Sometimes flights just don’t work out the way we planned. That’s what happened to us. Our El Al flight that was supposed to take us home from Thailand was cancelled six hours before takeoff. We had to leave Thailand that same day, and the only option left was a flight with a 21-hour layover inDubai. At first I was full of worries, especially because we hadn’t planned it in advance, but I quickly discovered it wasn’t scary at all. On the contrary, it was one of the most interesting stopovers we’ve ever had.
Dubai airport: everything worth knowing in advance
Dubai is known for one of the most convenient and efficient airports in the world, but there are a few things worth preparing for.
Luggage storage
You can store suitcases and carry-ons inside the airport, but keep two things in mind:
- The wait can reach half an hour or more
- The price is relatively high
In the end we decided to skip the luggage storage at the airport and take everything to the hotel. We left the suitcases in the hotel’s luggage room and came back to collect them before the next trip to the airport. It was far more convenient and efficient.
Where did we stay?
Premier Inn Dubai International Airport
We arrived in Dubai at night, so we chose a hotel about ten minutes’ drive from the airport.
Click here for prices and more details
The hotel was excellent for a short night.
The main advantages:
- Free shuttle to the airport every half hour, 24 hours a day
- Clean, comfortable rooms
- A rich, tasty breakfast: flavors we had really missed after a year in Asia
Exactly what you need before a whirlwind day in a big city.
If you’re looking for a more central place to stay, see our article: Where to stay in Dubai.
How did we get around Dubai?
In the morning we set off for a full day of sightseeing.
- From the hotel to the city center we took a taxi
- Within the city we used the metro: very convenient, air-conditioned, punctual and cheap
The Dubai metro is an excellent solution in terms of time, price and comfort.
A one-day itinerary in Dubai
We focused on key experiences that give you a taste of Dubai without stress and without overload.
1. Burj Khalifa and the surrounding area
You can’t talk about Dubai without mentioning the engineering marvel that is the Burj Khalifa. When we arrived visibility was low, so we skipped the observation deck, but we still stopped to photograph one of the most famous buildings in the world.
Click here to read more about the Burj Khalifa and buying tickets
From there we continued straight to the Dubai Mall.
Dubai Mall
This isn’t just another mall. It’s a whole world.
Endless attractions, restaurants, shops of every kind, a huge aquarium, a VR zone, ice skating and lots more.
You could spend two days there without noticing.
2. The Spice Souk in the Old Town area
We continued to the traditional spice souk.
It’s a colorful, fragrant experience, but it’s important to come with plenty of patience.
The vendors will try to sell you everything, especially saffron.
For anyone who loves markets, it’s a great experience.
3. Crossing the creek by boat and the Al Fahidi neighborhood
We took a small boat for about two minutes and crossed the creek to the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Al Fahidi: a stunning surprise
This is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city:
- Traditional buildings made of materials like plaster, coral wood and sandstone
- Narrow alleyways with an old-world atmosphere
- Art galleries, cafés and small shops
- An authentic, interesting feel of old Dubai
It’s the perfect place to get lost on purpose.
A must-do sweet stop
We stopped for an amazing knafeh atNablus: Traditional Kanafeh One of the tastiest things we ate in the city.
Back to the hotel and the airport
After a full day, we went back to the hotel, collected our luggage and drove to the airport.
The process was fast and surprisingly efficient. Within a short time we were already at the check-in area.
Insights worth remembering
I came home from Dubai with a few important insights.
1. Dubai is very hot
Even after a year in Thailand I found that the heat in Dubai is of a different kind. Be prepared.
2. Dubai is expensive
Food in most places costs about what it does in Western Europe.
Accommodation prices, on the other hand, are reasonable and comfortable.
3. I have to come back
21 hours are simply not enough.
Dubai is full of culture, architecture, beaches, attractions and photo spots.
It’s definitely a city worth another visit.
I also summed up the experience in a short reel you can send to friends (click here for the reel).
