Dubai is one of the easiest international holidays from Delhi – a short direct flight, family-friendly attractions, desert adventures and world-class shopping. Here is everything you need to plan it well.
- UAE visa for Indians
- Best time to visit Dubai
- A perfect 5-day Dubai itinerary
- Budget tips
- Dubai for families and couples
- Getting there
- Dress code and etiquette
- Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
- Questions travellers ask
UAE visa for Indians
Most Indian travellers need a UAE tourist visa arranged before travel. It is applied for online through an airline, a UAE-approved agency or a travel company like us, and is usually processed within a few working days. You will need a passport valid for at least six months, a passport photo, confirmed return tickets and your hotel details.
Indians who hold a valid US visa or Green Card, or a UK or EU visa or residence permit (and a few other residence permits such as Japan, Australia, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand) can get a visa on arrival – a 14-day visa extendable once, or a 60-day option, for a fee. Rules change from time to time, so we confirm the current requirement when you book.
Best time to visit Dubai
November to March is the best season – pleasant days in the mid-20s °C, perfect for desert safaris, beaches and outdoor dining. This is also when the Dubai Shopping Festival and Global Village run. April–May and September–October are warm but good for deals; June to August is very hot, so plan mostly indoor attractions if you travel then.
Go in winter, stay near the metro, and keep one evening for the desert – that is Dubai done right.
A perfect 5-day Dubai itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive, evening Dhow cruise dinner at Dubai Marina or Creek.
- Day 2: Half-day city tour – Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis view, Dubai Frame – and an evening at Burj Khalifa “At the Top” with the Dubai Fountain show.
- Day 3: Free morning; afternoon desert safari with dune bashing, camel ride and BBQ dinner.
- Day 4: Abu Dhabi day trip – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and BAPS Hindu Mandir, or a theme park (Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World).
- Day 5: Shopping at Dubai Mall or the souks, then departure.
Hand-picked packages
Budget tips
- Book flights 6–8 weeks ahead and avoid Diwali, Christmas and New Year peak dates if you can.
- Choose a well-connected hotel near a metro station – Dubai Metro is clean, fast and cheap.
- Combo tickets for Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame and theme parks save money compared to buying individually.
- Shopping is cheapest during the Dubai Shopping Festival and summer sales.
Planning a Dubai holiday?
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Get a free quoteWhatsApp an expertDubai for families and couples
Families love the theme parks, Dubai Aquarium, Global Village and the desert camp. Couples enjoy the Marina, a sunset dhow cruise, a stay on Palm Jumeirah and a day in Abu Dhabi. See our Dubai & UAE packages for family, couple and luxury options.
Getting there
Delhi to Dubai is a direct flight of about three and a half to four hours, with many daily departures – so even a long weekend works. Dubai Metro connects the airport to the city, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to use.
Dress code and etiquette
Dubai is cosmopolitan, but dress modestly in malls, souks and religious sites – shoulders and knees covered is a safe rule. Swimwear is fine at beaches and pools. At Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque women need a headscarf and full-length clothing (abayas are provided). Public displays of affection and drinking in public are not allowed.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Dubai has the iconic sights, shopping and nightlife; Abu Dhabi is calmer, with the Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, BAPS Hindu Mandir and Yas Island theme parks. Most travellers stay in Dubai and do a full-day trip to Abu Dhabi – or spend a night on Yas Island if theme parks are the focus.
Questions travellers ask
How many days are enough for Dubai?
Four to five nights covers Dubai’s highlights and an Abu Dhabi day trip comfortably. Add a night or two for theme parks or a beach resort.
Do Indians get a visa on arrival in Dubai?
Only Indians holding a valid US visa or Green Card, a UK or EU visa or residence permit, or certain other residence permits qualify. Everyone else should arrange a UAE tourist visa before travel.
What is the best month to visit Dubai from India?
November to March, when the weather is pleasant and the city’s festivals are on.
Explore more: Dubai & UAE packages · Saudi Arabia tours · Plan my Dubai trip · Visit our West Delhi office
Visa and entry information last checked on 2 October 2026. Government rules can change at short notice – please confirm the latest requirements before you travel, or ask our team.
