Have you just arrived at Dubai International Airport and had a spare eight to fifteen hours? You can utilize your stopover to tour Dubai, or you can simply pass the time at the airport.
A curated list of places transit users can visit during their layover was published on the official Visit Dubai Instagram account.
Here are the details:
1. Al Seef District
One of the first locations to go after leaving Dubai International Airport is the Al Seef district, which was developed around Dubai Creek. In addition to offering guests a variety of dining options, Dubai Creek has played a significant role in the commercial history of Dubai. Visitors can shop there for traditional handicrafts, home décor, and souvenirs manufactured by local artisans.
The optimal amount of time to allow for exploring the neighborhood’s “Sikka,” or pedestrian streets, and learning about the history and culture of the city is, per Visit Dubai, roughly two hours.
How to reach Al Seef district from Dubai International Airport
- Dubai Metro: 29 minutes from Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3.
- Take the Metro from the Terminal 3 Metro Station at Dubai International Airport to the Burjuman Metro Station. (Both of these stations are on the Dubai Metro’s Red Line)
- You must walk for 17 minutes (1.3 km) after leaving the Metro station in order to get to Al Seef.
- Taxi: 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport, Terminal 3
2. Dubai Spice Souq
You will be able to see a tonne of activity on the opposite side of the creek when you are in Al Seef. Al Seef is on the Bur Dubai side of the creek, whereas Deira and the historic souks that make it a trading hub are on the other side of the constrained waterway. The Dubai Spice Souq in Deira can be your next trip, according to Visit Dubai. Using the Metro or a taxi will get you to the souk.
Since about 1850, the Spice Souq has been a significant bazaar in Dubai. Even today, the souq is crowded with local business owners and dealers going about their daily operations as well as tourists interested in learning about exotic spices and herbs from around the world.
Visit Dubai advises that you set aside an hour to thoroughly explore this area of the city.
How to reach Dubai Spice Souq from Al Seef
- Metro: 22 minutes
This is the path you need to travel in order to get the Metro to the Dubai Spice Souq:
- From Al Seef Street, stroll to Sharaf DG Metro Station. It will take you roughly 14 minutes to travel 1.1 kilometers.
- When you get to the Sharaf DG Metro Station, board the train going toward the Etisalat Metro Station and exit at the Al Ras Metro Station. These two stations (which are both on the Metro Green Line)
- Walk for six minutes towards Dubai Spice Souq.
- Taxi: 17 minutes
3. Abra Ride
One of the most traditional and practical ways to cross Dubai Creek is on an abra, which is the Arabic word for a traditional boat. In the past, it was a vital means of transportation for merchants on both sides of the creek. You can take an abra trip that will take around ten minutes from the Deira Old Souq Abra Station across from the Deira Spice Souq. The ride often allows guests an opportunity to experience Dubai from an entirely different point of view.
For one-way travel, an Abra ride costs Dh1 (on a standard abra) or Dh2 (on an electric abra).
4. Dubai Gold Souq
Remember to tell the abra driver that you want to return to the same station when you board the vehicle so that you can continue seeing “old Dubai” with a stop at the Dubai Gold Souq as your next destination.
After getting off the abra, it will take you five minutes to walk from the station to the Dubai Gold Souq, where you may indulge in some window shopping or even make an investment in some gold or precious jewel jewelry. The Gold Souq exploration will last about an hour.
5. The Dubai Frame
The 2018-opened Dubai Frame is another fantastic resource for discovering Dubai’s past and understanding its future goals. It provides sweeping views of the city’s renowned skyline as well as Dubai’s ancient neighborhoods. Additionally, visitors can cross a transparent glass bridge for a brand-new perspective on Dubai.
Additionally, Dubai Frame contains an interactive tunnel that provides a glimpse into Dubai’s future plans. You should have two hours to spend at the attraction in its entirety.
Does one need a ticket to visit Dubai Frame?
Adult tickets cost Dh50, while tickets for children under 12 cost Dh20.
Children under three years old, People of Determination, and the Person of Determination’s two companions are all admitted free.
You can buy your tickets and book a time slot for your visit through this link: https://ticketingsales.dubaiframe.ae/index.php?lang=en or buy a ticket at the counter.
How to reach Dubai Frame from Deira Old Souq Abra Station
Taxi: 11 minutes from Deira Old Souq Abra Station
6. Museum of the Future
The Museum of the Future is the most recent addition to Dubai’s famous skyline along Sheikh Zayed Road, which has been named “the most beautiful building in the world.” The website for the museum states that the area in the center of the ring structure stands in for the yet-to-be-discovered future, while the circular architecture symbolizes people and the Earth. Through interactive displays, immersive theatre, and themed events, visitors to the museum may “meet the future.” You should have two hours to spend exploring the museum.
For those who are older than three, entry tickets cost Dh145. Children under three years old and people of determination are not charged for admission. By clicking on this link, you can purchase tickets: https://museumofthefuture.ae/en/book
Does one need a transit visa during the layover in Dubai?
It is best to find out if you require a transit visa before your layover at Dubai Airport. Visa on arrival is available to nationals of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and nearly 50 additional nations.