Terocas

Hello! I am going to South India with Emirates and will have a very long layover in Dubai. Can anyone tell me if I can go out of the airport and do some sightseeing ? Will they allow me? Thanks in advance.

TEresa

SanDiego1K

That most likely depends on whether you carry a passport that requires a visa to enter the country. I've entered Dubai very briefly on a layover without any problem.

beergut

If you're holding a Portuguese passport you'll be fine. A good way to sightsee is on the big bus tour

http://www.bigbus.co.uk/dub/html/dub_our_tours.html

festis21

How long is your stop over? Traffic can really suck in Dubai depending on time of day etc. Taxis are pretty cheap too, you wouldnt spend more than 50 euros (MAX) for some guy to drive you around to all the main spots... even then... 50 euros is being generous....

MisterNice

Dubai is not overloaded with things to see and the summers are sweltering. The airport is huge, zillions of shops and restaurants etc, etc. If you have Emirates lounge access they have many free cold and hot high quality food and booze selections.

MisterNice

Terocas

Yes I do have a Portuguese passport. My layover will be from 12.30 am till 3.40 am the next day. I was thinking I could go to the souk and then have the desert safari with dinner which ends at 11.00 pm and ask them to drop me at the airport. The time left I would spend shopping around the duty free.
What do you think?

Oops now I realize I have to book a hotel for the night!!

Thanks for your help.

CMH-traveler

Do US citizens have to have a visa for entry?

I have a long layover as well heading to Bangalore.

beergut

US doesn't need a visa either

Ocn Vw 1K

For an even more focused response/suggestions, let me move this to our Travel->Middle East forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

beergut

I'd recommend the Hilton Dubai Creek for a short stopover, modern, very close to the souks and great views over the creek especially from the ( small ) rooftop pool.

It's more of a business hotel but I usually stay there for a couple of days before heading out to Hilton Jumeirah on the beach. Souks and city centre shopping mall are a 5 minute cab ride away and the desert safari guys will pick you up from there, they're very helpful and you shouldn't have any trouble getting them to drop you at the airport but you'd probably be the last one dropped off.

Just wondering what you'll be do with your luggage while on the desert safari dinner, you'll be ok with a rucksack but I doubt they'd allow any heavy luggage in the car due to the dune bashing.

bhd87

What class of service are you flying? First and Business customers get free layover hotels.