Middle East · Destination guide
United Arab Emirates
Capital: Abu Dhabi (Dubai is the largest city)
🛂Visa requirements
💳Money & payments
Cards: Cards accepted everywhere in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Some traditional souks and street food vendors prefer cash.
ATMs: Emirates NBD, ADCB, and FAB ATMs are reliable and widely available.
Tipping
10–15% in restaurants is appreciated (service charge rarely included). Taxi drivers: round up. Hotel staff: AED 5–20 for services.
💬Language
Arabic
English is the working language of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. All signage, menus, and most business is conducted in English. No language barrier in practice.
Useful phrases
- ·Shukran — Thank you
- ·As-salamu alaykum — Peace be upon you (respectful greeting)
- ·Marhaba — Hello (informal)
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
Learn some Arabic before you go
English is the working language of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. All signage, menus, and most business is conducted in English. No language barrier in practice. — even basic phrases open doors and locals appreciate the effort.
Start with these
- 1.Shukran — Thank you
- 2.As-salamu alaykum — Peace be upon you (respectful greeting)
- 3.La shukran — No thank you
- 4.Bikam? — How much?
💡 Arabic is written right-to-left. In UAE and Qatar, English is widely used — even a few Arabic words are warmly received.
Not a native English speaker?
English is the international travel language — building confidence before your trip makes every interaction easier.
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🔌Electricity & plugs
UK plugs work directly without an adapter.
🤝Local customs & etiquette
- 1.Dress conservatively in public — covering shoulders and knees outside of beach/resort areas. Inside malls and beaches, Western dress is fine.
- 2.Public displays of affection are illegal and can result in arrest — no kissing or embracing in public.
- 3.Ramadan: eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight hours is prohibited for all (not just Muslims). Hotels and malls have designated areas.
- 4.Alcohol is available in licensed venues (hotels, restaurants, clubs) but not in supermarkets. Public intoxication is illegal.
- 5.Photography: avoid photographing government buildings, military installations, and individuals without permission.
📶SIM cards & connectivity
Local SIM: du and Etisalat (e&) are the two operators. VoIP services (WhatsApp calls, FaceTime) are restricted — use du or Etisalat SIM for calls. SIMs at airport.
WiFi: Excellent in malls, hotels, and public spaces. Dubai has city-wide public WiFi in many areas.
🛡️Safety
Very safe. UAE has extremely low crime rates. Strict laws are consistently enforced — respect local rules and you will have no issues.
💉Health
No vaccinations required for most visitors. Tap water is technically safe but most residents drink bottled water. Excellent medical facilities.
🚨Emergency numbers
police
999
ambulance
998
fire
997
🚗Driving
🚆 Getting to the circuit in United Arab Emirates
Train, shuttle, and race day transport guide
Explore United Arab Emirates