ONE DAY IN DUBAI LAYOVER GUIDE: FULL ITINERARY TO SEE ALL OF DUBAI IN A DAY

Dubai has always been a mysterious city I had been dying to visit. Something about the United Arab Emirates always seemed unknown and untouchable to me. As I had an Israeli visa in my passport I never thought visiting the United Arab Emirates was possible. BUT I was able to get one day in Dubai when I ran out of pages in my passport (perks of obsessive traveling) and a trip to Thailand planned with the cheapest flight option from NYC being with Emirates through Dubai I knew this was my shot (especially because I was moving back to Israel shortly after my trip).

With a clean, brand new passport I strategized my flight home from Thailand to get a FOURTEEN hour layover in Dubai so I could see Dubai in one day. Of course this is not enough time to see everything, however a one day layover in Dubai is the perfect time to see all the absolute MUST-DOs for a first visit. I got a strong feel for the growth of this massive city (which was literally all desert 16 years ago) and had enough time to see all of the main sites, even when my layover was during the late afternoon into evening.

Disclosure: This Dubai stopover guide may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used/verified.

I used a private tour guide to execute my efficient plan to see everything in the city, Saqlain, through WithLocals. Saqlain is beyond helpful and I am still unsure how I got so lucky finding the perfect private tour guide to help me see so much of a massive city in a short time. He TOTALLY customized the Dubai one day tour to what I wanted and added pieces of his knowledge to enhance it. We had the best Dubai itinerary. If you are visiting Dubai whether on a layover or week-long trip, you need to book Saqlain. Booking a tour with Saqlain means total freedom to what you want to do and see, getting a private car AND a driver.

You can book a tour with Saqlain by clicking here. You can click any of his tours and contact him and he will customize for you!

Must-Know Dubai Itinerary Travel Tips

• For all of my United Arab Emirates travel tips and what to expect when visiting the UAE head to my United Arab Emirates travel guide here (including Dubai Airport guide, how to dress in Dubai, UAE visas, Emirates stopover guide, UAE safety and more!).
• Dubai Stopover Time: If you have less than a 5 hour layover in Dubai, you should stay in the airport, there is plenty to do (more in my UAE guide). Anything more than 5 hours GO ON A DUBAI ONE DAY TOUR!
• Uber In Dubai: Uber is insanely popular in Dubai AND you usually get a very nice car! They have even have special cars you can get JUST for women only (I just got a regular one and it was so nice and clean and the driver spoke perfect English).
• Dubai Private Guide: I highly suggest hiring a private guide when visiting Dubai to make your own Dubai tour. There is so much to see and so many things to know about this conservative country that it is the best way to see the area and feel safe at the same time.
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: When visiting Dubai (even with a layover), I highly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know what may happen to your flights, a death/personal emergency in your family, or an accident happening while traveling (think: getting mugged, falling while hiking and spraining your ankle, literally any accident than can happen ANYWHERE!). World Nomads makes it super easy and I never leave for a trip without getting their insurance. Most importantly it’s extremely affordable: get your World Nomads travel insurance before your trip here!
  

DUBAI PACKING TIPS: It is HOT in Dubai and you will be outside all day. The humidity in Dubai is no joke. I love this Sunbum sunscreen stick here that is easy to pack in a small purse and re-apply without needing a mirror. Dubai also has a really strict dress code (read about it on my UAE travel guide) so make sure you are covered correctly. A maxi dress is my go-to for warm locations like this. For all of my travel/packing essentials I bring on any trip compiled together, head to my influencer page on Amazon here for a complete list or my descriptive carry-on packing guide here!

 

Emirates Stopover Program + Dubai Layover + Guide

The reason Dubai has become such a hot spot lately for long layovers is due to the amazing Emirates stopover program! Basically, if you have a layover for >8 hours when there is no option for a shorter one, Emirates Airlines will give you a free hotel room, transportation to and from the hotel AND breakfast and dinner at the hotel. Now this is insane – ESPECIALLY if you have a less than a day like I did. I spent almost no money besides the one day tour guide while I was in Dubai because of this amazing deal – and Dubai is SUPER expensive.

• IMPORTANT TIP: After your book your flight, you MUST go on the Emirates website and click that you want the Emirates Stopover Program voucher (or contact your travel agent)!!! If you do not do this you CANNOT do it when you arrive in Dubai, you must do it beforehand!

I landed in Dubai at 1230PM, went through customs and then went straight to the Emirates stopover desk by following signs. I gave them my ticket and they handed me a voucher. After I got my bags, I went to the Emirates Hotel waiting area for my free shuttle to the hotel. The hotel is perfectly acceptable (not dodgy at all) and a mere 5 minutes from the airport. I was at the hotel by 130PM. I quickly showered (I had just gotten off a 7 hour flight and had a 14 hour flight later that night…necessary). Then I went down to eat lunch at their included huge buffet. Then I started my day of touring (detailed Dubai itinerary below). At the end of the tour, I went back to the hotel, had my free dinner (the buffet is huge) and then took the shuttle back to the airport. ALL.FOR.FREE. HIGHLY recommend this if you can make a Dubai layover work, not to mention Emirates is an AMAZING airline.

 

FULL ONE DAY IN DUBAI ITINERARY

DUBAI ITINERARY STOP 1: Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa needs no introduction and is the number one spot to visit in Dubai and for good reason. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building IN THE WORLD. It is a must-see from far away, up close, and all the way from the top. YOU MUST BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE! It fully books up, seriously. I went on their website a few days before visiting and it was already sold out for the regular tickets! You also have to pick your time window in advance, too.

• Ticket options: There is an option between a regular (At The Top) ticket or VIP (Sky Ticket) — regular is more than enough. VIP is only a few floors higher and once you are THAT high a few extra feet don’t matter. You are so high up that you can basically see the curve of the Earth it is so insane! I went in the late afternoon during the beginning of sunset and it was just stunning.
• Book your Burj Khalifa tickets here as soon as you know when your Dubai layover is to see if they have your preferred time still available, or, If they are sold out already, I booked this package that included a ticket to the top and a coffee and snack from the shop at the bottom of the Burj Khalifa (book here).
• TIP: You enter the Burj Khalifa through the Dubai Mall. The Dubai Mall is MASSIVE. Plan time in advance just to find the entrance (you WILL walk in circles a few times just looking for it!).
• TIP: You also could pay more for fast-track to skip the line, I didn’t, but I waited about 45 minutes in line at the bottom just to get in! It’s total chaos but worth it. Get there before your scheduled time.
• ANOTHER option to book is to eat at the fancy restaurant in the Burj Khalifa on the 122nd floor, At.mosphere. If you get a reservation here, ask for a window seat (very hard to get). There are multiple food options, the cheapest is 250 AED a la carte per person. Considering an At The Top ticket alone is 216 AED during peak hours, if you go here with a meal you would save a lot of money! You can book a reservation at At.mosphere here.

Buy your tickets on the Burj Khalifa website here or if your timing option isn’t available, book your ticket here or do the one I did with coffee/pastry combo here.

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Related Post: United Arab Emirates Travel Guide

DUBAI ITINERARY STOP 2: Dubai Fountain Show

Dubai is known for its famous fountain show which completely puts the Las Vegas fountain show to shame! The fountain show happens right outside the Dubai Mall every single evening starting at 6PM until 11PM on the half hour. It goes off just for 3 minutes choreographed to a single song and changes each round so feel free to hang around the area to see more than one! I went for the first one right as the sun set and it was amazing! I just followed signs for the Fountains from inside the Dubai Mall and found the viewing area!

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DUBAI ITINERARY STOP 3: Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is the biggest mall in the world and is a must-see (notice all the trends of Dubai having the tallest and biggest and best of everything!?) I got lost a million times walking around the Dubai Mall and you literally could get anything you could possibly need there! They are also known for their massive aquarium that sits RIGHT in the middle of the mall! You can see the aquarium across three floors walking by – there’s no need to actually purchase tickets to the inside of the aquarium (unless you are traveling with kids in Dubai, then it is a great activity). The mall gets even more crowded as it gets later in the night (like post-midnight is the most popular time to go as it’s an escape from the Dubai heat!). You must see this amazing mall during your one day layover in Dubai.

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After I did the Burj Khalifa, Fountain Show and Dubai Mall on my own, Saqlain and his driver picked me up at the mall and we were on our way to see all of Dubai on my Dubai itinerary.

 

DUBAI ITINERARY STOP 4: Dubai Marina

The first stop Suqlain took me to was the Dubai Marina which is a huge marina where you can find people hanging out at all hours of the day as well as MASSIVE yachts and boats that people take out and own. We went at night and it was beautiful with lots of lights.

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DUBAI ITINERARY STOP 5: The Palm Jumeirah & Atlantis The Palm

Next, we drove to the Palm Jumeirah and entered this manmade INSANE island archipelago. You have undoubtedly seen pictures of this tree-shaped island. You enter through the main center tunnel (the stem) and once you enter there are 14 different branches (7 on each side) all of which are huge condos where individuals can rent or own. The piece of land making up the outer shell of the whole archipelago is filled with massive 5 star hotels and insane views of downtown Dubai (think Kempinski, Waldorf, etc.).

Lastly, at the top and farthest point of The Palm Jumeirah archipelago is the MASSIVE Atlantis The Palm Hotel which is a replica of the one in the Bahamas but of course nicer and better, and they are making another one that is even BIGGER right next to it! The Palm Jumeirah is a must-see even if you do not go inside anywhere (as I did). We just drove around each of the areas and stopped on the boardwalk area to see the downtown Dubai views as well as stopped in front of the Atlantis The Palm for pictures. This is a must when seeing Dubai in one day.

PRO TIP: Want to see this insane Palm shape from above?? The best way to see the shape of these islands is either skydiving in Dubai (book here), having a unique experience doing DINNER in the SKY (book here) or you can get a side view from the top of the Burj Khalifa!

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Related Post: Jordan Travel Guide

DUBAI ITINERARY STOP 6: Burj Al Arab (from the outside)

The Burj Al Arab is the only 7 star hotel in the world (at least it calls itself that, there really is no such thing) but it is the highest status. You actually cannot step inside without a hotel, restaurant or spa reservation. Not even the lobby! It is well-known as well for its architecture resembling a boat and the hotel next door, The Jumeirah, resembling a wave. I highly recommend driving up next to the hotel for pictures up close, especially when it lights up at nighttime. The Burj Al Arab is iconic to Dubai and cannot be missed. If you can afford it, the Talise Spa is absolutely incredible and instagram-worthy, and gets you access to the hotel, so if you can splurge to relax, do it!

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After the first few stops on our Dubai itinerary, we were done with “New Dubai” and it was time to head to “Old Dubai” aka how you likely picture the Middle East. The contrast between the two is insane and you must visit both during your Dubai layover tour.

 

DUBAI ITINERARY STOP 7: Zabeel Palace

We made a quick pit stop on the way from New Dubai to Old Dubai at Zabeel Palace, the residence of the royal family of Dubai. Even at nighttime you can see how insanely beautiful the building and architecture is. And seeing the Burj Khalifa light up the sky from far away wasn’t a bad view either.

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DUBAI ITINERARY STOP 8: Dubai Creek Abra Ride to the Dubai Souks

Once we arrived in Old Dubai, the best (and most fun) way to get to the Souks, which is across the Dubai Creek, is on an Abra! An Abra is a typical boat that locals use to get to and from each side of the river. The ride only takes about 10 minutes and you literally just hop on for a small fee (I think ~$1, but it was included in my tour). This definitely felt the most local and cultural thing I did in Dubai.

DUBAI ITINERARY STOP 9: Old Dubai Souks

Our last and final stop (and i’ll admit by this time the jetlag was hitting me hard but I was powering through because I love a good market) was to the famous and hundreds of years old Souks of Old Dubai. You can find a specific market for almost anything you want but the most famous to visit are the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, Perfume Souk and Textile Souk. We walked through all of these and you could literally feel the energy and history here…and we went at 10PM and it was still beyond lively! I could have stayed in the gold souk forever marveling at the massive gold pieces.

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This was now the end of my tour with Saqlain. He drove me all the way back to my airport hotel and we parted ways and I had *included* dinner at the hotel and then took the *included* shuttle to the airport to get to my flight! If you have a long layover in Dubai, one day in Dubai or a week in Dubai, seriously USE Saqlain as your tour guide! He will not disappoint, will cater to EVERYTHING you want, and make your time in Dubai more knowledgable and enjoyable and the best Dubai itinerary you could want.

Book tours with Saqlain on the WithLocals website by clicking here.

Things To Do With More Than One Day In Dubai

If I had more time during my stay or layover in Dubai, there are a few places I would have loved to hit. I highly suggest visiting these places in Dubai and adding them to your itinerary if you have more time than a one day layover in Dubai! Click their names to learn more.

• Dubai Miracle Garden
• Spa at Burj Al Arab
• Souk Madinat Jerimiah
• Palace Downtown
• JBR Beach Walk
• Day trip to Abu Dhabi
• Dubai Desert Tour
• Check out this list of amazing other activities and tours around Dubai and the United Arab Emirates to book in advance by clicking here!

*Thanks to Saqlain for helping set up my private Dubai tour and customizing it to my desire in order to make this blog post possible! While I did receive this tour with a discount, my review and experience is, as always, 100% personal and honest*

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Did I miss one of the things you must do in a day in Dubai or a layover in Dubai tip? Let me know in the comments for my next visit! See my general United Arab Emirates guide to know what to expect when visiting the UAE!