Dubai is an easy destination to plan yourself: hotels, flights, car rental and activities in one place, no juggling ten different sites. Dubai works well as a base for day trips to nearby towns and scenic routes. The city has an airport, so you can fly in directly. There are currently around 20 places to stay listed in and around Dubai, covering a range of budgets. The catalogue includes 12 vetted activities and tours with real guest ratings. 5 routes to nearby towns are mapped out from Dubai, handy if you're planning side trips beyond the city itself.
Accommodation in Dubai starts at around €29 per night, with a typical rate near €82 across roughly 20 nearby options — handy for budgeting your trip.
Well-reviewed hotels: Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai, 5-star, guest rating 9.8 from 114 reviews, from €128 per night; Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, guest rating 9.6 from 172 reviews, from €105 per night; Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort And Spa, 5-star, guest rating 9.6 from 124 reviews, from €128 per night; Raffles The Palm, 5-star, guest rating 9.6 from 2966 reviews, from €161 per night; Jumeirah Al Qasr Dubai, 5-star, guest rating 9.6 from 128 reviews, from €493 per night.
Day trips & routes: Umm al-Quwain — about 94 km, 1h 13m drive; Manama — about 112 km, 1h 23m drive; Ajman — about 150 km, 1h 41m drive; Abu Dhabi — about 124 km, 1h 17m drive; Ras Al Khaimah — about 128 km, 1h 24m drive. Fastest option is Umm al-Quwain: 1h 13m by car.
Dubai: what to know
Things to see: "Experience Burj Al Arab by Jetski", rated 5 from 292 reviews, from €55.9; "Go Fishing Dubai 5 hours Trolling & Regular Fishing", rated 5 from 164 reviews, from €497.08; "1 hour Jetski Tour - Burj Al Arab Tour", rated 5 from 139 reviews, from €146.81; "Dubai: 60Min Jet Ski To Burj Al Arab, Atlantis The Palm", rated 5 from 134 reviews, from €134.26; "Flyboard Experience in Dubai", rated 5 from 133 reviews, from €71.18.
Where to eat: "Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant & Cafe", Grill/Middle Eastern, rated 4.9 (1634 reviews); "Nammos Dubai", Seafood/Mediterranean, rated 2.7 (575 reviews); "Tribes Dubai", Steakhouse/African, rated 4.9 (2628 reviews); "WET Deck Dubai"; "Hurricane's Grill Dubai Mall". Top-rated: "Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant & Cafe" at 4.9.
Dubai has its own airport, so a direct flight is the fastest way in. Getting around the city and out to the 5 nearby destinations listed above is easiest by car — intercity public transport tends to be slower and less frequent. The median nightly rate in Dubai is around €82, useful for comparing overall trip cost against nearby cities.
To rent a car in Dubai you usually need a passport, a driving licence and a bank card for the deposit hold. With 20 places to stay nearby, it's worth comparing a base near the rental desk against one closer to the sights. Given 5 routes worth driving from here, check the mileage and one-way drop-off terms before you book. When touring UAE, plan stops in advance: fuel stations and car parks in smaller towns are not always open around the clock.
