Pretty much everyone has the United Arab Emirates on their radar – skyscrapers, desert, luxury and that feeling you simply have to see it at least once in your life. But then the practical questions kick in: how much does it actually cost, when’s the best time to fly so you don’t get roasted by the heat, and should you book a package or put the trip together yourself? We sat with exactly that dilemma too. So we pulled it all into one place where you can plan the whole thing in peace.
You’ll find three things here: up-to-date package and flight prices that we refresh every morning; our hands-on tips from our own trips and articles (where it’s genuinely worth it and where it isn’t); and a simple plan for when and what to book so you don’t overpay needlessly.
What to see and do in United Arab Emirates
The Emirates aren’t just one city – even if Dubai overshadows everything else. Here’s why it’s worth flying out:
- Dubai – the view from Burj Khalifa, the dancing fountains, giant aquariums, beaches and evening desert safaris. A paradise for families, and endless restaurants and rooftop bars for couples.
- Abu Dhabi – Dubai’s calmer, more dignified neighbour. Don’t miss the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most beautiful interiors we’ve ever seen, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
- The Liwa Desert and its dunes – a 4×4 ride, sandboarding and a night in a desert camp under the stars.
- The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah – the Jebel Jais mountains with the world’s longest zip-line, quieter beaches and accommodation that’s a fair bit cheaper than in Dubai.
One practical tip to start with: before you start packing, have a look at our rundown of what to pack for a holiday in Dubai. We cover how to dress for the mosques and how to handle air-conditioned malls vs. 40 °C outside.
When to visit United Arab Emirates
The best time for the Emirates is, without a doubt, November to March. Daytime temperatures stay at a pleasant 24–30 °C, the evenings are fresh and swimming in the sea is perfect. This is high season, so flight and hotel prices climb – but the comfort is well worth it.
June to September, on the other hand, is extreme: routinely over 40 °C with high humidity by the coast. You can barely function outdoors at midday, but accommodation tends to be considerably cheaper and the malls, aquariums and indoor attractions run at full tilt. If you don’t mind spending midday in the air-conditioning, you’ll save a lot.
The sweet spot is April and October – you can still be outside, but prices aren’t at their peak yet. Just keep an eye on the dates of Ramadan (they shift every year), when some venues operate on reduced hours during the day.
Co bychom v Emirátech nevynechali? Vybíráme to, co nás samotné nadchlo a o čem píšeme i v článcích:
- Pouštní safari s večeří – jízda po dunách 4×4, sandboarding a západ slunce nad pouští. Klasika, kterou doporučujeme úplně každému.
- Vyhlídka z Burj Khalifa – nejvyšší budova světa a výhled na celou Dubaj. Jeďte za soumraku, ať vidíte město ve dne i v noci.
- Mešita šejka Zajda v Abú Dhabí – vstup zdarma a jeden z nejkrásnějších interiérů vůbec; více v našem článku o Abú Dhabí.
- Akvária a tematické parky – pro rodiny s dětmi je Dubaj malý ráj (Aquaventure, IMG Worlds, Dubai Aquarium).
- Stará Dubaj a abra přes Dubai Creek – kontrast k mrakodrapům, tržiště se zlatem a kořením za pár dirhamů.
- Zip-line na Jebel Jais – nejdelší na světě, pro odvážné v emirátu Ras Al Khaimah.
How to get to United Arab Emirates
You’ll essentially only reach the Emirates from Czechia by plane. There are even direct flights from Prague to Dubai (DXB), taking around 6 hours. A direct connection is the most comfortable, though not always the cheapest. With a layover (say in Istanbul, Vienna or Munich) you can often save money, but the journey stretches to 9–12 hours.
The main gateway is Dubai (DXB) airport. The alternative is Abu Dhabi (AUH), just a short hop from the capital and about an hour’s drive from Dubai. Getting between the two cities and the surrounding emirates is easy by taxi, car or long-distance bus. The distances are short.
Do Emirátů se z Česka nejčastěji létá na letiště Dubai (DXB), které funguje jako hlavní brána do země. Z Prahy sem najdete i přímé spoje. Regionální alternativou je Abu Dhabi (AUH), odkud je to do Dubaje zhruba hodina autem. Pokud hledáte levnější variantu, počítejte s přestupem (Istanbul, Vídeň, Mnichov). Konkrétní tipy najdete v článku o Dubaji.
Renting a car
A car in the Emirates pays off mainly when you want to combine several emirates – say a trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, up to the Jebel Jais mountains or out to the Liwa Desert. But if you’re sticking to Dubai alone, a car is more of a hassle. Parking tends to be expensive, while taxis and the metro are cheap and convenient. Petrol, on the other hand, is laughably cheap.
- Book in advance through rental comparison sites – in season it’s usually pricier on-site with less choice.
- Insurance and deposit: pay extra for full cover and expect a hefty deposit to be blocked on your credit card.
- The Salik toll is charged automatically as you pass the highway gates – check with the rental company how it’s billed so the extra charge doesn’t catch you out.
- An international driving permit is a must – most rental firms require one.
Where to stay in United Arab Emirates
Accommodation in the Emirates covers absolutely every budget – from hostels to seven-star hotels. But location matters more than price here, because the distances are big and in summer there’s not much walking to be done.
- Dubai Marina / JBR – a modern district by the beach, with restaurants and the promenade within reach. Great for a first visit and for couples.
- Downtown Dubai – by Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, ideal for shopping and the evening fountains. Pricier, but right in the heart of the action.
- Deira / Bur Dubai – old Dubai, the souks and the cheapest accommodation in the city.
- Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah – a quieter alternative with better value for money, ideal for families.
Tip for families: you’ll find specific hotels we’ve tried in our article Dubai holiday and tips for family hotels.
Package tour or independent travel?
The Emirates are one of the few exotic destinations where both approaches work brilliantly. It mostly comes down to how much planning you want to spare yourself.
A package is worth it when:
- you want flights, hotel and transfer in one and nothing to sort out,
- you’re going mainly for the beach, resort and wellness,
- you’re travelling with kids and appreciate the all-inclusive setup,
- you don’t want to spend hours comparing prices.
Go it alone when:
- you want to combine several emirates and stay flexible,
- you’re after a specific hotel or an off-the-beaten-track district,
- you’re planning excursions, a hire car and your own itinerary,
- you enjoy hunting down cheap flights and accommodation separately.
The two of us like the Emirates best under our own steam. Getting around is easy, English is spoken everywhere and transport is cheap. But if you just want to switch off by the sea and not think about anything, go for a package. The price difference tends to be small, and the peace of mind is priceless.
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−37 %Budget: daily costs in United Arab Emirates
| Level | Accommodation | Food | Transport & activities | Total/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 700–1,100 Kč (hostel/budget hotel) | 300–500 Kč | 300–600 Kč | approx. 1,300–2,200 Kč |
| Standard | 1,800–3,500 Kč (4* hotel) | 700–1,200 Kč | 800–1,500 Kč | approx. 3,300–6,200 Kč |
| Comfort | 5,000 Kč+ (5* resort) | 1,500–3,000 Kč | 2,000 Kč+ | approx. 8,500 Kč+ |
These prices are approximate and calculated per person per day (excluding flights). The reality depends heavily on the season and how much you spend on attractions — entry tickets and excursions are the biggest budget-eater in the Emirates. Getting around by taxi or metro, on the other hand, is surprisingly cheap.
How to save when planning
- Book flights 2–4 months ahead for dates outside Christmas and the spring holidays – those are the priciest windows. Flexible with dates? Shift by a few days and you’ll save thousands. Search for flights with our tool.
- Outside high season (April, October, or even summer) hotels can be half the price they are in winter. If you don’t mind the heat, you’ll save a lot. Our accommodation tips.
- Packages are worth watching in two waves – early bird (winter dates available from spring onwards) and last minute a few weeks before departure. We update packages every morning.
- Buy attractions online in advance – combined tickets and bundles (Burj Khalifa, aquariums, safari) tend to be cheaper than on-site and you skip the queues. What to book early.
- Where you overpay: taxis from the airport, alcohol in hotel bars and food right by the attractions. The metro and local souks save you plenty.
Practical information
- Language and money: The official language is Arabic, but you’ll get by in English absolutely everywhere. The currency is the dirham (AED) and you can pay by card practically anywhere. You only need cash for the souks and tips.
- Connectivity: The easiest option is an eSIM that you activate before you fly, so you have data the moment you land. Note that calls via WhatsApp and Skype are blocked in the Emirates – the fix is a VPN or a local provider.
- Safety: The Emirates are among the safest destinations in the world, with minimal crime. Just respect the local rules – no public drunkenness, and modest clothing in mosques and government offices.
- Visa: Czech citizens get a tourist visa on arrival for free, usually for 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Emirates?
Do I need a visa for the Emirates?
How much does a week in the Emirates cost?
How long is the flight from Prague to Dubai?
Does WhatsApp work in the Emirates?
Is it worth renting a car in the Emirates?
Is it safe in the Emirates?
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Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
