Dubai

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 25.27087
• Longitude: 55.309212

On Travellerspoint

• 1 Dubai Apartments
• 15 Dubai Hotels

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Introduction

Streets of Dubai

© All Rights Reserved ionela

Dubai is the second-largest of the seven emirates that together constitute the United Arab Emirates. This is one of the fastest growing areas anywhere in the world with buildings being erected at an enormous speed. Plans are even more ambitious with hundreds of high rise buildings to be added (including the highest building in the world) and thousands of islands in the form of the world or palms which are for the rich and famous only. Unfortunately, much of the old and original Dubai is hidden away in between, but can still be found in the old quarter of the city.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

Shopping is a major activity for Dubai visitors. Ibn Battuta mall, Mall of the Emirates, Bur Juman, Magrudy's shopping mall are some of the numerous malls that have sprouted around the city in the past decade.

Burj al Arab

Burj Al Arab

© All Rights Reserved neilcrespi

The Burj al Arab (the tower of Arabs) has become a landmark of Dubai virtualy overnight after being finished in 1999. The very recognisable building that is shaped to resemble the sail of a Dhow, a local fishing boat. The structure is 321 meters tall, and stands on an artificial island 280 meters away from the beach. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

The building serves as a luxery hotel with 202 rooms. A hotel room is not cheap, the cheapest room costs about a thousand U.S. Dollars a night, the Royal suits sets you back around 28.000 U.S. Dollars. If you want to arrive in style from the airport you can be picked up by a Rolls Royce or a helicopter.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Weather in Dubai generally is warm to hot and dry. The hottest months are between June and September when temperatures can rise up to 45 degrees Celcius or even more. Humidity can be high as well, although this mainly applies to the coastal areas. Still, the best times to visit are from October to April with warm and dry conditions, although some rainshowers are possible during the wintermonths.

Getting There

By Plane

Dubai Airpot (DXB) is a major airport. Dozens of airlines serve hundreds of destinations.
Emirates Airlines has its base in Dubai. It has flights to over 100 cities in about 55 countries, making it one of the biggest airlines in the world.
The new Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) will start operations from June 2010 onwards and will be one of the largest airports in the world and a major hub for flights between most continents.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

There are daily connections between Dubai and Muscat, the capital of Oman, taking around 4 to 5 hours.

By Boat

Several ferries and fast catamarans travel between Iran and Dubai. Connections include Bandar Lengeh to Dubai, and Bandar Abbas to Dubai. Check the Iran Traveling Center for more details about schedules and prices.

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

• Taxis are the most common means of public transport. However, it is also one of the most frustrating ones as it is very difficult to get one during peak hours or in front of shopping malls. One would have to walk a long distance to get away from the crowds waiting to catch a cab to have a better chance of getting one.

• More buses now ply the city than in the 90's but information on the bus routes is not easily available to the new visitor and bystanders on the road do not help with queries.

• On the 9th of September 2009, the Dubai Metro started operations. It is a fully automatic system, the waiting platforms are airconditioned and there are special VIP areas as well. The first line to be opened was the Red Line, the Green Line is still under construction and there are a few more lines planned as well. The Green Line will start operations in June 2010 if all goes well. After this completion, it will be the longest fully automatic metro network in the world (current is in Vancouver). The Red Line runs from Jebel Ali Port, the American University in Dubai, through the city centre to Al Rashidiya. The Green Line will run from Festival City, through the city centre, Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 and the Airport Free Zone. The Purple and Blue Line will form a major transport connection between the current airport and the new Al Maktoum International Airport, expected to be in operation from June 2010 onwards. Both lines will be in operation from 2012 onwards and a Yellow Line was announced in 2008, but has no deadline of operation yet. For an overview, see the Dubai Metro Map

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget and Midrange

• Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Meridien is part of the Starwood properties in Dubai. Located on Rolla street in Bur Dubai, the apartments are lovely self-contained units with a kitchenette, cable TV, IDD facilities and a lovely bathroom. Prices are from AED 300 - 500 per night for an apartment for two. A great bargain in the expensive city.

Upscale

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