Dubai

A guide to getting around Dubai for tourists

Getting around Dubai is simpler than you think - as soon as you land in DXB International Airport, a wealth of transportation options await you.
By Lindsay Eagan

Our quick how-to-get-around Dubai guide for tourists.

Dubai can seem like a shimmering, cosmopolitan maze of glass and metal towers and landmarks plopped down in the middle of the desert.

On the first descent into Dubai International Airport, the barren sand dunes give way to a glittery oasis. Dubai is one of the world's most vibrant and developed cities. For many, this Arabian city is a wonderful place to indulge in an array of entertainment, dining, and shopping options. But it can also be overwhelming, with so much to see and do on a 'larger-than-life' scale.

That said, travel to and within Dubai is fairly easy and stress-free. As part of its transition into a tourist-supported economy, this city at the heart of the Emirates has increasingly built itself up to be a globally accessible hub, welcoming foreign guests and businesses. There are lots of transportation options, so we've outlined some of the best ways to get around during your visit.

Getting around Dubai by taxi or private car

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Once in the city, you'll find an abundance of taxis available. Many tourists have said this is the best and easiest way to get around Dubai. Most taxis are operated by the government with a few private companies offering alternative services.

All taxis run on a metered service with the fee charged by distance, so be sure to ask your driver to turn on their meter if they have not automatically done so. Licensed taxis are tan color with red or pink roofs; taxis with pink roofs are driven by women and intended for women and families only.

Taxi stands are fairly accessible from the city's famous landmarks, such as Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Mall of the Emirates, Palm Jumeirah, and many hotels. Be aware that you may experience long wait times for a taxi during rush hour, typically between 3:30pm and 5:30pm.

Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus

Though it's not necessarily your primary form of transportation, it's an incredible option that combines your need to get around with a fun and informative tour. Aboard the open-deck Hop On Hop Off tour with Big Bus Dubai, you'll pass famous landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai Fountain, and more.

Your guide will provide you with a background of the city and its story. You'll be able to hop on or off at any stop, which makes your sightseeing that much easier!

Getting around Dubai by metro or tram

The Metro

Dubai metro

While many cities of comparable size like London, New York, or Paris operate extensive metro or subway systems, Dubai is unique in still operating only two metro lines to accommodate its citizens and guests. With over 45 stops, The Metro serves the most popular tourist areas within Dubai. The fare will depend on the zone you're traveling in and the distance traveled.

Cabs and supplemental buses are available at most stations and can be used to get you to your destination, if needed, but are typically more expensive. The main metro line runs the length of Sheikh Zayed Road, while the newer, second line services the old town area of the city.

Most points of interest for tourists are clustered around Sheikh Zayed, so you'll be able to hit a lot of the popular attractions using just The Metro. Much of Dubai's impressive new construction, such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Marina are directly connected to the main metro line as well.

Fares can be purchased and stored on Nol Cards (which can even be used to pay for RTA parking). Riders can purchase single or multiple travel tickets. Trains operate every 10 minutes during off-peak times and even faster during rush hour.

The Tram

More recently, Dubai opened a second form of public transportation: The Tram. The tram travels on a specially constructed street-level track to connect the highly populated residential and commercial areas of Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Media City.

Offering a flat rate no matter the destination or length of travel, the Dubai Tram is one of the cheapest forms of transport in the city.

The Palm Monorail

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If you're planning on spending the day on Palm Jumeirah Island (which we highly recommend!) or visiting Atlantis The Palm, hop on the Palm Monorail. The Palm Monorail connects Dubai's mainland with the Palm Jumeirah Island station.

It's the perfect way to travel from the city to Atlantis the Palm for a day of fun at Aquaventure Water Park or the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Getting Around Dubai by boat or ferry

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Since Dubai is home to two large commercial ports, there are numerous places to dock yachts, cruise ships, and smaller boats.

One of the most delightfully authentic ways of getting around Dubai as a tourist is to take a tour on a traditional dhow boat. These small boats carry passengers across the Dubai Creek to the historic old town neighborhoods of Bastakiya and Bani Yas Road for a very low fee. A more modern water bus service also operates in the Creek and Dubai Marina areas to travel the city's "liquid streets".

Private boats and yachts are also a permanent fixture in Dubai's waterways. Many foreign guests prefer to cruise their way into the city via a luxury yacht, while this Emirate nation also has many private boat companies that rent out vessels on an hourly basis for a fun day at sea.

Getting around by bike

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Dubai is becoming an increasingly bike-friendly city. With so many beautiful structures and sand dunes to see, cycling around Dubai is one of the best ways to get out and see everything on your bucket list. Finding a bike is extremely easy, as there are public bikes for rent at BYKY Station and many popular tourist spots, including Jumeirah Beach. A ride around this coastal area is a great way to while away a few hours.

Getting to and from Dubai International Airport

The Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic, and the world's third busiest in terms of total passenger travel. With direct flights to nearly every continent in the world, it's no wonder DXB is so busy.

The airport is also the home of Emirates, the Middle East's largest carrier that offers a direct flight to almost every major city in the world, with a special Emirates-only terminal. Other attractive features include luxury passenger lounges and a large duty-free shopping area in each terminal.

Plane landing at DXB

Dubai International Airport is easily connected to the center of the city via the highway system, by taxi or private car, or numerous local bus routes that disembark straight from the airport to different places of interest. Once outside the terminal, you'll be able to locate your preferred form of transportation easily.

The airport is also directly served by the Dubai Metro public transport system which operates two lines to and from the airport, easily accessible from arrivals.

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A couple relaxing on massage tables
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Relaxing things to do in Dubai

Life in Dubai can feel like a movie in the Fast & Furious franchise. However, it doesn’t have to. If you’re a speed freak or adrenaline junkie Dubai won’t disappoint, with some of the fastest roller coasters in the world and a wealth of extreme sports. But if it’s a slower pace of life you’re after, don’t discount a trip to the largest of the United Arab Emirates just yet! Why? Because relaxing things to do in Dubai include everything from luxurious spa stays to sumptuous afternoon teas. Check out the top relaxing spots in Dubai right here! Sample incredible foods Boozy brunches have become a staple with the expat crowd come the weekend. The rest of the week morning dining is a far more tranquil affair, with plenty of spots offering refuge to remote workers and those keen to take it easy, whether with the latest coffee creations or something more substantial. Menus range from full English breakfasts to pastry selections that would make Julia Child and Heston Blumenthal blush. Alternatively, you could swap the full English for an afternoon tea. Expect a blend of traditional British high tea and modern inventiveness, with contemporary flavors served up on porcelain your grandmother would be proud to have owned. If you’re looking to splash the cash, head straight for the Skyview Bar at the Burj Al Arab or the Chart Room of the QE2 floating hotel. For an authentic Emirati experience, tea and coffee houses dot the souks of Deira, with prices starting at just a handful of dirhams and the conversation that ensues entirely free or charge. Hit the stores Whilst the narrow lanes of Dubai’s souks were until very recently the only place to shop, the expectation that you need to haggle or be taken advantage of can make it less than relaxing. The air-conditioned arcades of their modern equivalent, Dubai’s malls, have some extraordinary shopping opportunities. They don’t call it retail therapy for nothing. Dubai being Dubai, its malls are glittering – sometimes literally – representations of conspicuous consumption. But even if you’re not someone who enjoys shopping for shopping’s sake, their range of alternative attractions still makes them a good bet when considering relaxing things to do in Dubai. Mall of the Emirates hosts Ski Dubai, complete with live penguin meet and greets, whilst Dubai Mall provides a home for the denizens of the deep at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Marvel at sparkling waters The sound of waves is known to bring down heart rates, and most of Dubai’s neighborhoods are close enough to waters to make this another option for the most relaxing things to do in Dubai. Traditional trading vessels known as dhows continue their passage as they must have done for centuries. Today, they are just as likely to be carrying tourists on a dinner cruise along Dubai Creek than cargo, taking in some of Dubai’s top waterside developments. The smooth waters that generally kiss the Dubai coast are also ideal for stand-up paddleboarding. The channels that slip between the island fronds of the Palm Jumeirah are a popular haunt for those stepping onto a board for the first time. Drift amongst the clouds Arguably though, Palm Jumeriah’s form is best taken in from the air. Most of us wouldn’t claim to find skydiving a relaxing pastime – in which case, there is another way. The Ain Dubai observation wheel provides 38 minutes of airborne panoramas without the need of a light aircraft or checking if your life insurance is still in order. Reaching a top height of 250 meters – that’s an almost unbelievable 75 stories up – views extend as far as the Burj Khalifa in downtown. Looking in the opposite direction, the gondolas of Ain Dubai are orientated to reveal the emirate’s spectacular sunsets too. Opt for some spa time It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to the world of spas or looking for a very specific treatment, the likelihood is that there will be a spa somewhere in Dubai right for you. Those staying at any of Dubai’s top hotels will find themselves no more than an elevator ride away from spas featuring spacious wellness centers and treatment lists reading like a who’s who of international massage, from Japanese Iyashi to homegrown hammams. There’s also a whole host of yoga-themed retreats, including ‘underwater yoga’ based at the Lost Chambers Aquarium of Atlantis The Palm. Flop onto a sun lounger One of the closest stretches of free sand to the Burj Al Arab, in the early hours of the day Sunset Beach is quiet, making it a good shout for those seeking out a relaxing place to soak up the sun. As the day progresses it gets slightly busier, partly due to its proximity to the world’s most luxurious hotel, but also because of its popularity with surfers. Numbers hit their peak as the sun sets, with those who’ve gathered to take in the nightly spectacle then dispersing to the nearby mall for a bite to eat or one of the nearby bars for a drink. At the opposite end of the emirate, Al Mamzar Beach sits tucked into a tightly curved pocket of water backed by Alexandria Street and brushing the unmarked border with Sharjah. It’s western side links to a park of the same name which incorporates 55,000 square meters of picnic-ready lawn and almost 2000 palm trees for shade. The best ways to relax in Dubai From massage tables to breakfast buffets, Dubai is a destination which knows what it means to relax. Carve out some me-time on your trip to tick off the most relaxing things to do in Dubai and you’ll immediately feel the benefits. Head to Dubai with Go City, and you’ll also gain reduced admission to many of its top attractions! Relaxing in Dubai doesn’t have to break the bank!
Ian Packham
The waterfront at Dubai Creek in Deira
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Cool things to do in Deira Dubai

Only a short hop from the international airport, Deira still manages to be one of the most charismatic of Dubai’s neighborhoods. Forming a part of Old Dubai, its port continues to be a place for traditional dhow trading vessels to be loaded and unloaded by hand, sailing their small cargoes between Dubai, the Middle East and even India. Its streets are dominated by souks – dedicated to gold, spices and perfumes – where Arabic is still more likely to be heard than English. When it comes to things to do in Deira Dubai there’s also a smattering of small museums and even a beachfront park. Plenty of reasons to take a turn in Dubai’s original downtown district! Enjoy the creek-side setting Long before the observation decks at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, existed and long before Dubai came together with its neighbors to form the United Arab Emirates, there was Deira. As the historic location for mooring dhows, it was the obvious place for the young city’s souks to develop. The simplest of ports, just mooring bollards lining the northern entrance to Dubai Creek, Deira’s ageless waterfront provides a contrast to the usual image of Dubai. Its handcrafted and wooden built ships haven’t changed much in centuries – except for the fact they now contain engines as well as sails. Still dodging the piracy of the high seas, there’s nowhere in Deira with more atmosphere and no better way to discover it than with a creek sightseeing cruise. However, even staying on dry land there are lots of ways to take in the neighborhood’s traditional way of living and working. For instance, Deira’s multitude of souks are a world away from the polished floors and mood music of Dubai’s malls, providing a much more visceral shopping – or window shopping – experience. Choose between the gold, spice and perfume souks depending on what interests you most. Delve into Deira’s history A one minute walk from the Gold Souk is the Dubai Municipality Museum. Fully restored and opened to the public in 2006, it was from this simple building that Dubai was administered for many years. As a result, the museum’s collection uses four main sections to focus on the development of the city and state. An old-school museum with plenty of glass cabinets to gaze into, its upper floor balcony is also a nice place to enjoy life on the street below. The nearby Bait Al Banat – or Women’s Museum – does an important job in highlighting the role of women in a society which historically expected wives, mothers and sisters to stay at home and out of sight. Using historical examples to inspire future generations, gallery one hosts temporary exhibitions and gallery two a semi-permanent collection of archive photographs and contemporary artworks. Dating to 1890, Deira’s self-proclaimed Heritage House has the traditional form of buildings of coral stone and gypsum enclosing a central courtyard. It once belonged to an affluent pearl merchant called Sheikh Ahmed Bin Dalmouk, who also financed the next-door Al Ahmadiya School – one of Dubai’s most prestigious. Step within, and you’ll learn about life behind closed doors, from the majlis meeting place on the ground floor to the kitchens and bathrooms. Relax in Deira’s green spaces A short distance further along the creek from Deira’s wharves, and edged by three of the most luxurious hotels in Deira is Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. A ribbon of verdant green dotted with lakes, bunkers and palms, there are three difficult golf courses to choose between. The average traveler will probably have the most fun at the insta-ready #minigolfdubai course. Although there aren’t any rotating windmills or crazy angles to contend with, there are a series of challenging holes as perfectly manicured as the club’s beginner-friendly nine-hole course or the 7000 yard 18-hole championship course. Greenery without the golf cart can be enjoyed at Al Mamzar Beach Park on a peninsula facing off against Sharjah, Dubai’s neighboring (border-free) emirate. Containing basketball courts, climbing walls and beach volleyball as well as barbecues and plenty of places to sit, swimming is an option from its pools or its multiple beaches. It’s worth noting that Mondays and Wednesdays are women-only days. Together, the golf club and Al Mamzar Beach Park form the main green spaces in Deira. Explore Deira’s newest and oldest structures Because of its status as the second oldest neighborhood in Dubai, new developments are largely reserved for other parts of the city. However, architecture fans won’t be left disappointed. Start at Burj Nahar, a round defensive watchtower constructed in the 1870s. The last of its kind to remain, it’s well worth climbing its steps to add it to your list of places to visit in Deira. Then continue to the contemporary doughnut shaped Chamber of Commerce building on the waterfront. Beside it stands the headquarters of the National Bank of Dubai, whose curved frontage is meant to replicate the sails of the creek’s boats. On the other side of Deira you’ll also find Deira Islands. Made by reclaiming land from the Persian Gulf, the original intention was to create a third Palm. This plan was ruined by the financial crisis of 2008, and it’s only now that these islands are coming to life. For the moment there’s only a handful of hotel’s operating, meaning you’ll have the promised eight kilometers of new beachfront pretty much all to yourself! Go City’s top things to do in Deira It may be just one of Dubai’s districts, but there are still several must see attractions in Deira. Its souks cement it as one of the region’s most important trading areas, whilst its small but interesting museum collections help to reveal its two centuries of culture. Deira is an unmissable part of any trip to Dubai. When looking for the top things to do in Deira and Dubai more widely don’t forget to check out our pre-pay passes. Travel with Go City and you’ll make huge savings on many of the emirate’s top attractions.
Ian Packham

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