters and cartoon characters into the world's largest indoor theme park. Families also rate the Dubai Fountain shows outside the mall, which run every evening from 6pm.
What Is An Expat In Dubai
An expat is someone living in a country other than their own, usually for work, and in Dubai that describes roughly 85% of the population. Expatriates come for the tax-free salary, the warm winter sun, and the chance to save, and they fill roles from engineers to nannies. The city's visa system ties residency to employment, so your employer sponsors your permit, and you'll need to renew it every two or three years. The result is a genuinely international city – you'll hear Tagalog, Hindi, Urdu, and English on the metro, and find neighbourhoods like Karama and Satwa where long-term expats have built communities.
What Will You Do With Your Check-In Baggage When You Do Stopover In Dubai
On a stopover in Dubai, you do not need to collect your check-in baggage if you booked a through ticket with the same airline – it will be transferred automatically to your next flight. If you have a separate booking or a long layover, you can leave bags at the Dubai International Airport left-luggage service, located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, with prices starting around AED 20 per bag for 12 hours. For a shorter gap, the airport also has luggage storage near the metro station at Terminal 3, and some hotels near the airport will hold bags for guests even if you only book a day room. If you have a long layover and want to explore hands-free, consider the Emirates City Check-in service, which lets you check in early and drop your bags at a downtown counter before heading back to the airport.
During A Long Layover In Dubai: What Hotels Does Emirates Put Its Customers?
Emirates provides complimentary hotel stays for passengers on long layovers – typically over 8 hours in economy or over 4 hours in business or first – but only when the shortest connection time is over 8 hours and the stopover is part of a booked Emirates itinerary. The airline covers a room, meals, and transfers, and you'll be assigned a hotel based on availability, with options including the Copthorne Airport Hotel, the Novotel Dubai Al Barsha, and the Le Méridien Dubai. You must book the stopover at the time of ticketing, not at the airport, and the free stay is not available on the lowest economy fares. If you are travelling on a fare that does not qualify, or you prefer to choose your own, you can book a stopover with Emirates through their website, which lets you add a hotel night at a discounted rate.
What Is A Good Salary For Expats In Dubai
A single expat can live comfortably in Dubai on an annual salary of AED 120,000 (about USD 33,000), but that figure rises sharply if you have a family. Rent is the biggest cost – a one-bedroom flat in a central area like Dubai Marina or Downtown runs about AED 70,000 to AED 90,000 per year, while a two-bedroom in the same areas costs AED 110,000 to AED 150,000. School fees for children in international schools add another AED 30,000 to AED 60,000 per child per year, and you should budget AED 1,500 to AED 2,500 monthly for utilities, internet, and transport. A salary of AED 300,000 or more per year gives you a comfortable lifestyle with savings, and many expats negotiate a housing allowance or school fees as part of their package. The good news is that Dubai has no income tax, so your gross salary is what you take home.
5 Best Weekend Getaways From Dubai
Escape the city for a weekend in the Hajar Mountains at Hatta, about 90 minutes from Dubai, where you can kayak in the turquoise Hatta Dam, hike the Hatta Hill Park, and stay in a luxury dome tent. The beach town of Al Ain, an hour away, offers the Al Ain Oasis, a UNESCO-listed palm grove, plus the Jebel Hafeet mountain road with views over Oman. For a coastal break, the emirate of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman has excellent diving and the historic Al Bithnah Fort, about two hours from Dubai. The desert resort of Bab Al Shams, 50 minutes out of town, gives you camel rides, falconry, and a pool that looks over the dunes. And for a longer escape, a short flight to Muscat, Oman, or a drive to Abu Dhabi – where you can visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – makes a different weekend each time.
Where To Buy Houses In Dubai
Dubai's property market allows foreigners to buy freehold in designated areas, and in recent years the most demand has been for villas and townhouses with gardens and pools. Communities like Arabian Ranches, The Springs, and Damac Hills offer family-friendly layouts with shared pools, parks, and golf courses, and prices start around AED 1.5 million for a two-bedroom townhouse. For a villa on the water, Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Islands command a premium, with prices from AED 5 million upward. Apartments are cheaper – a studio in Dubai Marina or Business Bay can start at AED 500,000 – but you will get more space for your money in the newer developments like Dubai South or Mohammed Bin Rashid City. Always check the title deed and confirm the area is freehold before you commit, and budget an extra 4% for the Dubai Land Department transfer fee.
Where Is The Closest Bus Stop To Al Rigga For City Sightseeing In Dubai
For the City Sightseeing Dubai hop-on-hop-off bus, the closest stop to Al Rigga is at Al Rigga Metro Station, which is on the Red Line and directly outside the station's exit on Al Rigga Road. The bus runs every 30 minutes from 9am to 5pm, and the full loop takes about two hours if you stay on board. From Al Rigga, you can also catch the Dubai Metro Red Line to Union Station and change for the Green Line to reach the Dubai Museum or the Gold Souk. If you prefer a guided tour, the RTA's public buses also stop at Al Rigga, and the nearest bus stop is about a five-minute walk from the metro entrance.
What Souvenir To Buy In Dubai
Skip the keychains and buy a genuine souvenir from the Dubai souks: a hand-stitched camel leather bag, a brass coffee pot called a dallah, or a string of natural pearls from the Pearl Souk. For something sweet, take home a box of dates – the Medjool variety is the most common, but try the stuffed ones with almonds or chocolate. Gold is a classic purchase, and the Gold Souk in Deira has hundreds of shops selling 18- and 22-carat pieces by weight, so you pay the daily gold rate plus a small making charge. If you want something traditional, a long black abaya or a white kandura can be tailored in a day at the textile souk in Bur Dubai. And for a modern twist, the Dubai Mall's souvenir stores sell locally made perfumes with oud and rose, which you can have blended to order.
Staying At Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa In Dubai
Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa sits about 50 minutes from downtown Dubai, a low-rise fortress of sandstone and arches that looks out over the desert. The 115 rooms and villas are decorated in traditional Arabian style, with carved wood, brass lanterns, and private terraces – some with plunge pools. The main pool is a long, cool strip that runs beside the main building, and there are three restaurants, including the Al Hadheerah dinner show with live falconry and tanoura dancing. Rates start around AED 1,200 per night in low season, which includes breakfast, and you can book a dune drive, camel ride, or archery session on site. The resort is a 10-minute drive from the Dubai Outlet Mall, but most guests come for the desert experience, not the shopping.
Staying At Rixos The Palm In Dubai
Rixos The Palm occupies the eastern crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, a five-star all-inclusive resort that opened in 2019. The hotel has 464 rooms and suites, all with balconies facing the sea or the Dubai skyline, and the all-inclusive package covers meals at six restaurants, including a Turkish meze spot and a steakhouse, plus unlimited drinks at the bars and the swim-up pool. The private beach is a long stretch of white sand, and there are two pools – one for families, one adults-only – plus a full spa with a hammam. Rates start around AED 1,500 per night, and the monorail to the mainland is a 10-minute walk away, with a station at the Gateway Towers that connects to the Dubai Tram. The resort is a 25-minute drive from the airport, and the hotel offers a free shuttle to the Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Marina.
Our Home Away From Home In Dubai: The Pullman Mall Of The Emirates Hotel
The Pullman Mall of the Emirates sits directly above the Dubai Metro's Red Line, with a covered walkway into the mall itself and its ski slope. The hotel has 250 rooms and suites, all with modern, minimalist decor and floor-to-ceiling windows – ask for a high floor for views over the city or the Arabian Gulf. The highlight is the pool deck on the 11th floor, which has a lap pool, a jacuzzi, and a bar that serves shisha in the evenings. Breakfast is a big international spread, and the hotel's two restaurants, including a Peruvian place, are popular with locals. Rates start around AED 600 per night, and the location is a 10-minute metro ride to Dubai Marina or 20 minutes to Downtown. The metro station is literally outside the door, so you can leave the car behind.
What You Might Not Know About Drinking Alcohol In Dubai
Dubai allows drinking alcohol, but only in licensed venues such as hotels, bars, and restaurants – drinking in public streets, parks, or on the beach is illegal and can result in fines or arrest. You must be 21 or over to buy alcohol, and you may be asked for ID. The legal limit for driving is zero, and the police conduct random breathalyser tests, so never drive after even one drink. In the past, residents needed an alcohol licence to buy from liquor stores, but since 2020 the government has allowed residents to buy without a licence from the official stores like African + Eastern. During Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight hours is forbidden, but hotels and bars still serve alcohol to non-Muslims in their venues. If you are staying in a hotel, the minibar will be stocked with beer and wine, and most hotel restaurants serve alcohol at dinner.
