Layover in Dubai: how to leave the airport and what to see

Today, Dubai is one of the coolest stopovers for Russian travelers. Local airports are considered major hubs for airlines such as Emirates and FlyDubai. Their flights, by the way, operate almost worldwide.

So, if you're lucky enough to have a ticket with a layover in Dubai, read on. We've gathered some life hacks for you on how to spend your time not only at the airport but also in this city of heavy luxury. Spoiler: it also has another side with art districts, modern art, secret spots with saving shade, and SPAs with amazing views. We'll tell you how to fit it all into one layover. 

How to plan your flight

If you are still in the process of choosing a ticket, pay attention to really long layovers in Dubai. To at least glimpse the city, you'll need no less than six to seven hours. Ideally, you should have even more free time. To comfortably leave the airport and explore not only the city center but also its immediate outskirts, it's best to choose a layover of ten hours or more. 

Want to reach your final destination faster and have no desire to stay in Dubai? No problem, but even in this case, it's better to allow at least two to three hours for your layover. Otherwise, you'll have to rush through the huge airport to another terminal. And that's no fun at all, believe me.  

Documents

Now for the most important part: to leave the airport during a layover in Dubai, travelers will need a transit visa. It can be obtained in advance at a visa center or upon arrival. Emirates passengers have the option to apply for a transit visa on the airline's website or through the "Dubai Visa Processing Centre" DVCP application.

For Russians, there's good news: they don't need to arrange anything in advance. A foreign passport is sufficient. When you leave the airport, you'll receive a stamp, completely free of charge. Pleasant? Very much so. This stamp grants Russian travelers the right to a 90-day stay in the UAE.

What's important to know: for a layover in Dubai with a city exit, your foreign passport must be valid for at least another six months.  And of course, it's best to clarify all the nuances of the UAE entry rules in advance. 

How to get from the airport to the city

So, you have a long layover in Dubai, your passport is stamped, and all that's left is to head into the city. Well, there are several options:

— take a taxi;

— take the metro;

— book a tour.

Now, let's go through everything in order.

The most convenient, but not the cheapest, option is a taxi. In just 20-30 minutes, you'll be in the city, gazing at skyscrapers from the car window. But such a trip will cost a pretty penny — somewhere from 60 dollars. There's also an option to pre-book a transfer so that you're met directly in the arrivals area. But that will be even more expensive.

Yes, you can get to Dubai Airport by metro. The Red Line goes directly from the city to the airport and back. You can access the metro at Terminals 1 and 3. From there, without any transfers, the train will take you to the Burj Khalifa skyscraper and Dubai Marina in about 40 minutes. The metro operating hours are as follows: 

– Monday to Thursday: from 05:00 to 00:00;

– Fridays: from 05:00 to 00:00;

– Saturdays: from 05:00 to 00:00;

– Sundays: from 08:00 to 00:00.

Trains run every ten minutes, and a ride costs about 2$.  

The tour option is suitable for those who don't want to search for attractions and navigate maps on their own. What you need to understand: everything must be booked in advance, and you should allow at least six hours. So, if your layover is less than ten hours, it's better not to risk it. 

What to see

So, you're in Dubai and have more than ten hours for your layover. To manage to see the city's attractions, you need at least a six-hour gap between flights. This will be enough to go into the city by car or metro, see the main sights: the Burj Khalifa tower, the musical fountain, and visit the Dubai Mall.

If you have more time, here are a few more ideas of where else you can go in Dubai during your stopover.

 Alserkal Avenue Art District

Its atmosphere resembles Moscow's Artplay or the "Winzavod" Center for Contemporary Art. Many note the art district's similarity to the bohemian Shoreditch in London or the Meatpacking District in New York. So, what can you see here? The industrial warehouse area houses over 30 galleries, cafes, showrooms, vintage car dealerships, co-working spaces, cinemas, and sports studios.

In the same area, you can find a spot for a coffee break. For example, Nightjar serves excellent cold brew, snacks, and pastries. Interestingly, coffee here is poured from a beer tap. The art district also has a great vegan cafe, Wild & the Moon, where you can try turmeric latte (or simply, latte with turmeric), detox drinks, and cool vegan sweets. For a more substantial lunch, check out Cassette, where a diverse organic menu awaits. 

Museum of The Future

This location is interesting not only for what's inside but also for what's outside. The museum building itself was recognized as the most beautiful in the world by the Emir of Dubai. The green hill at its base is a reference to the idea of harmony with nature in humanity's future. The museum's name clearly indicates its focus: technological and social progress. For travelers with children, there are special programs and zones for young explorers.

Address SkyView

Two towers connected by a panoramic elliptical roof with an infinity pool. Relaxing at the SPA on the 53rd floor with a view of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper is perfect between flights. If that's not your thing, you can enjoy the views and have lunch at the Ce La Vie restaurant. There's also a leisure option for thrill-seekers — Skyview Observatory. Here you'll find extreme attractions for every taste: swings over the city or a descent down a transparent glass slide. In short, it's a great place to get your adrenaline fix.  

DIFC Financial Center

It's definitely worth coming here to see how finance and art have found harmony with each other. And at the same time, feel the dynamics of a big city and that very "smell of money" everyone talks about when remembering Dubai. If you want a more glamorous atmosphere and to experience the true luxury of Dubai, head to the DIFC area for lunch or dinner at a trendy restaurant. This is where virtually all top-rated establishments are located: Zuma, Gaia, Cipriani, Caviar Kaspia, Atelier Roubouchon, Amazonico, Shanghai Me, LPM. Life hack: some offer business lunches, so you can have a great meal without spending a fortune.

Gate Avenue

One could say it's an open-air museum. At Gate Avenue, you can find sculptures and installations, murals on buildings. You can also visit the world-renowned Opera Gallery, which displays paintings by Chagall, Picasso, Botero, and works by popular contemporary artists.

Woo-hoo! Children's Museum

An ideal location for travelers with children. The museum itself is located in the Al Quoz industrial area, directly opposite the aforementioned Alserkal Avenue district. What do you need to know about it? Woo-hoo! is an amazing space for curious adults and children. Just imagine: 50 interactive exhibits, ten different galleries, each designed based on cutting-edge research in child development. Add to this an impressive water zone with fountains, canals, and soap bubbles. The result is a must-visit for any tourist.

What about prices? A ticket for a child aged two and up is about 1700 rubles (one accompanying adult free!). A family ticket for two children and two adults is about 3,000 rubles. Both are for two hours.

What to do during a layover at the airport

If you have too little time to go into the city, you can and should have a great rest at Dubai Airport before your next flight. It's important to remember that the local air hub is quite large. Therefore, expect that travel between terminals with a single transit zone (1 and 3) can take up to 60 minutes, and between 1 and 2 or 2 and 3, up to two hours. 

Additionally, we recommend studying the layout of the arrival airport in advance. This will make it easier to navigate. 

Still have a few hours until your next flight? Great! You can spend them on lunch, relaxation, or even a shower. 

Dining

Each terminal has food outlets — from fast food to luxury restaurants like Cadiz – Ahlan Lounge and Sky Bar.

Regarding free meals, Dubai layover rules provide them only for Emirates passengers with a layover of at least four hours. In this case, vouchers are provided, which can be used to get a pizza or a sandwich.

Rest

At Dubai Airport, travelers have the opportunity to freshen up with a shower. This service is provided free of charge in Terminal 1. In other terminals, paid showers are available. Just be sure to clarify all organizational details with airport staff at the information desk.

To rest comfortably, you can head to a business lounge or capsule hotels. For SPA lovers, the airport has several such salons, one of them even with a pool. 

You can also take a stroll. In Terminal 3, near gates B7 and B27, there is a Japanese rock garden. There you can read by the water among the trees or simply scroll through social media feeds. 

Overnight layover in Dubai

To ensure passengers are comfortable while waiting for their flight at night, Dubai Airport offers not only classic seats but also comfortable reclining chairs. And what does that mean? Correct, you can take a relatively comfortable nap. Pleasant? Very much so. 

There's an option to make an overnight stopover in Dubai even more comfortable. At the airport, you can use the services of the sleep&fly hotel. There, you can rent small cabins for a few hours or even a full day, suitable for one person, two people, or an entire family. 

In general, friends, don't be afraid to travel with layovers. Often, it's a great opportunity to visit several countries in one trip. And what's equally important, such tickets can be more cost-effective. 

We wish you great flights and interesting stopovers!