(Last updated: 2 Jul 2011)

Visas

Additional visa information - citizens of Australia and New Zealand are now granted entry into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) without obtaining a visa in advance. Your passport will be stamped with a visit visa permit as you pass through Immigration on arrival at any airport in the UAE.

Please note that:

• The permit is valid for 60 days from the date of entering the country.
• The initial permit is free of charge but renewing charges must be paid (currently Dh500 for each additional 30 days).
• Arrival and departure cards must be filled in if visitors' lists are not included in the computer system.
• You must not work in the UAE (whether on a paid or unpaid basis).
• Regulations and rules of foreigners' entry and residence law are applicable to this permit.
• This includes holders of diplomatic, special and ordinary passports.

Contact details:

Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
36 Culgoa Circuit
O'Malley ACT 2606
Australia
Tel: +61 2 6286 8802
Fax: +61 2 6286 8804

Climate

The climate in the UAE is very hot and humid during the summer months. From May to October, temperatures are consistently above 40ºC and the humidity level is extremely high (up to 95 per cent). Some areas inland and especially in the mountainous areas in the east of the country are a little more pleasant. During winter, the evening temperature is usually a minimum of 15ºC and a maximum in the range of 20-25ºC.

For weather details in the UAE, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Airports at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al-Ain, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fujairah all handle international flights, however, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are by far the largest and most commonly used.

Emirates Airlines flies to Dubai from Melbourne and Sydney daily and four times a week from Perth. Gulf Air has a number of flights to Abu Dhabi from Sydney and Melbourne. Both carriers offer connecting flights to other cities in the Middle East and Europe and have very good reputations for safety and reliability. A number of other airlines fly to Dubai via Asia including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines and Royal Brunei.

Ground transport

Transportation between the various emirates and cities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is by private car or shared taxi. Taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap, and increasingly most taxis in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain have meters. When using non-metered taxis, travellers should agree on a fare before entering the taxi.

A car can be rented at the airport or from hotels in most major cities and towns.

Hotels

In the UAE, there is an expansive range of international and local hotels for you to select from. Your choice of hotel will obviously depend on your budget, preferred location, and services offered.

Security and health

Australians planning to travel to, or who are in the Middle East, are urged to exercise care and monitor developments that may affect their safety - both through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) current general travel advice and bulletins, and the media. Specific travel advice on the UAE is also available at DFAT Individuals should take sensible precautions and ensure that travel documentation, including passports and any necessary visas, for themselves and their dependents are valid and up-to-date.

It is recommended that Australians visiting the region register with the nearest Australian Embassy. To register online visit: www.orao.dfat.gov.au.

Health

The standard of hygiene and of the health care system is very high in the UAE. Tap water is usually safe to drink, although many travellers prefer to drink bottled water.

If you become ill, four- and five-star hotels can organise a doctor to visit the hotel at short notice. Hospitals are of a high standard and are located throughout the country.

Tipping

Tipping is not very common, a service charge is usually added to the bill in more expensive restaurants.

Time zones and time differences

The UAE is six hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

To find out the current time in Abu Dhabi, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

The UAE's country code is 971.

For calls to the UAE from Australia dial: 0011 + 971 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from the UAE to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Businesses are open from 8.00am to 1.00pm and 4.00pm to 7.00pm, Saturday to Thursday. Some companies work a straight shift from 8.00am to 6.00pm.

Banks are generally open from 8.00am to 2.00pm.

All offices are closed on Fridays. Very few retail establishments are open on Friday until after 4.00pm due to prayer time. In traditional areas small shops and businesses may close at prayer times every day.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 20 – Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
March 9 – Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
July 20 – Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
September 21 – Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
November 28 – Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
December 2 – National Day

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The unit of currency in the United Arab Emirates is the dirham (Dh). There are 100 fils to the dirham. The rate of exchange is pegged to the US dollar.

Electricity and water

The UAE’s power supply is 240 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 3, 4 wires. The round two-pin plugs are the most common.

Dining

A wide variety of good quality dining out options are available where you can find almost any type of food including Italian, Chinese, Mediterranean, Polynesian, Tex Mex, Indian and much more.

Tourist attractions

Dubai Creek

Dubai Creek separates the city into two towns. Deira lies to the north and Bur Dubai to the south. It is possible to take a boat trip down the creek, which gives an interesting view of Dubai.

Burj al Arab Hotel

Designed to resemble a billowing sail, this luxury hotel soars to a height of 321m, dominating the Dubai coastline. With 202 two-storey suites, this hotel describes itself as the 'finest that the world has to offer'.

Burj Dubai

Burj Dubai is expected to be the tallest building in the world and the tallest man-made structure when it is completed in 2008. An observation deck will be located on the 124th floor.

The Palm Islands

The Palm Islands are the three largest man-made islands in the world, and are being constructed on the coast of Dubai. Each island (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira) is being built in the shape of a date palm tree with a trunk, a crown with fronds, and surrounded by a crescent island. The first Palm, Palm Jumeriah, is expected to welcome 20,000 visitors a day, with a monorail to transport passengers to a variety of island locations. When complete, the Palm Islands will also feature attractions such as hotels, malls and theme parks.

Souqs

Dubai has a number of souqs (market places) hawking goods such as gold, clothing, CDs and souvenirs. Most popular among tourists are the gold souq and the spice souq.

There are a number of other attractions in the other Emirates. It is recommended to buy a guidebook for your visit.