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 of preferences. But for that ultimate international trip to Dubai, there is a need for a bit of preparation for a stress-free experience.
Packing light is definitely encouraged. But it is time to play smart and focus on packing right. This article has a reliable Dubai packing checklist. It lists all the essentials one might need for a seamless trip to Dubai. Read on.
Just after finishing bookings for the trip to Dubai
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 this doesn’t appear to be the case, make sure to prep up the passport as soon as possible!
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.
Next, focus on getting a travel and medical insurance for an absolutely stress-free experience in Dubai. If you are already holding a policy of similar kind, it is great. If not, purchase one immediately. These handful of things are enough to get you started.
There is still some sizeable time left before the trip starts
Think. Think. Think. Think about possible expenses, payment methods, clothes, checked baggage or cabin bag, medications, gadgets to bring along and the SIM card scene. These things are immensely important, so pay attention.
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, cash is still a small part of the picture. 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.
2. Medications
There are some rules related to bringing medications to 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.
Remember to pack all necessary prescriptions. Bring in a first aid kit that packs in all essentials, including motion sickness tablets (maybe for the desert safaris), band-aids and pain relief medications and hand sanitizers. These can be really useful in times of crisis.
3. Luggage
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 along
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?
5. SIM card scene
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.
6. Clothes
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. It is recommended to pack the right clothing 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. Printing 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 a short time is left before flight to Dubai departs
1. Start shopping for essentials and finalise clothes
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. Start charging all gadgets up
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. Take out 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.
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.
Things NOT to pack for a trip to 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.
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