 |
|
|
|
|
Forgot
Password?
New? Register here |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
|
Getting
to Dubai
Connected to the World
Dubai is well connected, with 105 airlines connecting to 125 cities
around the world.
For tourist/visitor VISA Requirements for entering Dubai, the most
authoritative site is the official Dubai Tourism site at:
http://www.dubaitourism.ae/www/Visa/Visa.asp
The other Government site is at
http://dnrd.gov.ae
Getting There
Dubai International
Airport (DXB) has recently undergone a US$540 million expansion.
New facilities include a spa, business and conference rooms, a five-star
hotel and, of course, an expanded duty-free store, enlarging what
was already one of the biggest in the world. The airport has a long-standing
reputation as the Gulf's travel hub.
The national carrier is Emirates, which flies to some 45 destinations
in the Middle East, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.
For all the talk of free markets, air fares out of the UAE are just
as strictly regulated as anywhere else; there are no bucket shops.
There is no departure tax leaving Dubai International Airport, although
there may be in the future.
And whatever you do, make sure you stop at Dubai Duty Free on your
way out at the airport for some quick shopping, and don't forget to
go there on your way out of Dubai. Check out Dubai Duty Free's link
below:
|
|
 |
|
Buses run throughout the region to other parts of the UAE and surrounding
countries. Within the UAE, the only intercity bus route you're likely
to use runs to Hatta from the Deira bus station. To get to most other
cities in the Emirates, take a Dubai Transport minibus. There are
two buses a day to Muscat, Oman. Balawi Bus Service runs to Jordan
twice weekly and Egypt on Wednesdays. To arrange buses to Saudi Arabia,
Lebanon and Syria, you'll need to go to Abu Dhabi.
Long-distance taxis can take you to any other emirate on a shared
or 'engaged' basis (which means you'll either have to fill all five
seats or pay for them). Settle the price before you leave. There is
a Dh20 tax as you cross the UAE border by land.
Passenger ferries make the 12-hour trip between Sharjah (a twenty-minute
drive from Dubai) and the port of Bandaré Abbas in Iran daily.
A passenger and car ferry runs from Jebel Ali (30 minutes south of
the city center) and Umm Qasr Port in Iraq every Saturday. If you
leave the UAE by boat, there's a Dh20 port tax.
Getting Around
Buses run between Dubai International Airport and Deira bus station
every half hour, and metered, beige-colored Dubai Transport taxis
take new arrivals to any point in the Deira or Bur Dubai city centers
for Dh30. Although they can't serve the airport, there are scores
of private taxis in all shapes and colors. As these aren't metered,
you may need to haggle a bit about fares.
Local buses run from the Deira bus station, near the gold souq, and
the Bur Dubai Station on Al-Ghubaiba Rd. Monthly bus passes, known
as taufeer, get you unlimited travel on either side of Dubai Creek
(Dh75) or throughout the city (Dh120).
Driving in the city of Dubai is considered an extreme sport, but masochists
love it. If you must rent a car, bring your credit card and a copy
of your passport. Drinking and driving will get you jail time on top
of a stiff fine. Note that all accidents, no matter how small, must
be reported to the police.
The older parts of Dubai, with their souqs, fascinating architecture
and museums, are best seen on foot. Abras criss-cross Dubai Creek
from early morning until around midnight, and are a great, inexpensive
way to see the city.
Since Dubai is
also really well known for its shopping festivals. why not come here
when one of those fantastic festivals are on? Check out this cool
site on the Dubai
Shopping Festival
|
|
|
|
