Whether you are visiting Dubai in its own right, or as a flight stopover on the way to somewhere else, the city tends to leave first-timers a little speechless. It just feels super-sized and uber-modern. It is also growing and changing fast, so expect to be surprised whether it is your first visit or your fifth. To help you plan a first trip to Dubai without the overwhelm, here are the essentials we would tell a friend before they go, based on our own family visits.
Dubai is easy to visit, safe, and very welcoming to families. A little planning around where to stay, when to go and how to get around is all it takes to have a smooth first trip.
Dubai is a very adaptable destination and ticks a lot of boxes. You might be after a week of sunshine and relaxation by the pool or beach, or treating your visit as a city break for sightseeing, or a mix of both. Deciding this first will shape where you choose to stay and what you plan to do, so it is worth being honest about it before you book anything.
For many nationalities, Dubai is straightforward. UK citizens can currently enter visa-free for short stays, and many other passports get a visa on arrival, though the length varies. Rules do change, so always check the latest requirements for your own passport before you travel. As a general steer, make sure your passport has at least six months left on it from your arrival date, and keep digital copies of your booking confirmations and travel insurance on your phone.
Dubai is a series of neighbourhoods, many purpose-built for high-end living and leisure, so you are spoilt for choice. Here is how we would think about it.
For a week in the sun, there are lots of superb beach hotels that give you everything you need without leaving the grounds. Many, but not all, are out on the Palm Jumeirah, the man-made islands shaped like a palm tree. The trade-off with the Palm is that you are a little further from the city-centre sights, but if pool and beach are your priority, that may not matter.
The Atlantis, The Palm is an iconic choice and great for families thanks to its aquarium and the Aquaventure waterpark. Other Palm Jumeirah options include Raffles, the W, the Marriott Resort, the Waldorf Astoria and the striking Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, which has a lovely Lebanese restaurant called Al Nafoorah.
If you would rather be closer to the city, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a family favourite on the mainland, right next door to the Wild Wadi Water Park and the ultra-luxurious Burj Al Arab.
If sightseeing is your priority, a better-connected neighbourhood pays off. Dubai Marina, for example, links well to Downtown and many of the main sights.
We collect IHG reward points, so we traded some in for a stay at the InterContinental Dubai Marina. The location worked brilliantly for everything the Marina has to offer, and the elevated pool gave us great views while we swam. To be even closer to the action, there are luxury hotels right in Downtown, within easy reach of the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa.
An apartment can be better value if you are not going to make full use of a big beach hotel’s facilities. The Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) neighbourhood, tucked between the Persian Gulf and the Marina, is full of apartments, restaurants, shops and The Walk, a strip that is popular in the evenings for its supercars and people-watching.
We stayed in the JA Oasis Beach Tower, which had large, clean rooms and worked well for our family of five. It gave us a private space to relax, great views, and a fine spot on the balcony for watching the supercars go by on The Walk below.
Dubai has a desert climate, so it is hot and dry for most of the year. The most comfortable months are roughly November to March, when the weather is warm rather than fierce and outdoor plans are easy. We have visited in October, February and April and had dry, sunny weather each time without it being too hot.
Two things worth knowing. First, the air can look a little hazy at times, which is generally down to dust in the air. Second, in some months, usually towards the end of the year, a morning fog can settle over the city. It makes for wonderful photos, but it can occasionally cause short flight delays, so build in a little buffer if you are flying at that time of year.
Ramadan runs from around mid-February to mid-March. It is a special time to visit, but some venues keep shorter hours and eating or drinking in public during daylight is not the done thing. Worth planning around.
It usually takes about 15 minutes to get from Dubai International Airport (DXB) into the city centre, or up to 30 minutes if you are heading out to the Palm Jumeirah. The taxi rank is directly outside the terminal and the service is quick and efficient. Alternatively, you can take the Dubai Metro from the airport station if your hotel is near a stop. Either way, enjoy the futuristic views on the way in.
Most public transport in Dubai runs on a contactless card called the nol card. You tap on and tap off the Metro, buses, water taxis and the ferry with it, and it works on some taxis and for RTA parking too. You can buy one at any Metro or bus station, or at large supermarkets such as Carrefour, Spinneys or Waitrose, and top it up online or at the stations. Grab one early, as it makes everything simpler.
The Metro is clean, efficient and easy. There are only two lines, red and green, so it is far less confusing than the London Underground for visitors. One thing to remember: you must pay with a nol card. Cash and bank cards are not accepted on the Metro.
The Palm Monorail is handy if you are visiting Aquaventure, with some nice views of the Palm along the way. We rode it from the Gateway station at the entrance to the Palm all the way to Atlantis. Note that the nol card is not accepted on the monorail, so you pay separately.
These are a good way to explore Dubai’s waterways, both out into the Persian Gulf and along Dubai Creek. If you are visiting Old Dubai and the souks, crossing the Creek by water is part of the fun.
We found taxis an easy way to get around. Given how expensive Dubai can be in general, they felt good value, and they are plentiful and convenient.
Dress modestly in public areas out of respect. The simple rule is to avoid clothing that exposes too much or draws unwanted attention. Women should aim for loose clothing with shoulders, upper arms and legs covered to below the knee, and it is worth carrying a scarf for covering your head if you visit a mosque. That said, Dubai is more relaxed than some of its neighbours, and inside hotels and waterparks you can wear shorts and swimwear by the pool or on the hotel beach.
Alongside dressing modestly, keep public displays of affection to a minimum and avoid anything that could cause offence. It is also worth knowing that photographing people, especially women and children, without their consent is not acceptable and is against the law, so always ask first.
Dubai is a Muslim city, so alcohol is only served in licensed venues such as certain hotels and restaurants. If that matters to you, check what is available before you book. You should not drink alcohol in public areas.
If you have more time in the region, Abu Dhabi is easily reached from Dubai. For a bigger contrast, pair your trip with a visit to Muscat in Oman. You will be amazed how different the two places feel.
Start by deciding whether you want a relaxation trip, a sightseeing city break or a mix. That choice guides where you stay. Then pick your dates around the cooler months, sort your visa and travel insurance, and book any big attractions in advance. The rest of this guide covers each step.
It can be, but it does not have to be. Hotels and dining at the top end are eye-wateringly pricey, yet the Metro is cheap with a nol card, taxis are reasonable, and there is plenty to enjoy for free, such as the beaches, the fountain show and wandering the souks. Booking flights and headline attractions early helps a lot.
For a first visit, three to five days lets you see the main sights without rushing. Add a few more if you want proper beach time, a desert trip or a stopover in Abu Dhabi.
Yes. Dubai consistently ranks as one of the safer cities for tourists, and it is very family-friendly. As anywhere, use normal common sense and respect the local laws and customs.
Avoid public displays of affection, do not drink alcohol in public, do not photograph people without asking, and dress modestly away from the pool and beach. A little cultural awareness goes a long way here.
Roughly November to March, when the heat is comfortable rather than intense. The summer months are very hot, so if you go then, plan around the air-conditioned malls and attractions.
Dubai rewards a bit of forward planning, but it is one of the easiest big cities to visit for the first time. Sort your base, your timing and your way around, keep the local customs in mind, and you are most of the way there. Next comes the fun part: choosing which of the many amazing things to do in Dubai make your list.
We have written an article on the different sides of Dubai (New vs Old), and which is better for activities:
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Your step-by-step framework for stress-free, unforgettable trips — from first idea to final itinerary.
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