Flight tickets from Upington to Dubai

Dubai is an international destination that has developed significantly in recent decades. With an incredibly diverse culture and one of the world’s busiest ports, there’s plenty to experience in this Middle Eastern emirate. In this text, we'll explore all aspects of Dubai, from its distinct culture and exciting attractions to its unique history and incredible skyline. We’ll also take a look at why Dubai is such a popular holiday destination today, and the cultural considerations that visitors need to take into account when exploring this incredible city.

Getting to Know Dubai

Dubai is located on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the second most populous city in the UAE, after Abu Dhabi. As of 2020, the estimated population of Dubai is 3.1 million. The time zone in Dubai is the Gulf Standard Time (GST), which is 4 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The official language of Dubai is Arabic, though English is also spoken widely, due to the large expatriate community. Other languages spoken include Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu and Persian. The official currency of Dubai is the United Arab Emirates dirham (AED). The dirham is pegged to the US dollar and is accepted in most places in the city.

Climate and Weather

Dubai sits between the Arabian Desert and the coast of the Persian Gulf and has a subtropical desert climate. Summers can be quite hot and humid, with average temperatures ranging between 25 - 41°C. Rainfall is relatively light, but dust storms can occur during the summer months, with the most humidity occurring in August. Winters are known to be mild and generally sunny, with temperatures ranging between 10 - 21°C. There is usually more rain in winter than summer, with temperatures staying above 18°C even in the evenings. Because of its position, Dubai is sunny throughout much of the year, with an average of 11 hours of sunshine and temperatures that rarely dip below 10°C.

Touring Dubai: Airport and Transportation

There are two airports in Dubai: Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The most common way to get from the main airport (DXB) to downtown Dubai is by taxi. Depending on destination, taxi fares from DXB to the city center range from around AED 20-30 (around US $5-8). You can also book a private transfer from the airport. Currency exchange services are available at the airport, so you can change money upon arrival.

Exploring the Rich History and Culture of Dubai

1. Dubai’s culture is a unique blend of indigenous Arab culture and international influences from Iran, India and Southeast Asia - a mix best seen in its traditional markets and bazaars
2. The city is an important center for Islamic culture and science, hosting one of the oldest mosques in the United Arab Emirates, Al-Falah Mosque
3. Dubai’s history is closely linked with the founding of modern United Arab Emirates, as it grew from a small fishing and pearling village to a major port city and hub of international trade