- British passport holders get a free visa on arrival, valid for 30 days
- The Dubai Metro Red Line links the airport and Downtown in about 30 minutes
- The best weather is from November to March, and summer regularly passes 40°C
- 24 hours covers the Burj Khalifa, the old town and the souks, and 48 adds the desert or the beach
Dubai is one of the world's great transit hubs, so if you're flying to Asia, Australia or the Indian Ocean, there's a good chance you'll change planes there. Turning that connection into a one or two-night stopover breaks up a very long journey and gives you a taste of the city: the world's tallest building, old wind-tower houses, the spice souk and the desert, all within half an hour of the airport.
Flights from London to Dubai take about seven hours. Dubai is four hours ahead of the UK in winter and three hours ahead during British Summer Time.
Before you land
- Visa: British citizens currently get a free visa on arrival, valid for 30 days. Your passport needs at least six months' validity. Check the Foreign Office's UAE travel advice before you go, as rules can change.
- Booking a stopover: Many airlines let you add a stopover at little or no extra cost on the airfare, and some sell stopover hotel packages. Compare a stopover ticket with two separate tickets, but remember separate tickets give you less protection if a flight is delayed.
- When to go: November to March brings sunny days in the mid-20s. From June to September, daytime temperatures regularly pass 40°C, so plan indoor sights for midday.
- Etiquette: Dress modestly in malls, souks and the old town. Cover shoulders and knees, and swimwear is for the beach and pool only. Alcohol is served only in licensed venues, mainly hotels. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. The weekend is Saturday and Sunday.
Getting into the city
The Dubai Metro Red Line runs from Terminals 1 and 3 to Downtown (Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station) in about 30 minutes, and to the Marina in under an hour. Buy a rechargeable Nol card at the station. Taxis are plentiful, metered and reasonably priced by Gulf standards. Terminal 2 (used mainly by flydubai) has no metro station, so take a taxi from there.
Dubai in 24 hours
Morning: old Dubai. Start in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, a maze of restored wind-tower houses, small museums and cafés. Walk to the creek and cross on a traditional abra, a wooden water taxi that costs a dirham or two. That's the best-value ride in the city. On the Deira side, explore the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk.
Lunch. Try Emirati or Levantine food in Al Fahidi or Deira, which is far cheaper than Downtown.
Afternoon: rest or Dubai Frame. In hot months, retreat to your hotel pool. Otherwise, visit the Dubai Frame for views linking old and new Dubai.
Late afternoon: Burj Khalifa. At 828 metres, the Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building. "At the Top" tickets cover levels 124 and 125. Pricier tickets go higher. Prices vary by time slot, and sunset slots are the most expensive, so book ahead.
Evening: Dubai Fountain. The fountain shows on the Burj Lake are free and run every half hour in the evening. Dinner with a view of the fountain is a classic stopover treat.
Dubai in 48 hours
Add a second day with one of these:
- Desert safari: Afternoon trips usually include dune driving, sunset in the desert and a barbecue dinner at a camp. Choose an operator that runs conservation-area tours rather than the cheapest option.
- Beach day: Jumeirah's public beaches and Kite Beach have views of the Burj Al Arab. Or head to the Marina and JBR for a walk along the waterfront.
- Museum of the Future and Alserkal Avenue: Visit the striking museum (book ahead), then the galleries of Alserkal Avenue, Dubai's arts district.
- Abu Dhabi day trip: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi are about 90 minutes away by road.
Stopover options compared
| Stopover length | What you can see | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 8-12 hour layover | Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, or old Dubai and the souks | Daytime connections (allow for immigration) |
| 24 hours | Old Dubai, souks, Burj Khalifa, fountains | First-timers on a long-haul trip |
| 48 hours | All of the above, plus desert or beach | Breaking a journey to Asia or Australia |
For more on the city, read our Dubai guide and the UAE country guide. If you're weighing Dubai as winter sun in its own right, see the best winter sun destinations from the UK. Other city ideas: New York on a budget and our Istanbul first-timer's guide, another great stopover hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do British citizens need a visa for a Dubai stopover?
No advance visa is needed. British passport holders currently get a free 30-day visa on arrival. Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
Is a Dubai stopover worth it?
For journeys of 12 hours or more, a one or two-night stopover cuts jet lag and adds a city break. In summer the heat limits what you can do outdoors, so it's best from November to March.
How long does it take to get from Dubai airport to the city?
The metro takes about 30 minutes from Terminals 1 and 3 to Downtown. A taxi takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Can I leave the airport on a layover in Dubai?
Yes, if you have enough time to clear immigration both ways, are eligible for a visa on arrival and have checked how your bags are handled. Allow at least eight hours in total.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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