Dubai

United Arab Emirates — the guide for Indian travellers

Visa & entryUnited Arab Emirates

Type
e-Visa
Fee
₹6,500
Validity days
60
Processing days
3–5
Documents
  • Passport (6 months validity)
  • Passport-size photo (white background)
  • Confirmed return ticket
  • Hotel booking confirmation
Steps
  • Apply via your airline (Emirates/Etihad/IndiGo) or dubai.vfs.com
  • Upload documents and pay online
  • Receive e-Visa PDF by email in 3–5 working days
Alternatives
  • Visa on arrival (for select visa-holders/residents) — ₹9,000 · Longer queues; not for first-time Indian tourists

MoneyUnited Arab Emirates

Currency
AED (Dirham)
Forex cards
  • Niyo Global — Zero forex markup; good ATM access
  • Fi / Federal Debit — Low markup, instant UPI top-up
  • Scapia — No forex markup, travel rewards
Upi supported
No
Upi note
No live UPI acceptance for Indians in 2026; some malls piloting. Carry a forex card.
Cash vs card
Cards accepted almost everywhere; keep ~AED 200 cash for taxis and souks.

CustomsUnited Arab Emirates

Into india
  • Duty-free allowance ₹50,000 (returning resident)
  • Gold: up to 20g (male)/40g (female) within limits, with conditions
  • 1L alcohol duty-free
Into destination
  • 4L alcohol allowed into UAE
  • No e-cigarettes/vape restrictions but respect public-use rules
  • Prescription medicines: carry prescription

LanguageUnited Arab Emirates

Official
  • Arabic
English prevalence
Very high — English works everywhere
Key phrases
  • Shukran — Thank you
  • Marhaba — Hello

Staying connected

Recommended
Type
eSIM
Partner
Airalo
Plan
UAE 3GB / 30d
Price
₹750
Affiliate link
airalo://uae-3gb
Alternatives
  • du Tourist SIM — local · AED 125 · Airport kiosk on arrival
Whatsapp text
Works
Whatsapp calls
Blocked — use WhatsApp call over VoIP-friendly eSIM, or BOTIM
Free wifi
  • Dubai Metro
  • Most malls
  • Airport

Airport to city

Options
  • Dubai Metro (Red Line) — ₹200 · 45 · Cheapest; buy a Nol card
  • Careem / Uber — ₹1,200 · 25 · Fixed app pricing, no haggling
  • Airport taxi — ₹1,400 · 25 · Insist on the meter; avoid unofficial 'limo' touts

Getting around

System
Dubai Metro + tram + buses, all on the Nol card
Card
Name
Nol Card
Note
Buy a Silver Nol at any metro station; tap on/off
Ride hailing
  • Careem
  • Uber
Daily budget
₹800

Weather & packing

Best months
  • Nov
  • Dec
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
Monthly
  • Dec — Peak season, ~25°C, perfect for outdoors
  • Jul — Extreme heat 45°C+, stay indoors/malls
What to pack
  • Light cottons + a layer for over-AC malls
  • Modest outfit for mosques (shoulders/knees covered)
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, refillable water bottle

Food

Veg friendly
  • Abundant — pure-veg and Jain food easy to find
  • Saravana Bhavan, Rajdhani for thalis
Indian restaurants
  • Saravana Bhavan — Bur Dubai / Karama · South Indian, pure veg
  • Rajdhani Thali — Multiple malls · Gujarati/Rajasthani thali
Typical meal cost
₹700

Safety

Scams
  • Unofficial airport 'limo' touts
  • Souk overpricing — bargain to ~40%
Emergency numbers
  • Police — 999
  • Ambulance — 998
  • Indian Consulate Dubai — +971-4-3971222

Culture & etiquette

Dress
Smart casual is fine; cover shoulders/knees at mosques and Old Dubai
Tipping
10–15% at restaurants if service charge not included; AED 5–10 for valets
Dos
  • Carry your e-Visa + passport copy
  • Use right hand for greetings/eating
Donts
  • No public PDA
  • No photos of people without consent
  • No eating in public during Ramadan daylight

Top experiences

  • Burj Khalifa — burj-khalifa.jpg · World's tallest building — observation decks on floors 124 & 148 · ₹2,500 · 2 · Klook · klook://burj-khalifa · burj-khalifa
  • Desert Safari — desert-safari.jpg · Dune bashing, camel ride, BBQ dinner with veg options · ₹2,200 · 6 · GetYourGuide · gyg://dubai-desert-safari · desert-safari
  • Dubai Frame — dubai-frame.jpg · Observation deck between old and new Dubai · ₹1,200 · 1 · GetYourGuide · gyg://dubai-frame · dubai-frame