Travel Tips

Sail along the Arabian Gulf and you will see Dubai for what it really is. This view offers breathtaking vistas of the palaces, hotels and beaches. Call Danat Dubai Cruises Ph: 351-1117 for details of this tour. If you need to hire a car, there are over 40 car-rentals to choose from. The documents needed for this are your original passport, 2 photographs and a valid driving licence. If you don’t really want to hire a car, the Dubai Transport Corporation taxis are a viable option and so are private taxi companies that ply their trade in Dubai.

The Dubai International Airport , with its state-of-the-art facilities typifies the city. Pick up your pre-arranged visa on arrival and you are all set to discover the city. If you are a visitor from the GCC, the EU, USA, Canada, Australia and some Far-Eastern countries, an entry visa is not required. It is recommended that you check with the UAE Embassy in your country. If you are staying at a hotel, they can arrange this for you. After passing passport controls, retrieve your baggage and proceed to customs where your bags will pass through routine scanning. Luggage trolleys are free. Badged employees will assist for a small fixed price per bag. Though public busses are available, the best way to travel would be to take a metered taxi just outside the airport. There are three major taxi companies in Dubai; Dubai Transport Corporation (cream coloured), Cars Taxi (white with blue & red stripes) and National Taxi (grey cars). The start base rate is approximately Dhs20 and then charged per kilometre. There are also numerous international car rental companies situated directly past customs on the right. You must produce a passport and valid international licence before you obtain a rented taxi. Auto Teller Machines and Exchanges are also available. The monetary unit is AED Dirham (Dhs) which is divided into 100 fils. Note denominations are as follows: 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 5. Coin denominations are: 1 dirham, 50 fils, 25 fils, 10fils and 5fils. The dirham has been held constant against the US Dollar since the end of 1980 at a mid-rate of approximately US$ 1 = Dh 3.67.

Dubai has an impressive network of roads connecting all parts of the city and surrounding areas. There are two bridges (Al Maktoum Bridge) and (Garhoud Bridge) as well as a tunnel (Shindagah tunnel) linking the two main districts of Dubai and Deira on either side of the creek. The main highway (Sheikh Zayed Highway) also leads to Abu Dhabi heading southwards.

If you're used to driving on the left hand side of the road, you have to get accustomed to the fact that Dubai drives on the right-hand side of the road.

You should not drink and drive.

Do not to drive on the extreme right. This is a fast lane.

Read street signs and watch for no-parking zones.

Parking meters are charged from* 7:00am-1:00pm and *4:00pm-9:00pm. During *1:00am-4:00pm, it is free of charge.

Maps are available at all major bookstores at shopping malls.

Filling stations are dotted all over the city and along Sheikh Zayed Rd. These are fully serviced.

Dubai is considered very safe but one needs to still take precautionary measures.

These are a few general tips.

When withdrawing money, ensure that the person behind you is not standing too close or tries to distract you while you are busy conducting you transaction.

Do not leave your wallet in your back pocket where it can be easily lifted.

If you do get into trouble, phone Ph: 999

As in most modern cities, tipping is considered the norm in Dubai. Especially when you are eating out at any of the swish restaurants. Hotels include a service charge which is a municipality tax and is used for staff medical care.

For a sit-down meal where service is very good, 10Ph: - 15Ph: is accepted. If the meal and service was superior, a 20Ph:-25Ph: tip would be much appreciated.

Many restaurants offer a general tipping box which would be shared equally with all staff.

At expensive restaurants and coffee shops, a 10Ph:-15Ph: is the norm.

Taxi drivers generally accept a few dirhams with a wide smile.

Places providing a personal service such as hair salons, barbers, manicurists and masseurs do not expect a tip.

When checking out, leave around Dhs10 for each day stayed for the housekeeping staff.

Porters, valet parkers are usually tipped a small amount.

There is no federal income tax in Dubai for consumers.

The UAE is four hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Light cottons and summerwear is ideal as Dubai has a tropical climate most of the year. Carry a few woollens during the winter months. Shorts and skirts are acceptable for ladies, though clothes which are too revealing may not be appreciated.

Alcohol is available in clubs and in restaurants and bars located in hotels. Restaurants outside the hotel are not permitted to sell alcohol. Residents need an alcohol license to purchase alcohol.

Though tap water is safe for drinking since it's desalinated, most tourists prefer buying bottled mineral water.

The voltage system in Dubai is 220 Volts and 3-pin sockets are available everywhere.

Islam is the official religion of the UAE. Several mosques dot the city, and non-Muslims are only permitted to visit them on a special guided tour. Ph: 344-7755

While the official language is Arabic, English is also widely spoken and understood.

The Shopping Festival from Jan.15 to Feb.15 each year is any shoppers annual pilgrimage. During the summer, you can continue the shopping spree with the Dubai Summer Surprises (June-Aug). With various well-known brands offering great discounts, people from across the world throng to Dubai to grab a good deal. Shops in the city generally open at 10 am and close for a lunch break between 1 pm and 4 pm, after which they are open till 10 pm. Shopping malls are open right from 10 am to 10 pm on weekdays. Fridays from 2 pm to 10 pm.

The monetary unit is the dirham (Dh) which is equal to 100 fils. The official exchange rate is US$ 1 = Dh 3.675. Most international banks have offices in Dubai and there are also various money exchange houses throughout the city. Timings: Banks - 8 am-1 pm; Money exchange houses - 8 am-1 pm and 4:30 pm-8:30 pm. The main hotels and large shops generally accept credit cards like American Express, Diners Club, Visa and Mastercard.

The government offices in Dubai work from 8 am to 2 pm and are closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Private and multinationals usually work from 8 am-6 pm or work in two shifts (8 am-1 pm and 4 pm-7 pm). They are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Shopping malls are generally open from 10 am-10 pm on all days except on Fridays, when they open at 2 pm and close at 10 pm.

In general the easiest way to get around is by taxi. There are three taxi companies- Dubai Transport Corporation (creamy yellow coloured cars), Cars Taxi (white cars with red & blue stripes on their front) and National Taxi (grey cars) The taxis are available outside the airport, hotels and shopping malls and can also be pre-booked. Limousines are also available.

PO Box 2647, Ghussais, % 208-0808 Fax 208-0800, *24hrs a day. Open daily.

% 208-0880

, Deira, % 269-3344 24-hr booking and Lost & Found % 800-4825

General information % 331-1166