flag United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates: In the Country

In this page: Accommodation | Eating Out | Getting Around | Time and Time Difference | Climate | Electrical Standards and Measurement Systems | Paying | Speaking | Emergency Numbers | Communications

 

Accommodation

Hotel reservation websites
Hotels in the UAE
Listing of UAE hotels

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Eating Out

Rules For Eating Out
It is recommended to tip even if service is technically included in the bill (at 10% of the amount in Dubai and 16% in Abu Dhabi). Restaurants generally serve from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm  to 12:00 midnight. Meals are paid at the end.
 
Food Specialties
Middle Eastern specialties like mezze (assortment of salads and sauces in which flat bread is dipped), grilled meat specialties, matchoub (spicy lamb), mensaf (lamb dish served with a white cheese sauce and rice).
Drinks
Consumption of alcohol is permitted for non-Muslims in the Emirates, except in Sharjah. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited during Muslim festivals, as is offering alcohol to Muslims.
Dietary Restrictions
Pork is prohibited. During the month of Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public places is not allowed. Muslims are not served in the restaurants and hotels during hours of fast.
Table Manners
Emiratis use their right hand to eat. Using the left hand is considered poor manners.

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Getting Around

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Urban transport services
Geography and map of the United Arab Emirates
Online map of the Emirates
Taxi services
Dubai Taxi Agency
 

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:


Airport

Distance

Taxi

Bus

Train

Car Rental
Abu Dhabi Intl (AUH) 38 km / 21 miles AED 70 / 30-35 min AED 5 / 40 min - Available
Dubai Intl (DXB) 5 km / 3 miles AED 40 / 10 min AED 2 / 15 min - Available
 

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Train reservation services
An extensive train network (1,200 km) is under construction in the Emirates.
 

Major airlines

Name Type Domestic Flights International Flights
Emirates Major yes yes
Etihad Airways Major no yes
Air Arabia Low-cost no yes

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

 
 
 

Rules of the Road

National Roads Organizations
Roads and Transport Authority

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Time and Time Difference

Current Local Time
It is %T:%M %A In Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Summer Time
No summer time
 

Map of the Time Zone

Time zone

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Climate

 
Type of Climate
There are two seasons: the temperate season from November to April (with temperatures between 12° C and 30° C) and the hot and humid season from May to September with temperatures reaching up to 50° C. There are sand storms in the months of March and April.
 

Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

 

Climate

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Electrical Standards and Measurement Systems

System of Measurement Used
Metric system
Unit of Measurement of Temperature
Degrees Celsius
 

Use our service Measurement Converter.

 
Electricity
 
  • Voltage
220V
  • Frequency
50Hz
Type of Electric Socket
G
Type of Telephone Socket
British (Ajman and Abu Dhabi), US RJ-11
DVD Zoning
zone 2

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Paying

Domestic Currency
UAE Dirham
ISO Code
AED
To Obtain Domestic Currency
It is difficult to exchange traveler's cheques outside of the big cities. It is possible to withdraw cash directly from ATM machines, but depending on the exchange rate offered, it may be better to use an exchange office.
Possible Means of Payment
Bank cards are accepted in most cases. The trader may, however, take a commission on the transaction which can be 2% of the purchase amount.
 

To Find a Cash Machine Where You Need, Use the ATM locator

 

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Speaking

Official Language
Arabic
Other Languages Spoken
Persian, Urdu and Hindi in relation with expatriate communities.
Business Language
English

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Emergency Numbers

Police 999
Fire stations 997
Ambulance 998

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Communications

Telephone Codes
To Make a Call From the United Arab Emirates, Dial 00
To Make a Call to in the United Arab Emirates, Dial +971
Mobile Telephone Standards
GSM
National Mobile Phone Operators
There are two operators, Etisalat and du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunication Company).
 

Availability of Internet

Internet Suffix
.ae
National Internet Access Providers
Etisalat and DU

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Latest Update: November 2024