Solo travel · Dubai · United Arab Emirates
Solo travel in Dubai
How to enjoy Dubai at your own pace.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jason7825, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Dubai is straightforward for solo travellers: English is widely spoken, taxis and the Metro are easy to use, and hotels, beaches and malls are well organised. Most residents are expatriates, so conversation comes easily at brunches, beach clubs and group tours. Many solo travellers base themselves in Business Bay.
Key facts
- Base
- Business Bay
- Getting around
- Metro
- Emergency number
- 999 for police, 998 for ambulance, 997 for fire
- Language
- Arabic and English
Solo travel tips
- Stay in Business Bay, the Marina or Deira for good-value hotels with easy transport.
- Join a group desert safari or dhow cruise to meet other travellers.
- Solo women can use the women-only Metro section and pink-roofed ladies' taxis.
- Dress modestly away from beaches and pools to avoid unwanted attention.
- Respect local laws closely; offences that seem minor elsewhere, such as rude gestures, can be prosecuted.
Where to stay
$$$ · Best for budget, first-timers and solo travellers
Business Bay
Just east and south of Downtown, Business Bay is a district of hotel and apartment towers along the Dubai Water Canal, often cheaper than Downtown but within walking distance or a short taxi ride of the Burj Khalifa. The canal promenade makes a pleasant evening walk in winter.
- Good
- Lower prices than Downtown; Close to the Burj Khalifa; Modern hotels with good facilities
- Watch out
- Still under construction in places; Limited street life
- Nearby
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Water Canal, Dubai Mall
Great on your own
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Viewpoint · Downtown Dubai
Burj Khalifa – At the Top
Sunset slots cost more and sell out; an early-morning visit is cheaper and often clearer, before the haze builds.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Architecture
- After dark
Experience · Dubai Creek
Abra ride across Dubai Creek
Cross from the Bur Dubai abra station near the Textile Souk to Deira, then walk into the Spice and Gold souks.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Kids
Museum · Sheikh Zayed Road
Museum of the Future
Book a morning slot and photograph the exterior from the Emirates Towers side of Sheikh Zayed Road.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Landmark · Umm Suqeim
Burj Al Arab
Photograph it at sunset from Sunset Beach, or from the canals of Madinat Jumeirah.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Historic site · Bur Dubai
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Book a cultural meal or heritage walk with the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding to ask questions about Emirati life.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Market · Deira
Gold Souk and Spice Souk
Bargaining is expected in the spice and textile souks; at the Gold Souk you can negotiate the making charge, not the daily gold price.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Free
- History
- Food
Meeting people
- Cultural meal at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre — The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in Al Fahidi hosts breakfasts and lunches of Emirati dishes with an open question-and-answer session on local culture and religion.
- Weekend brunch — Hotel brunches with long buffets and drinks packages are a Dubai institution, mostly held on Saturdays and some Fridays; book ahead in winter.
- Dubai Marina and JBR — Beach bars, sports pubs and lounges along the waterfront and in hotels.
- Downtown and DIFC — Rooftop bars, cocktail lounges and upmarket restaurants in the financial centre and around the Burj Khalifa.
Sensible precautions
Dubai has low levels of street crime. The main risks are heat, sun and dehydration, fast traffic and strong currents at open beaches, so swim where lifeguards are on duty. Laws on drugs, including some prescription medicines, alcohol, public behaviour and photography are strict; check them before you travel.
- Emergency number
- 999 for police, 998 for ambulance, 997 for fire
- Staying connected
- Free Wi-Fi is available in the Metro, malls and many public areas; some internet voice and video calling services are restricted, so check before relying on them.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Dubai good for solo travellers?
Dubai is straightforward for solo travellers: English is widely spoken, taxis and the Metro are easy to use, and hotels, beaches and malls are well organised. Most residents are expatriates, so conversation comes easily at brunches, beach clubs and group tours.
+Where should solo travellers stay in Dubai?
Business Bay: Canal-side towers next to Downtown at lower prices.