Layover in Dubai...Ideas?
 

I have a 5 hour layover (arrival time to departure time....so useful time may be less) at Dubai airport. Any thoughts on whether this is enough time to leave the airport and do something interesting? What? These are all daylight hours (830am to 130pm).

Thanks!

5 hours would given you enough time to have a quick poke around. The airport is only 10 mins by cab from town so I could see you having 2-3 hours time to explore. Depending on time of year (it gets VERY hot and humid in summer) you could do the following.

1. Get a cab to the Sheraton Creek, and walk along the creek looking at the shipping activity. Take an abra (shuttle boat) across the creek and wander through the souks on the other side. Take cab back to airport.

2. Instead of taking the boat across, go for a walk through the gold souk instead.

N.B, souks will be quiet in the morning.

3. If you want to do shopping, try either City Centre or Wafi City malls for a Western shopping experience.

4. You have just enough time to head out to the Burj al Arab to look around - a 'spectacular' (read acres of gilt gold) self proclaimed 6 star hotel.

Failing that there is plenty to do in the airport including a very large set of duty free stores.

I agree with the suggestions above. If you've never been through DBX, it's worth having a walk around the airport; it's an pleasant way to kill 2 hours or so. After that, it's just like any other big airport.

If you do leave, make the commitment and go for it. Once you pass through passport control...there is nothing landside. Nothing!

If you're dressed nicely and can afford it, have a meal at the Burj al Arab. Very nice. It's probably the most recognizable thing about Dubai (sorta like the Eiffel tower in Paris).

If not, then hit the souks...

Thanks Swan and Diamond
 

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going to do the Burj al Arab visit and grab an early lunch....should be enough excitement for the morning. BTW, this is in December, so the weather should be pretty good I would think.

Thanks again. :)

We are arriving at DXB tomorrow at midnight and leaving again at 7am. Since we will be well rested, there is no need to catch some sleep right away and we wouldnt mind exploring a bit. Is Dubai completely dead at night? Is hiring a cab driver for an hour or so an option? Too late to grab dinner somewhere downtown? What are the costs for a taxi and a regular meal somewhere downtown (nothing fancy)?

Please follow this discussion as it is moved to the Middle east forum. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
TravelBuzz moderator

I think that they proclaim themselves "7 stars." :o

It used to be that one had to have a reservation at the restaurant (or even the bar) to enter the Burj Al Arab.

You can't just walk into the hotel off the street. I am not sure about today, but you should check on this.

Another new sight worth checking out, perhaps on the way to or from there, is the Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world. Behind it, they have a beautiful new area featuring a Bellagio-style fountain and a promenade that leads to the new Dubai Mall on one side (which is enormous, and features an aquarium) and a souq that is supposed to be very interesting on the other side.

Unfortunately, Dubai is not like Singapore or other places that offer 24-hour attractions. The bars will still be open after midnight, but few restaurants will. You could take a taxi to Deira, the old city, and find some activity, including a casual Arabic or Indian restaurant open at that hour. It will be cheap (less than $20 per person for sure).

You'll have no problem finding taxis, and driving around for an hour to catch the sights would be a decent way to kill time, although there is not much to see at night (the visibility is often low due to the humidity, I guess). You could ask the driver to take you in a loop down Shaikh Zayed road (the main highway) to the Marina area, then loop back and drive along Jumeirah Beach and under the creek to Deira. This should take more than an hour, as traffic can be heavy at midnight. You could wind it up with a nightcap at the Grand Hyatt, JW Marriott, Le Meridien, Millenium, or other hotel in Deira or near the airport (although I am not certain how late they serve).

Taxis are also inexpensive; to get from the airport to Deira should be $10 or less. This whole route should be less than $50. Just get some local currency on your way out at the airport.

There's also the Irish Pub at the airport, which has decent food and is open 24 hours.

Thanks a lot for this very valuable advice!