There are many leading airlines fly that fly to Dubai daily non-stop and prices vary considerably, so it pays to shop around for a flight most convenient to your requirements. Consider the length of the flight and any mandatory stopovers. Start by contacting the major airlines or your local Dubai Specialist travel agent.

Emirates Airlines Etihad Airways Nippon Airways Air India British Airways Singapore Airlines Russian Airlines

Local and international banks provide a wide range of retail banking services (i.e. money transfers, currency exchange etc). Major international currencies are valid here and easily convertible to the local currency – Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)

Wide, well surfaced roads and inter-Emirates highways are easily comparable to the roads / motor ways in first world countries. Thus makes driving a pleasure. Self-driven cars are available and usually, the rental company will arrange a temporary driving license for visitors.

Documents required for hiring a car – Copy of your Passport, Valid international driving license, also you have to produce your credit card to the car hiring company by which they will block a certain amount, depends on the category of the vehicle and the number of days. While returning the vehicle, the car hiring company will settle your account and if there is any excess amount blocked through your credit card, you will get the refund after deducting all the charges.

You will get the assistance to hire a car from the hotel where you are staying. You might take some time adjusting to the local traffic rules and need to be more alert than usual.

Most shops, hotels, restaurants and establishments accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club). The odd small retailer might not accept, but either way, a minor processing charge is levied at most establishments. Indicate whether you're paying by card or cash before bargaining for goods.

Average Temperatures: January to April 18-25 °C / May to September 30-45°C / October to December 20-27° C.

Sunny blue skies can be expected most of the year and rainfall is infrequent, mainly in the winter months. Humidity can be considerable in summer. Light, loose fitting cotton dress is recommended for the summer months (also keep sunglasses and hats handy). Sweaters and jackets may be needed during winter evenings.

The UAE is liberal in dress code, and there isn't much you can't wear, but taking note of local sensibilities is courteous and advisable. You can wear a bikini on a beach, but should not wear a halter-top down a shopping street. Modest dresses are recommended in public places.

The Telecommunications department - Etisalat is one of the leading service providers in the Middle East Region satisfying the customer requirements in all aspects of services and technology. When it comes to communications like Internet and mobile phones they offer high transmission capacity and flexible bandwidth. Dial-up connections are easily established and 99% of the time, a connection is established at first try. Dial-up connections are usually established between 40 - 56 kbps.Standard and prepaid GSM cards for mobile phones are easily available.

Internet access through Internet cafes and business centers is widely available at modest rates. Internet access is also easily available at most hotels.

Country code: 971.

Main area codes:

Local landline calls within any Emirate are free. Mobile calls are chargeable.

All hotels have fax and Internet facilities.

Customs

No customs duty is levied on personal effects when entering Dubai. Arms, ammunition, drugs and pesticides require import licenses; other items are controlled; narcotic drugs are banned. On arrival a Duty Free section is available for incoming tourists where duty free purchases may be made.

Restricted items

The UAE follows Islamic code. Films, videos and printed matter showing nude women, sexual contact between the sexes and politically sensitive material, matter likely to offend a friendly government and religious propaganda offensive to Islam are likely to be confiscated. The censorship department within the Ministry of information checks imported material. Video or audio piracy is banned under law and illegally copied material may not be imported. Strict checks are applied at ports of entry

The UAE follows Islamic code. Films, videos and printed matter showing nude women, sexual contact between the sexes and politically sensitive material, matter likely to offend a friendly government and religious propaganda offensive to Islam are likely to be confiscated.

The censorship department within the Ministry of information checks imported material. Video or audio piracy is banned under law and illegally copied material may not be imported. Strict checks are applied at ports of entry

Driving in the UAE is left hand drive system. Residents require license to drive. Holders of UK, US and some other national licenses may, subject to certain conditions, qualify for a UAE license on presenting the required documents. Temporary permits to drive may be issued to visitors but not those in transit.

The electrical supply for domestic consumption is 220/250 Volts AC, 50 Cycles (50 hertz). 3-pin plugs are widespread. Adapters for nearly any type of plug are easily available in all large supermarkets

Most foreign embassies in the UAE are based in Abu Dhabi, but a number of diplomatic offices and consulates operate in Dubai. They are usually open during 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and are closed on Fridays. Some of them are closed on Thursdays and Saturday as well.

Dubai has a lively nightlife. Bars are situated in hotels or leisure complexes and offer up market cocktail bars, wine bars, themed bars and typical British or Irish pubs. You can eat in many of them and bands play regularly in some of them.

The young at heart can dance the night away, with popular DJs playing in numerous nightclubs around the city. There are also Middle Eastern, Indian and Asian nightclubs with singers and dancers performing regularly.

Famous singers and entertainment acts come to Dubai regularly and cater to all tastes and ages, while theatre tour groups perform their plays in Dubai as part of their world tour. Major dance groups from Europe and Asia and ballet and opera companies from around the world are regular visitors to the Emirates.

Dubai is host to a range of food styles and types. Most tastes are catered to, both at restaurants and through raw food materials available in supermarkets. Alcohol is served in most hotel outlets and clubs, outside of which restaurants are not allowed to sell alcohol. Alcohol is not available in the emirate of Sharjah.

The official currency of the United Arab Emirates is the Dirham. A Dirham is divided into 100 Fils. Notes are available of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 denominations. Coins are available in 1 dirham, 50 fils and 25 fil denominations.

Health certificates are not required for entry to the UAE, however it is wise to check before departure as regulations could change.

Dubai has a number of well-equipped hospitals: the Dubai department of health runs four major hospitals and the city has another six. Private Medical clinics can be found all over the city.

The UAE is an Islamic Country. The Islamic calendar of annual events is organised by the Lunar Calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. Thus, there are some annual Holidays fixed according to the Gregorian calendar and others Fixed vis-à-vis the Islamic Calendar

Fixed Public Holidays

Holidays determined by the Islamic Calendar (Lunar)

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the Moon. Holiday dates that get fixed from year to year . They are Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year's Day (Islamic calendar) and The Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) Birthday.

Working Hours

Commercial

Many companies work from 0800-1300 and 1600-1900 - Saturday through Wednesday. Some companies work through from 0800 to 1730 with a one-hour lunch break. Thursdays are usually half working days from 0800 to 1300. Friday is the weekly day off.

Government Offices

0730/0800 - 1330/1400 (Saturday to Wednesday) Thursdays and Fridays are closed.

Banks

0800-1300 (Saturday to Thursday) Certain banks are open till evening.

Retail Establishments and Souqs ( markets )

Most retail establishments work from 0900-1300 and then again from 1600- 2200.

Exceptions

If you are visiting Dubai for Business you are well advised to determine the working hours of the companies and the people you want to meet because there are some serious exceptions

• There are some companies that have Thursday and Friday off as the weekend.
• There are some companies that have Friday and Saturday off because the nature of their business requires them to align workdays more closely with the non-Muslim world.
• Again some other companies have Saturday and Sunday off because they must align their working days with the Western world.

In addition to local fare, the many international fast-food chains offer yet another alternative to the hustle and bustle of inner city cafes, not to mention perhaps, a touch of home. Well-represented, major chains such as Burger King, Hardees, KFC, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut generally have special offers and knockdown prices. In addition, new chains too have opened up in the city's malls offering truly global cuisine.

For a Unique Experience: The many Lebanese and Arabic food eateries, with their roadside seating, are definitely a unique experience. Chinese,Thai and Sea food restaurants are also popular.

Arabic is the national language of the United Arab Emirates. In the private sector and amongst the public English, Urdu and Hindi are widely spoken and used. In most Hotels the staff usually understand Russian ,French, German and some European languages.

UAE time is 4 hours ahead (+4) of Greenwich Mean Time.

Three English Language daily newspapers are available - Khaleej Times, Gulf News and Gulf Today. A number of general interest English language magazines are also published in the UAE. Bookshops and leading supermarkets usually have international newspapers and magazines for sale.

A number of satellite channels, over 8 TV stations, and numerous radio frequencies from all over the Gulf can be received in the UAE. All major hotels have satellite TV with international news and entertainment channels Star TV, Orbit and Showtime are some of the most popular networks. Some of the satellite channels are listed below. Check hotel information and local newspapers for availability and details:

You may like to check some of the available TV channels.

• BBC World (English)
• Fox Sports (English)
• CNN (English)
• Sky News (English)
• Reality TV (English)
• Euro Sports News (English)
• Bloomerberg TV (English, financial news)
• Disney Channel (English, Arabic)
• Orbit News (English)
• MUSIC NOW (English, Arabic)
• CNBC Asia (English, financial news)
• National Geographic (English)
• MTV Europe (English)
• Cartoon Network (Hindi, English)

Dubai 92 FM Radio (English), Channel 4 (104.8) FM is the latest arrival with non-stop music, and Emirates FM (English) broadcasts top numbers and request shows throughout the day.

BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.

BBC: MHz 15.57 12.10 11.76 9.410

VOA: MHz 15.21 9.740 1.548 1.260

Tourists may photograph places of interest without restriction. However, certain government buildings and public installations are restricted areas. Photographing Arab women without permission is considered unacceptably rude and is not advisable.

Ramadan is the holy month in which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Koran. Its timing is not fixed in terms of the Gregorian calendar, but advances 11 days every year. It is a month of fasting when Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk.

Visitors are also required to refrain from consuming these items in public during daylight hours as a sign of respect. Food, drink and tobacco are disallowed.

During Ramadan, alcohol is available in Hotels after the fasting hours, but no live entertainment (bands) are allowed Eid Al Fitr is a feast marking the end of Ramadan and is celebrated over three days. Celebrations start after prayers in the morning, and gifts are exchanged.

Dubai has a large number of clubs that offer a wide variety of activities like tennis, squash, golf, ice skating, swimming, snooker, Scuba diving, shooting, go carting, polo and equestrian, sailing, water sports etc…

The city also has the best beaches and parks with very good landscaping, good infrastructure and facilities which are safe and secure. They have lots of trees and greenery. They have picnic areas and children's playground. The beaches have sheltered areas for swimming, with lifeguards as well as changing rooms. The parks also provide a barbecue area.

Dubai has spectacular water parks one of which is the largest in the region. The city also has a Zoo, which provides a lot of fun and entertainment for the kids, showing off a large variety of animals

Islam is the official religion of the UAE. There are a large number of mosques throughout the city. Other religions are respected and hence Dubai has quite a few churches & temples.

Dubai has many fine hotel restaurants that offers the best of the world's cuisine. Be it the best barbecued meat or vegetarian fare, Dubai's little cafes and eating houses offer an alternative dining experience for the traveler who wants a more interactive local experience.

Catering to all sections of society, the many roadside cafes offer some of the best food at very attractive prices. Highly economical, some are open round the clock and are popular with all-night revelers who stop off for a late dinner or an early breakfast. The food, served straight off the oven or stove, is always fresh and the aromas heady and mouth watering.

Some cafeterias, with their roadside seating, are definitely a unique experience.

Fine Dining

There is no better place than Dubai - a melting pot of cultures - to sample a multi-ethnic mix of cuisine from around the world. Most restaurants accept walk-ins, but its best to make a reservation at fine dining outlets, especially during the weekend (Thursday / Friday). The dress code varies depending on the rules laid down by each outlet.

Dubai and the UAE in general are certainly among the safest places in the world for visitors. Crime is virtually unknown - petty theft too. You have no fear of your personal belongings being snatched away in public places.

With the Arabic practice of welcoming visitors, travel and sightseeing here becomes a worry-free pleasure. Women can travel around unescorted, reassured that the built-in safety values in Arabic society will take care of them.

For the first time visitor we recommend a large number of multipurpose shopping malls listed below that offer excellent shopping for clothes, electronics, gold, entertainment arcades for children, food courts, cinemas and much more.

Some of famous malls are listed below :

• Deira City Center
• Burjuman Center
• Al Ghurair City
• Lamcy Plaza
• Wafi City
• Hamarain Center
• Mercato
• IBN Battuta Mall

Shopping Bazaars

Dubai has many areas where independent retail establishments offer a tantalizing range of goods and services -

• Meena Bazaar/Cosmos Lane - This is an open market shopping area for textiles and has a few gold shops as well.
• Al Fahidi Street - This Street is known for the wide variety of electronics and every brand of electronics is available here.
• Karama Market - A general shopping complex for all kinds of goods and you can really bargain here!
• Deira Gold Souq - The biggest retail gold shopping area in Dubai. Shops are laden with gold and jeweler and the sight is a must-see for all.

Dubai is the haven of relaxation. Many Hotels and independent Spa centers offer experienced specialists with knowledge and techniques for the perfect relaxation of mind and body. Many types of treatments, therapy and massages are available. The facilities offered are excellent and there's plenty to revitalize and rejuvenate you.

Taxis are reasonably priced and plentiful. All Taxis in Dubai belong to well supervised taxi companies. The Dubai Transport Corporation metered cabs are cream-colored. The Metro Taxis are the same color but with different Insignia. The National Taxi company livery is silver-gray. The CARS Taxi company livery is white with blue stripes.

All taxis are well maintained and are driven by trained staff. Fares are uniform. The minimum fare is Dh 3 (at night after 10 pm it starts at Dh 3.50). Outside city limits fares are based on a printed scale. In Dubai, using any company taxi, you will rarely pay more than Dh 10-14 per trip.

Water Taxis

Interesting and cheapest way to travel between Bur Dubai and Deira Dubai is by water taxi or ABRA across the creek for 50 fils per person.

There are several historical and modern tourist spots.

Shindagha

at the mouth of Dubai Creek, where Dubai has took birth.

Sheikh Saeed's House

built in the early 19th century, had its balconies from where the Maktoum (Dubai's royal family) rulers could watch shipping activities at the sea. Its wind-towers are a unique architectural heritage.

Al Fahidi Fort

which has been converted into Dubai Museum. The fort was built in 1800 and had served as palace, garrison and prison. The exhibits include the good old pearl merchants' weights, scales and sieves. There are also pottery and metalware said to be dating back to 3000 BC. The main fort is a military museum.

Bastakia

East of Al Fahidi Fort the old district of Bastakia is famous for its courtyard houses and wind-towers. The wind-towers were the air conditioners of those times.

Burj Nahar

is one of the three watchtowers that were built to guard the old city. This renovated watchtower in Deira is a much photographed heritage site.

Jumeirah Mosque

a city landmark, is one of the largest, most beautiful and famous mosques of the emirate. It has a mixture of medieval Fatimidi tradition and modern Islamic architecture. It is a very popular subject for photography.

Al Boom Tourist Village

where visitors get a chance to witness the old traditional nomadic life of the Bedouins.