Planning your first trip to Dubai brings a lot of questions at once. Do you need a visa? When is it too hot? How much will it cost, and what are you allowed to wear? And this year, many travellers are also asking whether it’s a good time to go at all.
We’re a Dubai-based tour company, and these are the questions first-time visitors ask us every day. This guide answers them in the order you’ll need them, from the latest travel advice to your first two days in the city.
Quick answer: Before you book, check your government’s travel advice and your airline, because a regional conflict is still disrupting some travel in 2026. Many nationalities, including UK, US, EU and Australian citizens, get a free visa on arrival. Visit between November and March, allow 4 to 5 days, and budget from about AED 65 to 195 per activity. Dress modestly in malls and old areas, and save swimwear for the beach.
Before You Book: Check the Latest Travel Advice
Since a regional conflict began on 28 February 2026, several governments have warned their citizens about travel to the UAE. As of mid-November 2026:
- The US advises Level 3: Reconsider Travel.
- Australia advises travellers to reconsider their need to travel, including transit.
- Ireland advises against all non-essential travel, including transit.
Dubai’s airports are open and most flights are running, but some routes have been cancelled at short notice, and airlines warn that a confirmed booking isn’t a guarantee. If you decide to travel:
- Check your own government’s advice before you book, and again before you fly.
- Make sure your travel insurance covers you. Some policies don’t cover trips against government advice.
- Choose flights and hotels you can change or cancel.
- Check your flight status with your airline before you leave for the airport, and arrive at least three hours early.
- Follow instructions from the local authorities and keep your phone charged.
- Never film or share images of security incidents or military sites.
We’ll keep this section updated as the advice changes. For our own cancellation rules, see our booking policy.
Do You Need a Visa for Dubai?
Many visitors don’t need to arrange anything in advance. Here’s how it works in 2026:
- Free visa on arrival for 90 days: citizens of about 49 countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, China, Russia and most EU countries.
- Free visa on arrival for 30 days: citizens of some other countries, including Malaysia and Hong Kong.
- Visa on arrival for Indian passport holders: for 14 or 60 days, if you hold a valid residence permit from an approved country such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia or an EU country.
- Everyone else, including visitors from Pakistan: apply for a tourist visa before you travel, through an airline such as Emirates or flydubai, your hotel or a licensed travel agency.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your arrival date. Visa rules change, so check the official ICP website before you book flights.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Dubai?
November to March is the best time for a first visit. Days are warm and sunny, evenings are comfortable, and it’s the season for desert safaris, beach days and outdoor dinners. It’s also the busiest and most expensive time, so book a few weeks ahead.
| Months | Weather | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| November to March | Warm days, cool evenings | Peak season: best for outdoor plans, higher hotel prices |
| April, May and October | Hot, often above 30°C | Plan outdoor trips for early morning and evening |
| June to September | Very hot, often above 40°C | Lowest hotel prices; spend middays indoors |
Ramadan 2027 is expected to start around 8 February. Dubai stays open, but some shows and restaurants change their hours, and you should eat and drink discreetly in public during the day.
How Many Days Do You Need?
Four to five days is right for a first visit. That gives you time for the big sights, a desert safari, a slow beach day and a day trip to Abu Dhabi. With only three days, focus on Downtown, old Dubai and the desert. Our guide to the best things to do in Dubai includes a sample 3-day plan.
How Much Does a Dubai Trip Cost?
Dubai can be as expensive or as affordable as you make it. Hotels are the biggest cost and change a lot with the season. Getting around and seeing the sights costs less than most people expect. These are typical prices in November 2026:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Nol Silver card for the Metro | AED 25, including AED 19 of credit |
| Metro single trip | AED 3 to 7.50, depending on zones |
| Metro day pass | AED 20 |
| Dubai Frame ticket | AED 65 |
| Dhow dinner cruise | AED 99 on Dubai Creek, AED 195 in Dubai Marina |
| Evening desert safari (shared) | From AED 80 |
| Burj Khalifa At The Top | From AED 145 |
| Dubai city tour (shared) | AED 150 |
| Abu Dhabi day trip (shared) | AED 165 |
| Hotel Tourism Dirham fee | AED 7 to 20 per room per night |
Tour and ticket prices are Wonder Star Tourism prices in November 2026.
Hotel prices you see online often don’t include everything. Check that the total includes VAT, service charge and the Tourism Dirham fee, which is charged per room for every night of your stay.
Image recommendation 2
- Where: Right here, after the price table
- What: A hand tapping a Nol card on a Dubai Metro gate, with a train in the background
- File name: dubai-metro-nol-card.webp
- Alt text: “Tapping a Nol card at a Dubai Metro gate”
- Why: Shows how cheap and simple getting around can be, the point of this section.
Where to Stay in Dubai
Dubai is spread out, so where you stay shapes your whole trip. For a first visit, pick one of these areas:
| Area | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Dubai | First visits, sightseeing | Walk to the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain |
| Dubai Marina and JBR | Beach, restaurants, nightlife | Near the beach; further from old Dubai |
| Deira and Bur Dubai | Culture, souks, value | Old Dubai and the Creek; close to the airport |
| Palm Jumeirah | Resorts, beach holidays | Beautiful but far from most sights |
| Business Bay | Value near Downtown | Many newer hotels and apartments |
If you’ll take tours, stay anywhere central. Many of our tours include hotel pick-up from across Dubai.
Getting From the Airport and Around the City
Dubai is easy to get around once you know your options. From Dubai International Airport, the Metro Red Line runs from Terminals 1 and 3 into the city, and taxis wait outside every arrivals hall. In the city, most visitors mix the Metro, taxis and tours with hotel pick-up.
Dubai Metro
The Metro is clean, cheap and air-conditioned, with two lines: the Red Line along Sheikh Zayed Road and the Green Line through old Dubai. Buy a Nol Silver card for AED 25, which includes AED 19 of credit, and tap in and out at the gates. Single trips cost AED 3 to 7.50, and a day pass costs AED 20. Eating and drinking aren’t allowed on board, and you can be fined.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Official taxis are metered and easy to find at malls, hotels and stations. You can also book through the Careem or Uber apps. Use only official taxis or the apps, never unlicensed cars offering rides.
Tours With Hotel Pick-Up
For the desert, Abu Dhabi and evening cruises, a tour with hotel pick-up saves the most time and stress. You don’t need a car, and you won’t have to work out how to get back late at night.
Money, Phones and Everyday Practicalities
Here are the small things first-timers often ask about:
- Currency: the UAE dirham (AED). It’s fixed to the US dollar at about AED 3.67 per dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry some cash for souks and small shops.
- Paying by card: if a card machine asks, pay in AED rather than your home currency. It’s usually cheaper.
- Tipping: optional. 10 to 15% in restaurants is common if service isn’t already included, and a small tip for guides and drivers is appreciated.
- Phones: buy a tourist SIM or an eSIM from du or e& at the airport. WhatsApp messages work, but WhatsApp and FaceTime voice and video calls are often blocked.
- Plugs: UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G), 230 volts.
- Water: tap water is treated and safe, but most people drink bottled water.
- Weekend: Saturday and Sunday. Friday is a normal day for most shops and attractions, with a break around midday prayers.
- Emergencies: call 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance and 997 for the fire service.
What to Wear in Dubai
Dubai is relaxed about clothing, but it helps to dress for where you’re going:
- Malls, souks and old Dubai: cover your shoulders and knees. Some malls have signs asking for this.
- Beaches, pools and beach clubs: swimwear is fine, but cover up when you leave.
- Mosques: women need loose, ankle-length clothing, long sleeves and a headscarf; men need long trousers.
- The desert: light, loose clothes, closed shoes and a scarf for the sand. Our guide to the types of desert safari in Dubai has a full packing list.
- Evenings out: smart casual works almost everywhere.
Image recommendation 3
- Where: Right here, after the list
- What: Visitors in light, modest clothing walking through a traditional souk in Deira
- File name: what-to-wear-in-dubai-souk.webp
- Alt text: “What to wear in Dubai: visitors in light, modest clothing at a souk in Deira”
- Why: Shows the dress code at a glance, one of the most searched first-timer questions.
Dubai Rules Every Tourist Should Know
Most visitors never have a problem, but some rules are stricter than at home. These are the ones that catch tourists out:
- Medicines: some medicines that are legal at home, including some painkillers with codeine and some sleeping pills, are controlled in the UAE. Carry your prescription, and check the UAE Ministry of Health’s list before you fly.
- Alcohol: allowed for adults aged 21 and over in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants. Drinking in public, or being drunk in public, is an offence.
- Photos: don’t photograph people, especially women and children, without permission. Never film or share images of security incidents, police activity or military sites.
- Behaviour in public: holding hands is fine, but kissing in public isn’t. Swearing and rude gestures, including online, can lead to fines.
- Drugs: the UAE has zero tolerance. Even tiny amounts, or traces in your blood, can lead to prison.
- Ramadan: be discreet about eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight hours.
Your First Two Days: A Simple Plan
With flights less predictable in 2026, keep your arrival day light and don’t book anything you can’t move.
Day 1: Arrive and Settle In
Check in, rest, then spend the evening around Downtown. Walk through The Dubai Mall and watch the free Dubai Fountain show, which runs every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11 PM. If you have energy left, book a Dhow Cruise Deira dinner on Dubai Creek, from AED 99.
Day 2: The City, Then the Desert
See the Dubai Frame or the Burj Khalifa in the morning, while it’s cooler. In the afternoon, our evening desert safari picks you up from your hotel for dune bashing, the sunset and a BBQ dinner at the camp, from AED 80.
For days 3 to 5, see our best things to do in Dubai and our Abu Dhabi day trip plan.
Image recommendation 4
- Where: Right here, after the Day 2 plan
- What: The Dubai Fountain show at night in front of the Burj Khalifa, with visitors on the promenade
- File name: dubai-fountain-first-evening.webp
- Alt text: “Visitors watching the Dubai Fountain show in front of the Burj Khalifa on their first evening in Dubai”
- Why: The easiest, free first-evening plan, and a strong reason to stay in Downtown.
First-Timer Mistakes to Avoid
These are the mistakes we see most often:
- Booking a fixed-time ticket, like a sunset Burj Khalifa slot, for the day you land.
- Assuming your travel insurance covers you without checking the small print.
- Planning outdoor sightseeing at midday between April and October.
- Wearing beachwear away from the beach.
- Comparing hotel prices without the Tourism Dirham fee, VAT and service charge.
- Trying to fit Abu Dhabi and a desert safari into one day.
- Booking the Museum of the Future: it’s closed until 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions first-time visitors ask us most.
Do I need a visa to visit Dubai?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of about 49 countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and most EU countries, get a free 90-day visa on arrival. Others need to apply before travelling, through an airline, hotel or licensed travel agency. Check the official ICP website before you book.
Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now?
Dubai has very little crime, but a regional conflict that began in February 2026 is still affecting travel. As of November 2026, the US, Australia and Ireland advise travellers to reconsider or avoid non-essential travel to the UAE. Check your own government’s advice, your airline and your insurance before you book.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
Four to five days is ideal for a first visit. That’s enough for the main sights, a desert safari, a beach day and a day trip to Abu Dhabi.
How much money do I need for Dubai?
Hotels vary most. On top of your hotel, many tours and tickets cost AED 65 to 195, a Metro day pass costs AED 20, and hotels add a Tourism Dirham fee of AED 7 to 20 per room per night.
What should I wear in Dubai?
Cover your shoulders and knees in malls, souks and old Dubai, and wear swimwear only at beaches and pools. At mosques, women need loose, ankle-length clothing and a headscarf.
Can tourists drink alcohol in Dubai?
Yes, if you’re 21 or over, in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants. Drinking in public or being drunk in public is an offence.
What is the best month to visit Dubai?
November to March, when it’s warm but comfortable. December and January are the most popular, so book early for the best prices.
Plan Your First Dubai Trip With Wonder Star Tourism
Your first trip to Dubai comes down to a few simple steps:
- Check the latest travel advice, your visa and your insurance.
- Visit between November and March, and allow 4 to 5 days.
- Stay somewhere central, and book flexible plans.
Our local team can help you plan the rest, from your first desert safari to a day in Abu Dhabi, and many of our tours include hotel pick-up. Browse our Dubai city tours, desert safaris and Abu Dhabi tours, or message us on WhatsApp with your dates.
