United Arab Emirates travel guide
The United Arab Emirates offers a Gulf holiday of sharp contrasts. In a single trip you can ascend the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, walk beneath the white domes of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, explore the museums of Sharjah and watch the sun go down over desert dunes, all within a few hours' drive of one another. Dubai is the city of skyscrapers, beaches and shopping, with older quarters around the Creek. Abu Dhabi is calmer and more cultural, with the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Yas Island. Sharjah offers museums and heritage, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah bring mountains and the east coast, and Ajman and Umm Al Quwain keep a quieter, older Gulf feel. The cooler months, roughly November to March, are the most comfortable for sightseeing and beach days, while summer is intensely hot. The UAE suits families, first-time Gulf visitors and stopover travellers, and Zippy Trips can help you plan the itinerary city by city.
Capital: Abu Dhabi.
Visa for Indian passport holders
E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
Before you go to United Arab Emirates
- Currency
- AED د.إ
- Emergency number
- 999
- Plug type
- Type G, C
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Common
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex
- ATM fees
- AED 25-30 per foreign withdrawal
Cities in United Arab Emirates
- Dubai The Gulf's hypermodern marvel — a city that rose from desert sands to become one of the world's most visited destinations. The Burj Khalifa…
- Abu Dhabi The UAE's capital and cultural counterweight to Dubai — a city of sweeping Corniche boulevards, world-class museums and grand mosques. Home…
- Sharjah The UAE's cultural capital — just 15 minutes from Dubai yet a world apart in character. Sharjah earned UNESCO's Arab Culture Capital…
- Ras Al Khaimah The UAE's adventure emirate — where the Hajar Mountains meet pristine desert and the world's longest zipline, Jais Flight, runs at 1,934 m.…
- Fujairah The UAE's east-coast gem — the only emirate with coastline solely on the Gulf of Oman, nestled between the Hajar Mountains and turquoise…
- Ajman The UAE's smallest emirate packs in a fine corniche, a fascinating fort-turned-museum and an authentically local vibe most tourists skip.…
- Umm Al Quwain The UAE's quietest emirate — a nostalgic throwback where old fishing dhows bob by a crumbling fort, flamingos wade in shallow lagoons and…
Frequently asked questions about United Arab Emirates
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for United Arab Emirates?
- E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
- What currency is used in United Arab Emirates?
- The currency in United Arab Emirates is the United Arab Emirates Dirham. د.إ1 is about ₹26.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in United Arab Emirates?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Amex. Typical ATM fees: AED 25-30 per foreign withdrawal. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in United Arab Emirates?
- Tipping in United Arab Emirates: optional. Typically about 10% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in United Arab Emirates?
- Tap water is safe.
- What plug type does United Arab Emirates use?
- United Arab Emirates uses Type G, C plugs.
- What is the emergency number in United Arab Emirates?
- Emergency: 999. Police: 999. Ambulance: 998. Tourist helpline: 800-TOURISM (800-8687682).
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in United Arab Emirates?
- SIM and eSIM available in United Arab Emirates.
- What is the capital of United Arab Emirates?
- The capital of United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. Time there: IST - 1 h 30 min.