Question 1

Do I need a visa for the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Most Western passport holders get a 30-day or 90-day visa-on-arrival, no fee, depending on nationality (UK and Australian: 30; US and most EU: 90). Indian, Pakistani and Egyptian passport holders need to pre-apply. The UAE's e-visa portal is fast and reliable if you'd rather have it sorted in advance.

Question 2

Cards or cash in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

The UAE is essentially cashless at the luxury end — cards, Apple Pay, and contactless work everywhere from the Burj Al Arab to a desert-camp gift shop. Carry AED 200–500 only for the gold souk (where bargaining is in cash) and abra boatmen on Dubai Creek.

Question 3

How does tipping work in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Service is included in most luxury-hotel bills. 10% in restaurants is generous if not added. Tip valets AED 10–20, bellhops AED 10 per bag, spa therapists 10–15%, desert-camp guides AED 50–100 per couple. Tip in dirhams; foreign currency feels brusque.

Question 4

What should I wear in public?

Accepted Answer

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are remarkably tolerant by regional standards — beach and pool wear is fine at hotels and beach clubs. In malls, souks, and government buildings, cover shoulders and knees. Mosque visits require long sleeves, long trousers or skirt, and (for women) a headscarf — usually loaned at the entrance. Sharjah is genuinely stricter than Dubai.

Question 5

When should I avoid the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Mid-May through mid-September — daily highs of 42–45°C and nightly humidity that doesn't drop below 30°C. The desert is genuinely unusable. Ramadan (which shifts each year) changes restaurant hours, alcohol service in some venues, and dress expectations on the street; perfectly travellable but worth knowing.

Best time to visit United Arab Emirates

When United Arab Emirates actually opens up

The United Arab Emirates calendar