Dubai

[PrinceMS]

Re: Dubai

@Afro-Sheen

Traveling to Pakistan in a few weeks with a possible long layover in Dubai. Do you think the Desert Safari is doable within a 15 hour window? Please share which company is reliable for desert safari

How is the transportation at Dubai Airport? From online reading it seems convenient from the airport?

If I am able to get a longer layover of 21 hours, do you think it is worth it to get a hotel for rest and then catch the evening Desert Safari tour?

Did couple of stay overs (ranging from 6 hours to 2 days) so telling you things from experience. Also, things change really fast there - my last experience was two years ago so keep your senses open, there maybe better options:

Lets start from the top:

• Money exchange choices are not best at airport, outside you will get better deals - but you generally need money right away. Something to keep in mind.

• There are rather inexpensive option to get a locker and put your luggage in there (they are very small locker). You can also put slightly bigger bag at a service for safe keeping, but its not as cheap as locker (not that expensive either). As always, even if its super safe - don’t leave jewelry etc in bag.

• You want to plan what / where before hand. Especially, transit times are insane - even though their transits are top class.

• If its less than 24 hours stay, you can only stay AT THE AIRPORT based hotels. Its not worth to get hotel anywhere else (commute times).

• Cheap and pretty good way to get around is through their above surface subway (called metro). Just prepared for lot of walking! A lot of walking … did i mention a lot of walking? especially when you goto Burj Al-Khalifa, dubai mall etc (largest mall, tallest world building etc)

WHAT TO DO:

• Thats highly subjective - and all depends on what you want to do. I don’t know your background, what you like - nor who you are travelling with (kids?). Most importantly - your budget.

• If you choose to goto 7 star hotel. You have to get a cab, and then go get tea (cheapest item for about $100 USD). Hence, budget is important.

• If its less than 24 hour. I will suggest take it easy. Spend time at Dubai mall (world’s largest mall) + Burj al-Khalifa (world’s tallest building). And then rest and do activities around it only. why?

1. It will take you about an hour to get to mall
2. It will take you about another 30 min to hour to walk from metro to mall
3. You want to leave 1.5 hours to get back to airport (and then 1-2 hour at airport before your flight leaves)
4. AT mall you have lot of free things (such as world’s largest aquarium - it has free view options).
5. Book ahead , buy tickets days before for Khalifa tower! (cheaper)
6. Lot of things to do and eat (e.g. Fountain dance etc)
7. Desert Safari - i think is over rated. but everyone to their own.