Looking for beach escapism? Come to Dubai. Seeking a luxurious hotel stay in a scenic setting? You’ll find plenty of options in Dubai. Interested in culture and tradition? Dubai. Seeking a great spot for shopping? There is no better place that Dubai.
Dubai is a paradise for thrill seekers, history buffs, shopping enthusiasts, foodies, and tourists of all kinds. But for that ultimate international trip, a Dubai travel checklist is essential to ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.
Planning a Trip to Dubai? Start with the Essentials
Packing light is encouraged, but what truly matters is packing smart. This ultimate Dubai packing checklist highlights all the travel essentials for Dubai to make your trip seamless. Let’s dive in.
After Booking Your Dubai Trip: First Steps
The first thing that should be on the list of priorities after just finishing bookings for that ultimate Dubai holiday is passport. Your passport needs to be at least six months valid from the day the flight lands in Dubai.
For example, if one reaches Dubai on January 1, 2026, the passport should have an expiry date of no earlier than July 1, 2025. If not, renew it immediately—it’s a key part of your Dubai travel checklist.
Next, is your visa to Dubai ready? You may already have checked if you need a visa to travel to Dubai. But if not, please do that at the earliest. Many nationalities do not need a visa, some can get a visa on arrival and others need to apply prior to the trip starts.
Also, get your travel and medical insurance sorted for a worry-free Dubai holiday. Whether you’re already insured or need to purchase a new policy, this is an important step in your Dubai trip preparation.
Before the Trip: Think Ahead
Time to plan smart. Consider the following things to pack for Dubai:
- Budget and payment methods
- Medications
- Luggage type
- Travel gadgets
- SIM cards for Dubai
- The right clothes for Dubai’s weather
Let’s break down this checklist for Dubai.
Don’t start pondering about these things just before the trip is about to begin, as things could get really hectic then. Make preparations early to keep the journey more organised and comfortable. Let me take you through the list.
1. Possible expenses and payment methods
Dubai can be budget-friendly, but some areas could be a bit high on the price range. Multiple places in Dubai accept Visa and MasterCard, but other credit and debit cards might not be that popular. Consider getting a card featuring less foreign transaction fees.
Next, cash. Though people mostly use cashless payment methods in Dubai, it’s still helpful to carry some UAE Dirhams. There are ample ATMs in Dubai and one can also find a great number of currency exchange places. Make a bit of research and preparations beforehand. Add this to your Dubai travel essentials.
2. Medications
There are some rules related to bringing medications into Dubai. Tourists are permitted to bring a maximum of three months’ supply of medicines to the UAE. But it is not possible to bring some medications inside. You can find more details on this official platform.
Don’t forget:
- All necessary prescriptions
- First aid kit
- Motion sickness tablets (for desert safaris)
- Band-aids
- Pain relievers
- Hand sanitizer
These are must-haves for your Dubai travel kit.
3. Luggage: Checked or Carry-On?
Is it going to be a cabin bag or a checked baggage or both. Make sure to check the size requirements of the airline. Think about the luggage that fits your needs. Don’t forget about the possibility of shopping in Dubai and the extra space these things are going to need.
You can bring a medium-sized suitcase for a short trip or a backpack for the desert safaris in Dubai. If there is a carry-on bag plus a checked baggage, include essentials like medications, charger, documents and an outfit in the cabin bag in case of delays.
These days, packing cubes are immensely popular on Instagram and other social media platforms. You can use these to better organise your belongings. It is much easier to find something in just a matter of seconds if all the luggage is compartmentalised.
4. Gadgets to Bring to Dubai
Planning on bringing along a tablet and camera on Dubai holiday? You should definitely bring a great camera as there is no shortage of Instagrammable spots in Dubai. But remember, Dubai uses UK-style Type G plugs. Getting plug adaptors is, nonetheless, easy.
Ohh, and did I mention to bring a noise-cancelling headphone, too? These underrated gadgets are really helpful in blocking unnecessary noise during flights, busy public areas and some other places. Isn’t it so easy?
These travel gadgets for Dubai will make life easier.
5. Dubai Tourist SIM Card
You can find free internet at most of the hotels and public places in Dubai. But it is recommended to get a Tourist SIM card in Dubai for a more seamless experience. Here is a complete guide to getting a SIM card in the Emirate.
The Dubai International airport (DXB) has a number of telecom stores, including Du, Etisalat and Virgin Mobile, all offering benefits tailored to tourists. You can come to these counters after completing immigration procedures. The SIM starts to function in 2 to 5 minutes. Definitely add this to your packing list for Dubai.
6. What Clothes to Pack for Dubai
During the summer season, temperatures in Dubai can easily go beyond 40 degrees Celsius. Temperatures significantly drop during the cooler months of December and January. Here’s a clothing checklist for Dubai:
If you feel like there is something missing, this is the right time for a little bit of shopping before jetting off to Dubai. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, hats and reusable bottles, too. Public places in Dubai might require you to put on an appropriate piece of clothing.
Let me elaborate on the type of clothes one might need to pack for a trip to Dubai. You need to consider comfort, atmospheric conditions and respect for the Emirate’s modest dress code. Dubai is pretty hot during the day time most of the year.
For the summer, pack light tops, shorts and dresses. You can put in a light jacket for malls and other indoor locations as air conditioning in Dubai is no joke. From December to March, pack a better jacket as nights can be cool and daytime, pleasant.
Modesty is appreciated in public spaces in Dubai. You can try out maxi dresses, long skirts, linen trousers and light tunics, blouses of t-shirts, especially in the souks and malls. It is recommended to pack in a scarf as it can be useful in most of the places.
For beach days, put in a flip-flop. For desert safaris in Dubai, put on comfortable and breathable clothes. You should bring a hat or a scarf to ditch the sand and the sun to some extent. To explore the nightlife, pack in a semi-formal or smart casual outfit.
7. Print Important Documents
It is important to keep paper copies of essential information, such as insurance details, flight bookings and hotel bookings. For the travel insurance think, keep a copy of the details on you to instantly bring it out if any issue arises.
Just Before You Fly to Dubai
1. Start shopping, Finalize Packing & Essentials
Don’t forget to bring a tube of sunscreen as Dubai has plenty of sunshine to soak in the majority of the year. Prepare preferred toiletries and medications. If you are bringing a hand baggage only, make sure any liquids, aerosols and gels are 100 ml or less.
It is important to pack right instead of packing light. Don’t forget some formal or smarter clothes if you plan on going to a fine dining restaurant in Dubai. The air conditioning can sometimes be too cold, so put on an extra layer, if necessary.
2. Charge All Your Devices
There is nothing more annoying than bringing a dead gadget on a trip. Right? Plan beforehand and get all the cameras, phones, portable chargers, tablets and laptops fully charged before leaving home for the airport.
3. Carry Some Cash
Dubai is getting increasingly reliant on cashless transactions. This is great actually. But it is also recommended to keep some of your country’s cash in hand, until you get access to the UAE Dirhams. This cash can be used to change some money upon reaching Dubai.
Dirhams can be used for smaller purchases and in traditional souks in Dubai. The Emirate has a really popular shopping scene. You can find plenty of souks, including a Gold Souk, Textile Souk, Perfume Souk and Spice Souk in Dubai. These are top shopping experiences in Dubai—bring extra luggage space!
4. Don’t fret
It is completely alright to forget to pack one thing or the other. It can happen and there is no need to fret. It can happen to the best of us. You can purchase almost all essentials in Dubai for a seamless holiday experience.
Dubai is one of the best places to explore. It is safe, elegant, and suitable for all budgets and people of all ages. You can try out delicacies from different parts of the globe, explore Dubai’s famous nightlife and take a stroll around historical landmarks.
What NOT to Pack for Dubai
This article already includes all the things one must pack for a trip to Dubai. But there are some things that should NOT be packed as they could take up unnecessary space in the luggage or cause a lot of trouble at the customs.
These include alcohol, first of all. Only purchase alcohol from licenced stores or outlets. Packing in alcohol could lead to potential issues at the customs. You should also not bring cooked food into Dubai. The Emirate has plenty of fresh dining options, including at airports.
Carry a doctor’s note. Certain medications commonly accepted in your country might be banned in Dubai. It is recommended to bring a doctor’s note or a prescription for necessary medications, in order to stay far from possible complications.
Now that you know what to pack for Dubai, all that’s left is to enjoy your holiday in this iconic destination.
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