Dubai with Kids: A Family Travel Guide

Last Updated on September 4, 2024

Planning a trip to Dubai with kids soon? Here’s my detailed family travel guide on how to travel Dubai with kids.

For many of us, Dubai is massive, modern and artificial. It’s flashy, brash and not afraid to flaunt. It’s endless skyscrapers, amidst shopping malls and entertainment complexes. It’s big on bling and small on culture.

But as I learned from my trip to Dubai, there is more to the Emirati city than just fancy malls. Go a little under the surface and you’ll find historical areas, bustling souks, and mosques. Let’s not forget beautiful beaches along the Persian Gulf, and the vast Arabian Desert backing the city. For those who want to venture out of the city, there are also plenty of day trips that will bring you into the Arabian Desert and beyond. 

Right before our trip to Oman, we spent three days in Dubai with our then 2-year-old daughter and had a great time. Dubai turned out to be ultra-modern and cosmopolitan, as we expected. But Dubai is also a great destination for kids — with such efficient public transport, and so many themed parks and attractions. For those who are planning to travel Dubai with kids, here are some tips to help your plan your family trip to Dubai.

Dubai with Kids

An Introduction to Dubai

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is rather like an independent city-state and is the most modern and progressive emirate in the UAE. It’s gaining popularity as a travel destination in recent years thanks to all the investments in developing its tourism industry.

Dubai is essentially a desert city with superb infrastructure, liberal policies (as compared to the rest of the Middle East). It’s an easy flight away from Europe and Asia, and makes a great short break whether you’re into deserts, beaches or shopping. Almost 80% of its population are from outside of the UAE — expect lots of international restaurant chains and shops as well as large expat communities.

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Is It Easy to Travel Dubai with Kids?

The great infrastructure in Dubai means it’s easy to get around on public transport, without worrying for safety. People’s attitude towards kids are good too — most hotels and restaurants are more than willing to accommodate young children.

Dubai also has a huge expat population — in fact, nobody is really from here. So expect to find people and products from around the world here. You won’t have a problem getting food or medication from home here, not to mention diapers or other things your baby might need.

Being so international, Dubai has no shortage of global restaurant chains like Pizza Hut, Subway, Starbucks, Burger King, and KFC. Rest assured fussy kids will have some options if they’re not into Middle Eastern foods.

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When to Travel Dubai with Kids

Dubai really only experiences two seasons: hot and hotter. It’s located on the Persian Gulf and backed by the Arabian Desert, so expect heat, regardless of the time of the year you visit. There will be less people if you visit in summer (May to September), but be prepared for scorching heat and high humidity levels. 

In general, the best time to travel Dubai is in winter (from November to March). During the winter months, the city sees blue skies and perfect beach weather. However, this is also peak tourist season, so expect  crowds on Jumeirah Beach.

January through February is the peak of high season, when lines tend to be long and the crowds are often thick. We visited just a few days before Christmas and found the weather to be pleasant and not too hot. It was only crowded on the subway, and even then they were commuters living in Dubai rather than tourist crowds.

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How Long to Travel Dubai with Kids

Dubai is a big city and there are many things to do in Dubai with kids — but four to five days would be enough to explore it all. If you want to go on a few Dubai day tours (such as a desert trip or excursion to Abu Dhabi), then a week would be perfect. 

We spent three days in Dubai and felt like we barely scratched the surface. If you have older kids (above four), you would probably want to have more time to fit themed parks like Legoland and IMG World of Adventures into your itinerary. A week would be better for families who want to take it slow.

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How to Get to Dubai

Dubai’s main airport is the Dubai International Airport, which is the largest hub in the Middle East. Emirates is Dubai’s official airline carrier which connects Dubai to over 100 destinations while FlyDubai is Dubai’s low-cost carrier.

There are direct flights to Dubai from many major cities around the world, including London, New York City, Los Angeles, Singapore, Cape Town, and even Sydney.

Our flight from Madrid to Dubai only cost us $300 return. You can usually find great bargains if you’re flying to Dubai from Europe.

Search for Flights to Dubai

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How to Get a Tourist Visa for Dubai

Citizens of the European Union (except Ireland and the United Kingdom) do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Citizens of United States, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and United Kingdom can get a free visa on arrival valid for 30 days. It is a multiple-entry visa and can be extended for a fee. Check this page for detailed information.

While Israeli passport holders are not welcome, having Israeli stamps in your passport is not a problem. Note that this is NOT always the case. Although somewhat rare, you CAN be refused entry into the UAE for having an Israeli stamp in your passport.

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How to Get Around Dubai with Kids

Dubai has an extensive public transport network that makes it easy to get around the city, even with a baby or toddler. Children under the age of 5 can ride for free.

To use any of the public transport, you’ll need to get a NOL card at any ticket office in  metro stations. NOL cards cost 25 AED ($6.80) and include a balance of 19 AED ($5.20) pre-loaded onto the card. Note that the card is non-refundable. You can load up your NOL card with one-day passes which cost 20AED ($5.40).

By Metro

The Dubai Metro is an automated, driverless system. Many of the city’s tourist destinations are within walking distance of a metro station. Some of them have elevated walkways to nearby attractions, such as the one connecting the Dubai Mall station to the mall and Burj Khalifa.

Most stations have elevators, making it really easy to take the metro with strollers. The Dubai Metro also has a separate women and children car, with a designated space for strollers and bags. I often found that the women carriage would have more space than the other carriages.

By Tram

Dubai Tram only serves the Dubai Marina, Jumeirah and Al Sofuh areas. You’ll probably need to take it to get to the Mall of the Emirates and Burj Al Arab Hotel.

Unlike other Dubai public transit options, there is a flat rate of 3 AED ($0.82), regardless of the distance traveled. The tram is connected to the metro red line. We actually only took it once in Dubai Marina.

By Taxi/Uber

Taxis are relatively cheap in Dubai and easy to come by. A ride around the city centre of Dubai will cost approximately 40 AED (US$10), while a ride to the airport costs around 80 AED ($20).

While it’s still very easy to catch a cab, don’t be surprised if you end up stuck in traffic! The main arterial road through the city Sheikh Zayed Road can turn into a car park during rush hour.

Alternatively, check out Careem or Uber, low-cost car-sharing services. Uber and Careem are generally cheaper than Dubai Taxi. Both offer a cheaper per km cost, and a significantly cheaper base fare if you pre-book. Careem is popular with families as it offers car seats (new laws now make it compulsory to have car seats for under 4-year-olds).

By Rented Car

If you’re planning to be in Dubai for a while, your best bet is to rent a car Dubai monthly. Firstly, you will have pleasant discounts when renting for a long term. Secondly, by always having a car at hand, you will be able to manage your own time and location where you can go. This is especially important with children.

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Where to Stay in Dubai with Kids

There are several districts that are great to stay in Dubai for families, depending on what kind of activity you’re looking for. If you’re planning a slightly longer stay, hotel apartments around Dubai Marina are another popular choice. You can easily walk to the beach and the boardwalk, plus the apartments allow you the flexibility to have a little extra space and a kitchen.

However, if you’re only on a short stopover in Dubai, base yourself around downtown and the Dubai Mall as you’ll be walking distance from restaurants and sights. There are plenty of luxury hotels in Dubai that are surprisingly affordable. Most of them have swimming pools and kids’ clubs.

Here are some highly recommended family hotels in Dubai:

Emirates Grand Hotel

Since it was Christmas, we splurged and stayed at this luxury hotel located right on the main artery of Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road. The 47-storey hotel had an outdoor pool and was right next to plenty of restaurants and shops. There’s also a metro station right in front of the hotel. Check latest rates here.

DoubleTree by Hilton Jumeirah Beach Hotel

A more upmarket option is the DoubleTree right on the vibrant waterfront “The Walk”. You’re literally right on the beach, and surrounded by cafes and restaurants and is close to business hubs including Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City. Book your stay here.

Atlantis the Palm

If you’ve got a big budget, I recommend staying at Atlantis The Palm, possibly the most famous hotel in Dubai. The five-star hotel is built on an artificial palm-shaped island. It’s home to the number one waterpark in the Middle East, and you can even book rooms that are built within the aquarium. Kids would love the beaches, kids’ club and aquarium here. Check rates here.

Rove City Centre

We stayed at this funky and hip hotel on our last night in Dubai as it was near the airport and we had an early flight the next day. It’s a 7-minute drive from the airport and the hotel runs free airport shuttles. We really liked the colorful interior, fun kid-friendly atmosphere and cheeky design of the hotel. Book your stay here.

Aloft Me’aisam

This is a good budget option in the heart of Dubai Production City. Just across the road from the City Centre Me’aisem Mall, the comfortable hotel may be away from the beaches but still a convenient hop away from downtown. Book here.

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What to Do in Dubai with Kids

The UAE is still a very young country and the transition of Dubai from a humble fishing village to mega-city has been rapid. Don’t expect to find lots of cultural or traditional sights. But there ARE plenty of things to keep families entertained in Dubai — whether you prefer to hang out on the beach with your baby, visit cultural sights with your toddler, or take thrilling rides at the themed parks with your teenager.

Go to the Top of the Burj Khalifa

You can’t come to Dubai and not visit one of the world’s tallest towers! At 828m high, the Burj Khalifa was the tallest structure in the world before 2008. The observation deck on the 124th and 148th floors are definitely the best place in Dubai for spectacular city views.

Be warned though, book tickets in advance as they cost about 4 times as much at the door. Popular sunrise and sunset tickets sell fast. Also expect to wait in line at those times – but those views are worth it!

From such an elevated height, you’ll see that Dubai is really a city built in the desert, with sand stretching as far as the eye can see. When the tide is low and visibility is high, you can see up to the shores of Iran. While my kid wasn’t the least bit interested in the view, she did have a good time looking at the miniature figure, playing around the souvenir shop and watching the flashy lights in the lift.

See the World’s Largest Mall

The Burj Khalifa is actually attached to the world’s largest mall: Dubai Mall. Before you get turned off by the word “mall” (like I was), there’s surprisingly a lot more to Dubai Mall than just shops.

Catch the spectacular free waterfall inside and the free half hourly water fountain show outside. There’s also an aquarium (read the next paragraph), a VR Park, an Olympic-sized ice skating rink and Emirates flight simulator. Those with older kids would love KidZania, Caboodle or Hysteria (a haunted house experience). You can get combined tickets for some of these attractions with Burj Khalifa entry tickets.

Visit the World’s Largest Aquarium

To be fair, the world’s largest aquarium is located inside the Dubai Mall. But it’s so spectacular it merits a whole paragraph on its own.

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is in the center of the Dubai Mall and houses more than 33,000 live animals, spread over 85 species and 400 sharks and rays. They can be seen through the world’s largest viewing window of 32.8 meters wide and 8.3 meters high.

The best part is that you can see the aquarium through for windows for free! For a fee you can walk under the aquarium, through the 270-degree tunnel and visit other parts of the aquarium.

Explore the World’s largest Inhabited Artificial Archipelago

Dubai is home to the world’s largest artificial archipelago and yes, anyone can visit it! The man-made palm-shaped sand archipelago is located off the coast of Jumeirah, and it’s packed full of luxury apartments and hotels. Palm Island can be reached by tram (which connects to the metro).

There’s also an 11km boardwalk built over the breakwater on palms outer crescent. With lots of cafes and restaurants, the area is perfect for a family stroll. You don’t have to stay at the hotels in the area to visit.

See the Iconic Jumeirah Mosque

Located in Jumeirah (close to the Palm Island) is the Jumeirah Mosque, the only mosque in Dubai which is open to the public and dedicated to receiving non-Muslim guests. This landmark mosque has a relaxed atmosphere, and is a great spot to learn about Emirati culture and religion.

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre For Cultural Understanding offers daily mosque tours (except Friday mornings) at 10am. The tour takes 75 minutes and costs 25 AED ($6.80) per person including water, dates, Arabic coffee, tea, and traditional pastries. Children under 12 are free. Modest dress is preferred, however traditional attire can be borrowed from the mosque.

Visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre For Cultural Understanding

Located in Bur Dubai, this non-profit organisation is a great place to learn more about Emirati culture. The setting itself is worth a visit: housed in a beautifully restored wind tower house in the historic Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

With its motto ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’, all kinds of questions are welcomed. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding organises guided tours of traditional Emirati neighbourhoods and the areas around Dubai Creek. This is also the place to try authentic Emirati food. Take a seat on Bedouin-style carpets and pillows while you enjoy a selection of dishes and your local host answers questions about life in the emirate.

Take an Abra Across Dubai Creek

The best traditional experience in Dubai, in my opinion, is taking a dhow across Dubai Creek.

Historically, the Dubai Creek divided the city into two main sections – Deira and Bur Dubai. It was along the creek area that the first settlers arrived in the 19th century, establishing the Al Maktoum dynasty in the city. The creek served as a minor port for dhows coming from as far away as India or East Africa.

For centuries, rickety wooden boats called abra ply up and down the creek as water taxis. Today, you can still catch a ride on the abra (for AED1), to get a feel for the history of the creek. Kids will love it too. There are also dinner dhow cruises that include live music and belly dancing.

Wander Around the Deira Souks

There’s no better place to get a sense of Dubai’s past than at the Deira Souk, across the Dubai Creek from Bur Dubai. The souk is a traditional market in the old town that dates back more than 50 years. Thanks to the centuries-old trading past, Dubai was a hub on the prized spice route. You can find everything from spices to perfumes, textiles, and gold. Don’t forget to bargain, even if you’re buying gold.

Breathe in the market’s frankincense-infused aroma as you browse row upon row of small stores displaying colourful aromatic wares in burlap or plastic sacks for visitors to see, touch, smell and buy. The covered market, designed in a traditional wind-tower style, is made up of narrow alleys replete with wooden arches and hanging Arabesque lanterns.

Relax on Dubai’s Beaches

It comes as a surprise to many that there are actually lots of beautiful beaches in Dubai, despite being its location in the Arabian Desert.

Jumeirah Beach Park is the most popular beach in Dubai. It’s an ideal picnic spot for families offering garden, children’s playground, cafes, barbecue areas, and lifeguard service. Some of the best free public beaches include Kite Beach, Al Mamzar Park and Umm Suqeim Beach. Um Suqeim is also known as Sunset Beach, and the best spot to see the iconic Burj Al Arab.

Remember that Islam is still the official religion in Dubai so some beaches require you to be nearly covered up while others are flexible. Be sure to research on the most updated information by day of the week because some beaches have ladies-only days.

Go on a 4×4 Adventure in the Arabian Desert

If you have the time, I would suggest taking a day trip out to the Arabian Desert. We didn’t do this as we were going to spend a few nights in the desert in Oman, but if you haven’t been to a desert then definitely take this opportunity to sign up for a desert safari. There are a number of companies that offer desert jeep safari trips that are great for families. Some of these tours can be quite touristy, so be sure to check for reviews before booking.

Once in the desert you can try a few activities like dune bashing, quad biking, sand boarding and camel riding. These activities are usually followed by a BBQ dinner in a traditional Bedouin tent and evening entertainment, including henna painting and belly dancing.

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How to Get Travel Insurance for Kids

I always recommend travelers to buy travel insurance, whether you’re traveling for a year or a week. It is particularly important have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 if you’re traveling during the pandemic. 

Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage. I use their Nomad Insurance plan, which covers COVID-19 as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.

Many travel insurance providers offer free travel insurance to cover kids who are traveling with their parents, or even grandparents. There is usually a one-to-one ratio, that is you need to have at least one insured adult per traveling child to earn the free coverage. 

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Packing for a Trip to Dubai with Kids

While Dubai is a relaxed city when it comes to foreigners, it’s still a good idea to dress modestly. You’ll see that most tourists and expats dress quite liberally in Dubai, but I believe in respecting local culture. Some malls also have signs that warn visitors to dress modestly.

Men can wear shorts but there are places you won’t get into without long trousers particularly in the evening. The Emirati themselves mostly wear traditional dress in public. The men can be seen in pristine white kandura whilst you will see the Emirati ladies are fully covered in black abaya (robe) and shayla (headscarf).

As a rule of thumb, aim to cover your shoulders and knees. Short-sleeved t-shirts and skirts that go under the knees are perfect. Pack light layers and bring a scarf for the mosque. Also try to put on long pants or skirts at the old souk, where you will be surrounded by many more locals and muslims from other countries. Kids are fine to dress according to the weather.

At the beach, it is fine to wear tank tops, sundresses and bathing suits even for adults. Don’t forget your sunscreen, a hat, and towel. For your kids, remember their floaties and waterproof t-shirts.

The desert can get cold at night in the winter from December through February so it’s a good idea to pack a light jacket or sweater.

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Final Tips for Traveling Dubai with Kids

• Remember that the UAE is a Muslim country. You will probably hear the call to prayer, some of them can start as early as 5am. Don’t be surprised — it’s common in Muslim countries.
• In the UAE (as in many other Muslim countries), weekends are usually Friday and Saturday. It’s important to know in case you’re planning activities for the weekend. Friday nights, in particular, are the busiest time of the week and the metro can get very crowded.
• No obvious displays of affection and embracing in public. A peck on the cheek or holding hands is acceptable, but not anything more than that. Of course, you can embrace your children but just be modest in public.

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Enjoy Your Trip to Dubai with Kids!

With that, I hope you’ll be able to book and plan an amazing Dubai family trip. Let me know if you have any questions on Dubai family travel, in the comments field below.

If you’re looking to read more on other parts of the Middle East, check out these articles: 

• Oman Travel Guide
• Pakistan with Kids
• Traveling Saudi Arabia as a Woman
• 22 Best Things to Do in Istanbul, Turkey
• 1 Week in Lebanon: My Itinerary
• 2-week Egypt Itinerary
• Iraqi Kurdistan Travel Guide
• Is It Safe to Travel Iraq?

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links i.e. if you book something through my link, I’ll earn a small commission at NO EXTRA COST to you. Thank you for your support!

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