Destination hub

Dubai

Skyscrapers, souks and sea in one city: here's how to time a Dubai trip, fly there on points, and move between Downtown, the Marina and Old Dubai.

Travel scene

By PerkJolt Travel Desk

Dubai is a desert city on the Persian Gulf. It pairs record-setting towers and big malls with old trading districts around the Creek. It suits travelers who want reliable sun, easy logistics and a lot of variety in a short stay. It also works well as a stopover.

Who Dubai suits

First-timers and stopover travelers. The airport is close to the city, and the Metro covers many headline sights.
Families. Waterparks and indoor attractions keep kids busy when it's hot. Wild Wadi Waterpark and IMG Worlds of Adventure both turn up in destination guides .
Beach-and-city travelers. You can pair a swim with skyline views, ideally outside summer.
Skip it if you want to walk everywhere in July, or you want small-town quiet. Distances are long, and midday summer heat limits outdoor plans.

When to go

The most comfortable weather runs roughly November through March. Daytime highs typically sit between 23 and 30°C, which suits beaches and outdoor dining . Average temperatures run about 19°C in January and about 36°C in July and August . Rain is rare and light.

Winter is also peak season, so expect more crowds and higher hotel and flight prices than at other times . The Dubai Shopping Festival falls in December and January .

Summer (June to August) brings daytime temperatures above 35°C and high humidity, and many hotels cut rates then . October and April–May are shoulder months. Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year, and hours for restaurants, attractions and transit can change. Check dates before you book.

Getting there

Dubai International (DXB) is the main airport. It sits roughly 5 km southwest of the city center . Emirates and flydubai are based there.

Terminals are split by airline:

Terminal 3 is the Emirates hub. Terminal listings also place Qantas, United and Air Canada there .
Terminal 1 handles most other international airlines. One listing shows British Airways, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa and Delta there .
Terminal 2 is mainly low-cost and regional flights.

The Metro links Terminals 1 and 3, and a free 24-hour shuttle serves all three terminals . Always confirm your terminal on your booking, because airline assignments can change.

How points help. Emirates Skywards is not on our transfer chart, so look at partners that fly to Dubai. Check each program's own booking tool for current routes and space. Good fits include:

United, using Chase or Bilt points at 1:1.
Delta, using Amex points at 1:1.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue, using Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi or Bilt points at 1:1.
British Airways, using Chase, Amex or Capital One points at 1:1.
Qantas, using Capital One or Citi points at 1:1.
Aeroplan, using Chase, Amex, Capital One or Bilt points at 1:1.

See our transfer partners chart for the full list. Check award availability before you move any points, because transfers can't be reversed.

Getting around

Metro. Published hours are Monday to Thursday 5 am to midnight, Friday 5 am to 1 am, Saturday 5 am to midnight and Sunday 8 am to midnight. Holidays and special events can change them . Tap in and out with a Nol card. A Nol Silver card costs AED 25, including AED 19 of credit, and works on the Metro, buses and trams . You need a minimum balance of AED 7.50 to enter .

Silver card fares are zone-based: AED 3 for one zone, AED 5 for two and AED 7.50 for three or more . Cash isn't accepted on the Metro . Avoid rush hours (roughly 6–8:30 am and 5–7 pm) . Eating and drinking aren't allowed on trains .

Taxis and rideshare fill the gaps, especially to beaches and desert tours. Use the RTA's official Journey Planner and S'hail apps to plan trips . Driving is possible, but traffic is heavy at rush hour.

Where to stay

Downtown Dubai: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the Fountain on your doorstep. Best for first-timers.
Dubai Marina and JBR: beach, promenade and the tram. Best for sun-seekers and nightlife.
Palm Jumeirah: resort-style stays with private beaches. Best for a pool-and-beach trip, but you'll rely on taxis.
Deira and Bur Dubai: Old Dubai, the Creek and the souks. Best for culture and for lower hotel rates.
Business Bay and DIFC: central and Metro-connected. Best for short stays and business trips.

Using points here

We haven't confirmed specific hotel properties for this page, so check each brand's own site before planning around a hotel. Search Hyatt, Marriott, IHG and Hilton for your dates and neighborhood.

Transfers into hotel programs use these ratios:

Chase to Hyatt at 4:3.
Chase to Marriott or IHG at 1:1.
Amex to Marriott at 1:1.
Amex to Hilton at 1:2.
Bilt to Hyatt, Marriott, IHG or Hilton at 1:1.

Compare cash rates with points rates before you transfer. Winter is peak season, so points can be a good hedge then, while summer cash rates often drop. For flights, search several partner programs for your dates, then transfer only once you see space. See our transfer partners chart.

Top things to do

Burj Khalifa: Visit Dubai lists At The Top tickets from AED 169 . Prices vary by time slot and ticket level, so check the attraction's own site.
Dubai Fountain: shows run every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 11 pm, with different Friday times . Confirm the schedule locally.
Dubai Mall: it sits next to the Burj Khalifa and the Fountain, so you can see all three in one outing.
Deira souks and the Creek: wander the souks and watch the dhows on the water .
JBR Walk: a beachfront promenade for evening strolls and dining .
Palm Jumeirah: the artificial island is a headline sight, best seen from a beach club or hotel .
Desert safari: a winter favorite, with cooler evenings .
Wild Wadi Waterpark: a good family option when the weather is warm .
IMG Worlds of Adventure: an indoor, temperature-controlled park that suits summer .

Know before you go

Entry: US citizens with regular passports typically get a free visa on arrival. Your passport should be valid at least six months beyond arrival, and you may need to show a return or onward ticket . Sources disagree on the permitted stay, so check the UAE's official ICP site and the US State Department's UAE page before you fly.
Cash declaration: travelers carrying AED 60,000 or more must complete the online Customs Declaration Form .
Currency: the UAE dirham (AED), which is pegged to the US dollar at roughly 3.67 per dollar. Cards are widely accepted.
Tipping: typically about 10% at restaurants if no service charge is added. Round up for taxis. Check your bill.
Plugs: typically UK-style Type G sockets at 230V, so bring an adapter.
Safety and conduct: Dubai is generally considered safe, but laws on alcohol, drugs, public behavior and dress are strict. Read the State Department's UAE page before you go.
Heat: plan outdoor activities for mornings or evenings in warm months .

More PerkJolt planning for Dubai

Trip guide: Dubai in 4 Days: Towers, Souks, Beaches and a Desert Day

Last verified: 2026-10-13. Metro hours, attraction prices and visa stay length are most likely to change, so check the RTA (rta.ae), the attraction's own site and the UAE's ICP site.

Good to know before you go

. Confirm hours, fees, schedules and entry rules on the official pages before you book.

Sources

Plan the details

Food

What to Eat in Dubai: Emirati Food and Neighborhood Meal Plans

A practical Dubai food guide to Emirati dishes, verified restaurant sources, and meal plans that keep the Creek, Downtown and coast in sensible clusters.

Lodging

Where to Stay in Dubai: Creek, Downtown, Marina and Palm Bases

Compare Dubai hotel bases by itinerary: the Creek and Old Dubai, Downtown and Business Bay, Marina/JLT/JBR, or a Palm resort.