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UAE

The world's most ambitious city-state — Dubai has built the tallest, largest, and most audacious in a single generation. Abu Dhabi adds culture, F1, and the extraordinary Louvre.

Dubai
DXB · Dubai International — world's busiest international airport. Metro Red Line to city centre: 35 min, AED 8. Taxi: AED 55–80.
DWC · Al Maktoum (Dubai World Central) — growing hub, further from city.
Abu Dhabi
AUH · Abu Dhabi International — Etihad's hub. Airport bus to city: AED 4. Taxi to city: AED 60–80.
Getting Between Cities
Dubai to Abu Dhabi: 90–120 min by road. Intercity buses (SAPTCO) and taxis available. A high-speed rail link is planned but not yet operational.
Currency
UAE Dirham (AED)
3.67 AED = 1 USD (pegged). Cards accepted virtually everywhere. Dubai is almost entirely cashless.
Tipping
Not mandatory but appreciated. Restaurants: 10–15% (often added automatically as service charge — check your bill). Taxi: round up.
Tax
5% VAT applies to most goods and services. Alcohol carries an additional 30% municipality tax in licensed venues.
Time Zone
GST — Gulf Standard Time
UTC+4 year-round. UAE does not observe daylight saving time.
Vs. US Eastern
Dubai is 9 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (8 hours in US summer when clocks change).
Working Week
The UAE work week runs Monday–Friday (changed from Sun–Thu in 2022). Friday–Saturday is the weekend.
Dubai
Best: Nov–AprAvoid: Jun–Sep (40–48°C) Desert climate. Winters are warm and glorious (20–28°C). Summers are extreme.
Rain
Dubai averages just 75mm of rain per year — mostly brief, heavy showers in Jan–Feb.
Language
Arabic — though English is the de facto language of business, hospitality, and daily life in Dubai. You will rarely need Arabic.
Practical Note
Dubai is one of the most English-friendly cities in the world — menus, signs, and virtually all tourism infrastructure is in English. Over 85% of Dubai's population are expatriates.
Visa on Arrival / Free
US, UK, EU, Australian passport holders receive a free 30-day visa on arrival, extendable once for another 30 days.
Laws to Know
Public displays of affection can result in fines. Dress modestly outside hotels and resorts. Alcohol is only legal in licensed venues.
General Safety
Extremely Safe Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the safest cities in the world. Crime rates are extraordinarily low.
Emergencies
999 — Police · 998 — Ambulance · 997 — Fire

Destinations in UAE

Dubai

Superlatives are insufficient — the Burj Khalifa, desert safaris, world-class dining, and …

3 restaurants · 3 hotels · 3 attractions

Abu Dhabi

The UAE's capital offers what Dubai doesn't — the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Ab…

1 restaurant · 2 hotels · 2 attractions