13 hour Layover in Dubai

Hello Blanca and welcome to the forum!

Since you are arriving at 2200, your options are going to be limited. There will be nothing in the way of shopping and so unless you fancy hanging around one of the expat bars/clubs, you may be best to head to a hotel. At that time of night traffic is fairly light (by Dubai standards) and try to stay near the airport in the suburbs of Deira or Bur Dubai. Due to traffic in the morning, you should really try to head to the airport not much later than 0730. Thankfully, Dubai airport has plenty to keep you occupied after you have checked in.

A word of advice for you - be very wary of most three-four star hotels who claim to have a bar or nightclub. These can be very noisy and if you are within a few floors of them, the noise might reverberate through your room when trying to sleep. More importantly for you, as a single female I wouldn't stay there as many include female 'entertainment'. This is usually in the form of dancers (mostly clothed) and is harmless by western standards - but the only men you will see in the foyer are those wanting to gawk at gyrating women - which will include you when you walk in - even if you are not gyrating.

The best way to avoid this is to either stay in a Western-branded chain hotel (mostly expensive), or an apartment which does not have these bars or restaurants. For example, I stayed at the Residence Deira by Le Méridien - and it was a beautifully quiet place with no leering men in the lobby.

Two other bits of information - Dubai taxi drivers are very good - I have never struck one who overcharged, and they always use the meter. Also, you will not need a visa to enter the UAE, you just obtain it when going through immigration. Just be aware that if you have an Israeli visa stamp in your passport, there is a slight chance that it may cause you issues. Reply to this