Dubai is a jewel in a desert that only continues to grow, home to some of mankind's most impressive creations. Visitors to Dubai can expect sights that boggle the mind and food that tantalises the tongue. Despite being a younger city among its regional contemporaries, there's no shortage of things to do and see in this formerly small fishing village.
We'll provide you with a wide range of options that make your trip to Dubai easy. From flights to hotels, flexible tickets, and suggestions, our service delivers what you need from the perspective of seasoned travellers. For a long trip or a wonderful weekend, we'll point you in the right direction.
Here is a tip for you: booking your flight and hotel at the same time and not separately can make you save up to 40%. Take advantage of a flight + hotel package in Dubai and save time searching for hotels separately. If you have already bought your flight and you are only looking for accomodation, you can book your hotel in Dubai here.
You've decided to explore UAE's biggest city over a weekend and you're wondering what to do in Dubai. Where do you start, where do you end, and perhaps most importantly, what do you eat? To help you along the way, we've come up with the following weekend plan that should give you a taste of what Dubai has to offer. Just don't be surprised if it leaves you wanting more.
Once you've arrived in Dubai and left your bags at the hotel, it's time to head out and see what's what. To start with a bang, authentic shawarma is available everywhere as one of the nation's most famous street foods. Vegetarians can also consider balaleet as a sweet and crunchy dish, or a simple dango that's great for both vegetarians and vegans needing to refuel.
From here, a walk down the Dubai Marina can be the perfect way to recover from your flight and take in Dubai's splendour. The waterfront promenade is highly walkable, and you'll be able to stop off and eat whenever the smells tempt you.
Kicking off your second day, what better way to start than to learn about the city's history? The Dubai Museum includes many fascinating explorations of the area's history and development. The historical district of Al Fahidi can also be worth a stroll, to get a more grounded look of the UAE.
Having seen the old, it's time to move on to the new. Our top suggestions are the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, or the world-famous Burj Khalifa if you can book a spot on the observation deck.
You can round out the day with an experience of Dubai's vibrant nightlife. Downtown is full of spectacular spots, including clubs, lounges, or even the Dubai Opera if that's your thing. There are plenty of places here to eat too, if you want to spend your last night indulging in something fancy.
Your final morning is the perfect time to find a keepsake, and where better than a traditional market? Dubai is full of flea markets, any one of which can offer you something special to remind you of your trip, alongside a couple of helpings of street food.
Before you go, the Palm Jumeirah artificial island is a fascinating demonstration of what can come when a city decides to take the land back from the ocean. If you have the time, there's an aquarium and water sports areas here, for one last excursion. Try not to get too caught up in the activities, as you don't want to miss your flight! Real-life calls, but we're sure your experiences will leave you with some ideas for your next time in Dubai.
If you have the opportunity to stay in Dubai for more than 3 days and would love to discover the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area, you can always rent a car in Dubai and travel the open road.
Requesting assistance for children travelling alone is managed by contacting the airline you're travelling with directly. Different airlines will offer different policies for children travelling alone, so be sure to check before booking if possible to ensure the child you're booking for can be helped as needed.
Assistance dogs and other animals will depend on the airline you booked with and its official policy. These policies will tend to be listed on their websites, and you can use airline contact numbers to sort out a plan from there. Be sure to check these policies before you buy a ticket if possible, as different airlines can have very different policies.
Our search function includes a tab letting travellers sort their available flights by cheapest. Once you've found a flight you're interested in, clicking on it will reveal different flexible tickets.
Booking with Opodo provides options to include hotels when you search for your flight. Simply use the "Flight + Hotel" tab when searching and you'll be able to manage both your flight and hotel bookings in one easy process.
Larger bags and those over a certain weight will need to be checked. The exact size and weight requirements will depend on the airline, and can be checked when you purchase your ticket or on the airline's official website. Some items like battery-powered electronics can't be checked and must be taken with your carry-on baggage.
To check in with a flight you've booked through Opodo you can simply print your ticket out and take it to the corresponding airline desk at your departure airport. Depending on your airline, some tickets might also be eligible for online check-ins via your airline's websites.
Cancellation fees for flights operate under the policies of the airline you're booked with. These can be checked both when you purchase tickets and on the airline websites. Cheaper tickets will tend to be less flexible and will generally incur larger cancellation fees.
Flights booked with us are open to compensation if the following two criteria are met:
The top carriers flying at this airport are: Emirates, British Airways and Qantas Airways.
This airport is 36 miles to the south of Dubai.
There are several ways to get to Dubai International Airport: bus, taxi, metro and car. The metro takes around 1 hour and costs around £1-3 from the EXPO Metro Station, which is around 30 minutes away from the airport by taxi. A taxi straight to the city centre takes around 50 minutes and costs around £32. Please note again that travel time will vary depending on traffic, and that the metro does not operate 24/7.
The best time to visit Dubai depends on what you want from the experience. Dubai offers something for everyone, no matter when you visit, but the particulars can change depending on the season. Whether you're after weather, festivals, or travelling on a budget, the following times would be best for you.
The most pleasant weather in Dubai is from November to February. This is the most popular period for travellers, and it's also when the city is in full swing. Average temperatures at this time hover around 25°C, so it's quite warm without being oppressively so. February tends to be a little cooler here, so it's better suited to those interested in staying on their feet.
There's no better time to check out the tallest building in the world or stroll down the waterfront for a look at some of the most impressive buildings in the world. If you want to shop your heart out, then the Dubai Shopping Festival, which starts in December, is an easy choice. This runs for a month, so you'll have plenty of time to seek what you need. Be sure to bring an umbrella for shade, though, as even the cooler months can still cook!
Dubai's best time for budget travellers is around the April through October period. This is the hot season, where sandstorms can cause problems for those caught outside. Of course, indoor activities aren't affected, and Dubai offers no shortage of things to do when hidden from the elements. Chill out in an indoor theme park like the IMG Worlds of Adventure, or rock on down to the Dubai Flea Market at the World Trade Centre, and you'll keep busy and entertained. Plus, with fewer other tourists, this time you'll have more options for where to stay in Dubai.