Everything you need to know before travelling to Dubai
- Jul 21
- 4 min read
From impressive skyscrapers and luxurious shopping centres to long beaches and adventurous desert excursions, Dubai is a destination that continues to surprise. But what is the best time to visit? How does public transport work? And how many days do you need to see the highlights? In this article, we share everything you need to know before travelling to Dubai, so you can set off well prepared.
How do you get to Dubai?
The easiest way to reach Dubai is by plane. You can fly directly to this world-famous city from the Netherlands and several surrounding countries. A direct flight from the Netherlands takes approximately seven hours.
Best time to visit Dubai
Dubai is a popular destination throughout the year, but it can become incredibly hot during the summer. For the most comfortable temperatures, we mainly recommend visiting Dubai between November and March. During these months, the weather is usually pleasant enough for both a beach holiday and exploring the city. Spring can also be a good time to visit, although temperatures begin to rise quickly, particularly from April onwards.
Fortunately, Dubai is well equipped for high temperatures. We once visited in July, when temperatures rose above 45°C. We were not bothered by it too much, as long as we stayed in the shade or inside air-conditioned buildings. Even many of the bus stops in Dubai are air-conditioned!
How many days do you need in Dubai?
You need at least three days to visit most of Dubai’s main attractions. If you would also like to take a day trip to Abu Dhabi or explore one of the other emirates, we recommend staying for a few extra days. Are you mainly travelling to Dubai to enjoy the warm weather and beaches? One week will give you more than enough time to combine sightseeing with plenty of relaxation.
Getting around Dubai
It is not necessary to rent a car in Dubai. A rental car can be useful if you are planning a road trip through several emirates. However, if you are mainly staying within Dubai, you can easily use public transport or taxis.
Public transport in Dubai, particularly the metro, is very well organised. You can purchase a ticket for an individual journey or use a Nol card. The metro connects Dubai International Airport with several important areas, including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Mall of the Emirates. If you plan to use public transport regularly, purchasing a Nol card is usually the most convenient option. This is a rechargeable travel card that can be used on the metro, buses, trams and several other RTA transport services.
You can also easily take a taxi from the airport, your hotel or most major public locations. Official Dubai taxis are generally cream-coloured and use a regulated meter.
Using a Nol Card in Dubai
The Nol card works in a similar way to the Dutch OV-chipkaart or London’s Oyster card. It makes travelling by public transport in Dubai quick and easy. There are several types of Nol cards, but the Red Ticket and Silver Card are generally the most useful options for tourists.
Nol Red Ticket
The Red Ticket is a paper ticket designed mainly for visitors who only plan to use public transport a limited number of times. It costs AED 2 and can be loaded with up to ten individual journeys or five daily passes. The ticket is valid for 90 days. A Red Ticket can be used for the metro, tram and bus, depending on the journeys or passes loaded onto it. It is less flexible than the Silver Card and is mainly suitable for a short stay with only a few planned journeys. Once you have used all ten journeys or five daily passes, you will need to purchase a new ticket.
Nol Silver Card
The Silver Card is a reusable plastic card suitable for regular travel on Dubai’s public transport network. It can be used on the metro, buses, trams and several other RTA transport services. It also allows you to transfer more easily between different forms of public transport. The card costs AED 25, of which AED 19 is immediately available as travel credit. It is valid for five years and can be topped up when necessary.
Both the Red Ticket and Silver Card are available from ticket machines and service desks at metro and bus stations.
Where to stay in Dubai
Dubai is a large city, so it is important to think carefully about the location of your accommodation before booking. It is useful to choose a hotel close to a metro station, as this makes travelling around the city much easier.
Are you mainly travelling to Dubai for the sun, sea and beaches? In that case, Jumeirah is a good area to consider.
Are you more interested in shopping and visiting famous attractions? Downtown Dubai is an ideal base. From here, you will be close to attractions such as Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Dubai Marina is another popular option if you would like to combine beaches, restaurants and modern city views.
What is there to do in Dubai?
Dubai is known for its unofficial motto: bigger, taller and more impressive. The city is therefore filled with iconic attractions. Visit Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, go shopping inside Dubai Mall or watch the spectacular Dubai Fountain show. Dubai is also an excellent destination for day trips. You can book an adventurous desert excursion or visit another emirate, such as Abu Dhabi.
