Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest in the world which is served by around 150 different airlines. Whilst many visitors arrive here on winter holidays, others use Dubai as a stopover on long-haul flights to the Far East, Africa and Australasia.
Highly recommended for passengers considering a stopover is Emirates Airline which is the national carrier of Dubai. Their booking process allows for short stays in the Emirate on the way to other destinations for a relatively small additional fee. Their service includes the provision of visas for stopovers as well as the option to book accommodation and city tours at preferential rates. Most visitors arriving on flights other than Emirates will be granted a free 30-day vistor’s visa at Dubai Immigration in the airport.
For the majority of long-haul travellers, a one or two day stopover is enough to relieve the jet-lag and provide a taste of what the exciting city of Dubai has to offer. Having cleared customs at the airport passengers can head into the city by means of the city’s excellent public transport system. Better still, a pre-booked transfer from Dubai Airport with Shuttledirect provides a fast and efficient way to travel to the tourist hotels in the Jumeirah Beach and Dubai Marina neighbourhoods. Once you’ve checked in at your hotel your mini-adventure can begin.
24-Hours in Dubai
Whilst Dubai might be best-known for its ostentatious hotels, enormous shopping malls and the hair-raising rides of its theme parks there’s a more traditional side to the city which provides a great place to begin a stopover. The Dubai Creek is a waterway which opens into the Persian Gulf. On its southern bank is the historic Bur Dubai district which is home to the Bastakiya Quarter where some of the city’s most important cultural attractions are found. These include the Dubai Museum, the Grand Mosqueand the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. In addition there are a number of traditional tea houses and the Textile Souk which is a great place to haggle for souvenirs.
Travelling across the Dubai Creek on one of the old, wooden water taxis called ‘abras’ leads to the Deira district which is a warren of narrow streets where the city’s Spice Market and Gold Souks are located. These same streets are a great place to grab lunch at one of the many ethnic eateries which serve a fabulous selection of dishes created by local residents from all over the Middle and Far East.
The afternoon would be well spent with a visit to the Dubai Mall which is home to more than 1300 shops and 200 restaurants together with the incredible Dubai Aquarium which houses more than 30,000 marine animals. The mall is located beneath the Burj Khalifa which is the world’s tallest building at 830m. Visitors can pre-book tickets to ride its escalator up to the observation deck on the 125th floor. Down below is the Dubai Fountains which perform a dance choreographed to music every half-hour from 6pm. If you’d prefer to dine at somewhere more sophisticated than the Mall’s eateries there are a whole range of upmarket restaurants in Dubai, many of which are run by famous chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Atul Kochhar and Yannick Alleno.
48-Hours in Dubai
A great way to begin the second day of your stopover in Dubai is with a stroll along the sands of the Jumeirah Open Beach from where there are great views of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah which claims to be the world’s most luxurious hotel. Two nearby attractions are Aquaventure at Atlantis the Palm and Wild Wadi Water Park which are great places to spend a few hours, especially when
travelling to Dubai with children.
Other theme parks which are highly recommended for family groups or the young at heart is
Dubai Parks and Resorts which provides hours of entertainment at Legoland, Motiongate and Bollywood Parks. Alternatively, you could head for the world’s largest indoor theme park at IMG Worlds of Adventure. These tourist attractions are easily accessible by means of free shuttle buses which run from many of the city’s most popular tourist hotels and resorts.
For a more authentic Middle Eastern experience there are Desert Safaris available which transport visitors from their hotel to a Bedouin-style camp. En-route visitors will experience driving over sand dunes in a 4 x 4 vehicle and will have the opportunity to ride a camel and try sand boarding. The camp usually arranges other activities including belly dancing, falconry and provides a traditional barbecue. Some of these safaris are day trips whilst others cater for overnight stays with guests sleeping in tents under the bright stars of the desert.
If this all sounds a little too adventurous there’s always the option of playing a round of golf at the Emirates Golf Club or the Jumeirah Golf Estates which host Dubai’s two major professional golf tournaments. Your final evening would be well spent at Pier 7 in Dubai Marina which is a tower containing seven top-notch restaurants serving the Far Eastern cuisine of Asia Asia, the Middle Eastern flavours of Abd el Wahab and some British classics at The Scene by Simon Rimmer amongst others.
To catch your onward flight be sure to pre-book your private transfer to Dubai International Airport with Shuttledirect. A 24-hour service is available for transfers from all hotels and private apartments.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is the most established and respected airport transfer provider in Europe and northern Africa. Our friendly local drivers will ensure your safe, economical, and convenient passage to and from the cruise terminal, airport, or major train station of your choice with a minimum of fuss. Book your transfer with our easy to use online booking system and leave the rest up to us!
