Flights from Nairobi to Dubai

Plan Ahead for a Successful Holiday in Dubai

Enjoy gorgeous weather, local customs, festivals and world-renowned shopping at great deals in Dubai. Plan ahead to make your next holiday or business trip to this amazing city a success.

Best Time of Year to go to Dubai

The city of Dubai is a year-round holiday and business destination thanks to its subtropical climate. The months from October to April  are possibly the best time to visit the area, as temperatures are often between 25° and 35° C. In the summer months, temperatures can rise as high as 45° C.

If your travel plans have you in Dubai in December, plan to experience National day on December 2. The dates of Islamic holidays vary per year, but Eid, the most important Islamic festival, marks the end of Ramadan which is during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. 

What to Know Before You Travel to Dubai 

British citizens can apply for a 30 day visa when they arrive in Dubai. Be advised, however, that overstaying your visa will incur a fine. Be sure that your routine vaccines and boosters are up to date. If your travel plans have you in Dubai during Ramadan you should know that eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited in public during the day at this time. There are also quite strict regulations on drinking alcohol in the UAE.

It is typically cheaper to stay in Dubai than it is in London. Restaurant meal prices are around 45 percent cheaper, electronics are typically cheaper and you can haggle in the markets or souks. However, goods imported from Europe can be more expensive, so plan to buy these items at home before you travel. Dubai is at GST (Gulf Standard Time) - UTC/GMT +4 - three hours ahead of London.

Local Tips for Dubai

When looking to take public transportation, it is important to know that both local metros run from Saturday until Thursday from 6 am to 11 pm and on Fridays from 1 pm to midnight. Visitors will find that the red line metro stops every 10 minutes at terminals 1 and 3, while the green line stops at the Airport Free Zone near terminal 2. Prices for the metro amount to approximately: one zone for 4 AED, two zones for 6 AED and three for 8.50 AED. It may be wise to purchase the red ticket, as it is convenient and cheap for tourists. The red ticket makes tickets 50 percent cheaper, allows a maximum of 10 journeys and is valid for 90 days. Buses stop at all terminals from 6 am until 10 pm, these include the bus numbers 4, 11, 15, 33 and 44. Taxi prices are obviously more expensive than public transport but will still be cheaper than in UK due to the fact that petrol is not as dear in the UAE.

Budget accommodation in hostels can be found from about 100 AED if shared or about 800 AED for single hotel rooms. Book rooms early if planning a break in the peak season September-May.