Why Dubai
Dubai does everything at scale: the world’s tallest tower, giant malls with indoor ski slopes, palm-shaped islands and beaches beside a historic creek. It’s glossy, easy for first-timers, and a natural stopover between continents.
01 Best time to visit
November to March brings warm, dry days ideal for the beach and outdoor sights. Summer (June–September) is extremely hot — plan indoor, air-conditioned days.
Book the Burj Khalifa observation deck for the last slot before sunset — you get the city in daylight, the sunset, and the lights coming on, all in one visit.
02 Weather & climate
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Dubai is hot desert year-round. Winter (November–March) is warm and ideal; summer is extreme — often above 40 °C with high humidity — so outdoor time is best kept to early morning or after dark.
| Season | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 75°F 24°C | 57°F 14°C |
| Spring | 91°F 33°C | 68°F 20°C |
| Summer | 106°F 41°C | 86°F 30°C |
| Autumn | 95°F 35°C | 75°F 24°C |
03 Top 12 things to do in Dubai
04 Plan your Dubai trip by theme
Short on time, travelling with kids, counting the pennies or dodging the rain? These curated guides pull together the right things to do for how you travel.
05 How long to stay in Dubai
Layover in Dubai? The Metro links the airport to the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall in about 20 minutes — do the observation deck, the nightly fountain show and a quick look at the old Creek souks.
06 Where to stay
07 Food & drink
Dubai’s tables span the globe — Emirati and Levantine mezze, Iranian and Indian classics, and high-end dining in the towers. Try a shawarma and fresh juice in Old Dubai, and book ahead for the marquee restaurants.
08 Day trips
09 Getting into Dubai from the airport
Dubai International (DXB) is one of the world’s busiest hubs, with Emirates and US carriers flying direct from many American cities.
| From the airport | Time | Cost (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Metro (Red Line)Driverless; T1/T3 direct to Downtown & the Marina | 30–40 min | ~$1–2 |
| TaxiMetered cream taxis at the rank | 15–20 min | ~$16–25 |
| Ride-hailing (Careem/Uber)Book in the app | 15–20 min | ~$20–30 |
Dubai’s driverless Metro runs straight from the airport to Downtown and the Burj Khalifa for a couple of dollars — the easiest cheap transfer of any big city.
10 Entry & visa for US citizens
- Passport
- Valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
- Visa
- Free visa-on-arrival for US citizens, valid 30 days — extendable twice for up to 90 days total.
- Cost
- Free on arrival.
- Good to know
- No advance application needed for a standard tourist stay.
Last checked 2026-09-08. Entry rules change — always confirm with the official government source before you book.
11 Getting around Dubai
Fly into Dubai International (DXB), one of the world’s busiest hubs, ~15 minutes from Downtown by Metro or taxi. The driverless Metro is clean and cheap; taxis and ride-hailing fill the gaps.