Dubai Trip Lessons Learned and Tips

Item	Lesson Learned	Tip
​Before Taking-off	UAE Pass app - I entered all the info before my travel thinking it would make things easier when I got to Dubai Airport. Total waste of time.
	​ALHOSN UAE - Do not waste your time trying to enter your info before getting to Dubai.	You will need it to retrieve the result of the Covid test you did at DXB. The app registration accepts international number but it only works with local number. Calling the Help Desk is a waste of time.
Covid Test Requirements	​If your flight connects in Qatar to Dubai then have in mind Qatar requirement is the Covid test be done no more than 72 hrs. when you get to Qatar. So it is not when you board in US.	Take two tests one day a part. One to board the airline in US and the other to the flight going to Qatar.
Qatar Airport	​Qatar airport restroom is relatively few and small for the traffic of passenger. The toilet seats in the men’s restroom are always wet (really wet) with water or urine. People there do not like to use urinals. This is one of the reason the seats are always soiled. Be prepared to clean it.	If there is a line for the toilet just stay in the line. I tried to find one with no or less line and all of them had a line.
	There is no restroom after you check-in the flight boarding area. The wait might be long.	Wait to check in the area when the boarding is initiated. The waiting area is surrounded by glasses so you can easily see when boarding starts.
Dubai Airport (DXB)	​Everyone will have to test for Covid. There will be a huge line but there are many test booths operating at the same time. It only takes a few minutes.	Double check the data entered by the staff. Make sure the staff entered the correct data when doing the test. The system uses your name and phone number to identify you to retrieve the test result.
Logging	​Look for something is close to a Red Line Metro Station. Like really close. Red Line goes to the majority of the attractions. Have comfortable shoes, be prepared.	The metro stations are huge. It is a long walk from the street all the way to the metro platform.
	When calculating the daily cost of your include the cleaning fee. Around $100 or more. It is non-refundable.
Metro	Metro Red Line covers most of the main attractions in one straight-line.	​Buy the Gold Card that gives you access to Gold car cars. The card cost and ride is higher than the standard metro card. Most of the time it is less crowded. It is easier to add money to the card with the Ticket booth instead of the ticket kiosk.
	The metro restrooms are in the ticketed area. There is no restroom outside the ticketed area.
Careem app	Make sure you download it. You will need it to call Uber drives, taxi, and rent bikes.
	The bikes are readily available. They are all power assisted. You will need to use the Careem app to unlock the bike. The same app can unlock more than one bike.
	Uber is more expensive then regular Taxi. The cars are newer and at minimum it is a Lexus.	Tip: Do not take a Uber that you have not called using the Careem app. They will charge you at least double for the ride. If you must take one, ask first how much will cost and be prepared to negotiate. If you do not ask before the ride they have the right to charge you whatever they want. If police is called, you will be at the short end of the stick.
​Food and drink	Be prepared to spend $150/day for two people eating equivalent to fast food in US. Expect to pay at least $20+/person/meal. Fresh juices starts at $6 for a small cup (for them is large). Bottle water starts at $1.50 all the way to $100/bottle (with 24K gold leafs).
Language	Virtually everybody speaks English. You will not have problems getting around.	The staff in malls, commercial buildings, government buildings, etc., are very knowledgeable, polite and eager to help.
Weekends	Dubai weekend is Friday and Saturday.	This is when tourist attractions are more crowded.
Beach in Dubai	The sea water temperature is around 90F. As matter of fact, temperature of the water from faucets are mostly 80 F to 90 F. Only in high-end building you will find cold water.
Mosque prayer times	If you are in a place close to a mosque (there are many all over Dubai) you will hear their prayers broadcasted by high power speaker. They are quite loud. I was at least three miles from a mosque and the condo had quadruple window and I could still hear the 6 AM prayers.