Transportation
Taxi
You can catch two types of taxis outside the airport: standard cream-coloured ones and the luxury ones.
Fares for the luxury taxis are about 30% more than the standard taxis.
Some regular taxis allow payment by credit card, which will cost an extra AED 2 to your fare.
Dubai taxi information
It’s perfectly safe for women to ride alone in a taxi. However, if you prefer, you can also call to request a Ladies Taxi, which are recognisable by their pink roof and female drivers.
Public transportation
Dubai’s public transportation system includes buses, metros, water buses and abras (water taxis). A chip card called Nol Card (“nol” is Arabic for “fare”) can be purchased beforehand from a ticket office or vending machine located in all metro and bus stations, malls and airports.
Things to see and do
- Walk through the old town and the old souk
- Stroll along the ports where the wooden cargo ships dock. Here, you can take a taxi boat (abra) for AED 1.
- Be dazzled by the gold souk
- Enjoy Dubai’s newest attraction, the Dubai Water Canal
- Dubai Museum
- Near the Dubai Museum, enjoy tea at the popular Arabian Tea House Café, Bastakiya
- Etihad Museum
- Mohammed bin Rashed Centre for Cultural Understanding
- Musandam Dibba Full-Day Cruise
- Open Doors Open Minds Center in Bastakiya, for a traditional Emirati breakfast/lunch with explanation about the Emirati culture
- A trip up the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, will give you a breath-taking view of the city but you need to book an appointment (or book a cheap ticket through Groupon)
- Have high tea at the famed and luxurious Burj Al Arab (you’ll need to book ahead)
- The Atlantis Hotel on Palm Island (with aquarium and waterpark)
- Dubai Mall and Fountain (the world’s largest performing fountain; evenings only)
- Mall of the Emirates (with indoor skiing)
- Souk Madinat Jumairah (a pleasant spot for dinner)
- Miracle Garden
- Dubai Garden Glow
- Dubai Park and Resorts
- Dubai Tours for Expats
Up for a Stroll?
Combine these walk-friendly areas in one evening: Dubai Marina, JBR Walk, Beach Walk . The following walks also allow you to discover the diverse restaurants of Dubai :
Recommended Restaurants near The Conrad Hotel (reservations are necessary)
- Roberto’s
- Zuma
- Teatro
- Okku
- Nusr-Et
- For a super romantic dinner, try Bab al Shams (not close to the Conrad Hotel)
- Souk Medinat
RIPE NCC Dubai Staff Recommendation
Eat at Pai Thai (near the Al Qasr Hotel, inexpensive and very good food). After dinner, visit the Souk Medinat or Cove Beach and you’ll have a perfect evening. Tip: Go to the Al Qasr Hotel, take a boat (for free) to the restaurant; after dinner, order a buggy (for free but give a tip) and ask him to take you to Souk Medinat or Cove Beach; on the way, take a selfie in front of Burj Al Arab
Recommended Lounges in Dubai
- Jetty Lounge: One and Only Hotel
- 40Kong: H Hotel
- La Baie Lounge: Ritz Carlton
- Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar: Grosvenor House
- Shades: Address Hotel in Dubai Marina
- Atelier M: Pier 7 (Dubai Marina)
- Bussola: Westin Hotel (Dubai Marina)
- iKandy: Shangri-La Hotel
Ladies Night
Dubai has a Ladies Night where women get free drinks. See locations here and here.
Beaches in Dubai
- Cove Beach
- Kite Beach (public beach)
- JBR Beach (public beach)
- Barasti Beach (get there at 11:00 and you’ll get a bed and parasol for free; but you can’t bring your own food or drinks)
- Nasimi Beach (entry fee)
- Nikki Beach (entry fee)
- Zero Gravity Beach Club (entry fee)
- Riva Beach (entry fee)
Clubs
- Clubs Club White
- Club XL Dubai
- Billionaire Mansion
- Armani Club
- Al Majaz Park Sharjah
- Al Mamzar Beach Park (one of the most beautiful beaches in Dubai)
- La Mer Beach (recently opened)
- Zero Gravity
- Boa Lounge & Club
- Barasti Beach Bar
Other Adventures
- Friday brunches in Dubai are a must
- You can do an overnight safari in the desert or just a day trip
- Falcon and Sports Heritage Center
Nearby Emirates Sites to See
- If you have time to visit Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is really something to see
- For the auto racing enthusiast, there’s the Yas Marina Circuit
- Roller coaster fans can enjoy the world’s fastest roller coaster in Abu Dhabi
- Mangrove kayaking in Abu Dhabi
- In Sharjah north of Dubai, there’s the Al Qasba Canal
- Swimming with Dugongs at Bu Tinah Island Abu Dhabi
- Hatta Mountain Tour
Please note: In all Emirates, alcohol is allowed only in hotels and is expensive. Consider buying your preferred drink in the airport duty free shops.