Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai travel guide

Skyscrapers, souks and a hub to half the world

Find flights to Dubai See fares from $558

Airports: DXB Dubai International Airport
Region: Middle East & Africa
Best time to visit: November–March is warm and pleasant (70s–80s°F) — peak season.
Shortest flight: 12h 30m from New York
Round trips from: $558 (live)
Time zone: Asia/Dubai

About Dubai

Modern Dubai runs along Sheikh Zayed Road: Downtown's Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, the Marina's towers and beach, and Palm Jumeirah's resorts. Old Dubai — Al Fahidi's wind-tower houses, the gold and spice souks and the abra boats across the creek — is a different world 20 minutes away. Desert dunes start at the city's edge.

Getting in: Dubai International is close to the center. The Red Line Metro runs from Terminals 1 and 3 to Downtown and the Marina (AED 8–10); taxis are metered and cheap by US standards (AED 50–90 to most areas). Careem and Uber work well. Emirates sells short stopover packages with hotels.

US citizens receive a free 30-day visa on arrival with a passport valid six months. Dirhams are pegged to the dollar (3.67); cards work everywhere. Tipping 10–15% is common. Dress modestly in malls and old town (shoulders covered); swimwear is fine at beaches and pools. Alcohol is served in hotels and licensed venues. Summer heat exceeds 105°F — visit in winter.

Best time to visit

November–March is warm and pleasant (70s–80s°F) — peak season. April and October are hot but bearable; May–September is extremely hot and humid, with the lowest hotel rates.

Where to stay

Neighborhoods our travelers like: Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina / JBR, Palm Jumeirah, Al Fahidi / Deira (Old Dubai), Jumeirah.

Flights to Dubai: typical round-trip fares

What economy round trips to DXB usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.

From	Flight time	Typical fare	Lowest live fare	Actions
New York (JFK)	12h 30m	$898	$612 · Wed, Oct 7	Search dates →
Washington (IAD)	12h 50m	$948	$595 · Wed, Dec 9	Search dates →
Chicago (ORD)	13h 30m	$998	$558 · Tue, Oct 6	Search dates →
Los Angeles (LAX)	16h	$1,048	$714 · Wed, Oct 14	Search dates →
Houston (IAH)	14h 30m	$1,048	$671 · Tue, Nov 17	Search dates →
San Francisco (SFO)	15h 50m	$1,098	$602 · Tue, Dec 1	Search dates →

Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.

Airports in Dubai

Dubai International Airport (DXB)Dubai · Large hubDXB

What to do in Dubai

The places our editors send first-time visitors.

1
Burj Khalifa
The world's tallest building; the 'At the Top' 124th-floor sunset slot is the one to book.
2
Old Dubai and the souks
Cross the creek on a AED 1 abra, haggle in the gold and spice souks, and wander Al Fahidi's restored quarter.
3
Desert safari
Dune bashing, camel rides and a Bedouin-style dinner under the stars; conservation-reserve tours are the gentler option.
4
Dubai Mall and the fountain
1,200 stores, an aquarium and an ice rink; the fountain shows start every 30 minutes after 6pm.
5
Jumeirah beaches and the Marina
Public beaches with the Burj Al Arab backdrop, and the Marina walk's restaurants and yacht charters.

Dubai weather by season

Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.

Winter

77° / 60°

Warm and sunny — peak season.

Spring

90° / 70°

Heating up fast by April.

Summer

106° / 88°

Extreme heat and humidity; indoor city.

Fall

94° / 74°

Bearable again by late October.

Travel tips for Dubai

Emirates stopover packages make a two-night Dubai stop on the way to Asia or Africa cheap and easy.
The Metro is spotless and fast; taxis are metered and inexpensive — no need to rent a car.
Book Burj Khalifa tickets online a week ahead; walk-up prices are much higher.
Friday brunch is a Dubai institution; reserve at hotel restaurants.
Respect local norms: modest dress outside beaches, no public displays of affection, and no alcohol outside licensed venues.

Dubai flights: frequently asked questions

Do Americans need a visa for Dubai?

No advance visa — US citizens get a free 30-day visa on arrival. Your passport should be valid for at least six months.

How do I get from Dubai airport to Downtown or the Marina?

The Metro's Red Line runs from Terminals 1 and 3 to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall in about 25 minutes and to the Marina in 50 (AED 8–10). Taxis are metered: roughly AED 50 to Downtown and AED 90 to the Marina.

Is Dubai a good stopover?

Excellent — Emirates and flydubai connect to more than 250 cities, the airport is 20 minutes from the sights, and 48 hours covers the Burj Khalifa, old town and a desert safari.