Dubai

Dubai (???) is one of the United Arab Emirates.

Understand

The Switzerland or Singapore of the Middle East, this tiny emirate has become rich not (just) from oil, but from trade and tourism. It is a city of superlatives. For the fastest, biggest, tallest, largest and highest, Dubai is the destination.

The weekly off is on Friday. Government departments are off on Thursday and Friday while a lot of multi-nationals are off on Friday and Saturday. Most local companies work a half day on Thursday.

• Dubai Tourism - Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing

Get in

By plane

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the largest hub in the Middle East and the home base of the UAE's flag carrier Emirates. The airport is famous for its duty-free shopping.

When flying from Dubai, travellers should be aware that security is very tight, with up to three baggage screenings before boarding. The baggage-handling system has also been known to break down on occasion, causing considerable delays.

Emirates passengers are also required to be at the gate lounge 30-35 minutes before departure, in order to ensure that the flight departs on time. Late arrivals at this point can and will be offloaded from the flight.

By train

At the moment no Train network exists, however Metro Rail is expected in 2009, but not for inter-city travel.

By car

There are a countless number of Rent-A-Cars that will provide a mode of transportation for very cheap rates and very little paperwork. An International Driving Permit is now being asked for. In the past this was only needed for travel outside of Dubai.

Some agencies will hire out cars complete with drivers. Visitors taking advantage of this option will need to make certain that their driver knows his way around, as many do not.

When driving on the main roads, such as Sheikh Zayed road, the junction numbers are not in logical order! Junction 13 is just after 18 and are rarely as shown on the maps. Road names can also be very confusing with slight differences in spelling (due to transliteration from Arabic) being very important.

Driving during morning and afternoon peak hours is not recommended, as traffic slows to a standstill and even a simple trip across a bridge can take up to 45 minutes. There is also a scarcity of parking spaces in many parts of the city.

By bus

Use the Dubai Public transport as a cheaper means of traveling within the several districts in Dubai. The fare comes up to an easy 1.50 AED, affordable for those who prefer a cheaper mode of transport. There's a bus stand on almost every road in Dubai and with all the friendly people in Dubai, you won't find it difficult to get help at any point of time. Self-explanatory maps and route marks and their bus numbers are placed inside every bus stand. At any time, if in doubt, simply ask the bus driver for help!

By boat

Dubai is a trading hub for dhows from around the Indian Ocean. Travellers wanting to arrive in the city this way will probably need to make their own arrangements with the captain of the vessel.

Get around

Taxis are reasonably priced and easily found on all main roads in built-up areas, 24 hours. The official taxis (cream color) are a lot cheaper than people approaching you at the airport saying "you want taxi?". Driving standard in Dubai ranges from poor to wild - taxis are some of the worst on the roads.

Dubai has a good bus service with buses at intervals of about 20 min in general. The main bus stations are Gold Souq Market (in Deira) and Bur Dubai bus station (in Bur Dubai). Bus services are also available to other emirates. Ramadan timings differ.

Dubai Municipality has embarked on an ambitious project to introduce a Metro Rail system. According to the official site Dubai Metro construction is expected to start in a few years and complete by 2009.

An easier way of crossing the Dubai Creek is by abra, essentially a small ferry. Abra stations are located along the Creek on both the Bur Dubai and Deira sides, and the system of filling the boats is remarkably efficient. The cross-river trip costs 50 fils per passenger, payable to the driver after the boat has left the station, and affords a very picturesque view of the city. Abras set off very regularly, and the service is available round-the-clock.
Abras can also be hired for a private tour (for a price negotiable with the driver but usually very cheap). This is quite a popular activity at sunset on a clear day, particularly if the driver is able to enliven the tour with stories about the structures on either side of the Creek.

The Creek is also the home of many boats offering more comfortable (and correspondingly more expensive) tours, often in boats designed to resemble dhows. Prices tend to the higher end of the scale, particularly for dinner cruises with on-board entertainment.

See

• The Dubai Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in the social history of the Emirate (and indeed the country). The centrepiece of the museum is a reconstructed souq from the pearling days, complete with authentic sights and sounds. There is also a considerable focus on the speed at which the transition from poor pearling village to modern metropolis occurred.

• The historic Bastakiya District is home to many reconstructed buildings in the traditional style. While information on the structures is slim here (see the museum in preference), the atmosphere is very evocative.

• The Jumeirah Mosque is generally considered to be one of the more attractive mosques in the region, as well as one of the few which are open to non-Muslims for tours. Tours run on Thursdays and are followed by a question-and-answer session about Islam for those who want to know more.

• The Mall of the Emirates houses what is currently the world's largest indoor ski slope. Guests at the nearby hotel have free ski passes and clothing hire, while other visitors need to purchase these.

• 'Ibn Battuta Mall' Commissioned in early 2005 this mall is worth visiting less for the shopping it offers and more for the architectural ambience created in its six courts designed according to the traditional architecture of China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and Andalusia

• The Gold Souq is one of the more startling sights in the city, even for those not interested in making a purchase. Most of the gold is 22ct quality (although in some shops this is a veneer placed on lesser metals) and quite expensive - although even here the shopkeepers are prepared to bargain - and the craftsmanship can be remarkably detailed. Most visitors here can expect to be offered "copy watches" as well, often by very persistent hawkers.

• For a real glimpse into "how the other half lives", a tour of the Burj al-Arab hotel - Tallest hotel in the world (popularly known as the only 7 star hotel in the world, however is actually a 5 star deluxe hotel, with a unique shape of a boat's sail) may be an interesting experience. Call ahead of time to see if tours are running, as they are not run when the hotel is full. A "smart casual" dress code applies.

Do

Dubai is a shopper's paradise. Shops open as early as 9 am and stay open to 11 pm. There are innumerable shopping centers and malls around town to keep any shopper happy!

As Dubai has grown from a small town into a bustling city, so has the entertainment. There are many music and sport events through out the year. Dubai also has a Dubai Shopping Festivaland Dubai Summer Surprises to entertain visitors and residents.

Most 3-5 star hotels have bars and nightclubs for those interested in the nightlife.

There are endless water-sport opportunities as Dubai has some of the whitest and sandiest beaches in the world, as well as the Wild Wadi water amusement park. Ocean temperatures range from 22 in winter up to 35 degrees Celsius in summer, meaning you might as well forget a hotel and bathe in the ocean. Very salty though.

Head out to the desert in an SUV for a 'Desert Safari'. The drivers will take you for a roller-coaster ride over sand dunes, show you the sunset from a strategic vantage point and then take you to a lavish dinner with music and dance to complete the atmosphere. For a brief while you would experience what it is like to be a Sheikh!

Dubai now has its own snow skiing centre. Located in the new Mall of the Emirates (MOE), on the Sheikh Zayed Road, it offers both skiing and snowboarding. The slope is quite large for an indoor area. All equipment is available for hire and a 2 hour package typically costs Dhs150. You must take warm clothing since it is well below freezing inside.

Learn

Dubai has set up a free-zone Knowledge Village to house institutes and universities, providing both on-line and in-class training.

Work

Dubai presents an affluent stylish image to the visitor. What is not so obvious to the regular visitor are the people that actually make it work. Unfortunately, the people working in the service industries are underpaid, often have very poor working conditions and no employment rights. For example, a hotel waitress in one of the top hotels could expect $400 per month and to work very long hours. It is common for people to come from Asia and CIS countries, attracted by the Dubai image, but many return home disillusioned.

Buy

Dubai is practically synonymous with shopping. The huge amounts of cargo passing through its port and the low tariffs ensure that practically anything is available at competitive rates.

Remember to haggle in the souks, as discounts are almost always available and even in situations where the item will not become much cheaper, the customer is always expected to "play the game" of haggling. A simple question of "what's your best price?" will often result in a shop-keeper going to extraordinary lengths to sell his stock.
Prices in the malls and other Western shops tend not to be negotiable. Far from being a bad thing, this allows the canny visitor to work out comparative prices for common souvenirs - an invaluable aid when a shop-keeper in a souk is asking for a higher price.

Eat

Consult the weekly listings magazine, Time Out Dubai, for restaurant reviews and offers.

Budget

Shawarma is the most available (and cheap!) food in Dubai. It should costs AED 3 (80c) for the plain-jane variety and up to AED 5 ($1.30) for the more exotic Lebanese and Iranian varities.

Fala-Fil is also available at about the same costs as the shawarma.

Mid-range

Most of the American fast food chains have set up shop in Dubai, including KFC, Chillis, Starbucks, McDonalds. The beauty of the food in Dubai is that you will probably find cuisine for every taste.

Splurge

The top hotels in the city all have at least one restaurant serving (most commonly) some form of international cuisine - Italian, Japanese, Indian and so on. Quality tends to be high, along with price, but non-guests are able to reserve tables as well, thus allowing the rest of us to experience a bit of these hotels.

Drink

Try the rooftop swimming pool on top of The Hilton (Creek). Small bar but wonderful views especially at sunset. The cocktail bar on the 24th floor of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel has good views along Jumeirah beach and the Burj al-Arab Hotel - the photo at the top of this page was taken there.

Sleep

Budget

• Dubai Youth Hostel. =>

Mid-range

• Ascot Hotel. Bur Dubai. Has Russian, Irish and Thai themed restaurants.

Splurge

• Burj al-Arab. =>. Popularly know as the first seven-star hotel in the world, however actually is a five star deluxe hotel, this striking sail-shaped building is a symbol of Dubai and one of most opulent hotels in the world. Rack rates over US$700 per night.
• Jumeirah Beach Hotel.=>. Next to Burj al-Arab and run by the same company.
• Dubai Apartments. =>
• Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
• Jebel Ali Hotel & golf resort. Jebel Ali, take exit 13 on the Sheikh Zayed road
• Dusit Dubai. Thai hotel on Sheikh Zayed road.
• Crowne Plaza. Sheikh Zayed road.
• Sheraton Dubai Creek

Stay safe

Eating or drinking publicly during daylight hours is an offence during Ramadan.

Drivers are not always as fond of the road rules in Dubai as in other cities or countries. Particularly during the morning and afternoon rush-hours, most drivers will take quite astonishing risks in heavy traffic. Taking a taxi, bus or abra is often a better bet than crossing busy roads, as even pedestrian crossings are not always observed.

Get out

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