What I’d Do Differently: Dubai and Abu Dhabi Edition
Updated April 2026 | 3 min read
- Go in Winter, Not Summer
- Abu Dhabi Deserves More Than a Day Trip
- The Desert Safari Is Worth It — Pick the Right One
- Do Not Eat at the Mall Food Courts
- The Metro Covers More Than You Think
- What We Got Right
- Travel Tools We Actually Use
- Book Tours and Activities
- Gear We Recommend
- Find Flights to Dubai
- Plan Your Trip to Dubai
- Keep Reading
Dubai is a city built for consumption, and it is easy to spend a fortune without planning. Here is what we would change after visiting both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Go in Winter, Not Summer
We visited in November and the heat was already intense. December through February is ideal — warm enough for beaches, cool enough to walk outside. Summer temperatures exceed 45 degrees Celsius and outdoor activities become genuinely dangerous.
Abu Dhabi Deserves More Than a Day Trip
We gave Abu Dhabi one rushed day and it was not enough. The Louvre Abu Dhabi alone needs three hours. Add the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Saadiyat Island beaches, and Yas Island and you need at least two nights.
The Desert Safari Is Worth It — Pick the Right One
The cheap group desert safaris are cattle calls with fifty Land Cruisers in a line. A private or small-group morning safari is a completely different experience. Pay more, go earlier, and you will actually see the desert.
Do Not Eat at the Mall Food Courts
The malls are attractions in themselves but the food courts are overpriced fast food. The best food is in Deira and Bur Dubai — the older neighborhoods have Lebanese, Iranian, Indian, and Emirati restaurants at a fraction of mall prices.
The Metro Covers More Than You Think
We took taxis everywhere and the costs added up fast. The Dubai Metro is clean, air-conditioned, and connects the airport to most major attractions. Taxis are still needed for some areas but the Metro should be your default.
What We Got Right
Watching the Dubai Fountain show from a restaurant terrace rather than the crowded viewing area below. Same show, better experience, and you are eating dinner anyway.
Travel Tools We Actually Use
- eSIM Data: Airalo eSIM for Dubai — Buy before you land. You need data the moment you arrive for navigation and translation apps.
Book Tours and Activities
Gear We Recommend
- Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack — Carry-on sized, opens like a suitcase.
- Anker Nano Power Bank — Essential for long days of navigating with your phone.
- Packing Cubes (6-Pack) — We bring these on every trip now.
- Universal Travel Adapter — One adapter for every country.
Find Flights to Dubai
Cheapest Flights to Dubai
| Departure at | Return at | Stops | Airline | Find tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 April 2026 | 28 April 2026 | Direct |  |
Tickets from 591 |
Plan Your Trip to Dubai
Ready to book? Search flights to Dubai to compare prices across airlines. And compare hotel rates in Dubai to find the best deals for your dates.
Keep Reading
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. SafetyWing, Skyscanner, Airalo, Booking.com, Viator, GetYourGuide.
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Plan your own trip: guides I actually use
More from this region:
- Best 24-Hour Stopovers Ranked: Istanbul, Singapore, Dubai, Doha, and More
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi: The 5-Day Route I’d Book (and What I’d Skip)
Cards, lounges & insurance:
- Best Airport Lounges I Have Actually Used — From Changi to Istanbul
- Is Priority Pass Worth It in 2026 — My Honest Review After 15 Airports
- Best Travel Credit Cards for 2026: The Cards I Actually Use and Why
- Best Travel Insurance for 2026: What I Actually Recommend After 15 International Trips
- The Credit Card Points Strategy That Funded $15,000 of Travel
Finding cheap flights:
- Going vs Dollar Flight Club vs Thrifty Traveler: Which Flight Deal Service Is Worth It in 2026?
- When to Book Flights by Region — The Booking Windows That Actually Save Money
- How to Find Error Fares and Flight Deals — The Services I Actually Use
- Google Flights vs Skyscanner vs Momondo — Which Actually Finds the Cheapest Flights
Staying connected abroad:
- Best VPN for Travel 2026 — NordVPN vs Surfshark and Why You Need One
- Best eSIM for Travel 2026 — Holafly vs Airalo vs Nomad
Travel gear I actually use:
- Best Portable Chargers for Travel in 2026: Which Size You Actually Need
- My Exact Travel Tech Setup After 15 International Trips
- Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel in 2026: Tested on 40+ Flights
- Best Travel Backpacks for 2026: The 5 I Have Actually Used
- Phone Photography Tips for Travel: How to Take Great Photos With Just Your iPhone
Written by Jenna Fattah
I have visited 25+ countries across 6 continents, attended 7 Formula 1 races, and spent 4 years writing about what actually works and what I would do differently. Every recommendation on this site comes from trips I planned and paid for myself. Read more about me
