How many days in Dubai?
I am thinking of going to Dubai by myself in January and I was wondering how long I should stay there for my first visit? I was thinking of going for about two weeks since it's a pretty long flight from home. I'd really like to spend a few days just enjoying the sun and the beach (I know it'll be winter but it'll be pretty warm compared to the weather in Ottawa at that time of the year). I'd also like to spend a few days exploring other nearby towns. Also, how safe is Dubai for single travellers?
Thanks! |
Dubai is VERY safe. There is no place in the city I would not go no matter what the hour. Three days would probably be enough.
I would combine it with a trip to Oman and spend perhaps 5 days in northern Oman, basing yourself in Muscat. (do the circle loop taking in Rustaq, Nizwa and Sohar, among others). Sur is also interesting but is the other direction on the tip of the peninsula. Sharjah is a good place to buy Persian Carpets (at the Central Market) and is only 20min taxi/minibus from Dubai. |
Are there any days in dubai that things are shut down for the islamic weekend, such as friday or something?
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Originally Posted by blueline7
(Post 13981465)
Are there any days in dubai that things are shut down for the islamic weekend, such as friday or something?
I would second the idea of Oman, a quick circuit in a rental car is well worth it, you will most likely be bored in Dubai for 2 weeks, I'd say 3-4 days.... maybe even a cheap flight (Jazeera/Air Arabia/FlyDubai/Bahrain Air) to Bahrain or Beirut. I dont think there is a safer city. |
Originally Posted by mcbg1
(Post 13974712)
I am thinking of going to Dubai by myself in January and I was wondering how long I should stay there for my first visit? I was thinking of going for about two weeks since it's a pretty long flight from home. I'd really like to spend a few days just enjoying the sun and the beach (I know it'll be winter but it'll be pretty warm compared to the weather in Ottawa at that time of the year). I'd also like to spend a few days exploring other nearby towns. Also, how safe is Dubai for single travellers?
Thanks! Two weeks I think 2 days would be more then plenty. I think you are safe except for the cheating cabbies LOL. I hope you are not on any type of budget because the exchange rate from CAD will not be very good. I guess you figured I do not care for this place at all. Yes I have been there and seen it all a few times. The only reason to go there is for work. For a holiday I can not think of any other place that could be more of a disappointment. I think if you want to go there do it on your way to another destination for a few days. You did not say if you are a male or female because that will come in to play in this location for sure. |
I have spent more than 4 years in Dubai and have never been cheated by a cab. There is a meter which is always used without asking, 20 AED flagfall for airport pickup, elsewhere I think 3.50, but a 10 AED minimum (which effectively means a 10 AED flagfall). Add an extra dirham for call-to-pickup.
It really doesn't matter if you are male or female either and Dubai is a good introduction to the Mid East. Oman is a must and I'd second the Beirut idea. You can skip Doha, but a day in Kuwait would be nice if it is convenient with flights (say to/from Beirut with a Kuwait stop). If you want something really different find an agency in Yemen (I can suggest one) and book for perhaps 4 days in and around Sanaa. You'll have to see what the political situation is in Yemen when the time comes, but I can't think of a more interesting city in the world than Sanaa. Air Arabia (excellent) has cheap flights from Sharjah to Sanaa (and all over the region too). |
Originally Posted by PETEFLYS
(Post 13982591)
Well first off of all the places in the world why would you want to go there???
Two weeks I think 2 days would be more then plenty. I think you are safe except for the cheating cabbies LOL. I hope you are not on any type of budget because the exchange rate from CAD will not be very good. I guess you figured I do not care for this place at all. Yes I have been there and seen it all a few times. The only reason to go there is for work. For a holiday I can not think of any other place that could be more of a disappointment. I think if you want to go there do it on your way to another destination for a few days. You did not say if you are a male or female because that will come in to play in this location for sure. At a minimum, it is worth seeing. It has great amenities plus a bit of traditional Arabic culture. I also lived in the UAE for a brief period and have probably been to Dubai 40 times, and no taxi driver ever attempted to cheat me. I am not even sure how that would work, given the tight control on the taxi system. Hotels can be expensive at certain times of year, including January, but otherwise (e.g., food, transportation, activities), Dubai is pretty inexpensive. All of that said, I think that a few days there is enough to see the major sites and get the gist of the place. If I were spending two weeks in the Gulf, I would probably do about three or four days in Dubai, about the same in Oman (maybe a bit more if you can drive around the country as some posters suggest), and maybe a night in Abu Dhabi just to see the contrast. I also agree with rankourabu -- you could add a weekend in Bahrain and/or a few-day side trip to Beirut. If you really want to get adventuresome (and get a visa in advance), you could go to Syria for a few days, which is an excellent place to visit too. Of course if you want to spend two weeks on the beach, then you can do that in Dubai -- they have excellent beach resorts. You could even take a tour around the UAE, and try some of the newer beach hotels in Fujeirah for a couple of days. |
Originally Posted by PETEFLYS
(Post 13982591)
For a holiday I can not think of any other place that could be more of a disappointment.
Originally Posted by PETEFLYS
(Post 13982591)
You did not say if you are a male or female because that will come in to play in this location for sure.
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Well first of all, I am a 24 year old male.
I thought of visiting Dubai because it seemed like an easy introduction to the Middle East. While this might make me look ignorant and judgmental, the Middle East never interested me as a travel destination as it looked too dangerous and inaccessible. With that said, I decided to open my horizons and start with somewhere westernized: Dubai. Two weeks didn't seem that long to spend in Dubai since I want to spend a few days just relaxing on the beach or by a pool, going shopping, walking around, etc. I just came back from spending a month in South Africa and we didn't have one day to relax since we had so much to see. I really don't want to rent a car while on vacation so ideally I could just base myself in Dubai the whole time (looked at a couple apartments) and do some day trips from there. I looked on Viator and it seems like I could spend a week just doing that. I definitely want to go to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah, Hatta, etc. and see the East coast. Hopefully this clears up some things. Keep the suggestions coming. Good or bad. :) |
Its ironic that us Canadians dont think twice about taking a holiday in actually dangerous places like Jamaica or Mexico, but fear the Middle East ....
You can take a bus to Oman if you dont feel like driving. It would be a real shame if you were so close and didnt go. |
Would Jordan be a good place to go before/after Dubai? I'd really like to see Petra and swim in the Dead Sea.
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Also, what about Egypt? Would Cairo be a good stop for a few days before or after Dubai?
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Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9630/5.0.0.591 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)
I spent a week in DXB in March visiting my sister and her fam. Got to see basically everything except the observation deck at the Burj, which I believe is now reopened. Two weeks will allow you to see other locales, Oman, AUH, etc. Will follow up when I return home Mon (and have my laptop). |
Originally Posted by mcbg1
(Post 13995775)
Also, what about Egypt? Would Cairo be a good stop for a few days before or after Dubai?
Of course Egypt has a ton to see. You could spend a few days in Cairo. Note also that Jordan can be very cold (i.e., snowing) in January. The roads and other infrastructure make it worse. The Dead Sea is always warmer than Amman, and I don't think that it snows there, but not really great weather for lounging around. Egypt won't be as cold, but if your goal is to sit and enjoy the sun and beach, then that's not the place to go, either. |
Originally Posted by mecabq
(Post 14037359)
Yes, Egypt and Jordan would be good choices. I agree that Petra and the Dead Sea are each worth seeing once, for about a day each, but besides that there is not a lot to see in Jordan.
Of course Egypt has a ton to see. You could spend a few days in Cairo. Note also that Jordan can be very cold (i.e., snowing) in January. The roads and other infrastructure make it worse. The Dead Sea is always warmer than Amman, and I don't think that it snows there, but not really great weather for lounging around. Egypt won't be as cold, but if your goal is to sit and enjoy the sun and beach, then that's not the place to go, either. |
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