Travel Tips for Dubai

no entry visa req for Canadians for 30 day tourist visit
I flew from Vancouver w/ Emirates Airlines w/ a stop in Seattle
exchange currency before arriving as better rate than upon arrival
I purchased an eSIM beforehand that was good for 124 countries for 180 days through Airalo and had great cell service throughout. You can opt to purchase an eSIM for the specific country if you’re not planning to travel to other countries in the year
DO NOT take photographs of the women unless specific permission is given
DO NOT take photographs of military or government buildings

GETTING AROUND:

I chose to rent a car for a couple days as it was only $150 CAD and I could drive myself to Abu Dhabi to visit the mosque and palace at my leisure instead of a tour.
take the Hop on Hop off bus. Choose btwn 24 hr and 48 hr ticket
Dubai Metro: two lines (Red & Green) cover key locations.
Taxis: metered and fairly reasonable
Dubai Tram: runs in the Marina area and links to the Metro and Jumeirah Monorail. Good for short trips. Runs 6am-1am, Mon-Sat.
Palm Jumeriah Monorail: elevated train connecting mainland to Palm Jumeriah w/ stop at Atlantis The Palm Hotel
Water taxis (abras): along Dubai Creek or btwn coastal points. Tix were approx $1-2 CAD
Uber or download Careem app (their version of Uber)
Bicycles & e-scooters
Public Transport Tix, Nol Cards purchased at Metro Stns, bus stns and RTA customer service centres. Red Ticket ideal for short vist. Can be for single journey or day pass.

ACCOMMODATION:

I stayed at Al Seef Heritage Hotel by Hilton in the old area of Dubai. It was right on the water and my room had a patio with a view of the creek. Nice room, lovely staff, fantastic included breakfast, pool, quiet area. The rooms are located in separate buildings throughout the renovated souk.

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THINGS TO DO:

Sindbad Gulf Balloons Co (balloon trip, basic breaky). Balloon ride was decent if you’ve never been on one, but give it a miss if you have done it before

Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi (Open 9-10pm Sat-Thur, 9-12pm & 3-10pm on Fri). No ankles or shoulders visible when visiting. Headdress required. Definitely book a time to visit at szgmc.gov.ae/en/home to speed up entry. Can do tour or take taxi/Uber solo (approx 1.5 hr drive). Must pay cash both ways if taking taxi. Approx AED 300/$120 CAD. Check Get Your Guide for tours (cheaper option if solo) or rent vehicle like I did.

Visit Qasr Al Watan palace (open everyday 11-6pm but can change so double check). Purchase tix ahead of time at qasralwatan.ae/en/booking. AED 65/$25 CAD. Ankles & shoulders covered. Headdress required.

Burj Khalifa Sunset Skip-the-Line Access. While at Dubai Mall, check out Dubai Mall Fountain show (runs 6pm-11pm everyday). It was cool to go up 148 floors but expensive. Limited seating at top so maybe not worth it. The free fountain show at the foot of the Khalifia is good.

Dubai’s Creeks & Souqs w/ Street Food Tour. Explore Al Fahidi district, souks, abra boat along Dubai Creek. I enjoyed this tour. You try a few different dishes at the restaurant that you meet at and then do the walking tour.

Dubai Miracle Garden (9-9pm). AED 95/$35 CAD Skip-the-Line tix. Tix online at www.book.miraclegarden.ae (I didn’t have time to visit here but saw it from afar all lit up and looked pretty)

I took a late afternoon solo tour of new Dubai with Adnan, at Yallah Walk Tourism (contact via WhatsApp at +971 52 979 5016 to book or with Get Your Guide). Great guide, very informative and let me ask lots of questions. Visited Souk Madinat Jumeirah (modern souk on the water), Dubai Marina, Masjid Al Rahim (mosque), Atlantis Palm, Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame, Zabeel Palace, Al Bastakiya and gold & spice souk. Tailored the tour to suit my needs.