6 Things to do in Dubai on a Layover
Image credit : Dubai SIMS
Stopover at Dubai airport, what to do?
If you pass like us through Dubai for a stopover, here’s what you can visit if you stay at least 5 hours on the spot between flights.
1. Visiting Dubai during a stopover, is it possible?
To take advantage of Dubai’s stopover visit, you must have a break of at least 5 hours. We had a 20 hour stopover between Dubai and Bali and so plenty of time to immerse ourselves in the city of all records.
As soon as you arrive, a 30-day visa is issued free of charge and without any formality. The passport is then sufficient to visit Dubai, on the only condition that it is still valid 6 months.
Good to know: Under certain conditions, the airline Emirates is likely to offer you a hotel room if the stopover lasts from 8 to 24 hours. Attention, for the Economy class, this offer is subject to conditions including the price of your ticket. Thank you Emirates!
In First class and Business class, the same conditions apply if the stopover in Dubai lasts from 6 to 24 hours.
2. How to get from the airport to downtown Dubai?
There are different ways to get to downtown Dubai. The bus, the metro and the taxi. But if you are a group or if you’re looking for a luxury experience, opt for an hourly Limousine service or Bus with a knowledgeable guide/driver to drive you through Dubai’s most exciting attractions. >>more information
As for luggage, no worries, your bags will meet you at your final destination, so you can visit Dubai being light.
Visit Dubai, what to see?
The tallest tower in the world, Burj Khalifa
First tip: reserve online. The ticket, not already given, it will cost you a little cheaper by buying your ticket in advance.
Then go to Dubai Mall to start the tour.Burj khalifa tower and viewFYI, and disbursing a little more, we can reach the 148th stage and its SKY perched at 556 meters above sea level. We are of course still higher, but the overall view is obviously the same.
Then the tour ends with the descent into the elevator to the ground floor. On the way out, one can still learn about the design of the tallest tower in the world through an exhibition.After gaining height, it’s good to get lost in Dubai’s over-sized shopping centers. And there is the choice!
Dubai Mall
There are, in addition to hundreds of shops, one of the largest aquariums in the world. This gigantic aquarium is a must during a stopover in Dubai. You can see up to 33000 fish and marine animals of all kinds. Rays and sharks are particularly impressive.
Click here to reserve your ticket and enjoy a discount on tickets to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
There are also tickets that link the 124th floor visit of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Aquarium.
dubai mall stopover dubai
The shopping center is easily accessible by metro. The surrounding outdoor park offers an exceptional view of the Burj Khalifa and its artificial lakes. The walk on the site is nice, except when it’s really hot outside. The restaurants and shopping arcades sometimes with incredible interior Arab architecture serve as shelters.
The Mall of the Emirates
In addition to the many shops and restaurants, the No. 1 attraction of the shopping center for 10 years (November 2005) is the ski resort. We are late June. Outside, it is about 45 degrees. Inside, -2 ° C. Tourists indulge in the joys of snow, snow and skiing. There are even ski lifts. More information on Ski Dubai. You can also book your PASS 2h SKI in Dubai in advance with ski rental + access to the slopes.
Souk Madinat
A lot more humane, Souk Madinat is located in the tourist center of Little Venice. Here, in addition to shopping, you can also climb a gondola and let yourself be carried in the middle of the arranged canals surrounded by palm trees.
Dubai Souk Venice
You can also stroll on foot and why not enjoy good food in one of the restaurants on the site. The view of Dubai’s 7-star Burj Al Arab Hotel is friendly from the edge of the canals.
Old Souk
The Old Souk is much more traditional than the Souk Madinat and it is worth a visit, especially since it is accessible by metro and taxi. We move away from the tall towers of Dubai and plunge into the real local life. We like that. There are people everywhere. It’s a neighborhood along Dubai Creek, the city’s river.
In the Old Souk, you can negotiate lots of objects and souvenirs from Dubai. The environment close to the souk is rather typical of the old neighborhoods of Arab cities. Very pleasant.
Not far away, in the traditional district of Bastakiya, one can visit the Al Fahidi fort which houses the Dubai museum. It is the oldest building in Dubai.
If you still have time and energy, take a boat and cross the creek and go to visit the souks of gold and spices, 2 places of life not to be missed in Dubai.
As the hours turn, the heat can reach the limit of the bearable. Fortunately, you can enjoy the air conditioning of the malls before heading to Dubai International Airport with your personal driver.