A Complete Guide to Traveling to Dubai from the UK
Dubai has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in recent years due to its year-round sunshine. This is a nice escape for Brits from a country that rains for a large portion of the year. From Maidstone taxis in Kent to Durham cabs in County Durham, UK residents flock from every corner of the country to airports to make their way to Dubai.
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Traveling to Dubai from the UK
Just recently, Dubai has obtained the reputation of “the Las Vegas of the Middle East”, thanks to its luxury shopping, frequent entertainment, and high-end hotels. If you’re keen to visit the playground of the rich and famous, discover our guide to visiting Dubai from the UK.
Practical Information
First things first, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the practical information before you progress any further. To that avail, the time zone Dubai is four hours ahead of the UK, making it GMT+4. As far as currency is concerned, you’ll need to exchange British Pounds for United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). The locals will speak Arabic as their first language, but one thing that doesn’t change is the power adapter. Unlike when traveling to Europe or the USA, you won’t need a travel adapter, as Dubai uses a Type G adapter, which is the same as the UK. Last but not least, it will take you around seven hours to get to Dubai from the UK by plane.
The Weather
As previously mentioned, the sun shines in Dubai all year round. Because of that, though, the summer temperatures don’t tend to be very comfortable for tourists. June, July, and August see temperatures reach 40-45°C during the daytime and only drop to roughly 30°C at night. As a result, December to March is the most popular time to visit the city, as the average daytime temperature during this time is between 25 and 30°C. Regardless of which time of year you visit, a high SPF and hydration is key, especially when visiting from the UK, where high temperatures and plenty of sun are somewhat rare.
Getting There
As far as passenger numbers are concerned, Dubai International Airport is the world’s busiest airport. It’s very modern and is abundant in stores to keep tourists entertained. Upon entering the country, using Uber is the easiest way to get to your hotel, as the airport has a designated area for Ubers. Similarly, Uber is very affordable within the city. Alternatively, public transport is efficient and very easy to navigate if you’d prefer a different mode of transport. More on this is detailed in the below section regarding getting around Dubai when you’re there.
Getting Around
While the transport links in Dubai are suitable, it is a city that’s been built around the car. Therefore, Uber and other local taxi apps are some of the most efficient modes of transport, as well as rental cars. Alternatively, though, Dubai does have some of the cheapest public transport globally. To use their metro system, you can purchase a NOL card, which is equivalent to London’s Oyster card. These also cover the cost of trains and buses and grant you access to certain parks. The metro has a red and green line, with tourists being more likely to use the red line. Just be sure to familiarize yourself with local rules for riding the metro to avoid breaking the law.
Top Things to Do
From the Burj Khalifa to the Mall of the Emirates, there are so many great things to do in Dubai. The city has great sights, great beaches, and so much more to offer. Check out our guide of 21 Things to do in Dubai in Lowest Budget
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