Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Posted (7 years 1 month 3 days ago) and read 1708 times:
Hi All!
I'll be flying to JNB via DXB in mid-August, and I decided to stop over for a day, to see what Dubai is all about. I managed to avoid needing a hotel, since I'll be coming in from FRA at 0640 in the morning, and leaving at 0410 the next morning, so basically my night's sleep will be on the morning flight to JNB.
Which gives me 21 hours to discover Dubai!
Do you have any suggestions about how to spend that day? Will there be any A.netters in DXB in mid August? I have some specific questions:
1) Carrying a German passport, do I need a visa for that one day, or will they simply give me a tourist visa at the airport?
2) What transportation options are there to get into town? How much money will I spend? How long is the trip?
3) Which area of town should I go to? Is there some kind of historic center, or is it all modern skyscrapers now?
4) Any suggestions for food? I'd like to eat a typical local dish. But not at any expensive place, since I'm on a tight (student's) budget.
5) How about safety? I've lived in South America for 8 years so I'm well prepared for any situation, but from what I've heard Dubai is really safe.
Any additional suggestions?
Thanks a lot!
Soren
[Edited 2006-04-19 11:25:24]
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
ManuCH From Switzerland, joined Jun 2005, 2971 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (7 years 1 month 3 days ago) and read 1699 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD MODERATOR
I can't help you with your questions, but I've been told Dubai can get quite, well, "warm" in August (40C) ... bring a portable air conditioner and put it in your backpack. Don't forget the Diesel generator to power it.
UK_Dispatcher From United Arab Emirates, joined Dec 2001, 2550 posts, RR: 33 Reply 2, posted (7 years 1 month 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 1682 times:
Quoting Birdwatching (Thread starter): Do you have any suggestions about how to spend that day? Will there be any A.netters in DXB in mid August?
Well, i'll be down the road in Abu Dhabi....
Quoting Birdwatching (Thread starter): 5) How about safety? I've lived in South America for 8 years so I'm well prepared for any situation, but from what I've heard Dubai is really safe.
LH526 From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 2253 posts, RR: 17 Reply 4, posted (7 years 1 month 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 1669 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
No need for a long term planing with an embassy issued Visa ... a simple tourist Visa at tha airport will do it!
My suggestion is visit both he historical harbour (Creek) with all its small fishing vessels as well as the modern dubai with all its new highrise projects.
Call me for a detailed report You have my cell number.
Mario
LH526
Trittst im Morgenrot daher, seh ich dich im Strahlenmeer ...
Andreas From Germany, joined Oct 2001, 6104 posts, RR: 34 Reply 5, posted (7 years 1 month 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 1668 times:
Well it's quite easy actually, the only problem will be the heat, it gets friggingly hot in August (nearly 50°C in the shade, at least last August, when I was there).
As for your questions:
Quoting Birdwatching (Thread starter): 1) Carrying a German passport, do I need a visa for that one day, or will they simply give me a tourist visa at the airport?
You'll get it at the airport, no prob whatsoever for Germans!
2) What transportation options are there to get into town? How much money will I spend? How long is the trip?
Not that far, the airport is located in the city of Deira, which is basically one half of the City of Dubai, it depends where you want to go:
Sheikh Zayed Road (where the business center is, Emirates Tower etc.)...maybe 15-20 minutes by Taxi no more.
Use a taxi, it's cheap, reliable, no cheats, and most of all it's got AIRCON!!!
Deira City Center: Still my favorite shopping mall: 5 minutes, it's rather close by.
3) Which area of town should I go to? Is there some kind of historic center, or is it all modern skyscrapers now?
Deira and parts of Dubai are a mixture of both, out on Sheikh Zayed it only skyscrapers, but try to take a look at the harbour part around the Dubai Creek, very lovely, lots of things to see.
4) Any suggestions for food? I'd like to eat a typical local dish. But not at any expensive place, since I'm on a tight (student's) budget.
That's not easy, but here's 2 suggestions:
1. The Libanese restaurant in the Emirates Towers Mall basement....not THAT expensive but excellent, really excellent local food, tons of dishes on the table, and expect around 40-50 USD per person.
2. Food Plaza at Deira City Center, not bad AND cheap.
ok and a third one: The Mediterranean Cafe at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, that's 10 minutes from the airport...nice hotel, very good and LARGE buffet, you pay for what you chose, dishes are excellent, and prices are...well...moderate (not cheap, forget about Dubai being cheap!)
5) How about safety? I've lived in South America for 8 years so I'm well prepared for any situation, but from what I've heard Dubai is really safe.
Forget about safety...Dubai IS safe, period! Even walking around the harbour is no prob. Of course things can happen everywhere, but chances are rather slim in Dubai!
DTManiac From Germany, joined Aug 2004, 689 posts, RR: 16 Reply 6, posted (7 years 1 month 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1657 times:
-I was in Dubai in 2004, didnt need any Visa. Just the tourist visa you get at the airport
-I was there in August as well and it was 40+�C every day so my recommendation is: Wild Wadi Water Park. Amazing view of the neighbouring Burj Al Arab especially in the evening. Great rides as well.
-Have a cocktail in the sky bar of the Burj Al Arab at night. Amazing view from there, but ridiculously expensive
Andreas From Germany, joined Oct 2001, 6104 posts, RR: 34 Reply 7, posted (7 years 1 month 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1654 times:
Quoting DTManiac (Reply 6): Have a cocktail in the sky bar of the Burj Al Arab at night
Erm that's not exactly student budget compatible
But if you're in the neighbourhood, go visit the Madinat Jumeirah, there's an indoor Souk (how's that for Arabian Disneyland ), lots of things to eat, though not exactly cheap, but far from Burj...and afterwards have a few at Koubba Lounge, great music, great setting, and aroudn 1 in the night, you can easily catch a cab to th eairport.
UK_Dispatcher From United Arab Emirates, joined Dec 2001, 2550 posts, RR: 33 Reply 8, posted (7 years 1 month 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1637 times:
Quoting DTManiac (Reply 6): was there in August as well and it was 40+�C every day so my recommendation is: Wild Wadi Water Park.
I can reccomend Wild Wadi, too. It is a good way of keeping cool in the August heat. I got burned there last August - just make sure you always 'slap up' before you go out in that sun!
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, 
From Switzerland, joined Jun 2005, 2971 posts, 
(40C) ... bring a portable air conditioner and put it in your backpack. Don't forget the Diesel generator to power it.
From United Arab Emirates, joined Dec 2001, 2550 posts, 
From India, joined Feb 2005, 3076 posts, 
From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 2253 posts, 
You have my cell number.
From Australia, joined Mar 2000, 3156 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
