Stop over in Dubai

palasmy

Hello,

Me and my family, wife & 4 year old daughter would be making our usual vacation to the sub-continent this March. Normally, our transit time in dubai does'nt last more than two hours however this year the transit time in dubai is going to be atleast 6 hours of daytime (07.00 until 14.00). I just wondered if it would be any easy and worth if we make the effort to get a transit visa on our arrival, we would be interested in doing some shopping outside the airport where the locals shop so that we could potentially get some good deals particularly jewellery.

Appreciate if anyone with similar experience could share their thoughts.. and any suggestions would be greatly received.


Thanks
P:beer:

Tojo_Ralph

With only six hours to play with its worth noting that you could easily lose an hour or more clearing immigration as queues in Dubai can be unpredictable.

As for the locals, the locals shop in air conditioned shopping malls containing pretty much the same selection of stores that one would find in an upmarket shopping mall in the UK, so that's a non starter.

If you have six hours of daylight, you may find yourself heading back to the airport during rush hour which can be unpredictable.

Based on the above, I think time will be too tight, but if you are going to do anything I'd suggest a 3 hour taxi tour taking in the Creek, Jumeirah, Burj Dubai, Burj Khalifa, a run around the palm taking in the Atlantis hotel, etc, but it would be all a little rushed.

BusinessStudent

I agree with Tojo Ralph. I presume that you are travelling with Emirates? If so then take advantage of the shops in the airport as there are loads of them. If you are determined to get out of the airport then you could take a taxi tour as Tojo Ralph (the taxi drivers very friendly from my experience of travelling in Dubai!)

Next time you book with Emirates (presuming you have) - then why not alow allow for a few days stopover enroute to you final destination? This can easily be done when booking flights on the Emirates or Expedia website for little or no additional cost at all (although you would obviously need to book accomodation in Dubai at your own expense). Simply click the "multicity" option or ask your travel agent for more information.

In my opinion however Dubai is extremely overrated. Dont believe the hype you have seen on television!

palasmy

Fair enough, my 6 hours was excluding the two hours of additional time that I had allotted for the immigration and travelling locally, maybe as you say it isn't enough? however if the local shopping is as much as the high street here then I guess there isn't much use!! But the taxi round trip sounds interesting, considering we are there on a friday (which is a holiday there?) shouldn't the traffic be minimum?

I do totally agree with the fact that Dubai is being overly hyped, I did read some of the experiences here and feel that holiday there isn't something that one would do if you are an average traveller.

cheers

Mr_Wang

I disagree with the above, traffic in Dubai can be a pain the !!!! and Burj Khalifa is at least a half hour drive in good traffic. Even then, it would a waste since the best thing about it is the fountains at night.
Jumeirah would also be a waste since the best thing about it is the beach and you have no time, and the Creek again would be a waste since the best thing about it is the Souq.

You would be well advised to stay at the airport and maybe shop at the duty free or go to the business lounge for a mooch.

fwiw Dubai is fantastic for a holiday, you could take the bus up to Abu Dhabi, splurge in Dubai, relax on Jumeirah Beach or head up to Masdar which looks amazing. I wouldn't go for a fortnight, but Dubai really is more than just up market hotels and shops.

peachyprice

If you've got 6 hours free, not including getting in and out of immigration etc, you could see if the Le Meridian Dubai does day rates. It's very close to the airport but has lovely pools, gardens and restaurants. Might be a nice relaxing way to kill 6 hours.

pompeii

Have you considered the Dubai Metro, much easier to get about than by taxi, have a good look on their website for ticket prices and a map, you can get from the airport to most places easily, not sure if you would have to pay for your 4 year old, some of the metro is overground so you can have a look over Dubai. Well worth a look at the Burj Khalifa, it costs about 100 to 300aed to go to the top, great view, to get the lower rate you have to book in advance, we booked only 20 minute in advance. You get to the Khalifa via the Dubai Mall so you can see if the shopping there appeals to you, I think you can also get to the souq's now by metro since the green line has been opened, there is also the Big Bus tour, I have never used it but if you want to look around it could be useful. As you will be in Dubai friday morning please check opening times as not much happens until after Friday prayers.

palasmy

Thanks everyone for sharing your comment / experiences. I think we will not take the chance this time, however the idea of taking off for a few days during the transit next time may not a bad idea after all. Dubai is still a popular destination globally, ofcourse we will not have high expectations.

Cheers!

signol

You won't need to get a visa, you will be stamped in (assuming you have British passports). 6 hours will be fine, you can take the metro directly from the airport to Deira, and onwards along Sheik Zayed Rd, at full speed while the traffic is stationary There is a stop at the mall that has the ski slope, and it's only 1/2 mile or so from the Burj Al Arab should you want to go for afternoon tea (book it in advance) - you can get a taxi from the metro stop.

signol

shoppaholic_returns

I would definately stay in the airport, the shopping etc in there is by far the best choice and cheapest around, the queues at immigration can be a nightmare,avoid and chill out in the airport!

Tojo_Ralph

palasmy wrote: »

Thanks everyone for sharing your comment / experiences. I think we will not take the chance this time, however the idea of taking off for a few days during the transit next time may not a bad idea after all. Dubai is still a popular destination globally, ofcourse we will not have high expectations.

Cheers!

Why not just do the two hour Big Bus Airport Transfer Tour buying tickets on the day? ...... £55 well spent to get a taster I'd suggest?

http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/dubai/custompage.aspx?id=airport%20tour

The itinerery looks pretty good with the bus packing a lot in passing the majority of the iconic buildings.

For me Dubai's main attraction is the architecture, and I even use that word carefully, but the hotels on Sheik Zhayed, the enormaty of the palm, the run out to the Atlantis Hotel, the magnitude of the Burj Khalifa etc are well worth seeing..... But for me it kind of stops there.

Who knows, perhaps the bus tour guide will point out that the Burj Khalifa was called the Burj Dubai for many years, right up until its glitzy opening, at which point it was renamed the Burj Khalifa in honour of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan the President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi who had to bail out Dubai due to it having been and still being an ailing Emirate.