If you’re flying Europe or the US east coast to Asia, the Middle East, or Africa, there’s a chance that you’ll have the opportunity to fly Emirates Airlines. If you can, try to get flights with a long layover in Dubai so you can get a taste of this incredible city.
Emirates Airline
Emirates Airlines is great. Emirates Airlines had a great deal that got me JFK to MLE, MLE to CMB, and CMB to JFK for $1,040. What a deal. The flight to Male, Maldives had a 10 hour long layover in Dubai. The aircraft from JFK to Dubai was an A380, and somehow I ended up with my whole row… that’s 3 whole seats from aisle to window!!!! It was almost like flying in first class but paying coach prices. Leaving JFK was this sunset.
Planning Your Layover
The fact that you’re on this website is a good sign that you’re researching what to do during your long layover in Dubai. I purposely schedule long layovers when I can so I can get a taste of a city or country that I’ve never visited before. Here are my other plans on how to plan and spend a long layover.
Arrival in Dubai
Arrival in Dubai was early afternoon. Immigration was very swift and as an America I could visit without paying for a visa (This was in 2016, please check state.travel.gov to see the most recent entry requirements for Americans)
I didn’t have enough time in my long layover in Dubai to go out to the desert and do a Dune Bashing in Dubai trip so I decide to do the Burj Kalifa instead. Several weeks before the trip, I had purchased the “At the Top” ticket to the (almost) top of the Burj Kalifa, the world’s tallest building (as of 2016 that is). I jumped on the metro and headed to the Burj. From here it’s a very long walk, all indoors, to the huge mall. My flight was a little late so I had to speed walk to make my appointment time of 3pm, but got there just in time.
After a short wait, I was in the elevator going to the 124th floor. There were two floors accessible under my ticket, the lower floor had an outdoor patio, but with a really high glass railing, probably to discourage jumpers. The views from here were amazing. I got to enjoy in daytime:
Notice the shadow of the Burg:
Sunset is great:
And finally night.
The bright lights on the ground are from the nightly fountain show.
After I enjoyed the daylight, sunset, and night, I headed down to the mall. It was interesting to see this mall with contrasts in the Middle East. Emirate men in full garb eating at Five Guys Burgers. Decorations that looked like Christmas décor, including a giant gingerbread house. Out the back of the tower is a view of the tower itself and lighted fountain show.
Other tips for a Long Layover in Dubai
- Dubai is in a conservative country so you should avoid clothing that’s to revealing or short. Read this to determine what is appropriate Dubai clothing for the activity you plan to do.
- It is hot in the desert and flying is also know to dry you out, so make sure you drink enough water so you don’t get dehydrated. You
Insider Tip for Burj Kalifa: buy a ticket for 1-2 hours before sunset. The times to go up are strictly adhered to the time on your ticket, but you can go down at any time you want so you can see daylight, sunset, and night scenes on one ticket.
This post contains affiliate links. This website earns a small commission for items purchased through these links with no additional cost to you.
Do You have an Overnight Layover in Dubai?
Getting Back to the Airport and DBX Airport Amenities
The ride back to the airport was just as smooth as the ride in. I had time at the airport to have free dinner with my meal voucher from Emirates air. Not only do they have spectacular service on board, if you have a long layover in Dubai, Emirates will give you a free meal voucher.
Recent Comments