Before I get too far into our stint in Dubai – I thought it would be good to reflect on the first six months and share some of the lessons learnt for anyone else who is making the big move to the Desert or planning to visit for a holiday. There’s so much online already and lots of excellent guides (along with the usual scaremongering – try to ignore that), but I thought I’d add my two pennies worth too. I’ve picked some of the most popular questions that usually spring to mind…
Can I drink alcohol in Dubai?
- Let’s start with the important things first…where can I get a drink? This was a concern for me as I’d heard the horror stories of Brits being arrested for drinking etc etc. and it being difficult to drink in Dubai. Let’s be clear, it’s not. If anything you’ll probably find the opposite, with boozy brunches being the other extreme of what you might expect from Dubai if you believe all the rumours. That’s not to say you should lose you inhibitions completely. “What goes on in the hotel, stays in the hotel” for the most part here. But you want to be a bit sensible (and more importantly) respectful when leaving the expat havens of the big hotels to get in a taxi or walk anywhere (let’s be honest the latter isn’t a thing in Dubai!). Drinking at home? Stock up at Duty Free. This is a big plus (4 bottles per person) and we overlooked it when we first arrived. There’s much debate about an alcohol licence for expats and whether you need one if drinking at home. It is a legal requirement and for the £40 and a relatively quick process I think it’s just worth it for piece of mind so I’d recommend it (although I know many an expat who might argue differently here).
What can I wear in Dubai?
- This is a constant question from anyone visiting us or moving to Dubai – what can and can I not wear? In similar fashion to the above, any preconceptions of strict rules will vanish as soon as you step into a brunch or a night out in Dubai. The more glam the better, and I’ve never worn heels as much in my life as the last 6 months. Having said this, much like the above, respect is important. I’d recommend having a scarf/wrap that can easily cover shoulders and avoiding the really short shorts when walking in the tourist areas. You’ll even see signs in the Malls asking for people to respect the dress code and cover shoulders and knees. Although you’ll see people ignore this and rarely be told otherwise, mainly because people are too polite to say anything, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t offend so appreciate this when heading out and about. This is especially relevant when heading to the older and more traditional parts of Dubai such as the Creek. In the hotels, as mentioned, anything really does go. I usually take a scarf or something for the taxi there although it’s not really necessary.
How safe is Dubai?
- The facts say it all – it’s the second safest city in the world. What you think of Dubai’s legal system and laws is a completely different question, but a strict approach to the law does have it’s benefits for residents and visitors. Coming from London, there’s a huge contrast in terms of how people act here. Leave your bag or phone on a table and it will pretty much always be there when you get back (although I’d recommend you look after your belongings as there is always exceptions!). But generally the crime rate in this respect is low. In addition (touch wood), I also feel safe getting taxis on my own and regularly do this without concern which is hopefully reassuring as I know this can be a worry for anyone travelling alone.
How can I get around Dubai? Do I need a car?
- The Metro is great. Cheap, clean and reliable. It does get busy though depending on the time of day. It’s rare to find a Western expat using it and I’m regarded as a bit of a novelty when I tell people I use it but I can strongly recommend. It really does depend on where you want to get to though, and taxis are usually the go to option and are pretty cheap (and safe as mentioned above). There’s also Uber and Careem (a competitor app) which are good options although more expensive at the moment than the local taxi RTA equivalent. There’s ranks for taxis in most major tourist areas as well as an online booking system for the RTA taxis (although I find Uber/Careem easier to use). A quick tip regarding taxis at the airport – You might be encouraged to take the black Lexus option at the main rank at arrivals and by all means do if you’d like a bit of luxury, but bear in mind you will be paying more than the standard yellow cabs which isn’t clearly pointed out to you when you arrive. In terms of the car question – pretty much everyone drives in Dubai so if you are moving to Dubai this will be a consideration for you. We opted not to as we are both lucky to be near a metro for our work and the roads look terrifying to me! But the majority of expats do and say the roads really aren’t a problem and this option is obviously pretty cheap in terms of petrol etc. If you are just visiting a car really isn’t necessary, stick to taxis and the metro (the latter is all above ground so is a great way to see some sights too!)
Guestbook comment: “Above is a very brief guide on a few of the most frequently asked questions – please comment with any other advice as well as other questions and I’ll add future posts with further info!”
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