There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Dubai each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national) Ninth month of the Hijri calendar: Ramadan (national)The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, is an especially pious time in the United Arab Emirates, a country with a majority Muslim population. Fasting begins each day at sunrise and ends at sunset.
Tenth day of the last month of the Hijri calendar: Eid al-Adha (national)Celebrated with a four-day public holiday in Dubai, this festival beginning on the tenth day of Dhu'l-Hijja honours Ibrahim's proof of his obedience to Allah. Allah asked him to sacrifice his son Ismael, but just as Ibrahim was about to make the sacrifice, Allah told him to offer a ram instead. Traditionally, to remember Ibrahim's offering, each family sacrifices a sheep in the morning and the remainder of the day is spent in prayer and celebration, feasting on the roast mutton and sharing the meat with others.
First day of the Hijri calendar: Al-Hijra (Hijri New Year's Day, national) December 2: National Day (national)Commemorates the day in 1971 when the United Arab Emirates became an independent federation. Highlights include dhow races, parades and traditional music and dance performances.
Second week in December: Dubai International Film Festival (local event)The Dubai International Film Festival was created in 1994. Some of its programming explores the relationship between the Arabic and Western worlds.
| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13/55 | 24/75 | 55/2.2 | Good period to go
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| February | 14/57 | 25/77 | 57/2.2 | Good period to go
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| March | 17/63 | 28/82 | 62/2.4 | Good period to go
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| April | 19/66 | 31/88 | 66/2.6 | Good period to go
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| May | 23/73 | 36/97 | 73/2.9 | Not the best period to go |
| June | 26/79 | 38/100 | 78/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
| July | 29/84 | 40/104 | 83/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
| August | 29/84 | 40/104 | 83/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
| September | 26/79 | 38/100 | 78/3.1 | Not the best period to go |
| October | 22/72 | 35/95 | 71/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 18/64 | 31/88 | 72/2.8 | Good period to go
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| December | 15/59 | 27/81 | 73/2.9 | Good period to go
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The Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest and also among the most modern, is located about 3 kilometres (2 miles) east of the city centre.
Dubai's roads are excellent, making cars an ideal means of transport. Although safe, efficient and reliable public transport options are available, Dubai is undeniably a city built for cars.
Renting a car is by far the best way to get around Dubai, although it should be noted that traffic can be quite congested at rush hours. It is best to avoid driving in the morning between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., and in the afternoon between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Car rentals are relatively inexpensive. An international driver's licence is required and you will also need to present your national driver's licence. In addition, third-party liability coverage is a must. Be very careful not to consume alcohol before driving. Dubai has a zero tolerance policy for drinking and driving and a blood alcohol limit of zero. If stopped for any driving offence, drivers are always breathalysed. Penalties are severe, with fines starting at AED 2,000.
Taxis are a convenient solution if you are not renting a car. The initial charge is AED 3.00, then AED 1.60 per kilometre.
Dubai has a number of bus routes running along the city's main thoroughfares. Buses operate from 6 a.m. to midnight. Fares range from AED 2.00 to AED 3.00 for a trip to Central Dubai.
Dubai has a driverless, fully automated urban rail system, the Dubai Metro, which currently has two lines, the Red Line and the Green Line. The fare is AED 2.00.
Upon your arrival in Dubai, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Dubai Corporation of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTM)Offers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Dubai counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
VaccinationsThere are no vaccination requirements for visitors.
The following vaccines are recommended before you travel:
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no food safety risks in Dubai.
WaterTap water is safe to drink in Dubai.
For any stay of less than 90 days, citizens of the Persian Gulf do not need a visa to travel to the United Arab Emirates, as well as nationals from certain other countries.
For further information, visit the website of the UAE's General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs:
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Dubai, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Arabic phrases that will make your stay in Dubai a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Sabah al-khair
Good evening: Masaa al-khair
Goodbye: Maasalama
Yes: Na'am
No: Laa
No, thank you: Laa, shukran
Thank you very much: Shukran jaziilan
Please: Min fadlik
I don't understand: Laa afham
Could you repeat ?: Mumkin te'id ?
What time is it ?: Kam el sa'ah?
Sorry: Afwan
Excuse me: Airport: Mataar
Train station: Mahattat al-qitaar
Taxi: Taxi
Hotel: Funduq
Hospital: Mustashfa
Bank: Bank
Telephone: Telephone
I'm (…): Ana (…)
I'm looking for (…): Abhass ane (…)
How much is (…)?: Bikam (…)?
Do you have (…)?: Hal 'indak (…)?
Where can I find (…)?: Ayna ajed (…)?
Where can I buy (…)?: Ayna ashtarii (…)?
I'd like (…): Ourid (…)
Tipping
There are no hard-and-fast rules for tipping in Dubai. If you are satisfied with the service, it is customary to leave a tip amounting to about 10% of the bill.
