Respect the dress code, loosely
Swimwear is fine at pools and beaches, but cover shoulders and knees in malls, souks and especially mosques. It is rarely enforced on tourists, but you will feel and be treated noticeably better.
Travel guideLast updated August 16, 2026
UAE Travel Guide: Essentials, Local Tips & Mobile Data
Dubai and Abu Dhabi: money, dress codes, transport, the cooler months to visit, curated traveler tips, and mobile data via eSIM.
The United Arab Emirates compresses superlatives into a small desert coastline: the world's tallest tower and biggest malls in Dubai, the Louvre and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, and dunes, oases and mountain wadis a short drive from both.
It is an easy, safe introduction to the Gulf - English is everywhere and logistics are seamless - but it remains a conservative country at its core: dress modestly outside beach clubs and note that public displays of affection are best kept minimal.
Dubai is the spectacle — desert, skyline, a mall that contains a ski slope — and Abu Dhabi is the one that often surprises people more: the Grand Mosque, the Louvre, a slower Gulf city with room to breathe. Sharjah and the east-coast beaches are there if you want a third mood that is not a hotel buffet.
Go in the cool months, dress a little more modestly than you would at home, and treat Friday brunch as a cultural activity. The UAE is easy. The trick is remembering it is also someone else's home, not a theme park with a minibar.
Essentials
United Arab Emirates Travel Essentials
- Currency
- UAE Dirham (AED). Cards accepted everywhere; cash is rarely needed.
- Languages
- Arabic officially; English is the working language of daily life.
- Plug Type
- Type G, 230V.
- Emergency Number
- 999 (police), 998 (ambulance)
- Best Time to Visit
- November to March, when days are warm rather than scorching. Summer is extreme (45C+) and life moves indoors.
- Tipping
- 10% is common in restaurants if service is not included; round up for taxis.
- Timezone
- GST (UTC+4)
- Tap Water
- Technically safe (desalinated); most residents drink bottled water.
- Getting Around
- Dubai's metro is clean, cheap and driverless - use a Nol card. Taxis and Careem/Uber are plentiful. Renting a car is easy for Abu Dhabi and desert trips.
- Internet & Coverage
- Excellent 5G. Note that WhatsApp and FaceTime voice/video calls are blocked - use regular calls or licensed apps.
Traveler tips
Tips from fellow travelers
Real advice from people who have been to United Arab Emirates, curated by our team with links to the original sources.
Time outdoor plans around the heat
Even in winter, midday sun is strong; in summer it is dangerous. Do the desert safari at sunset, the Burj Khalifa observation deck in late afternoon, and save malls and museums for midday.
Friday brunch and the weekend shift
The weekend is Saturday-Sunday, but Friday remains special: many restaurants run lavish brunch buffets, and Friday mornings are quiet until prayers end. Book brunches ahead - they sell out.
Alcohol is available, not ambient
Licensed hotels, bars and restaurants serve drinks; the street and the beach do not. Public drunkenness is a genuine problem here, not a vibe. Enjoy the brunch, then behave like a guest.
The metro beats the taxi for the Dubai spine
From the airport through Downtown to Dubai Marina, the driverless metro is cheap, air-conditioned and faster than sitting in Sheikh Zayed Road traffic. Get a Nol card, ride in Gold Class if you want a quieter car, and save Careem for the last mile.
FAQ
United Arab Emirates travel questions, answered
eSIM plans
Stay connected in United Arab Emirates
With internet calling apps restricted and hotel Wi-Fi not following you into the dunes, reliable mobile data matters in the UAE. An eSIM connects you on landing at DXB or AUH with generous data for maps, bookings and messaging.
Hotel Wi-Fi dies at the lobby door, and internet calling apps are restricted anyway. An eSIM gives you maps, Careem and messaging on a network that is actually fast — which is the whole point of being in a city this connected.
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