Travel Guides: All Countries / Middle East / United Arab Emirates / Dubai
 |  | Fact File : Dubai |
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| | | Dubai | | Did you know?
Dubai has been nicknamed the City of Gold due to its huge gold souk.
Language
Arabic, but English is widely spoken.
Visas
UK citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE. But an Israeli stamp in your passport can cause problems. Your passport must have at least two months validity left from your date of arrival.
Getting there
Flights go direct to Dubai from most UK provincial town airports. If your journey involves a connection, make sure the wait isn't more trouble than it's worth. The best airlines are Emirates and Gulf Air, though more expensive. Shop around for the bargains.
Flying time from London
Around seven hours
Getting around
Hire cars or taxis are best, although the congestion at peak times might put you off. The main bus station, Bur Dubai, is on Al-Ghubaiba Rd and the Deira bus station is on Al-Khor St, near the gold souk. Fares are cheap, with discounts on a week travelcard, a Smart Card or monthly card, a taufeer.
Currency
UAE dirham (Dh)
Costs
Prices do vary quite dramatically depending on where you choose to drink and shop. As a guide, a pint of beer or glass of wine is about £2.50-£3. At the top-notch hotels expect to pay £5 plus tax and a 20% service charge. An average meal is about £8-£12. A short taxi trip costs about £3, though fares go up through the evening and if you cross the Creek.
Weather
For most of the year it's warm and humid with hardly a cloud. But in summer it can get extremely hot with daytime temperatures reaching the mid-40Cs(113F). July and August are hottest (48C/118F) and most humid (95%). Winter brings perfect weather with an average of 24C(75F). It doesn't rain much, but when it does, getting around can prove problematic. Sandstorms can occur, although Dubai is not particularly affected as the tall buildings protect the city.
Time difference
Four hours ahead of GMT
International dialling code from the UK
00 971 4
Voltage
The electricity voltage is 220V AC. The British three-pin plugs are used although appliances are often sold there with two-pin plugs. You can buy adaptors almost anywhere for £1.
Opening hours
Shops are open from 8am to 1pm and 4.30pm to 8 or 9pm and all shut on Friday mornings. Shopping centres are open from 10am to 10pm or midnight every day except Friday. The souks start early at 7am until midday, close for the afternoon, and reopen around 5pm until 7pm. The business end of town works to similar hours but the weekend here falls on Thursday and Friday. Bank opening hours are 8.30am-1pm and 3pm-6.30pm. The main post office is on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek and is open Sat-Wed from 8am-10pm and Fridays from 8am-noon. The Deira post office on Al-Sabkha Rd has longer and more flexible hours.
Health - Before you go
Seek travel insurance before you go, to cover any non-urgent cases. The UAE is a clean-living city where major health problems are rare. Just remember sun protection and plenty of water.
Health - When you are there
The standard of health care is fairly high in the UAE. Plus, western medicines are widely available at the pharmacies in the city. Emergency care is free in the government hospitals.
Warnings
Visitors are advised to have hepatitis A and B jabs. Do not take drugs - the law is very strict and includes the death penalty.
Emergency
Police 999. British Embassy PO Box 65, Dubai. Tel: 521 070
Customs
Always stand when someone enters the room and offer your hand to shake. Touch your heart with the palm of your right hand after each shake.
Pets
Animals returning to the UK from Dubai will be subject to six months' quarantine.
Tipping
Tips are appreciated, but there is no set rate. Service charges go to the hotel, rather than the staff.
Tourist office
Dubai Department of Tourism, 1st Floor, 125 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5EA. Tel: 020 7839 0581.
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Holiday Rentals in Dubai |
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