United Arab Emirates — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Futuristic Dubai, the world's tallest tower, and the desert”
The United Arab Emirates is a land where the ultra-modern meets the Arabian desert — Dubai with the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, malls and dancing fountains, desert safaris, and Abu Dhabi with its white-marble mosque, paired with tax-free shopping and world-class luxury resorts.
United Arab Emirates at a glance
Choose a city in United Arab Emirates
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is United Arab Emirates right for you?
Why people love United Arab Emirates, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
A futuristic city
The Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Frame, and cutting-edge architecture.
Tax-free shopping
The Dubai Mall, dancing fountains, and the gold and spice souks.
Desert safari
Dune-bashing, camel rides, and dinner under the stars in the desert.
A stunning mosque
Abu Dhabi's lavish white-marble Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Luxury resorts
Palm Jumeirah, the Burj Al Arab, and white-sand beaches.
United Arab Emirates vs its neighbors
| United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $70–170 | $55–130 | $80–185 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Visa-free 30 days | e-Visa online ~$40 | Visa-free 30 days |
| Getting around cities | Dubai Metro · RTA Bus · Uber, very smooth | Uber · Careem · Riyadh Metro | Uber · Karwa taxis |
| English | Excellent — a global hub, English everywhere | Good in hotels and big malls | Very good at tourist sites |
| Known for | Luxury shopping · Dubai Frame · the desert | Diriyah · AlUla · Vision 2030 | World Cup legacy · Museum of the Future |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
First time in Dubai
Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, a desert safari and the Marina — all in 4–5 days, in a city that does everything bigger and more lavishly than anywhere else; you won't be disappointed.
See this plan → 🕌Explore Abu Dhabi and culture
Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most beautiful mosques in the world, plus the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World — an easy day trip by bus or car.
See this plan → ✈️A shopping stopover
Stop in Dubai for 2–3 nights between connections — shop the Dubai Mall, Gold Souk and Spice Souk, and use DXB airport, which connects onward in every direction.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
2 ranked reviews
Reviewed10 Dubai Hotels Worth the Bill — Downtown, Palm & Jumeirah Picks 2026
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Abu Dhabi: Corniche & Sheikh Zayed (2026)
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- 1🍢
Shawarma
Grilled meat or chicken wrapped in pita — a popular street food.
📍 Nationwide - 2🍚
Machboos
Spiced rice cooked with meat or chicken — a traditional Emirati dish.
📍 Nationwide - 3🧆
Hummus & Meze
Small Arab dishes — hummus, tabbouleh and falafel.
📍 Nationwide - 4🍯
Luqaimat
Little doughnut balls drizzled with date syrup — a traditional sweet.
📍 Nationwide - 5☕
Arabic coffee & dates
Cardamom coffee served with dates — a culture of hospitality.
📍 Nationwide
- 1🏙️
Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world at 828 m, with the At the Top viewpoint and the dancing fountains.
📍 Dubai - 2🛍️
Dubai Mall
A world-class mall with an aquarium, an ice rink and the fountains.
📍 Dubai - 3🕌
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
A stunning, lavish white-marble mosque open to visitors.
📍 Abu Dhabi - 4🏝️
Palm Jumeirah
A man-made palm-shaped island and the luxury Atlantis resort.
📍 Dubai - 5🏜️
Desert Safari
Dune-bashing, camel rides, and a dinner show under the stars.
📍 Dubai - 6🏛️
Louvre Abu Dhabi
An art museum under a translucent dome by the sea.
📍 Abu Dhabi
🚆 Getting around United Arab Emirates
Dubai Metro
A clean, modern train that links the main sights with the Nol card.
Taxi / Careem
Reasonably priced taxis and the Careem/Uber apps make getting around easy.
Car hire
Roads are good and wide, and driving between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is easy (drive on the right).
Intercity bus
The Dubai–Abu Dhabi bus is affordable, about 2 hours.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in United Arab Emirates
A Muslim country
Dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees, and respect Ramadan.
Alcohol rules
Drink only at licensed hotels and bars; never drink or be drunk in public.
Visa
Most Thai travelers get a visa on arrival or a short visa exemption — check the latest rules.
Photo etiquette
Ask before photographing locals, especially women.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ 3★ hotel / apartment $35–50
Use the Dubai Metro and NOL card, far cheaper than Uber, and eat shawarma and falafel in Al Karama.
Comfortable
🛏️ 4★ hotel by the Metro $65–100
Eat at Dubai's international restaurants and book a desert safari at $25–40 per person.
Premium
🛏️ 5★ hotel / Palm Jumeirah resort $145+
Stay at Atlantis, the Burj Al Arab, or a Palm hotel — rooms with the Dubai skyline at night are the most beautiful of all.
🗓️ When to visit United Arab Emirates
Winter
Nov – MarWarm, pleasant and sunny — the best time to visit.
Safari season
Nov – FebLovely weather for desert safaris and outdoor activities.
Summer
Jun – SepScorching, over 40°C — mostly indoor and mall sightseeing, but hotel prices drop.
Shopping festival
Jan – FebThe Dubai Shopping Festival, with huge discounts.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in United Arab Emirates — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.4👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.2💑 Great for your trip
★ 9💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in United Arab Emirates?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting United Arab Emirates
How many days should I spend in Dubai?+
4–5 days is ideal for Dubai (Burj Khalifa, malls, safari) plus a day trip to Abu Dhabi (mosque and Louvre).
Do Thai passport holders need a UAE visa?+
Most Thai travelers get a visa on arrival or a short visa exemption — check the latest rules and length of stay before you travel.
What should I wear in Dubai?+
In public and in malls, dress modestly covering shoulders and knees; swimwear is fine at the beach and pool, and respect the etiquette during Ramadan.
Tips before you go to United Arab Emirates
- Travel Nov–Mar to avoid the summer heat.
- Dress modestly in public and respect the rules during Ramadan.
- Drink alcohol only at licensed venues.
- Book the desert safari and Burj Khalifa tickets ahead.