Dos and Donts and what you must know prior to your trip to UAE
- Maya del Aire
- Dec 15, 2018
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 25, 2019
In this post you will find about:
UAE climate
Best time for a visit
What is the dress code
Holly month of Ramadan
Transport in UAE, how to find your way over there
Tipping in UAE
UAE climate
The UAE has a desert climate, which means very hot summers and mild winters. The temperature during summer months, June, July, August can reach above 50°C/122°F and with humidity of 90%, you will be soaked in water the minute you come outside. The water temperature may reach 37°C/98.6°F, and it will not be pleasant for swimming. The annual precipitation is almost everywhere below 100 millimeters (4 inches), and is concentrated in the winter months, so if you happen to witness rain in UAE, make sure to take a video because it rarely happens.
Winters are mild, with average daily temperatures of 20-25°C/68-77°F. It might be very windy, especially during night and by the water, so you might want to bring a light jacket with you.
Best time to visit
I would strongly advise you to avoid summer months when visiting UAE, because of the heat, and also the fact that many amusement parks and gardens such as Global Village, Miracle Garden, Dubai Garden Glow, are closed during these months. Also, Ramadan usually falls on these months, and consumption of food and drinks in public will not be permitted. Best time to visit is from October-May. The humidity and temperatures are still bearable, and you may enjoy time at the beach as much as all the other venues.
Dress code – What to wear?
Although very hot, since it’s a Muslim country, UAE has a dress code that should be adhered. Religious places, such as Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque have strict policy where women must be completely covered, except from their face.
In other places like malls, there will be a policy to have covered shoulders and knees, and since the temperature inside might be very low, you might even consider bringing a scarf with you. Dubai is pretty relaxed comparing to all other Emirates, so they might be very flexible but in Abu Dhabi for example, you might not be able to enter the mall if you have very short skirt. Many bars and restaurants have policy of having heels for ladies, or no shorts and flip-flops for gents. Do your homework and check the dress code online for these places, as I am sure you wouldn’t like to miss a meal or a drink just because you are wearing a tank top.
At restaurants and even food stands at the beach such as Kite beach, you won’t be served if you are in bikini, even though the beach is just 5 steps away.
Holy month of Ramadan
UAE is a Muslim country and as such, applies strict rules to food and drink consumption during the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which changes every year therefore it doesn’t fall on the same month of the regular calendar every year. You may always check the exact dates online.
During holy month of Ramadan, consumption of food and drinks, during day hours is strictly prohibited in public around all UAE. You may find very few places in Dubai that might be open, like a restaurant or a coffee shop, but it will be fenced and well covered from the public eye. In Abu Dhabi or other Emirates, you may not find even one place to be open during daylight. This rule also applies to taxis and beaches; you may not even consume water. Likewise, be aware of your dress code, the rules might be stricter.
The only area where you would find open restaurants will be inside the airports, and some malls may have fenced food court.
Iftar is the first meal after breaking the fast, and it is the most important meal of the day for Muslims. If you are invited for iftar, it will be very offensive to refuse to go, because you are not Muslim, or you are not fasting. Therefore, enjoy the meal with them, because it will be an excellent opportunity to find out more about their food and culture at first-hand.
Consumption of Alcohol
Local law regarding consumption of alcohol is very strict, so in order not to get jailed you may want to know about some dos and don’ts.
· To consume alcohol you must be 21 year old and non-Muslim.
· Drinking alcohol in public is strictly prohibited and it may be punished even by time in jail.
· If you happen to be too drunk in the taxi, the driver has all rights to take you to the police station.
· You should not produce or sell alcohol unless you have a license for it.
· Only licensed restaurants, bar and liquor shops can sell alcohol.
· As a resident, you must have the liquor license in order to consume alcohol, respective to the Emirate where you live.
· Drinking and driving is strictly prohibited and it will certainly put you in jail. Depending on the severity of the incident you’ve caused, you will have to pay a fine, maybe stay for couple of weeks in jail and most probably, be deported.
How to find your way in UAE - Transport
Public transport is pretty fast developing in Dubai, while other Emirates are still dependent on buses or on personal mean of transportation. Even though they just seem like big cities, United Arab Emirates content 7 different countries with different rules and regulations. Therefore, you will have to use different transportation passes.
Intercity Buses can be very slow and are not very well connected. This stands for Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Nol card that you will use in bus, in Dubai, you may only buy at metro stations, not at the driver.
While in Abu Dhabi, you will have to purchase Hafilat transport card which you will find in machines located only in few places, Airport and Al Wahda station. Bus that takes you to the city center from the airport is bus A1. The station is located just in front of the exit of the arrivals area, you may also find the timetable there, but don’t expect the bus to be on time, however it may save you a lot of dirhams. Once you enter the bus, validate your card, same stands when exiting the bus, otherwise the maximum fare will be deducted from the card.
Reaching Dubai from Abu Dhabi and vice versa
Abu Dhabi can be reached in 2 ways from Dubai.
a) It can be done by regular taxi, and it should not cost you more than 225aed. There is also a line taxi; the station is in front of Ibn Battuta metro station that is connected to Ibn Battuta mall. The bus will take up to 7 people and at the moment charge 40-60 per person. These line taxis I believe operate illegally so you not find them always. They will always be there in the evening. The ride will last for around an hour until Al Wahda mall which is pretty much city center.
b) There are 2 bus stations from where you can take a bus to Abu Dhabi. Al Ghubaiba which is by Dubai Creek and Ibn Battuta metro station which by Ibn Battuta mall and pretty much the end of Dubai closest to Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi to Dubai
a) There are regular taxis which should not charge you more than 225aed, I would suggest you to haggle and try to get the better price. There are no line taxis to Dubai.
b) There are public buses that start from Al Wahda main bus station. The ticket you may purchase in the station or you may use your Nol card; however, you can’t use the Abu Dhabi hafilat card. These buses are comfortable and some of them even have wifi, however the ride takes minimum 90 minutes until Ibn Battuta station which is the first stop in Dubai, and another half an hour up to an hour until the city.
c) Just next to the main bus station Al Wahda station, there is a station green in color, with white mini vans. You will see Pakistani drivers wearing their traditional clothes and shouting “Dubai Dubai”, so you won’t be able to miss it. Don’t expect any privacy there, you will be pretty much squeezed in between around 10 people, however your ride will take around 1 hour until Ibn Battuta, and it it will cost you 25aed. Cash only.
Tips and tricks***
There are no public buses that can take you from the Dubai airport to Abu Dhabi or from Abu Dhabi airport to Dubai. However, Emirates and Etihad Airways have their own buses, which are reserved for their own customers and prior booking is advisable. These buses also don’t operate 24/7 so do your homework and be well prepared.
To book a bus with Etihad: https://www.etihad.com/en-ae/plan-and-book/book-etihad-express/
To book a bus with Emirates: https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/before-you-fly/dubai-international-airport/shuttle-service-dubai.aspx
More tips and tricks***
There is an app that you can use for Abu Dhabi public buses called DARB, it can be used for navigation only, and it may be helpful but it might not be as accurate at times.
More about Abu Dhabi buses https://dot.abudhabi.ae/en/mediainfo/hafilat_smart_card
https://www.dot.abudhabi.ae/en/info/Intercity_Bus_Services
Working hours: Depend on routes and days
More about Dubai buses https://www.rta.ae/links/timetables/en/timetables.html
Working hours 05:00-00:00
Dubai transport
The driverless metro has two lines: Red line that takes you directly to the airport and Burj Khalifa, while Green Line reaches Dubai Creek, the place where Dubai story started. You may opt for the Gold Nol card for more comfort in the cabin, or Silver cabin which is divided into two sections, one for men, and other for women and children only. There is a fine for gentlemen spotted in women and children. If you are staying for couple of days, I would suggest you to opt for a Silver Nol card and top it up whenever needed; as if you purchase a ticket one by one, it will come up with higher price. This same card you may use for tram and buses. The price at the moment is 25aed and includes 19aed e-purse value.
Working hours: Red line 5:00-00:00 Saturday to Wednesday, 5:00-01:00 on Thursday, 10:00-01:00 on Friday
Green line 5:30-00:00 Saturday to Wednesday, 5:30-01:00 on Thursday, 10:00-01:00 on Friday
Tips and tricks***
You may download the RTA app, which will allow you to top up your nolcard, pay your salik, parking, book a taxi etc.
Trams - find your way to Palm Jumeirah!
Tram is connected to the metro, however, covers pretty small area of the city; It circles around Al Sufouh Road from Dubai Marina to the Palm Jumeirah and Al Sufouh, for only 14.5 km. It can be very slow from 20-50 km per hour max. However, this will be your best link to Palm Monorail, which will take you to through the palm until the Atlantis.
Taxi - have your cash ready!
You may find taxis in almost all important landmarks, however you will rarely be able to pay with your credit card, so have your cash ready, if possible in small notes, because most probably the driver won’t have the change. Day fare starts at 5aed, and your minimum fare is 12aed at the moment. Start from the Dubai Airport is 25aed, and from Abu Dhabi airport 20aed.
It is of high importance to know your exact address. UAE is country that doesn’t have all streets marked, also forget about numbering. I advise you to have all the landmarks around noted, in order to be able to explain it to your taxi driver who also might not know the address. So arm yourself with a lot of patience.
Tips and tricks***
If you want to book a taxi, you will expect a bit higher fare.
I would strongly advise you not to use any other taxi services, such as UBER, Kareem or any other taxi companies as they may charge you double the price of what you would pay with public taxi. Uber exist only in Dubai at the moment and there is only a luxury Uber, not the pool Uber or any other, therefore they will charge you a lot more than usual.
It’s good to know that taxis might be quite smelly, so have your perfume handy and you will be ready to go.
You may also download taxi app for Abu Dhabi, it is called simply Abu Dhabi Taxi, while Dubai has few, and the public one is called RTA app Dubai and it may be used to sort out almost anything related to transport, from topping up your Nol card until renewing you driving license.
Dubai taxi number: 800 9090, or 04 2080808
More info https://www.rta.ae/links/special_needs/en/taxi.html
Abu Dhabi taxi: 600 53 53 53
https://itc.abudhabi.ae/en/Default.aspx
Free WIFI
*** Dubai metro, Abu Dhabi taxi and some public regional buses have WIFI.
Food, smoking and pets are not allowed in any mean of public transport in UAE.
Dubai Ferry - Cruise along the most famous landmarks of Dubai
In Dubai, your ferry can take you from one port to another but it can also do a tourist tour for you. They usually do tours that start and end at the same place within one hour, giving you a view of some of the most popular parts of Dubai including the Burj al Arab and the Palm Jumeirah at a great price. Ferry runs multiple times a day, however sometimes there are cancelations due to the weather, therefore if possible try to go to the port early or to contact them prior taking your trip.
The Dubai Ferry currently runs from five ferry terminals: Dubai Marina, Al Ghubaiba, Dubai Canal Station, Al Jadaf and Sheikh Zayed Road Station.
For more info about routes and timetables refer to: https://www.dubai-ferry.com/routes/
Water taxi
Water taxi offers more luxurious and relaxing type of seeing Dubai. It has 32 pick up points all over Dubai, the taxi features 10 reclining seats. The hourly price is 400aed and it can be booked online.
Working hours: 10:00-22:00
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Tipping in UAE
There is no tipping regulations in UAE, however tipping of 10-15% is still expected especially when you are in restaurants bars. Bellhops, valet drivers, supermarket bag packers, delivery is also expected to be tipped with minimum of 5aed.
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