If you think about it, Dubai is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Starting from a small fishing village and ending with a big megapolis full of luxury lifestyles. It attracts millions of visitors around the globe to explore every corner of this hot city. Today, we’re sharing with you all the necessary information you need to experience an unforgettable trip to the Pearl of the Gulf.
How to choose a hotel?
Knowing that Dubai has over 700 hotels, picking the right one could become a bit of a challenging task. But, like in most situations, if you stick to general tips, the issue will become less of a burden for you. Here’s what you need to remember:
Location
Depending on what kind of trip you planned to have, choose the part of the city that reflects most of your preplanned activities. It’s much more convenient to book a hotel near your desired places, rather than travel from one end to another. For example, if you want to spend your time mostly soaking up the sun on the white beaches, then it’ll be wise to seek out a hotel near the infamous Jumeirah, the newest La Mer, or family-oriented Al Mamzar beaches. However, if you’re more of a city-adventurous type of person, it’s fair to opt for a place of staying near Burj Khalifa or Deira city centre.
Peak seasons
In order to avoid unbearable humidity and killing heat, target during the peak seasons that start in October and last until March. During these months, you get pleasant weather, specifically for outside activities. But keep in mind that there will be some crowding, so book your hotel in advance.
Transportation
You can, of course, be extraordinary and try to walk around the city while the sun slowly cooks you. But to have a more delightful tour, we suggest also looking up public transportation nearby your hotel. Remember, though, that schedules aren’t always precise, and it’s hard to predict the exact arrival of transportation. However, if you want to enjoy your holidays to the fullest and you also have a license in your pocket, then you’re open to the luxury of renting a car. (With which we will help you later in this post.)
How to plan your budget?
Even though Dubai has already established its reputation as a wealthy and expensive choice of resort, it’s not necessary for you to spend thousands of dollars to have a nice experience full of memories. You’re just required to be mindful and create a plan that will help you save a buck, where there’s be a chance.
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Prebook your place in advance
3-6 months beforehand are more than enough for you to book a hotel for a reasonable price than doing it during peak seasons. It also saves you time to ponder other activities without worrying about your temporary place of residence.
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Additional considerations
Don’t forget to include your visa expenses, which may vary depending on your country. In addition to your visa, don’t neglect your travel insurance in case of unexpected or emergency situations.
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RTA NOL cards
For those of you who plan to spend a short time in Dubai, the red card is going to be your option. While the silver type is best for longer stays. Metro ride costs vary from 2 to 6 AED, depending on distance. If you’re leaning more towards a taxi alternative, take into account that all taxis are metered, so it might become a bit costly. But if you still want to ride in a comfy car, then consider also renting a car.
Car rental tips
If you’re an avid car driver and want to see and ride the streets of Dubai yourself, then it’s a wonderful opportunity for you to rent a nice vehicle. Here are some of our tips:
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Prepare documents
In order to rent a car, you will be required to present some legal papers, so make sure to take care of them in advance. It might consist of a credit or debit card, a valid driver’s license, a passport, and insurance information. Note that the minimum driver’s age in Dubai starts at 21 years old.
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Choose the right one
For this, you’re required to do research on those companies that offer a wide variety of cars. For city traffic, selecting a luxury compact brand will definitely fulfil your driving experience. For desert travel, an adamant SUV will be the ideal helper. You also want to feel comfortable driving and exploring, so choose companies that have operated for a long time on the market. They’re more likely to provide you with what you truly need.
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Compare the prices
As obvious as it might sound, everyone strives for high-quality quality service at a practical price. It’s also true that everyone should be able to feel the luxury and privilege of driving a high-class car. Octane luxury car rental have become the choice of more than 5000 people already. As a company with 7 years of successful experience, they created a perfect balance between price and quality, easily realizing all their customers’ wishes and needs.
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Familiarise yourself with driving laws and etiquette
Despite being a foreigner, you still have to remember some of the basic rules on the road. Some of them are: always wear a seat belt; don’t park on black and yellow curbside; and keep an eye on speed limits (25-40 km/h on residential roads, while urban areas allow 40-60 km/h).
Local attractions
Now that you’re finally equipped with a nice auto to carry you around, you don’t want to miss these iconic landmarks. Whether you have a family-oriented waterpark tour or want to treat yourself to unforgettable sightseeing, we have compiled places for each circumstance.
- Top attractions
We couldn’t not mention the record-breaking skyscraper Burj Khalifa, which you must visit at least once to fully grasp its breathtaking power of architecture as well as its wonderful view.
The Dubai Fountain is not just a fountain but rather a beautifully constructed water show. It’s a fascinating performance that takes place every 30 minutes in the evening.
If you’re craving a lavish shopping experience, then head straight to the Dubai Mall. Inside, you’ll find widely known exclusive stores like Versace, Cartier, and Harry Winston.
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Family fun attractions
If you’re willing to educate your kids on exotic marine creatures, then definitely visit the Dubai Aquarium. You’ll have a chance to have an almost underwater walk experience since the aquarium itself surrounds you from each side.
One of the biggest amusement parks in Dubai, IMG Worlds of adventure will be the favourite of your children. It consists of various themed attractions, rides, and roller coasters. Furthermore, the Lost Valley section will impress you with its life-sized dinosaurs that act like real giant reptiles.
And if you feel a need to refresh yourself, a day spent at Aquaventure Waterpark will be one of the most unforgettable for your family. It has up to 105 rides and slides that suit everyone’s desires and sizes. The youngest ones will enjoy the small and simple slides, while teens might try cliff-jumps or river rides.
How much money do you need to visit Dubai?
To conclude our Dubai post, we have to finally clarify how much money you need to travel to Dubai. There’s no single accurate answer, since everyone’s journey varies. We still prepared an average amount for every segment for one person that you might consider when building your budget.
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Accommodation
If you’re short on budget, then you might search for hotels that offer rooms from 50$ to 150$ per night. But if you’re choosing the luxury options, then it’ll cost you between 200-500$ or more.
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Transportation
One day of public transportation usage might cost around 10$ to 20 $, it includes vehicles like buses or subways. While taxi drivers will charge up 1.36$ per kilometre.
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Food
If you’re a street food fan, then your meals may vary from 5$ to 20$. High-ranking restaurants will be more of an expensive choice, and an average bill might go up to 140$.
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Leisure activities
Again, it depends on where you’re headed, but be prepared to spend around 50$ to100$ or even more if you have children with you. Keep in mind that some places even require pre-advanced ticket buying.
In total, one day for one person in Dubai might cost approximately 100$ to 250$. But as always, this cost might go up or down, considering your style of travelling.
We hope you found this blog post on What You Need To Know Before Relocating To Dubai? useful. Be sure to check out our post on Things To Look For Before Buying An Apartment In Dubai for more great tips!
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