Dubai: What to Know Before You Go

Short answer: picture Dubai as a 35-kilometre coastal ribbon connected by the Red Line Metro and Sheikh Zayed Road, group your sightseeing by zone so you do not sit in traffic, book the Museum of the Future at least two weeks ahead, and carry a light layer indoors even in summer because the air conditioning is icy.

Check the current situation before you book: since the regional war involving Iran began on 28 February 2026, missile and drone attacks have reached the UAE, including Dubai. Dubai International Airport is operating, but some routes are suspended and schedules can change at short notice, so confirm your flight with your airline and read your government's travel advice shortly before you travel.

How Dubai's three main zones fit together

Unlike compact European cities, Dubai is a string of distinct districts stretching north-east to south-west along the Gulf coast:

• Zone 1 (North, Old Dubai): Deira and Bur Dubai on either side of Dubai Creek, home to Al Fahidi, Al Shindagha, the souks and DXB Airport.
• Zone 2 (Centre, Downtown, DIFC & Jumeirah): Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall), the financial art galleries of DIFC, the Museum of the Future, and low-rise coastal Jumeirah (Jumeirah Mosque and Kite Beach).
• Zone 3 (South-West, New Dubai): Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) and Bluewaters Island, roughly 20 km south-west of Downtown.

Metro carriages, Nol cards and taxis

On the driverless Dubai Metro, every train has two special sections at the ends: a Women and Children Only cabin (marked with pink signage; men stepping inside face an automatic fine) and a Gold Class panoramic front/rear cabin with leather seats and windscreen views down the elevated tracks (which anyone can use simply by buying a Gold Nol card for double the low standard fare). Eating, drinking (even water) and chewing gum are strictly fined inside Metro stations and trains. Cream-coloured RTA taxis are metered, safe and accept contactless cards; or book them straight through the Careem app. Details are in our transport guide.

Local laws, alcohol and Ramadan

Dubai is cosmopolitan and welcoming, but UAE laws apply: alcohol is served only inside licensed hotel restaurants, bars and beach clubs (never drink or carry open alcohol in the street or on public beaches, and never be intoxicated in public); e-cigarettes/vaping are only permitted in designated outdoor smoking areas; and taking photographs of strangers (especially Emirati women or government/military buildings) without permission is illegal. Check our dress guide for mall and mosque norms.