15 hour layover in Dubai, what to do?
Jul 21, 2011, 5:21 pm
#1
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15 hour layover in Dubai, what to do?
Hi all - I'm travelling economy class from LAX - DAR in August with a connecting flight in Dubai. The problem is that my flight arrives in Dubai on Sunday and my connecting flight to Dar Es Salaam doesn't leave until 10.50am Monday.
Is there a hotel within the transit area in Dubai? If not, any suggestions as to how to pass fifteen hours at the airport?
Is there a hotel within the transit area in Dubai? If not, any suggestions as to how to pass fifteen hours at the airport?
Jul 22, 2011, 1:23 am
#3
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Jul 22, 2011, 6:56 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2010
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If you arrive at say around 7pm, you can probably have a quick stroll of Dubai and enjoy the great night views! It's not as hot as day, and there's still quite a lot to see.
Jul 22, 2011, 11:31 am
#5
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Yes, as far as I can tell this is the shortest connection. I'm travelling in economy, have no status with them as this will be my first flight with Emirates (I did sign up for their skyways program) Thanks for the info.
Jul 22, 2011, 11:51 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
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You will get a complimentary voucher for the Millenium Airport Hotel + dinner + breakfast + visa if you need it.
Call them in advance and confirm your eligibility, then collect the voucher at checkin.
Jul 30, 2011, 9:53 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
B747-437B answered the most important part of your question. However just a reminder, August is Ramadan, F&B options may be limited during daylight hours 
. The Millenniums' Mexican restaurant is open for lunch IIRC. As its a weekday, head down to Bastikiya and check out the Dubai Museum if you feel like it, or the usual mall crap. If the B part of F&B is more important, nothing beats the airport, the only place in DXB where you can get a drink 24/7/365
. The Millenniums' Mexican restaurant is open for lunch IIRC. As its a weekday, head down to Bastikiya and check out the Dubai Museum if you feel like it, or the usual mall crap. If the B part of F&B is more important, nothing beats the airport, the only place in DXB where you can get a drink 24/7/365
Aug 1, 2011, 12:16 pm
#9
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I called to find out about he hotel and was told that my flights were not considered a stop over but "in transit" so I didn't qualify for the hotel nor could I get a visa on arrival in order to leave the airport (even though I'm travelling on an American passport)
Seemed like a big hassle so just ended up booking a room at the Dubai International hotel which seemed the simplest thing to do.
Seemed like a big hassle so just ended up booking a room at the Dubai International hotel which seemed the simplest thing to do.
Aug 1, 2011, 12:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
I called to find out about he hotel and was told that my flights were not considered a stop over but "in transit" so I didn't qualify for the hotel nor could I get a visa on arrival in order to leave the airport (even though I'm travelling on an American passport)
Seemed like a big hassle so just ended up booking a room at the Dubai International hotel which seemed the simplest thing to do.
Seemed like a big hassle so just ended up booking a room at the Dubai International hotel which seemed the simplest thing to do.
Just figure out where you want to go
For anyone too bored to fill in the form above
Code:
Destination - DAR Passport Passport required. Document Validity: Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid for at least 6 months on arrival. Minors: Minors (passengers up to the age of 16 years) travelling alone require: - their own passports, if being nationals of Kenya; - their own passport or passport replacing document issued by their Government, if being a national of any other country. Warning: Visitors holding damaged passports and/or passport replacing documents will be refused entry. Visa Visa required. Visa Issuance: Nationals of USA can obtain a visa on arrival for a stay of max. 3 months, provided passport contains at least one blank page for visa endorsement. Fee: USD 50.- (also payable in EUR or GBP). Additional Information: Visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay (at least USD 500.-.) and documents required for their next destination. Minors: If minor is travelling on a passport of a parent who need a visa, it should be indicated that the visa is also applicable to the minor. Warning: Visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry.
Last edited by spinrite; Aug 1, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Aug 1, 2011, 12:37 pm
#11
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I called to find out about he hotel and was told that my flights were not considered a stop over but "in transit" so I didn't qualify for the hotel nor could I get a visa on arrival in order to leave the airport (even though I'm travelling on an American passport)
Seemed like a big hassle so just ended up booking a room at the Dubai International hotel which seemed the simplest thing to do.
Seemed like a big hassle so just ended up booking a room at the Dubai International hotel which seemed the simplest thing to do.
Aug 1, 2011, 12:44 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2010
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I called to find out about he hotel and was told that my flights were not considered a stop over but "in transit" so I didn't qualify for the hotel nor could I get a visa on arrival in order to leave the airport (even though I'm travelling on an American passport)
Seemed like a big hassle so just ended up booking a room at the Dubai International hotel which seemed the simplest thing to do.
Seemed like a big hassle so just ended up booking a room at the Dubai International hotel which seemed the simplest thing to do.
According to the website:
"As a special courtesy to our passengers, in certain cases where an itinerary calls for a long stopover in Dubai, Emirates will cover accommodation, meals and ground transportation costs.
This service is offered to passengers holding tickets in specific ticket categories:
Economy Class passengers
- If the booking class for the entire outbound or inbound leg of their journey is U, B, N, M, E, W, R or Y.
- And if upon arrival in Dubai, the connection time until the first available flight is more than 8 hours and less than 24 hours.
OP seems to have satisfied both criteria?
Aug 1, 2011, 5:15 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Orange County (SNA) CA, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,789
I'm also now curious to see why this didn't qualify for the visa/hotel as everyone seems to think it should :-(
Aug 1, 2011, 8:42 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Anything under 24 hours is transit, over 24 hours is a stopover. From the point of pricing, for example, you could do a day trip in Dubai on a long transit and not pay extra on a fare that only allowed paid stopovers.
Aug 1, 2011, 8:46 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
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EDIT: Actually, looking at EK.com it is $2,124 + tax so it could be a combination fare. But that would put at least one of the directions in a flex fare bucket while it shows Saver miles, but either way you're entitled to the hotel.
Last edited by ung1; Aug 1, 2011 at 8:51 pm