A Detailed Dubai Travel Guide 2024 for Tourist Traveling Through, To and from Dubai

Dubai is a city of superlatives. Hosting the world’s tallest skyscrapers to the world’s largest man-made island, it leaves travelers of every kind enchanted by its glory.

From the humble beginnings of a desert port to becoming a modern-day metropolis, Dubai is home to historic neighborhoods and contemporary structures simultaneously.

You could be a tourist planning a vacation to Dubai for the first time or use it as a stopover destination. Whatever your intent, this detailed Dubai Travel Guide 2024 will help you plan your trip easily by providing the essential tools and tips you need. 

Tourists Traveling to Dubai | Dubai Travel Guide 2024

If you are a Tourist Traveling To Dubai for the first time, you must know some important details about this hotspot oasis – visa requirements, public transport, and discounts. 

1. VISA Requirements 

Dubai offers various Tourist Visas enabling all kinds of tourists to visit Dubai. You may get a visa on arrival, or a pre-arranged visit visa based on nationality.

Therefore, you must Check for various Visa options and the one that applies to you, given your nationality and type of travel. Remember, each visa option has different requirements for documents that must be submitted. Finally, you can apply for a visa through the GDRFA website or ask your travel agent to arrange one. 

2. Local Transportation: Getting to and Around Dubai

It’s easy to reach your hotel in Dubai or travel back to the Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) as there are numerous transport options. While DXB is Dubai’s main airport with three terminals, DWC is the airport located to the south of Dubai City. The various transport options available to you from DXB and DWC to Dubai include: 

• Taxi

Tourists can find a taxi pick-up location outside all the terminals by simply following the signs in their terminal. Taxis are available 24 hours a day, meaning you get one irrespective of the time you land at the airport. You can even use private taxi booking services like Careem and Uber and book Taxis via mobile apps. 

Download Careem App and Book Your Ride!

Download Uber App and Book Your Ride!

• Metro

One of the economical, safe, and reliable modes of transportation in Dubai is metro. It has two lines, Red and Green, that run from DXB through various city areas. All you need is an NOL card that is topped up.

An NOL card is a rechargeable card that travelers can use to access any public transport in Dubai including buses, rail, trams, and taxis. Apart from the metro, you have trams around Dubai Marina and Palm Monorail. 

• Bus

Another reasonable option is to travel around Dubai by bus. Buses run every 30 minutes and operate 24 hours a day. You can pay for the bus fair only via an NOL card. 

• Rented Car

You can get a rented car, provided you have a valid international license, from local car hire service providers like Hertz, Avis, etc., or download apps like UDrive or ekar to self-drive around the city. 

• Abra Or Water Taxis 

You can also commute via abra, the oldest wooden boats, from their assigned Creekside stations at Deira or Bur Dubai. Dubai also has modern-day water taxis which are much faster and connected to more than 40 stations across the city. 

3. Currency 

The official currency of Dubai and six other UAE emirates is Dirham which is pegged against the US dollar (USD 1 = AED3.67). You can change your currency into AED from the exchange bureaus located across Dubai. 

a. Search for Exchanges in Malls

You can easily locate an exchange in the malls nearest to you. Some of the exchanges you can look for include: 

• GCC Exchange

• Sharaf Exchange

• Al Ansari Exchange 

• Al Fardan Exchange 

b. Carry Important Documents for Currency Exchange

Remember to carry identification documents like your passport or national ID when visiting an exchange. Also, you’ll be asked to provide your contact details. 

c. ATMs Accept International Cards

Withdrawing cash via international card is easy given numerous ATMs across Dubai. However, you must check for the withdrawal and foreign currency exchange charges with your bank before traveling. 

d. Use International Cards in Shops 

Again, you can use international debit or credit cards for purchasing goods and services at shops. However, check with your card issuers about the withdrawal and currency exchange charges. 

4. Get A Local SIM Card 

Although tourists have free access to Wi-Fi in hotels, public spots, and popular tourist destinations in Dubai, they’ll still need a local SIM card for non-stop access to the internet and save on roaming charges. 

• Getting a SIM Card In Dubai 

Tourists 18 years and above get a complimentary Tourism SIM card from the telecom operator du when they pass through the immigration at the DXB airport. You’ll be asked to provide your passport or ID card and a valid UAE tourist visa to get the local SIM card at the DXB. 

• Topping Up The Visitor SIM Card 

Apart from Du, tourists can locate kiosks of other local telecom operators like Etisalat and Virgin at the airport’s arrival area or Dubai duty-free. 

• Download The ALSAADA App for Discounts 

ALSAADA app is like your loyalty card. You must download this app to enjoy discounts across Dubai’s best hotels, restaurants, and entertainment spots. The ALSAADA QR code can be found on the back of your tourist SIM card. 

5. You Pay VAT On the Purchase of Goods and Services 

Tourists purchasing goods and services pay 5% on their purchase which they can claim back once they leave Dubai. Apart from VAT, the Tourism Dirham fee per room per night is charged on the hotels. This fee varies depending on the type of hotel and can go up to AED 20. 

6. Use Legal Internet Calling Apps in Dubai 

Dubai does not support WhatsApp and Viber cybercrime issues. However, UAE allows other internet calling apps like BOTIM, Go Chat, Voico, etc that can be used for internet calls to loved ones back home. 

7. Visit the Best Places In Dubai Via Dubai Pass and Save Money

You can visit some of the top attractions of Dubai for less by purchasing a Dubai Pass. This way, you will not have to buy tickets to visit various attractions separately and can save up to 60%. The two main providers of the Dubai Pass include:

• Dubai Pass from IVenture Card.

• Go Dubai Pass from Go City.

8. Accommodations That Suit Your Needs 

Dubai has a range of accommodation options to suit the pockets of every kind of traveler. From luxury hotels like Atlantis, The Palm to budget hotels like Hampton by Hilton, and Hotel Apartments that offer kitchen and room cleaning services, to home and apartment rentals offered by Airbnb, Dubai has it all. 

Tourists Traveling Through Dubai 

If you are traveling to some destination via Dubai Connection and planning for a day or two’s stopover in the city, here’s what you should know apart from the above tips to make the most of your short stay. 

1. You’ll Need a Transit Visa

Dubai offers transit visas for Tourists en route to another destination via Dubai. This means you can use Dubai for a stayover before continuing your journey to the final destination. Thus, you can travel all over Dubai and UAE but board the flight to your next destination only from Dubai Airport. This is because transit visas are valid for departure and arrival only from the Dubai Airport. There are two types of Transit Visa: 

• For 48 Hrs Transit Visa

The transit visa for 48 hours is issued for free to travelers transiting via UAE airports. 

Note: The 48-hour vias is only valid for 48 hours from entry into the UAE and are non-extendable and non-renewable. 

• For 96 Hrs Transit Visa

The Transit visa for 96 hours is issued against a fee of AED50 to travelers transiting via the UAE airports. You need to apply for this visa in advance via a UAE-based airline.

Note: The 96-hour visa only for 96 hours from entry into the UAE and are non-extendable and non-renewable. 

Accordingly, you can directly apply for a transit visa via a UAE-based airline or ask your travel agent to do so.

You can Apply Online on Emirates.

Documents Needed

• A passport or an identity document which is valid for at least 3 months (for 48 hour visa) and 6 months (for 96 hour visa)
• Your photo with a white background
• An onward ticket to a third destination apart from the one where you are coming from

2. Take Advantage of the Tourism SIM Card 

Travelers 18 years and above get a Complimentary Tourism SIM card issued by telecom operator du when they pass the immigration at the DXB.

However, tourists with Transit Visas get 1GB of free mobile data valid for 24 hours. 

Tourists Traveling from Dubai 

If you are a tourist traveling from Dubai, here are certain things you must keep in mind. 

1. Reach the Airport Well Before Time

Reach the airport well before your departure time at the Dubai International Airport. The security check-ins and immigration take time. 

2. Shop At Dubai Duty-Free

Don’t forget to take advantage of the Dubai Duty Free both at the DXB and DWC airports. While you’ll find duty-free shops both at the arrival and departure areas, you’ll see some of the largest collection of perfumes, jeweler, and other luxury goods at DXB terminal 3.

But not only this, The Dubai International Airport has DXB & More service that gets your shopping items delivered straight to your boarding gate. And if you are running late and do not have enough time to visit the shopping outlets, you can order items on Dubai Duty Free’s website. All your purchased items will be sent to your home address.  

3. Take Advantage of the Airport Lounges

Dubai Airport lounges are known for their luxury and exclusivity. The DXB has numerous options for lounges where you can sit, relax with your family, and have a luxurious experience of a lifetime.

Certain airlines like Emirates, British Airways, etc., have their lounges offering premium services free to tourists traveling via these airlines based on the class of travel. You can even pay and get access to one of these premium lounges as you wait for your flight. 

Whether traveling for business or a vacation with your family, Dubai is a global hub for tourists and expats. You must plan ahead of your trip and keep these tips in mind to make the most of your trip to Dubai.