Visiting Dubai For First Timers In 2025 | Tips, Visa & Attractions

Best Time To Visit Dubai

Dubai in Summers is an off-season and if you are looking for a budget-friendly trip then the summer months is a great time for you. Visiting Dubai in summers will offer you the opportunity to save on accommodations, do shopping at low rates and have more fun with less crowd. Winters is the best time to visit Dubai and explore the city of modern marvels, you can travel during the months between November and March as it's the peak season. In these months, you can enjoy various outdoor activities, Dubai shopping festivals and much more. In Dubai, the temperature lies between 33-degrees to 42-degrees while in winters, the temperature lies around 15-degrees. 

How To Plan A Trip To Dubai

Apply For A Dubai Visa

Before planning a trip to Dubai, ensure that you have applied for Dubai Visa Online and choose the specific visa from different Visa categories. Look for the available visa options based upon your nationality. The Dubai Visa cost depends on the type of visa and its duration you choose. 

Booking Flights To Dubai

Discover the affordable flights for Dubai and fully secure your Dubai trip plans today. Find out the cheap flights offering deals at discounted rates especially in off-peak season. 

Accommodation In Dubai For First Time Travellers

Top Areas To Stay In Dubai

• Dubai Marina: This is the best place to stay in Dubai for first time visitors especially if you want an area closer to the beach. Why staying at the Dubai Marina, you would feel as if you are staying at a high rise heaven full of adventure. Do you want to explore the nightlife of Dubai while staying in the top area? If yes, then Dubai Marina is a perfect spot for you including several nightlife options, traditional lounges and clubs. 

• Jumeirah Beach Hotel: This area is best for you if you are travelling for the first time in Dubai. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a perfect family friendly destination involving water parks, beaches and children’s pool. Enjoy your vacation at the Jumeirah beach hotel, an architectural landmark with beautiful sea views and fine dining experience. 

• Downtown Dubai: From the Dubai UAE travel guide, it has been highlighted that staying in Downtown Dubai is the best area for first time visitors especially who love doing shopping. While staying at Downtown Dubai, you will get to view the largest mall, The Dubai Mall including ice-skating, aquarium and much more. The best thing about Downtown Dubai is that you can easily reach the location as it is connected with the metro and you can have access to various transport options.

Read More: 24 Hours In Dubai

Budget-Friendly V/S Luxury Stays

• If you are staying in Dubai and looking for affordable hotels in Dubai, there is no need to worry about it. There are lots of budget-friendly options in Dubai and it will be ideal for you if you book in advance for hotel rooms so that no issues further take place. You can look at different affordable hotels that will make your Dubai vacation worth visiting. 

• Rove Downtown: If you are looking for low priced hotels in Dubai and don’t want your budget to get exceeded, you must visit Rove Downtown. In comparison with other hotels, Rove Downtown is not much expensive but offers comfortable rooms and services. 

• Dubai has always been famous for luxury hotels and if you are a leisure traveller, Dubai hotels are best for you. Create an unforgettable journey to Dubai by visiting the top hotels and make your stay full of luxury. Don’t miss the opportunity of having a luxury dining experience so look for the luxury hotels in Dubai. 

• Burj AI Arab: The iconic hotel of Dubai featuring Arabian luxury welcomes you to experience the ultimate luxury in Dubai. Hurry up! Do booking now and explore the special Dubai coastline and get mesmerized by the royal suits and gold interiors.

Packing And What Not To Bring

1. Packing: Your trip to Dubai will be smooth if you follow the packing tips mentioned in the Dubai vacation guide. Finalising a trip to Dubai for the first time is a thrilling experience for everyone. Whether you are looking for adventures, beaches or malls, the packing should be perfect. 

• While travelling to Dubai, ensure that you carry important documents with you including the passport, hotel bookings, visa and flight tickets. 

• Check the weather of the months in which you will be travelling to Dubai and according to it, pack the clothes. If you are travelling in winters, pack jackets with you. Going out for desert safaris, you must pack comfortable clothes and shoes with you. 

• Pack the necessary medicines during your trip to Dubai like bandaids or sickness tablets. 

• If you are looking for relaxation at the beach, carry sunscreen and a lightweight bag with you. 

What Not To Bring

• When visiting Dubai, ensure that you don’t bring alcohol with you as Dubai has strict rules and regulations on it. 

• Non-modest clothes are not allowed in Dubai’s public spaces like tight outfits or short skirts. 

• To avoid complications in your travelling, bring a doctor's note with you if you are carrying any prescribed medicines with you. 

Currency And Sim Card In Dubai

Exchanging Currency In Dubai

When planning a trip to Dubai, you must have an idea about what is the currency of the place, where you can exchange currency in Dubai and what is the process behind it. There are various places in Dubai where you can exchange currency easily without any disruptions.

• The Dubai Mall: In the Dubai Mall, there are multiple currency exchange houses like AI Ansari exchange, GCC Exchange, Sharaf Exchange and AI Fardan exchange. 

• Exchange Bureaus: Looking for money exchange in Dubai, there are many exchange bureaus like you can visit Emirates NBD and Mashreq bank that have multiple branches across the city. 

Getting A Sim Card Upon Arrival 

Visitors can easily get a sim card upon their arrival in Dubai and one of the best places where you can get sim cards is the Dubai International Airport mainly on Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The visitors above the age of 18 can gain a complementary tourism Sim card from telecom operators. Another amazing thing that you will love in Dubai upon your arrival is that you can get a free tourist Sim card after you cross the immigration procedure at the Dubai international airport and this free sim card will be valid for 24 hours. 

Public Transport Option And NOL Card For Tourist In Dubai

Transportation Options In Dubai

Dubai is involved with a great public transport system with affordable travelling including metro, bus, marine and tram transport services and to travel across the city, you can access any transportation system. 

• Dubai is one of the busiest cities so it might become difficult for tourists to travel and reach diverse locations. No worries!. You can choose Dubai Metro that runs from the Dubai International airport and across the entire city. This public transport system will be comfortable for you as it is fully air-conditioned with good seats. 

• Looking at beautiful places around Dubai is specifically located around the water. You can find various water transport options at affordable prices at Dubai creek or Dubai Ferry. 

• Rental cars transportation option is available in Dubai as you can rent a car at the hotel, airport or malls. You can also apply for self-drive rental cars but ensure that you must have an international driving license. 

• The public buses in Dubai run for 24 hours and are an affordable transportation system for people. Explore the city while travelling across Dubai but ensure that you are carrying a NOL card with you as the buses don’t accept payment through cash. 

Using The NOL Card For Public Transport 

You must be wondering about a convenient transportation system and for this, Dubai has introduced a NOL card to travel around the city. By using this single card, you can make payments, enjoy low cost fares, different concession options, make micropayments and many more. The visitors can purchase the NOL card at the Dubai metro station, supermarkets or bus stations. One important thing you must remember is that you maintain a minimum balance in the card which is AED 7.50. Before finalising the NOL card, you must look at the details of different categories of card like Gold, Silver or Blue. 

Must-Visit Attractions in Dubai for first time visitors

Are you confused about where to go in Dubai? If yes, then don’t worry. Look at the Dubai travel guide and the best places to visit in Dubai. 

1. Burj Khalifa: It is one of the top attractions in Dubai for all and if you are travelling to Dubai for the first time, then you must not miss visiting the tallest building, Burj Khalifa. This is a beautiful skyscraper and hub of activity day worth visiting and offers a memorable experience. 

2. Dubai Creek: This destination involves lots of activities to enjoy and spend a perfect day while exploring the heritage and culture at the Dubai Creek. After visiting this place, you will love to see the architecture of the building. Your experience would be wonderful if you don’t miss the Abra boat ride. 

3. Dubai Desert: Are you looking for a budget-friendly attraction in Dubai? If yes, then you must book the desert safari. This will be a great experience for you as it includes quad biking, dune driving, camel rides and much more. 

Understanding Dubai’s Culture And Values

Before visiting Dubai, you must understand the city’s culture, laws and values. Explore the local culture, heritage and the traditions of Dubai. The best time to get a vibrant experience is to visit Dubai during Ramadan. In these Islamic months, you must understand the values of Dubai, especially the dresses. During this time, dress modestly like your knees and shoulders should be covered specifically in mosques and public areas. Look at the combination of different Dubai cultures whether traditional or modern. The Dubai values focus on diversity, safety and respect.. Dubai values are interlinked with the Islamic religion and if you are thinking about consuming alcohol, then you must follow the rules associated with it. You can drink in Dubai but only when you have a valid alcohol license. However, Dubai does not allow alcohol consumption in public spaces. 

Conclusion

Dubai, a dynamic destination has everything to offer whether you are looking for luxury experience or you are a budget traveller. Dubai’s must visit attractions include the beautiful buildings, adventures and water rides. Being a first time visitor in Dubai, there are various places where you can stay in comfort right from hotels at beaches to Downtown Dubai. So, look at the Dubai vacation guide and start planning your trip to Dubai now!

FAQs

Q1. What is the processing time for a Dubai visa?

The processing time for Dubai Visa takes approximately 3-4 days. 

Q2. How much money should I budget for my Dubai trip?

For the Dubai trip, the minimum budget you should consider is AED 450- AED 650 per day. 

Q3. Is Dubai safe for solo travelers in 2025?

Yes, Dubai is completely safe for solo travellers as the Dubai laws and values specifically follow respect and safety to travellers. 

Q4. What are the essential things to carry while travelling to Dubai for the first time?

• Dubai Visa

• Travel Insurance

• Visa Application

• Light Clothes

• Sun screen 

• Personal Care Products