United Arab Emirates Travel Guide

Social Conventions

Muslim religious laws should be observed. Women are expected to dress modestly and men should dress formally for most occasions. Alcohol is tolerated, with non-Muslims allowed to drink alcohol in the city's bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels. Smoking is banned in public places. Under 20s are not allowed to buy cigarettes and are barred from designated smoking areas. It is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airlines are Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihadairways.com).

Departure Tax

AED30 from some airports, usually incorporated into the ticket price.

Main Airports

Abu Dhabi (AUH) (www.abudhabiairport.ae) is 32km (20 miles) east of the city (journey time - 40 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available at the airport. Al-Ghazal taxis operate a fixed-rate service. Facilities: Duty-free shop, bank, bar, snack bar, bureau de change, post office and car hire.

Dubai (DXB) (www.dubaiairport.com) is 4km (2.5 miles) southeast of the city (journey time - 10 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses (tel: 800 9090; www.rta.ae) and taxis are available at the airport. Bus stations are opposite both Terminal 1 and 2. Facilities: Duty-free shops, bank, post office, shops, car hire, restaurant, snack bar and bar. The airport consists of four terminals.

Sharjah (SHJ) (www.shj-airport.gov.ae) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available at the airport. Facilities: Duty-free shop, car hire, restaurants, snack bars, ATM and bureau de change.

Ras al-Khaimah (RKT) (www.rakairport.com) is 15km (9 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available at the airport. Facilities: Duty-free shop and restaurant/snack bar.

Note: Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum) International Airport (DWC) opened June 2010. Passenger flights will begin March 2011.

Getting There By Water

Main ports: Jebel Ali, Rashid and Zayed (Abu Dhabi), Khalid (Sharjah), Saqr (Ras al-Khaimah) and Fujairah.

Cruises regularly call at Abu Dhabi and the cruise terminal in Dubai, and there are passenger services to the USA, the Far East, Australia and Europe. There are regular sailings between Sharjah and Bandar-é-Abbas (Iran).

A new Dubai Cruise Terminal opened in January 2010, making way for a larger volume of cruise liners to visit Dubai.

Getting There By Road

There is a good road into Oman and also a good one into Saudi Arabia, which connects with the Trans-Arabian Highway on the overland route to Europe.

Buses run daily between Dubai or Abu Dhabi and Oman. There are also services between Dubai or Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia and between Abu Dhabi and Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Duty Free

Overview

The following items may be imported into the United Arab Emirates without incurring customs duty:

• 400 cigarettes and cigars up to AED3,000 in value (for personal use) and 2kg of tobacco.
• 4L of spirits or 24 cans of beer (non-Muslims over 18 years only).
• A reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.

Note: It is prohibited to bring alcohol into Sharjah and this is usually not allowed if entering the UAE by land.

Prohibited Imports

Firearms and dangerous weapons, religious propaganda, unstrung pearls except for personal use, raw seafood (only when visiting Dubai and/or Sharjah), fruit and vegetables from cholera-infected areas. If you are planning to carry medication into the country, check with your embassy as some common, over-the-counter medicines that are freely available elsewhere in the world are prohibited in the UAE. Penalties are severe - you could go to prison if you’re caught. Pornography and anything culturally or religiously insensitive is also banned.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Daily flights link Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Flights can also be chartered and there are small landing fields throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Getting Around By Water

Commercial and passenger services serve all coastal ports. A water taxi travels between Dubai and Deira across the creek.

Getting Around By Rail

A 300km (186-mile) metro system (http://dubaimetro.eu) has been built in Dubai. The Red Line, runs from Rashidiya Station to Jebel Ali Station, and the Green Line, runs from the Dubai Airport Free Zone to Dubai Health Care City. The Purple Line is under construction, and will run between the existing airport and the planned airport at Jebel Ali, and the Blue Line from Emirates Road to the airports.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the right. There are good tarmac roads running along the west coast between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah; between Sharjah and Dhaid; and linking Dubai with other Northern States and the interior.

Bus: Limited services link most towns with the local airport. However, most hotels run their own scheduled bus services to the airports, city center and beach resorts.

Taxi: Available in all towns. In Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain, urban journey fares are metered, while fares for longer journeys should be agreed in advance. There is a surcharge for air-conditioned taxis. Many travelers find taxis to be the quickest and most convenient method of travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.

Car hire: Most international car hire companies have offices at airports or hotels. A passport and either a valid international or national license are necessary.

Regulations: The speed limit in built-up areas is 60 to 80kph (37 to 50mph) and 100 to 120kph (62 to 74mph) elsewhere.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A local driving license can be issued on presentation of a valid national driving license, two photos and a passport.