Organize your stay United Arab Emirates
Money United Arab Emirates
The official currency is the United Arab Emirates dirham (abbreviated AED), divided into 100 fils. There are coins of 5, 10, 25, 50 fils and 1 AED, and banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 AED. The dirham is pegged to the dollar. Exchange rate (June 2024): 1 AED = 0.25 € / 1 € = 3.98 AED. You can use your bank card almost everywhere, with no minimum amount. You'll find exchange offices in every shopping mall, and they're generally very fair about the commission they charge. On the other hand, those at the airport are less attractive.
Budget & Tips United Arab Emirates
The cost of living in the Emirates is around 20% higher than in France, with the exception of transport. Three categories will push up the cost of your vacation: accommodation, restaurants and, above all, alcohol. Hotel prices vary enormously between high and low season, depending on the location of the hotel in the city. Seaside hotels are always very expensive. Luxury hotels offering excellent value for money can be found in areas further away from the coast. When it comes to eating out, Indian, Pakistani and Levantine restaurants can be found outside the hotels. What really ups the ante is alcohol, which is subject to very high taxes.
Bargaining is a time-honored tradition in the souks of the Arab world, and particularly in the Emirates. Thanks to a little negotiation, starting prices can sometimes be halved. However, once a price has been verbally agreed, the customer is expected to buy.
To anticipate a budget per day, here are our recommendations:
Small budget. Allow 800 AED per person per day (around €180), including accommodation in 3-star hotels, meals in Indian or Pakistani restaurants, public transport, a few cabs and sightseeing.
Average budget. AED 1,600 per day per person (approx. €360), with accommodation in 4-star hotels, meals in a variety of fast-food outlets and restaurants, sightseeing, cabs and some activities.
Big budget. It's hard to say, because in Dubai in particular, there are no limits, but let's say that if you want to stay in the big hotels on the seafront at the height of the season, you'll need to budget at least AED 5,000 per day per person (around €1,000), with good restaurants, shopping, cab fares, sightseeing and fun activities such as spas and private clubs. It's an average budget for a big budget.
Passport and visas United Arab Emirates
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of return. A visitor's visa is a tourist visa issued at the airport on arrival to all European citizens, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days, in one go or in several visits, over a total period of 180 days.
Tip. Before you leave, photocopy all the documents you'll be taking with you. Take one copy of each document with you and leave the other with someone in France. In the event of loss or theft, this will make it much easier to renew your passport with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website (www.service-public.fr). Simply create an account and scan all your identity papers and other important documents into the confidential area.
Driver's license United Arab Emirates
If you're only staying in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, only take cabs. Uber apps work very well, and the local app to download is called Careem. We advise you to rent a car only if you want to move around the country. To rent a car, all you need is a valid European driving license. However, without GPS and 4G to activate your wifi, it's easy to get lost! If you prefer the option of a chauffeur-driven car, any hotel reception will be able to help you. Beware of speed cameras - they're everywhere. A system of artificial intelligence and drones can also monitor whether you're talking on your cell phone while driving, or whether you're exceeding the speed limit outside the ubiquitous speed cameras.
Health United Arab Emirates
There areno real hygiene problems in the United Arab Emirates, where tap water is safe to drink. But as it doesn't taste very good, people have got into the habit of drinking mineral water.
Wildlife. The risk of being stung or bitten by venomous animals is non-existent in the city. The only dangerous venomous insect found in inhabited areas is the redspider. If you are unlucky enough to find yourself in the presence of this black spider with its red dorsal pattern, simply avoid teasing it! As sandy areas are home to many varieties of scorpions and snakes, antivenom is useful in rural and desert areas. At night, if you're camping in the desert, remember to check your shoes, clothes and comforter for any unwelcome visitors! And absolutely avoid open-toed shoes, whatever the season!
Sun. This is the main faux-ami for tourists to the Emirates. Outside the months considered to be "mild" (November to March), the sun beats down very hard and even prohibits any exposure in midsummer. The risks of sunburn are real, and we strongly advise you to use a high sun protection factor (30 minimum) all year round. You should also avoid lying in the sun during the hottest hours (11am to 4pm), protect yourself from sunstroke by covering your head, and avoid hydrocution by entering the water only very gradually. In summer, floors, walls and objects exposed to the sun (slides) are hot: avoid walking barefoot, sitting on a low wall or letting a child climb onto outdoor play equipment.
Mandatory vaccination United Arab Emirates
No vaccinations or health certificates are required at the time of printing this guide. However, you should make sure you have all the necessary information just before you leave, as health regulations may change according to local and international developments.
Security United Arab Emirates
There are few (if any) crime problems, and when they do occur, they are dealt with severely. You can stroll alone in complete safety in the city center, even at night. This is one of the major attractions of the destination, for tourists and expatriates alike. Unlike in many other countries, the general atmosphere here is nonchalant and serene, and accompanied by a sense of well-being. And, as everywhere else, it's a good idea to keep important documents and possessions (passports, visas, jewelry, etc.) in the hotel safes provided.
The only real danger: driving. At the wheel, you must always be extremely vigilant, and be aware that someone can overtake you on the left or right, ram in front of you, or unexpectedly pull over! Keep a cool head and use your mirrors much more than the average. On foot, keep to the sidewalks as much as possible, and cross at the right speed, unless cars are coming too fast. In fact, with 200 nationalities living in Dubai, there are 200 different ways of appreciating the rules of the road. Be careful, never get angry at the wheel, and don't swear, as you could be reported. Calm, temperance and vigilance only!
No worries for single women.
Time difference United Arab Emirates
3-hour time difference with France in winter: when it's midday in Paris, it's 3pm in Dubai, and 2 hours in summer: when it's midday in Paris, it's 2pm in Dubai, i.e. GMT+4.
Spoken languages United Arab Emirates
The official language is, of course, Arabic, rivaled by English as the language of business.
The vast majority of services (cash withdrawals, various information) are offered in these two languages, as are signposts, but as a general rule, everyone speaks English in the cities. The size of the Indian and Pakistani communities means that Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam are also widely spoken. On the other hand, English becomes less widely spoken the further you move away from the cities.
Communication United Arab Emirates
EIM (Emirates Internet and Multimedia) is the main provider of Internet services in all the emirates, as well as the censor of inappropriate sites (same types of bans as for the written press). Under its supervision, sensitive subjects relating to cultural, religious, political and moral affairs may be temporarily banned (blocked sites). Otherwise, services, technologies and infrastructures are at the level of their European counterparts.
Finally, you should know that wifi is almost everywhere and you will be able to connect for free in the hotels and restaurants where you are a guest.
Electricity and measurements United Arab Emirates
Here, it is 220 volts. Think of getting adapters for English style plugs (on sale in supermarkets) and if you forgot, don't hesitate to ask at the reception of your hotel, because very often they can help you out. Liquids are calculated in litres, distances in kilometres. Please note that for excursions outside the cities, you will be given information in hours rather than in kilometres.
Luggage United Arab Emirates
Take summer gear, with a few woollens and stoles, for trekking in the mountains, cool winter evenings and to avoid getting sick with the air conditioning on full blast in shopping malls and hotel rooms. Beach, of course, but it's forbidden to wear a monokini on the beach (including private hotel beaches). At night, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, guests dress to go out, and sportswear is often forbidden in trendy restaurants and nightclubs. If you're planning to visit mosques and museums, if you're thinking of taking a trip out of town, and out of respect for the local population, it's not advisable to wear revealing clothing, even if it is tolerated (prefer sleeved T-shirts to tank tops, for example). In short, try to behave in a wise and logical manner, taking local customs into account. On the other hand, T-shirts displaying partisan slogans or insults are forbidden. And above all, don't pack any narcotics in your suitcase.
