Travel guide from India

Dubai and the UAE

The UAE is roughly three to four hours' flight from most big Indian cities. In a small area it packs Dubai's towers, malls and beaches beside the old souks on the creek, dune safaris on the city's edge, Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque and theme parks, and mountains at Hatta and Jebel Jais that run several degrees cooler than the coast. Indian visitors will find Hindi goes further than Arabic in many shops, cheap Indian food, from dosa and idli to roti with sabzi, in Bur Dubai and Karama, and a large Hindu mandir near Abu Dhabi.

Best time: Nov–Mar
First trip: 6–8 nights
Visa: e-Visa, 60 days
Return flights: from ₹20,901 ●; Chennai, checked in the last 48 h

Places to visit in Dubai and the UAE

9 places in the order you would meet them on a first trip. Tap one for what to do there.

Downtown Dubai

City

The Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain shows on Burj Lake, all a short walk from each other.

2–3 nightsabout 30 min from Dubai airportBest Oct–Apr

Downtown Dubai is a planned district built around the Burj Khalifa, bounded by Sheikh Zayed Road, Financial Centre Road, the Dubai Water Canal and Burj Khalifa Boulevard, with Dubai Mall and Dubai Opera inside it. It is about 10 km from DXB, and the metro Red Line runs straight from Terminals 1 and 3 to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station. The wide streets are made for walking in the cooler months; hotels here lean upmarket, and neighbouring Business Bay has cheaper ones.

What to do in Downtown Dubai

Go up the Burj Khalifa. The 828 m tower has two viewing levels, At the Top on floors 124 and 125 and a higher deck on floor 148 at 555 m; it can be windy up there, so carry a layer.
Watch the Dubai Fountain. Shows run through the evening on Burj Lake, with jets reaching 140 m; the floating Boardwalk takes you within nine metres of them.
Dubai Mall. More than 1,200 shops plus the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, an Olympic-sized ice rink and KidZania for children, linked to the metro by a covered walkway; covering shoulders and knees is the safe choice.
Evening walk on the Boulevard. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard curves through the district past cafés and shops to Dubai Opera and Burj Park, another good spot for watching the fountain.

October to April is Dubai's cooler season and the best time to walk between the sights; from May to September daytime temperatures sit in the high 30s and low 40s.

Sources: Visit Dubai: Downtown Dubai, Visit Dubai: Burj Khalifa, Visit Dubai: The Dubai Fountain, Visit Dubai: Dubai Mall, Visit Dubai: Weather in Dubai, RTA: Dubai Metro (checked 14 Oct)

Old Dubai: Bur Dubai and Deira

HeritageDay trip

Where Dubai began: abras across the creek, the gold and spice souks, wind-tower lanes and Meena Bazaar.

about 30 min from Dubai airportBest Oct–Mar

Dubai began on the creek: Bur Dubai, on the west bank, is the city's oldest neighbourhood, and Deira across the water has been its trading hub for centuries, with wooden dhows still loading cargo at the wharves. The town grew on trade between Iran and India and once even used the Indian rupee. Today it is a dense mix of souks, narrow lanes and busy squares; Deira sits right next to the airport, and Bur Dubai has many of the city's cheaper hotels.

What to do in Old Dubai: Bur Dubai and Deira

Cross the creek by abra. Wooden ferry boats shuttle between Bur Dubai and Deira every few minutes and the crossing takes about five minutes; it gets windy and cool on the water in winter, so carry a layer.
Gold and Spice souks. Deira's Gold Souk is regulated by the Dubai government for authenticity, and the Spice Souk three minutes away sells saffron, nuts, teas and spices from Arabia and the subcontinent; bargaining is expected in both.
Al Fahidi and Al Seef. Lanes of mid-19th-century wind-tower houses, more than 50 of them restored as museums, galleries and cultural centres, and the heritage-style Al Seef promenade next door looks across the creek at sunset.
Meena Bazaar and Indian food. Bur Dubai's 'Little India' lane sells fabric, ready-made Indian wear and gold, and the streets around it and in Karama are full of budget Indian places serving dosa, idli, samosa and roti with sabzi.
Al Shindagha Museum. Near the mouth of the creek, a short walk from Al Ghubaiba metro, it tells how the waterway shaped Dubai and has a Perfume House on the story of Emirati scents.

Visit Dubai names the winter months, October to March, as the best time for the creekside, when walking between the souks and heritage lanes is comfortable.

Sources: Visit Dubai: Bur Dubai, Visit Dubai: Deira, Visit Dubai: Abra Creek Crossing, Visit Dubai: Gold Souk, Visit Dubai: Spice Souk, Visit Dubai: Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Visit Dubai: Al Seef, Visit Dubai: Meena Bazaar, Visit Dubai: Al Shindagha Museum, Wikivoyage: Dubai (checked 14 Oct)

The desert: safaris and Al Marmoom

WildlifeDay trip

Evening dune drives and camp dinners, plus oryx, desert lakes and a long cycle track in the Al Marmoom reserve.

about 1 h from Dubai airportBest Oct–Apr

Inland from the coastal towers, most of Dubai is open desert, and most visitors see it on an evening safari: an air-conditioned SUV collects you from your hotel, drives over the dunes towards sunset and ends at a Bedouin-style camp for dinner. For a quieter look, the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve covers about a tenth of the emirate and is the UAE's largest unfenced nature reserve, home to Arabian oryx, gazelles, flamingos and the Al Qudra lakes.

What to do in The desert: safaris and Al Marmoom

Evening desert safari. Drivers let the tyres down for a roller-coaster run over the dunes, stop for sunset photos, then take you to a camp for dinner with camel rides and henna; skip the dune drive if you get carsick.
Al Qudra Lakes. A string of lakes in the dunes inside the reserve, popular for picnics and sunsets, where you may spot oryx, desert foxes and some of the area's many bird species.
Cycle the Al Qudra track. An 86 km cycle track runs through the dunes, and bikes can be rented for a ride past the sand and lakes.
Camel racing at Al Marmoom. The camel race track here is one of the region's main venues, and races are held in the winter months.
Saruq Al Hadid. The reserve also holds a 3,000-year-old Iron Age archaeological site, one of the oldest in the country.

Safaris run all year and start in the late afternoon to dodge the heat, but October to April, Dubai's cooler season, is when outdoor trips are most comfortable.

Sources: Visit Dubai: Book a summer desert safari in Dubai, Visit Dubai: Discover Al Marmoom, Visit Dubai: Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, Visit Dubai: Weather in Dubai, Wikivoyage: Dubai (checked 14 Oct)

Dubai Marina and JBR

Beach

Towers around a 7 km waterside promenade, and a public beach at JBR with watersports and a long beachfront walk.

2 nightsabout 30 min from Dubai airportBest Oct–Apr

Dubai Marina is a canal lined with towers about 20 km south-west of the city centre, on the coast past Dubai Media City, towards Jebel Ali, and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) sits right beside it on the sea. Visit Dubai suggests treating the two as one district: the marina itself is a working waterway and not for swimming, but the beach at JBR is public, and the promenades stay busy late into the evening.

What to do in Dubai Marina and JBR

The Beach at JBR. The public beach has no gate, swimming is allowed from sunrise to sunset, and there are lifeguards, showers and watersports from parasailing to banana-boat rides.
Walk Dubai Marina Walk. A 7 km path loops both sides of the marina past cafés, restaurants and moored yachts, and is at its best in the evening when the towers light up.
XLine zipline. From the entrance in Dubai Marina Mall you set off 170 m up and fly about 1 km along the marina at up to 80 km/h.
Boat trip on the marina. Tours, fishing and diving trips and private yacht charters leave from along the promenade, and a night ride shows the marina from the water.
The Walk at JBR. A 1.7 km street of shops, cafés and pop-up markets runs the length of JBR behind the beach, with a footbridge at the end to Bluewaters Island.

October to April brings the mildest beach days; the sea stays warm all year, from the low 20s °C in February to the low-to-mid 30s in August.

Sources: Visit Dubai: Dubai Marina, Visit Dubai: Jumeirah Beach Residence, Visit Dubai: The Beach, JBR, Visit Dubai: Dubai Marina Walk, Visit Dubai: Weather in Dubai, RTA: Dubai Tram (checked 14 Oct)

Palm Jumeirah

IslandDay trip

The palm-shaped island of beach resorts, with Atlantis, a 240 m viewing deck and an 11 km boardwalk.

about 30 min from Dubai airport

Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island on reclaimed land, begun in 2001, with a trunk, fronds and an outer crescent breakwater lined with the city's best-known high-end beach resorts. The Palm Monorail runs up the trunk from the Palm Gateway, next to the tram, to Atlantis, The Palm at the centre of the crescent. It sits next to the Marina, so it makes an easy day out from there.

What to do in Palm Jumeirah

The View at The Palm. An observation deck 240 m up on level 52 of The Palm Tower, with 360-degree views over the fronds, the sea and the skyline, and a link to Nakheel Mall below.
Ride the Palm Monorail. It runs the length of the Palm's trunk, stopping at the park near its base, the mall halfway along and the Aquaventure end.
Aquaventure at Atlantis. The water park at Atlantis is the classic family day on the Palm; go early and move on to shopping or lunch as the day heats up.
Palm West Beach and the Boardwalk. Palm West Beach is a public stretch of sand facing Dubai Marina, and the 11 km Boardwalk follows the outer crescent past the resorts, with food trucks and benches along the way.
Swim inside the fronds. The water inside the crescent breakwater is calm and fairly shallow near the shore, which suits an easy swim off the resort beaches and Palm West Beach.

Sources: Visit Dubai: Palm Jumeirah, Visit Dubai: The View at The Palm, Visit Dubai: Transportation in Dubai (checked 14 Oct)

Abu Dhabi city and Saadiyat Island

City

The capital: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre on Saadiyat, the Corniche and a BAPS mandir nearby.

1 nightabout 30 min from Abu Dhabi airportBest Nov–Mar

Abu Dhabi, the UAE's capital, is a city of islands linked by bridges, about 130 km from Dubai along the E11. Its name means 'land of the gazelle', and the 18th-century fishing and pearling settlement around Qasr Al Hosn has grown into a high-rise city with an 8 km Corniche on the sea. Most visitors come for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the museums of Saadiyat Island's cultural district, about 15 minutes from downtown.

What to do in Abu Dhabi city and Saadiyat Island

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. One of the world's largest mosques welcomes visitors of all faiths who dress respectfully; look for the stone inlay on its columns, a technique Mughal artisans used in the Taj Mahal.
Louvre Abu Dhabi. The Arab world's first universal museum shows ancient and modern works side by side under a 180 m dome of 7,850 interlocking stars that scatters a 'rain of light' over the galleries.
Qasr Al Hosn. The city's oldest building grew from a 1790 watchtower into a fort and palace, and in its House of Artisans you can watch Al Sadu, the UNESCO-listed Bedouin wool weaving.
Abu Dhabi Corniche. Eight kilometres of waterfront with separate cycling and walking paths, play areas and a lifeguarded Blue Flag beach; sunset is the time to go.
BAPS Hindu Mandir. A large Swaminarayan mandir at Abu Mureikhah, between Abu Dhabi and Dubai; clothes must cover shoulders and knees, and wraps are provided. Check the mandir's own website for visiting arrangements before you go.

The weather is pleasant from mid-autumn to early spring; summer days are hot enough that most people spend them indoors.

Sources: Visit Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi, Visit Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (official site), Visit Abu Dhabi: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Visit Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat Cultural District, Visit Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat Island, Visit Abu Dhabi: Qasr Al Hosn, Visit Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Corniche, BAPS Abu Dhabi (official site): Visit, Etihad Rail: Dubai Station, Wikivoyage: Abu Dhabi (checked 14 Oct)

Yas Island

Island

Abu Dhabi's theme-park island: Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld, near AUH.

1–2 nights15 min from Abu Dhabi airport

Yas Island is Abu Dhabi's leisure island, about 20 km from the city centre and 15 minutes from Zayed International Airport, which makes it an easy first or last night in the UAE. Four big theme parks share it with the Yas Marina Circuit, where the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix is held, Yas Mall and the Yas Bay waterfront. The attractions are spread out, but the Yas Express shuttle links the main hotels and sights.

What to do in Yas Island

Ferrari World. An indoor park with more than 40 attractions, including Formula Rossa, billed as the world's fastest roller coaster, and gentler rides like Bell'Italia for younger children; check the height limits first.
Yas Waterworld. A water park with 43 rides, slides and attractions, the place to cool off on a hot day.
Warner Bros. World. Six themed lands, among them Gotham City, Metropolis and Cartoon Junction, built around DC superheroes, Looney Tunes and the Flintstones.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The first SeaWorld outside the United States has eight marine 'realms' with about 150 species of sea animals.
Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Bay. Drive the Formula One circuit on an organised experience, then walk the Yas Bay promenade for dinner by the water.

Sources: Visit Abu Dhabi: Yas Island, Visit Abu Dhabi: Ferrari World Yas Island, Wikivoyage: Yas Island (checked 14 Oct)

Hatta

Hill countryDay trip

Dubai's mountain exclave: kayaking on Hatta Dam, bike trails, hikes and a restored heritage village.

about 1 h 30 min from Dubai airportBest Oct–Apr

Hatta is an exclave of Dubai in the Hajar Mountains on the border with Oman, about 130 km south-east of the city. Once known mainly for its fort and small farms, it now draws hikers, mountain bikers and families, and its altitude keeps it a few degrees cooler than the coast. Visit Dubai pitches it as a day trip, with lodges, caravans and campsites for those who stay over; buses run from Dubai Mall, but a car or a tour is far easier.

What to do in Hatta

Kayak on Hatta Dam. Rent a kayak, canoe or paddle boat on the turquoise reservoir under the Hajar peaks; swimming is not allowed, you must use the operator's gear, and there is a steep slope from the car park down to the water.
Hatta Heritage Village. A reconstructed mountain village with about 30 traditional houses, two 18th-century watchtowers, a mosque from 1780 and a restored falaj water channel.
Mountain bike trails. Hatta Mountain Bike Trail Centre has purpose-built routes from beginner loops to advanced tracks through the rocky terrain.
Hike to the Hatta Sign. A mountain trail climbs to the big Hatta sign on the hillside, with wide views over the Hajar range; carry water and go in a group, as phone coverage is patchy.
Hatta Honey Bee Garden. Put on protective gear to see some of its 300 hives up close, then learn more about bees in the small bee museum.

Go between autumn and spring: many of Hatta's attractions close for the summer from mid-to-late May until September or October, though kayaking on the dam carries on.

Sources: Visit Dubai: Explore nature and adventure in Hatta, Visit Dubai: Ultimate guide to Hatta, Visit Dubai: Hatta Dam, Wikivoyage: Hatta (checked 14 Oct)

Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais

Hill country

The UAE's highest peak with the world's longest zipline, a hill fort and quieter beaches north of Dubai.

1–2 nightsabout 1 h 30 min from Dubai airportBest Oct–Apr

Ras Al Khaimah is the UAE's northernmost emirate, with a 64 km coast of beaches, mangroves and lagoons backed by red dunes and the Hajar Mountains, and a history of settlement going back some 7,000 years. Jebel Jais, at 1,934 m the highest peak in the country, is reached by a well-built hairpin road and is usually about 10°C cooler than the coast. It works as a long day trip from Dubai or a weekend, with beach resorts on the coast and camps up the mountain.

What to do in Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais

Drive up to the Jais Viewing Deck Park. The road climbs almost 30 km into the mountains to a ridge at 1,250 m with seven viewing decks and fixed binoculars, a good place to watch the sun set over the Gulf.
Fly the Jais Flight zipline. At 2.83 km, billed as the world's longest, it carries riders for about three minutes over ravines and canyons at up to 150 km/h.
Hike the mountain trails. Six marked trails on Jebel Jais add up to 16 km and suit walkers of every level.
Dhayah Fort. The UAE's only surviving hill fort stands on a 70 m hill above date gardens; 239 steps lead up to views over Oman and the sea, and the rocky, unlit climb is for daylight only.
National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah. A fort that was the ruling family's home until 1964 now holds archaeology and history galleries on an emirate whose traders were sailing to India, China and Zanzibar by the 10th century.

October to April is the time for Jebel Jais and the outdoors; summer is very hot at sea level, though the peak stays around 10°C cooler.

Sources: Visit Ras Al Khaimah: Jebel Jais, Visit Ras Al Khaimah: Jais Viewing Deck Park, Visit Ras Al Khaimah: Dhayah Fort, Visit Ras Al Khaimah: National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, Visit Ras Al Khaimah: About Ras Al Khaimah, Visit Ras Al Khaimah: FAQs, Wikivoyage: Ras al Khaimah (checked 14 Oct)

Land at DXB and base in Downtown, with Old Dubai a metro ride away and the desert an evening safari from your hotel, then move to the Marina and JBR for the beach and the Palm next door; finish with Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque and Louvre and a night on Yas Island, 15 minutes from AUH for the flight home. The loop suits October to April, when Hatta or Jebel Jais make good extra day trips; from June to September days can top 40°C, so keep outdoor sights for early morning or evening and lean on malls, museums and Ferrari World's indoor park.

Getting around

Dubai's driverless metro runs its Red Line from DXB Terminals 1 and 3 through Downtown to the Marina, and its Green Line through Old Dubai; a tram links the Marina and JBR to the Palm Monorail, abras cross the creek, and taxis are everywhere. Abu Dhabi is about 130 km away on the E11, roughly 80 minutes by car, and Etihad Rail's new passenger trains take about an hour between Dubai Station at Jumeirah Golf Estates, which has a bridge to the metro, and Abu Dhabi Station on the city's outskirts. Hatta and Ras Al Khaimah are easiest by hire car or tour, though buses run there from Dubai.

When to go

Abu Dhabi month by month: weather and fares →Dubai month by month: weather and fares →

Peak Shoulder Off-season

Visit Dubai describes a warm April (highs of about 25 to 32°C), summer averages of 31 to 36°C from May to July, and March as the end of peak season. Summer is cheapest for flights and hotels but too hot for most outdoor plans.

Flights to Dubai and the UAE from India

Ahmedabad to Abu DhabiFares →Bangalore to Abu DhabiFares →Chennai to Abu DhabiFares →Delhi to Abu DhabiFares →Hyderabad to Abu DhabiFares →Kochi to Abu DhabiFares →Kolkata to Abu DhabiFares →Mumbai to Abu DhabiFares →Ahmedabad to DubaiFares →Bangalore to DubaiFares →Chennai to DubaiFares →Delhi to DubaiFares →Hyderabad to DubaiFares →Kochi to DubaiFares →Kolkata to DubaiFares →Mumbai to DubaiFares →

Visa for Indian passports

Indian passport holders need an e-visa for UAE, applied for online before travel (allow about 4 days). 14-day visa on arrival if you hold a valid US visa or green card, or EU visa or residence. Pre-approved e-visa needed before flying, via your airline, a travel agent or the ICP portal.

Before you book, check the Ministry of External Affairs travel advisories and the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi for the latest guidance.

Dubai and the UAE: questions

What are the best places to visit in Dubai and the UAE?

Downtown Dubai: The Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the fountain shows on Burj Lake, all a short walk from each other. Old Dubai: Bur Dubai and Deira: Where Dubai began: abras across the creek, the gold and spice souks, wind-tower lanes and Meena Bazaar. The desert: safaris and Al Marmoom: Evening dune drives and camp dinners, plus oryx, desert lakes and a long cycle track in the Al Marmoom reserve. Dubai Marina and JBR: Towers around a 7 km waterside promenade, and a public beach at JBR with watersports and a long beachfront walk. Palm Jumeirah: The palm-shaped island of beach resorts, with Atlantis, a 240 m viewing deck and an 11 km boardwalk. Abu Dhabi city and Saadiyat Island: The capital: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre on Saadiyat, the Corniche and a BAPS mandir nearby. Yas Island: Abu Dhabi's theme-park island: Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld, near AUH. Hatta: Dubai's mountain exclave: kayaking on Hatta Dam, bike trails, hikes and a restored heritage village. Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Jais: The UAE's highest peak with the world's longest zipline, a hill fort and quieter beaches north of Dubai.

How many days do you need for Dubai and the UAE?

A first trip takes about 6–8 nights: Downtown Dubai (2–3 nights), Old Dubai: Bur Dubai and Deira (1 night), The desert: safaris and Al Marmoom (1 night), Dubai Marina and JBR (2 nights), Palm Jumeirah (1 night), Abu Dhabi city and Saadiyat Island (1 night), Yas Island (1–2 nights). Land at DXB and base in Downtown, with Old Dubai a metro ride away and the desert an evening safari from your hotel, then move to the Marina and JBR for the beach and the Palm next door; finish with Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque and Louvre and a night on Yas Island, 15 minutes from AUH for the flight home. The loop suits October to April, when Hatta or Jebel Jais make good extra day trips; from June to September days can top 40°C, so keep outdoor sights for early morning or evening and lean on malls, museums and Ferrari World's indoor park.

What is the best time to visit Dubai and the UAE?

Peak season is Nov–Mar. Visit Dubai describes a warm April (highs of about 25 to 32°C), summer averages of 31 to 36°C from May to July, and March as the end of peak season. Summer is cheapest for flights and hotels but too hot for most outdoor plans.

Do Indians need a visa for UAE?

How much is a flight to Dubai and the UAE from India?

The lowest return fare FlyBun has seen in the last 14 days is ₹19,687, Chennai to Abu Dhabi, for November 2026 departures. Fares change daily.

Places and things to do are written by FlyBun from official tourism, heritage and park sources, linked under each place, last checked 14 Oct. We leave out entry fees and opening hours because they change; check them before you go.

Watch a route and FlyBun alerts you free when its fare drops.