A Business Travel Guide to Dubai

Staying in Dubai, UAE

Despite its humble beginnings as a fishing village, Dubai today is a futuristic marvel, combining striking skyscrapers with stunning artificial beaches and vast deserts. Home to the unmissable 828m-tall Burj Khalifa, Dubai is a paragon of engineering excellence. Beyond its architectural wonders, the city is en-route to becoming a global financial powerhouse, so it’s no surprise businesses are increasingly choosing to send corporate travellers to Dubai. 

With a business trip to Dubai on the agenda, look no further to calm some pre-travel jitters as we have compiled all the information essential for making the most of your time in the ’Gulf Tiger’.  

Visiting Dubai, UAE- Key Information

Weather in Dubai

Dubai’s tropical desert climate means you can expect heat all year round. July and August are Dubai’s hottest months, with average temperatures of up to 40°C. But even Dubai’s so-called “winters” are disguised summers, with temperatures in the mid-20s common from December to February. While air conditioning is found everywhere in Dubai, with ice-cold offices and shopping malls providing a welcomed escape from the heat, long periods under this cold air can make you chilly, so it would be handy to bring a light layer with you on your commute. 

Currency in Dubai

UAE Dirham (AED)

Dubai uses the UAE Dirham, and while major card providers such as Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, it’s always smart to check your card’s compatibility before your trip. Most places in Dubai are card-friendly, but smaller stores and some grocery stores still only accept cash so make sure to carry some Dirhams with you just in case.  

Health & Well-being in Dubai

With Dubai nestled in the Arabian desert, many tourists enjoy desert safaris where you can experience camel tours or buckle in with a 4x4 ride over the dunes. Dubai’s beaches further its pristine image, with crystal clear waters and golden sands. Perhaps the most popular is Jumeriah beach situated in the Jumeriah region. If you are a watersports fanatic, Kite beach is the place to be, offering wakeboarding, kite surfing and paddleboarding. Prefer to stay dry? Dubai’s got you covered with a range of land sports, including cycling, beach volleyball, or even a round of golf at the Emirates Golf Club. The city is unparalleled as a shopping destination, with Dubai mall  encasing over 1,200 stores, a giant aquarium and even an indoor ice rink! 

Data in Dubai

You’ll want to stay connected while on your business trip to Dubai. To ensure ease in doing so while saving money, consider swapping for a Dubai SIM card. Some of the best prepaid SIM providers are du, Virgin Mobile, and Etisalat. While heading to their official stores may be the most direct option, SIMs are also available at the airport upon arrival, and in supermarkets.  

Plug Type: Type G

Cuisine in Dubai

Food native to Dubai comes under the Emirati cuisine, a traditional Arabic cuisine with influences from neighbouring countries in the Middle East. Some popular Emirati dishes include Harees; a meat porridge made with bulgur wheat, and chicken shish kebabs or ‘Shish Tawook’- popular across the Middle East, and even in parts of Europe. Kunafa, a cheese pastry soaked in syrup, is the ultimate dessert for fans of the sweet and savoury combo!  

Speaking the Language in Dubai, UAE

Arabic is the official language spoken in Dubai, but with the city a popular destination for expats and international travellers, English is the city’s lingua franca. Road signs, restaurant menus, and more are available in both Arabic and English. 

You may hear certain phrases while on your corporate trip to Dubai: 

As-salamu alaikum – Translates to peace be upon you and is a common Islamic greeting and a gesture of respect. The correct response to this is Wa alaikum assalaam, or and upon you be peace. 

Shukran – Thank you. 

Inshallah – God willing, a heavily used Arabic phrase.  

Yalla – Arabic for let’s go and a handy statement for when things need speeding up.

                         Culture in Dubai                            

Dubai’s culture forms the foundation of the city. Here are some cultural considerations that you may not have been aware of but will go a long way during your time in Dubai. 

• Ramadan is the holy month in which Muslims fast during daylight hours. While many restaurants are kept open during the day for tourists and expats; eating, smoking and drinking in public is barred. The month of Ramadan changes yearly as the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, so make sure to check, before you set off, whether you’ll be in Dubai when it occurs.  
• While you may want to capture the spectacles of Dubai by snapping a picture, be mindful of who can be seen clearly in the background of your shot and ask permission, this is especially important to Emiratis if a woman can be seen in the picture. Certain buildings and military establishments also cannot be photographed so look out for ‘no photography’ signs when exploring the city.  
• You will be meeting lots of new people while on your corporate trip to Dubai, and while men and women typically shake hands with those of the same sex, when meeting someone of the opposite sex, it’s custom to wait to see if they extend their hand rather than initiating the handshake yourself. This is especially the case for men meeting women.  

Transport in Dubai - Getting Around Dubai, UAE

In addition to the newer Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai is home to the infamous Dubai international airport, the world’s busiest airport, not only for the influx of flyers visiting Dubai, but also as a key stopover destination for flights further afield. Upon landing, you will not be short of transfer options to reach your serviced apartment in Dubai. Both cab and car rental services are available from Dubai’s airports, alternatively the metro is a great option.  

With just two lines, red and green, connecting key regions including Dubai International Airport, the Dubai metro is simple to navigate. Alternatively, Dubai’s buses are a great budget-friendly option for getting around the city. With cash not accepted on buses or the metro, you can navigate Dubai’s public transport network using a Nol card. Arabic for ‘fare card’, Nol cards come in 4 forms: red, silver, gold and blue, each differing in the amount you can load onto them, and the facilities on offer to you.  

Should you choose to travel by water, one of Dubai’s oldest modes of transport, The Abra; a wooden boat operating along the Dubai creek, can offer you a historic yet convenient journey, with many stops connecting the city.  

Dubai’s roads are fully developed, but if you decide to rent a car and drive into the office, be mindful of the intense rush hour traffic when planning your journey.  

Dubai Map

Now you have mastered your Dubai corporate travel preparation, read up on the current business climate in Dubai, check out some of our serviced apartments in Dubai, and contact our helpful team to level up your next business trip to Dubai!