United Arab Emirates

Dubai

City breaks, beaches and big experiences.

Why Dubai

From skyline views to desert horizons, Dubai combines city energy with an easy escape.

Dubai packs a great deal into a small area: a skyline built within a single generation, a long stretch of calm coastline, and open desert less than an hour from the centre. It works equally well as a week of its own or as a two-day stop on a longer route.

Landmarks: The Burj Khalifa and Marina towers at one end of the city, the older quarters around Dubai Creek at the other.
Desert: Dune drives, camel farms and quiet desert camps within easy reach of the city.
Food: Emirati home cooking, long-standing South Asian restaurants and a well-known fine dining scene.
Shopping: Large modern malls at one extreme, the gold and spice souks at the other.

What travellers often plan

Getting to Dubai, staying and getting around.

Ask about one of these or all of them together in a single request.

Planning your trip

The practical bits.

Best time to visit: November to March, when daytime temperatures are comfortable.
Getting around: A metro line runs the length of the city; taxis cover the rest.
Suggested length: Three to five days, or two as a stopover.

A modern city hotel room with a padded headboard, bedside lamps and a window onto high-rise buildings.

Where to stay

Choosing an area in Dubai.

Downtown Dubai: Around the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall — central, busy and well placed for a first visit.
Dubai Marina and JBR: High-rise waterfront living with a long public beach and plenty of places to eat.
Deira and Bur Dubai: The older quarters either side of Dubai Creek, close to the souks and the abra crossings.
Palm Jumeirah: Resort-style stays on the man-made island, suited to slower beach days.

A general overview of areas, not a list of available hotels.

Request Hotel Options

Dubai's towers and the lanes of Sheikh Zayed Road lit up in the evening.

Getting around

Arriving in Dubai.

Most international flights arrive at Dubai International (DXB), which sits close to the city. The Metro Red Line serves Terminals 1 and 3, and taxis wait at every terminal. Some airlines use Al Maktoum International (DWC), which is considerably further out.

A metro line runs the length of the city; taxis cover the rest.

Request an Airport Transfer Flights to Dubai

When planning matters

Worth sorting out before you go.

A traveller standing at a doorway with two hard-shell suitcases, ready to leave.

Check entry requirements early: Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change over time. Please confirm with the official guidance for your route.
Travel dates make a difference: School holidays, festivals and peak seasons affect what's available. If your dates are flexible, tell us — it gives us more to work with.
Plan the arrival, not just the flight: Late-night and early-morning arrivals are much easier with a transfer arranged in advance.
Match the stay to the plan: Choose the area around what you'll actually do each day, not only the hotel itself.