Visiting Dubai? Read about how we spent a day and Dubai and find inspiration for your own trip. Read on for tips on traveling to and getting around Dubai, where to stay, and what to do!

The Journey

It’s all about the journey, isn’t it? When I am traveling, I like to take my time getting to my destination. Once I am out of my town, I am on vacation and in learning mode! I rush around from point A to point B in my everyday life, so once I am freed from the grind I like to slow down and take my time! 

This works great since I travel on points. Having several possible destinations and routes of travel opens up more possibilities and gives me the opportunity to find great deals on flights. 

How I Booked our Flights

One of my life’s goals is to experience premium cabins on as many airlines as possible. There are a few aspirational rewards that every travel enthusiast wants to experience: Singapore Suites, QSuites, the Etihad Apartment, and the Emirates A380 First Class cabin (the one with the shower) to name a few.

Emirates flies its A380 on a limited number of routes, and one of them is London to Dubai. We were flying from the US to Vietnam, so this didn’t really seem possible for this trip. But a little digging found several options. The route I chose was circuitous but would give us lots of opportunities for adventure. Read about our trip to Vietnam here.

Positioning

We flew on a positioning flight from our home town of Little Rock, Arkansas to Atlanta, Georgia. Positioning flights are essentially flights you book to get to the origination point for your trip. Those of us who do not live near major international hubs often need to use them to get the best routing, particularly when using points. 
We met some friends for lunch in the city. They chose Le Colonial  in Atlanta, a French-Vietnamese fusion restaurant to get us in the mood. We then flew Virgin Atlantic Upper Class overnight from Atlanta to London. I scored these tickets for 99,000 points and $98 per person and had an excellent experience. Read my review here on pointsinspector.com

We spent the next day in London. Customs was a breeze, and Virgin Atlantic had an “Arrivals Lounge,” which gave us a place to shower and freshen up before venturing out to explore the city. We hopped on the Elizabeth Line from LHR to the Tottenham Court Road Station, and walked to the British Museum. We wandered a bit and stopped at a traditional British pub, the Bear and Staff on Charing Cross Road, for a lunch of meat pies and fish & chips.

Back at LHR

Then, it was time to head back to London Heathrow to board our Emirates flight to Dubai. I had booked business class tickets for 120,000 points per person, but was lucky enough to score upgrades to First Class at the check in desk for 30,000 points each. Note that when you book a flight on Emirates, you may be offered the opportunity to request an automatic upgrade. For us, it was going to be 60,000 more points each. So, I went ahead and transferred in 120,000 more points so I’d have the points available, and signed up for the automatic upgrades. 

The automatic upgrades stay active until 48 hours in advance and will only go through if award seats become available. When they hadn’t gone through 48 hours in advance, I did a little research and learned that you could often score an upgrade at the check-in desk for 30,000. These will go through if any seats are available in first class. I asked, and they were available! I could barely contain my excitement as the desk agent presented us with two first class boarding passes! My advice to you is to have the 60,000 total points available and ask at the check-in desk rather than signing up for the automatic upgrade.

So, in summary, we flew Emirates First Class on the A380 for 150,000 points each!  

Note- LHR security is very strict about liquids. You know that extra lip gloss you have tucked away in your purse, hoping they won’t see it? They will… One quart bag, not filled to bursting, with 3.4 oz/ 100 ml max bottles of liquid/gel. 

Emirates Lounge, Terminal 3 LHR

Our First Class boarding passes gave us access to The Emirates Lounge. Lounges in LHR Terminal 3 are lettered A-G, with the Emirates Lounge being E. The lounge was fantastic, with a spread to rival the fanciest Sunday Brunch buffets. We enjoyed a light breakfast while watching the A380s on the tarmac. One of the best perks of this lounge is that you board directly from the lounge. Before we knew it, we were boarding! 

Our Flight in First Class on Emirates A380

I practically skipped to the boarding gate. We boarded on the upper deck, and the opulent First Class cabin had three rows, each with 4 suites across. We had suites 3E and 3F, in the middle of the third row. The decor was done in creams, tans, and yellows with enough gold accents and gilding to please Trump. Pops of color in the form of purple orchids were scattered about, and amber lighting lent a serene atmosphere to the space. Take a look for yourself here.

The Seats

Each seat had its own suite, open to the top but fully enclosed on the sides. The 32” television screen covered half of the front wall of the suite and was controlled by a private ipad. The selection of TV, movies, and music was vast. A light up mirror opened up to reveal comfort amenities including eye cream, pillow spray, and sleep oil, and there was a snack basket and stocked mini-bar. 

A little wall scone and adjustable lamp provided additional ambient lighting. We were given Bvlgari amenity kits, and the flight attendant brought us “sleep suits,” which actually fit! I immediately made my way to the restroom to change into mine! 

We enjoyed Dom Perignon and dates, and we toasted our good fortune as we settled in to watch movies. Dining was on demand, and you can have as much privacy as you like- just flip on your “do not disturb” light. I was not very hungry, so I ordered caviar service, followed by Arabic mezze.  

The Upper Deck

There were two restrooms flanking the staircase, each equipped with a shower, large sink, lighted mirror, toilet, and counter space. They came stocked with amenities- shower gel, lotion, shaving kits, loofahs, shower caps, etc… You schedule your shower with the flight attendant and are given 5 minutes of water. 

After dining, I could’t get to sleep and wanted to take a look around the cabin. The business class cabin is behind first class on the upper deck, and has 72 seats arranged in 18 rows, 4 seats across. At the back of the business class cabin is a lounge. There is an actual bar with 3 couches, which was a cool novelty.

My flight attendant made my bed as I wandered, and I tried to sleep but could not. The bed was comfy, I just could not shut off my brain! The flight was only 6.5 hours, so I had breakfast, took my shower, and we landed. 

Arrival in Dubai

We had an expedited line through customs, but still had to wait a while. The airport was sparkly clean and it seemed like every person we saw was wealthy or a sheik! Women wore their traditional clothing, often leaving only the eyes visible. But those eyes! Perfect eyebrows framed dramatically lined large brown eyes with heavy mascara. The lips that were visible were overfilled, yet beautiful. Many other women wore silky pajamas with expensive brand names such as YSL. Men wore their traditional white robes and headscarves and all looked similar to my eye- perfectly coiffed dark hair, trimmed dark beards, brown-black eyes, and olive toned skin. The whole place oozed wealth and prosperity.

We had scheduled an overnight layover in Dubai so we could see the city. I am so glad we did! 

We booked a private day tour of the city through Withlocals.com which included an airport pick up for a great price of only $125. Our guide Sandy and driver Jose picked us up in an immaculate, clean van and provided water. It is great to have a tour with a guide and driver, so you don’t have to worry about parking and can be dropped off right in front of the attractions.

The UAE and Dubai

There are seven emirates, or regions, in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is the capital city of the emirate of the same name. It is the most populous city in the UAE, but Abu Dhabi (in the emirate Abu Dhabi) is the capital of the country. 

Dubai is a sparkling, clean city with a wealth of activities, fine dining, and accommodations to please the most adventurous to the most discerning traveler. You can find relatively affordable budget hotels, or pay upwards of $2000 per night to stay in the world’s only seven-star hotel. Have kiddos to please? There are so many family-friendly options, this is a fantastic place for a one-stop family vacation! 

Located on the shores of the Persian Gulf in the Arabian Desert, this oasis has everything you could imagine wanting or needing, and so much more (except, oh, freedom). It has been ruled by the Al Maktoum family since 1833 and is an absolute monarchy. Other than human rights violations and major international crimes, the crime rate against tourists and citizens remains very low and the city is safe. Unless you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community…in this case, you might give it a pass.

Rules, Customs, and Traditions

While Dubai is probably the most liberal city in the middle east, it is still traditional at its heart and it is essential that you respect the culture. Not only do you want to be a good ambassador of the US (or wherever you are traveling from), but it is just the right thing to do. You are the outsider, respect the culture and traditions.

Women, dress modestly and do not call attention to yourself or specific body parts. It is not necessary to cover your head or wear traditional Muslim clothing, but it is respectful to dress modestly. Cover the shoulders and knees (and everything in between). If you plan to enter religious structures, covering the head with a scarf is a nice gesture, although not necessary unless indicated. It is fine to wear a bikini at the beach. Emirati men probably won’t talk to you- this is done out of respect and is not meant to offend. If you notice them looking at you, it is likely done out of interest and curiosity.

Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Just don’t do it. Expressing homosexuality is a big no-no, and cross-dressing is forbidden. 

Otherwise, Dubai feels like any other major metropolitan city and you will certainly see people dressing more scantily, but don’t be that person.

Getting Around

Dubai is not a very walkable city, so you will need some form of transportation to see the sites and explore the city. It is not a cheap place to visit, either. Your choices include booking a tour/driver ahead of time, taking taxis or Ubers, the metro, and buses. Dubai has another ride-sharing app called Careem, which is cheaper than Uber for shorter trips. While ride-sharing apps offer rides that tend to be more expensive than taxis, they are very convenient and have a flat fee whereas taxis run on meters. This can be helpful if there is traffic. To cross Dubai Creek, a traditional boat or Abra is a cheap, easy way to go.

Neighborhoods- Where to Stay if You Have More than A Day in Dubai

Bur Dubai

We chose Bur Dubai, which is the heart of Old Dubai, for several reasons. One, there are more budget-friendly choices. Two, we are more interested in traditional, cultural aspects of the city rather than high-end shopping and squeaky clean markets. 

The Al Seef area on Dubai Creek is part of Old Dubai and has a waterfront promenade, shopping, and restaurants. There are several boutique hotels here, and we chose the Al Seef Heritage Hotel, a Hilton property for just over $200. The hotel comprises several buildings designed to resemble traditional Arabian homes, connected by alleyways and courtyards. The rooms were rustic chic and sparsely furnished, deliberately decorated with vintage items to invoke a sense of authenticity. The hotel has a restaurant onsite and breakfast is available for a fee. As a guest, you have access and free transportation to the sister property, Canopy by Hilton, where you can use the pool and fitness center.

Diera

Diera is also in Old Dubai and is budget friendly, but is a bit more modern than Bur Dubai. It has more bars and restaurants and is pretty close to the airport. 

Jumeirah and Marina

This is a great place for first timers, as you are close to the action. The beaches are near here, and there are lots of bars and restaurants. Many touristy sites are nearby.

The Palm

This could be a great place to stay if you have money to burn and are traveling with kids. Atlantis is here… enough said! Oh right, there is also a Waldorf-Astoria.

Al Barsha

Lots of expats live here and you can find budget accommodations, but it is remote to most sites first-timers want to see.

Downtown Dubai

This is a great place for first-timers, as it is close to major sites, like the Burj Khalifa, and shopping. Rooms here can get pricey, so it is not best for budget travelers.

Top Sites in Dubai (in no particular order)

There is so much to do in Dubai, even a long-form post like this can only scratch the surface. I’ll highlight the sites we visited and add lots more suggestions for you.

The Dubai Frame

Our first stop was the “Dubai Frame,” which is a nice photo op. The Dubai Frame is a 150-meter tall structure resembling a giant picture frame made from steel, reinforced concrete, glass, and aluminum. Its design incorporates the golden ratio (1:1.618) and features a 93-meter wide bridge at the top offering panoramic views. The facade utilizes 2,900 square meters of laminated glass and over 15,000 square meters of gold-colored stainless steel. Through it, you can view old Dubai to the north and new Dubai to the south. When open, you can go inside which features a museum and observatory. At the top of the frame is an observation deck with glass floors. Tickets start at $16.

Zabeel Palace

We drove by the Zabeel Palace, home to the royal family, peacocks, and deer. Public tours are not available, but you can view it from the outside. 20% of the population of Dubai are native Emirati, and are definitely the ruling class. The remainder of the population are Expats and tend to be paid significantly lower salaries than Emiratis. They tended to be somewhat aloof and serious. 

Burj Khalifa

We stopped at a few places with views of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world! It stands over a half mile high! Piercing Dubai’s sky, the Burj Khalifa holds the crown for the world’s tallest building. Its sleek spire reaches an astonishing 828 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views from its observation decks. Imagine zooming up the world’s fastest elevators to reach these dizzying heights and feeling like you can touch the clouds. Designed with inspiration from a desert flower, the Burj Khalifa isn’t just a marvel of engineering, it’s a beautiful testament to human ambition.

For a mere $108 USD, you can go up to the world’s highest observation deck on the 148th floor, for around $50 you can go to the 124th floor, and for $209 you can go to the world’s highest lounge on floors 152-154. We chose not to…

Burj Al Arab

We stopped for a photo op in front of the world’s only 7-star hotel, the Burj Al Arab, where rooms start at $2000 per night! The Burj Al Arab isn’t your average hotel. It’s a luxurious sailboat frozen in time, standing majestically on its own man-made island. Suites feel more like private palaces, pampering guests with every detail. With their excessive use of gold, the orange one would feel right at home. Fine dining goes underwater or reaches for the sky, offering unforgettable culinary experiences. Whether relaxing by the helipad pool or gazing out from panoramic windows, the Burj Al Arab exudes an atmosphere of extravagance and wonder.

If you want to see the inside but don’t want to fork out that kind of cash, you can take a guided tour for around $68 USD, have high tea or a lunch or dinner buffet for $298 USD. 

Jumeirah

The neighborhood around the Burj Al Arab is known as Jumeirah, and encompasses the man-made series of islands comprising the palm as well as several other notable sites and properties. This neighborhood contains beaches, vacation rentals, and an Atlantis resort, and would be a fantastic place to stay, particularly for families. 

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Souk Madinat Jumeirah isn’t your typical dusty marketplace. Imagine a luxurious labyrinth meets Arabian Nights. Wind your way through air-conditioned alleyways lined with handcrafted treasures, glittering gold jewelry, and stalls overflowing with fragrant spices. Haggle for a pashmina scarf or a hand-painted ceramic, then unwind at a sidewalk cafe with a steaming cup of Arabic coffee, all while taking in the stunning views of the waterways and the iconic Burj Al Arab. It’s a shopper’s paradise with a touch of Arabian magic.

Museum of the Future

We visited the Museum of the Future, a huge ovoid silver-colored monstrosity covered in arabic writing that showcases technology and innovation. The interior lobby is vast and white, with a blimp that flies around the area. The museum looks amazing and is open from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm. Entry starts at $40. We didn’t tour the whole space, because you must buy tickets ahead of time, but we will plan on it next time. At the time of writing, you need to get your tickets 2 months ahead of time!

Ski Dubai and the Mall of the Emirates

Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort located at the Mall of the Emirates. It is the third largest indoor ski area in the world, with China taking the first two spots. Hours vary from 9:30/10:00 until 11:00 pm/midnight depending on the day and season, so check before you go. It has 5 ski slopes, one of which is a black diamond, with a chair lift and tow lift. Equipment is provided with your $70 ticket, and there is a play area and resident penguins to entertain the kiddos.

The mall itself is one of the largest in the world and has a food court which is to die for, and lots of shops if you are into that sort of thing. 

Traditional Souks

The traditional souks are divided up by the products they peddle, and include gold souks, spice souks, textile souks, and perfume souks. I really enjoyed the spice souks. An assault on the senses, fragrant smells filled the air and piles of colorful powders decorated the storefronts. The gold souks were quite impressive, with ATMs where you can withdraw gold bars in varying carats in case you have a bribe you need to fund. Gold-plated everything was on offer here, from sneakers to furniture. 

Abra Boat Ride

Abras are traditional boats used to cross Dubai Creek. They are an inexpensive, fast way to cross the water and are a fun experience. 

Old Dubai

If you don’t stay here, you may want to at least visit, so you can see the way things used to be. A quiet, traditional place, you’ll find some of the best Indian food in town here.

Theme and Water Parks

There are several waterparks and theme parks in Dubai.IMG Worlds of Adventure is an indoor theme park with over 20 rides including roller coasters! Motiongate is a theme park inspired by Hollywood with over 30 rides. There is a Legoland for the little ‘uns, A VR Park known as Play DXB, and a football-themed amusement park called Real Madrid World. Global Village is Dubai’s answer to EPCOT.

Need to escape the heat? Atlantis on The Palm has the best waterpark in Dubai, Aquaventure Waterpark. Other choices include Aqua Fun Waterpark and Wild Wadi Waterpark. 

Desert Safari

If you have time, put this on your to-do list! Go “dune bashing,” rent a quad bike, enjoy a magical dinner under the stars, or spend the night in a camp and share a shisha, watch a belly dancing show, ride a camel, or have your hands painted with henna. 

Passes

There are innumerable multi-passes you can purchase to help save a little money on your trip to Dubai. Click here to find out about the 3 day pass for $443 which includes most of the sites I’ve described and more!

Ridiculous things you can do in Dubai

If you have an unlimited budget, you can hire an uber helicopter, rent a Rolls Royce or Lamborghini, take a ride on a gyrocopter, or rent a mega-yacht and drive around “The World,” a man-made group of islands made to look like a map of the world. 

The End

In summary, Dubai is an amazing city, full of marvels of human achievement. It is a great place to spend a day or a week if you have the budget and I recommend adding it to your bucket list if it is not already there!