Dubai – arriving, leaving and getting around

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From the Time Out Dubai City Guide 2007

ARRIVING

By air

Dubai International Airport (DIA)
Switchboard 04 224 5555
Flight information 04 216 6666
www.dubaiairport.com

One of the most highly acclaimed airports in the world, DIA is currently undergoing an elaborate and extravagant expansion programme (scheduled for completion later this year). This includes a new terminal (the airport's third) exclusively for Emirates airline flights.

Almost all major airlines arrive at Terminal 1. Here the Dubai Duty Free (04 224 5004) is the last port of call for the purchase of alcohol before entering Dubai's ‘hotel-only' licensing. Airport facilities include internet and banking services, shops, restaurants, business services, bars, pubs, a hotel and a regular raffle that gives you the chance to win a luxury car. Tickets cost Dhs500, but odds are favourable as there is a draw every time 1,000 are sold. The smaller Terminal 2 caters largely for charter flights, cargo and commercial airlines from Iran and the CIS (former Soviet Republics such as Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Ukraine and Georgia) countries. There is also a plush VIP terminal known as Al Majlis.

DIA is in Garhoud, about five kilometres (three miles) south-east of the city centre. If you're staying at one of the big international hotels, you'll get a complimentary shuttle bus or limousine transfer to and from the airport. Otherwise, taxis are the most convenient and practical form of transport. There is a Dhs20 surcharge on pick-up from the terminal (instead of the usual Dhs3). This means that the journey from the airport to the city centre costs around Dhs30, while the return journey is Dhs13 or so. It takes about ten minutes to get to Bur Dubai, while Jumeirah and the hotel beach resorts are about half an hour away, depending on the time of day.

There are bus links to and from both terminals every 20 or 30 minutes for around Dhs3, although timings are somewhat erratic and routes can be lengthy. Route 401 goes from the airport to Al Sabkah bus station and the 402 goes to Al Ghubaiba, running through the centre of the city. From Deira station, located opposite the Al Ghurair Centre on Al Rigga Road, the numbers 4, 11 and 48 will take you straight to Terminal 1, as will the 33 and 44 from Bur Dubai. Fortunately, all buses are air conditioned. Call 227 3840/800 9090 or visit www.rta.ae for more details.

All airlines operating regular flights into DIA are listed on the airport website; some of the most popular are listed below. Note that some airlines ask you to reconfirm your flight 72 hours before departure, and that cheaper tickets will often incur a penalty fee for alteration or cancellation.

Air France Information 04 602 5400/www.airfrance.ae.

British Airways Reservations & ticket sales 04 307 5777/8000 441 3322/www.britishairways.com.

Emirates 04 214 4444/www.emirates.com.

Etihad Airways 02 250 58000/www.etihadairways.com.

Gulf Air 271 3111/3222/www.gulfairco.com.

KLM 04 319 3777/www.klm.com.

Lufthansa 04 343 2121/www.lufthansa.com.

Qatar Airways 04 229 2229/04 221 4210/www.qatarairways.com.

Royal Brunei Information 04 351 4111/ticket sales 316 6562/www.bruneiair.com. (No alcohol served on board).

By road

The UAE is bordered to the north and east by Oman, and to the south and west by Saudi Arabia. Road access to Dubai is via the Abu Dhabi emirate to the south, Sharjah to the north, and Oman to the east.

There is no charge for driving between emirates, but travel to or from Oman or Saudi Arabia requires your passport, driving licence, insurance and visa. Crossing the Oman border costs Dhs30 per person for those with UAE residency and Dhs60 for those on a visit visa. Before you travel, it is worth checking www.omanaccess.com/explore_oman/visa1.asp, for the latest visa requirements.

Your car is likely to be searched: carrying alcohol is prohibited. All the highways linking Dubai to the other emirates and Oman are in good condition. Ensure your vehicle and the air conditioning are in good working order, as it is inevitably hot at most times of the year, and the drive through the Hajar Mountains to Muscat, the capital of Oman, takes approximately five hours. Check with Immigration (398 0000) before you leave for any important changes in travel policy.

Traffic enquiries RTA (800 9090/www.dubaipolice.gov.ae)

By sea

There are boats to Dubai from Iraq and Iran; journey time is more than two days, and costs around Dhs580 return. For schedules and details you should contact the Dubai Ports Authority (881 5555/www.dpa.co.ae). Alternatively, if you're travelling north, you can call Rashid Port (345 1545), which operates sea routes to Port Bandar Abbas and Port Bandar Lankah in Iran, and Port Umm Qasr in Iraq.

GETTING AROUND

Thanks to its modern highway system, most of Dubai is fairly easy to get around. However, in some places the existing infrastructure has struggled to cope with the growth of the city, most notably the Garhoud and Maktoum bridges spanning the Creek and the Shindagha tunnel underneath it.

During rush hours (7-9am, 1-2pm, 5-8pm Sun-Thur), serious tailbacks can develop. A third bridge, Business Bay, opened in March 2007, and a furth, a temporary floating bridge opened in July 2007. One more bridge is under construction, which, it is hoped, will help to ease congestion.

Despite the relatively good road system, Dubai can be a dangerous place to drive in. There are high numbers of road accidents and deaths, caused largely by speeding and poor lane discipline. Many drivers tailgate, chat away on their mobiles, and do not use their indicators or mirrors.

The easiest way to get around is by taxi. Water taxis or abras are also available on the Creek, but won't help you get around the whole city. Dubai's public buses are not tourist friendly, and are primarily used by people unable to afford cars or taxis. The biggest problem with getting around Dubai, though, is the lack of an accurate system of street names. Some of the larger roads and streets are known by their name, but most are just numbered. This means your destination is usually identified by a nearby landmark, typically a hotel or building.

Public transport

Buses

The public bus system is rarely used by tourists, owing to the convenience of taxis. The service is extremely cheap but routes can be convoluted and timings erratic.

Taxis

Official taxis are well-maintained, air-conditioned and metered. Fares are Dhs1.6 per kilometre (0.3 miles) with a Dhs3-Dhs3.50 cover charge depending on the time of day. The two biggest companies are Dubai Transport Company (208 0808) and National Taxis (339 0002). Unofficial taxis are best avoided, as they tend to be older cars with poor air con and they may rip you off. If it's the only option available, be sure to agree on a price before entering the car.

Taxi drivers usually have a reasonable grasp of English, so you shouldn't find it too difficult to explain where you want to go. If you're in an outlying area of the city you should consider booking a taxi by calling 208 0808. Fares for longer journeys outside Dubai should be agreed in advance (there is also a 12-hour service available, with petrol and driver included).

Drivers have a reputation for being honest, so if you leave something in a taxi, your driver might find a way to return it to you. Failing this, call the company you used and give the time, destinations (to and from) and taxi number and they will do their best to help.

Water taxis

Abras are water taxis that ferry both Dubai workers and tourists across the creek for Dhs1. The boats run between 5am and midnight, carry about 20 people and take just a few minutes to make the crossing from Bur Dubai on the south bank of the Creek to Deira on the north, or vice versa.

Driving

People drive on the right in Dubai. Seatbelts are compulsory in the front seats and highly recommended in the back. In residential areas, the speed limit is normally between 40 kph (25 mph) and 80 kph (50 mph). On the highways within the city it is 100kph (60mph); outside the city limits it's 120kph (75mph).

Although there are, in theory, fines and bans for a whole series of offences, in practice the enforcement of these is pretty erratic. While you may have to pay up to Dhs1,500 if you're caught going through an amber or red light, don't expect much in the way of road rules or driving etiquette if you venture out

Traffic fines & offences

A comprehensive official traffic police website (www.dubaipolice.gov.ae) lists details on licence requirements, contact numbers and fines for offences. All offences are listed under ‘Kiosk Locations and Violations'.

There is a zero tolerance policy on drinking and driving. If you are caught driving or parking illegally by the police, you'll be issued with a mukhalifaa (fine). If caught by a speed camera you'll normally be fined Dhs200. When hiring a car, it's routine to sign an agreement of responsibility for any fines you may incur. You can check whether you've racked up any traffic offences on www.dubaipolice.gov.ae or call 04 800 7777. Fines can be paid online, or at the Muroor (Traffic Police Headquarters), near Galadari Roundabout on the Dubai-Sharjah road.

Traffic accidents

If you are involved in a serious traffic accident, call 999; if it's a minor collision, call the police on 04 398 1111. If you do not report scratches or bumps to the traffic police, insurers will almost certainly reject your claim. Third-party vehicle insurance is compulsory.

If the accident was a minor one and no one was hurt, move the car to the side of the road and wait for the police to arrive. If there is any doubt as to who is at fault, or if there is any injury (however slight), do not move the car, even if you are blocking traffic. If you help or move anyone injured in an accident, the police may hold you responsible if anything happens to that person.

Breakdown services

There are two 24-hour breakdown services, the AAA (Arabian Automobile Association) (800 4900/www.aaauae.com) and IATC Recovery (International Automobile Touring Club) (800 5200/www.iatcuae.com). If you are driving when the car breaks down, try to pull over on to the hard shoulder. The police are likely to stop and will give assistance. If you're in the middle of high-speed traffic, it will be unsafe to get out of the car. Instead, use a mobile to call the police from the relative safety of your vehicle. Other breakdown services (not 24-hour) include:

Ahmed Mohammed Garage
050 650 4739.

Dubai Auto Towing Service
359 4424.

Vehicle hire

Most major car hire companies have offices at Dubai airport (15 companies have 24-hour outlets there) and five star hotels. Before renting a car, check the small print, especially clauses relating to insurance cover in the event of an accident, as this can vary considerably from company to company.

Drivers must be aged over 21 to hire a small car, or 25 for a medium (two-litre) or larger 4x4 vehicle. You'll need your national driving licence (an International Driving Permit is best, although it isn't legally required). You'll also need your passport and one of the major credit cards. Prices range from Dhs77 per day for a small manual car, to Dhs1,000 for something like a Lexus LS430. Motorbikes are not available for hire in Dubai.

Autolease 04 224 4900.

Avis 04 224 5219.

Budget 04 224 5192.

Cars 04 224 5524.

Diamond Lease 04 220 0325.

Europe 04 224 5240.

Fast Rent A Car 04 224 5040.

Hertz 04 224 5222.

Patriot 04 224 4244.

Thrifty 04 224 5404.

United Car Rentals 04 224 4666.

Fuel stations

At the time of writing, the cost of petrol was Dhs6.25 a gallon; so you should expect to pay around Dhs70 to fill a two litre car. There are 24-hour petrol stations on all major highways. Most petrol stations also have convenience stores selling snacks and drinks.

Parking

Many areas in the city centre have introduced paid parking in a bid to reduce congestion. Prices are reasonable (Dhs1 or Dhs2 for a one-hour stay, depending on location), but this hasn't made it easier to secure a parking space. Paid parking areas are operational at peak times (generally from 8am to noon and 4pm to 9pm), and it's free to park there outside of these hours and on Fridays or public holidays. If you park illegally or go over your time limit, the penalty charge is Dhs100-Dhs150. Generally your car hire company will pay the fines for you and charge them back to you at the end of your lease.

Particular black spots include the warren of streets in ‘old' Bur Dubai, the stretch of Sheikh Zayed Road between the Crowne Plaza and Shangri- La hotels and most of Deira. Parking in shopping malls is nearly always free, but if you visit any of them on a Thursday or Friday evening expect huge queues and delays, particularly at Deira City Centre mall.

Most hotels have extensive parking facilities for visitors, including valet services.

Road signs

Road signs are in English and Arabic, which makes matters easier for Western visitors, but the sheer scale of the American-style highway system (up to seven lanes on either side at some points) means you have to stay alert, especially at the junctions on Sheikh Zayed Road that have multiple exits.

Walking

Due to the intense heat and humidity, an outdoor stroll is simply out of the question between the months of June and September. Even waiting for a bus or a taxi can become an ordeal after five or so minutes in this sort of weather. Unfortunately, the city is simply not designed with pedestrians in mind; certain areas lack pavements and the sheer size of some highways can mean waiting up to 20 minutes just to cross unless you're prepared to gamble with your life. It is not uncommon for pedestrians to find themselves having to take a taxi just to get to the other side of the road. In pleasant weather, the best places to take a walk include Bur Dubai's ‘Little India', the Meena Bazaar; the gold and spice souks of Deira, and the stretches of sandy beach in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim.

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