A little more
United Arab Emirates.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to United Arab Emirates: what to know before you go

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates on the Arabian Gulf, best known for Dubai's skyscrapers and Abu Dhabi's grand mosque and museums, but also home to red desert dunes, date-palm oases and rugged mountains. It suits city-breakers, winter sun seekers and families, and makes an easy stopover between Europe, Asia and Africa.

Where to go

• Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai. The tallest building in the world has observation decks high above the city.
• Old Dubai and the Creek. Cross Dubai Creek by abra, a traditional wooden water taxi, between the gold and spice souks of Deira and the restored wind-tower houses of the Al Fahidi historical district.
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. A vast white marble mosque in Abu Dhabi, open to visitors of all faiths outside prayer times, with one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets and huge chandeliers.
• Louvre Abu Dhabi. A museum on Saadiyat Island under a huge latticed dome that scatters light like sun through palm fronds, with art and artefacts from around the world arranged across civilisations and time.

Best time to visit

November to March is the best time to visit, with warm, sunny days and pleasant evenings, ideal for beaches and desert trips. This is also peak season, with major events in the cities.

Staying online in United Arab Emirates

Mobile coverage is excellent in cities and along highways, with fast 4G and 5G widely available. Coverage is also generally good in the desert near main roads, but can weaken deep in the dunes and in mountain wadis. Free Wi-Fi is available in malls, Metro stations and many public places. Some internet voice and video calling services are restricted in the UAE, so check which apps work before relying on them. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.