Dubai is one of the tourist capitals of the world, but the business scene is also thriving in the city. Specialists from all sorts of industries arrive here every day to attend international conferences, close substantial deals, and for all other sorts of business trips. And if you’re one of them, we’ve prepared all the information you need to know before embarking on a journey to the United Arab Emirates.
Where to Stay During a Business Trip in Dubai?
While it is common for large companies to organize accommodation for their employees during their trips to Dubai, it is also not unusual for people to handle it themselves or at least have a partial authority when it comes to choosing a place to stay.
Much like all the other parameters of the trip, accommodation should be chosen individually, based on your own needs and preferences. Dubai offers a vast selection of options, so finding the perfect place should not be an issue.
Business life in the city is unsurprisingly centered around the Financial District or the DIFC, so the most popular option is to rent an apartment or book a hotel right in the neighborhood. Of course, if your job site is in a different part of the city, it would make perfect sense for you to pick a closer location. Thankfully, there are hundreds of venues you can book in virtually any part of Dubai.
In case business is only going to be a small part of your visit, you might also consider booking a resort. Compared to apartments in the city center, hotels on the shoreline will save you time on preparing breakfast and provide a much more comfortable and relaxing accommodation.
Lastly, if you’re looking to experience the luxury and prestige of Dubai, you can stay at one of its signature hotels such as the Atlantis hotel on the famous Palm Jumeirah island, the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, the Armani hotel in Burj Khalifa, or the Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel.
Transportation Options for Business People
Getting around the city is important for any tourist, but it is doubly vital when it comes to attending business meetings. Travelers in Dubai can rely on multiple options to arrive at their destinations on time, so let us explore them one by one.
Public Transport
Dubai has a sophisticated system of public transport that allows you to comfortably travel between virtually any two locations in the city. There are numerous bus itineraries riding all around Dubai, and there is also a 2-line subway that covers its busiest neighborhoods.
Public transport in Dubai is reliable and safe, and you won’t have much trouble figuring it out. It will be enough to download a mobile app that will pick the itineraries for you, and the vast assortment of payment options will ensure an overall comfortable experience there.
Needless to say, it is also the cheapest option to get from point A to point B in Dubai. This might be important for small-scale business trips that don’t have the budget to rent a private car, and even though it might be a bit discouraging, it allows you to achieve a much better immersion into the life of the city.
Uber and Taxi
The second most obvious option is to drive around in a cab. Uber and other apps of this kind are fully operational in Dubai, and there is also a local taxi service available here. Uber is a particularly convenient choice in case you are planning to have the company reimburse your traveling expenses, as all the rides with cheques will be saved in the app.
The main advantage of choosing a cab relates to its efficiency, as you will always be able to pick up a ride quickly, leave without thinking of parking the car, and won’t have to deal with public transport itineraries.
As for the drawbacks, it might not be comfortable to order a cab every time, if you are going to need multiple rides every day. Additionally, the costs might accumulate quickly, which is especially unfavorable if you’re on a tight budget.
Car Rentals
Renting a car is another great idea, especially if you’re going to spend more than a couple of days in Dubai. The city is equipped with all the modern automotive infrastructure, and virtually everything is designed with drivers in mind here. There are spacious parking lots next to every significant building or attraction, and many venues and businesses even offer valet services to save you time on parking.
The most popular rental options in Dubai are sedans such as Mercedes Benz E-Class, Audi A6, or BMW 520. These cars are both formally stylish and powerful enough to get you from point A to point B quickly and comfortably.
But if you’re up for experiencing the richness of the United Arab Emirates, you should also consider some luxury options like Bentley Continental, Lamborghini Huracan, or Porsche 911. Dubai has some of the best weather conditions and some of the best roads to experience the full potential of these cars, so upper class business people often opt in for one of these vehicles or even try out several of them during the trip.
Personal Driver
The last option we have on the list is to hire a personal driver for the duration of your visit. Needless to say, it is by far the most convenient option, as you will never have to think about the driving routes, public transport itineraries, or set up the Uber order. Instead, all you will need to do is to get in the car and wait to arrive at your destination.
Of course, it is respectively the most expensive option we are covering today, as you will obviously pay both for the vehicle itself and for the driver’s services. Some major companies often arrange drivers for their top-tier employees, but it is also not uncommon for upper-class business travelers to order such services themselves.
What to Do During Your Free Time in Dubai?
Unless you’re one of the very busiest travelers, you will have some free time in Dubai. The city is essentially universally-appealing, as it offers venues and activities for virtually any taste, and the assortment of options is almost endless. Let us go through the main things you might do while you’re still in the United Arab Emirates.
Cuisine Exploration
Even if your trip is very busy, you still have to have lunch and dinner to remain functional, and Dubai is one of the best places in the world to explore different international cuisines. Of course, you can start with trying out local dishes such as the meat and rice mix called al machboos, or the numerous varieties of falafel, but if you’re more into European cuisine, there are plenty of venues to choose from as well.
If you’re up for some exquisite meals, here is a rundown of the most popular and luxurious restaurants you should visit:
- Bleu Blanc, Downtown Dubai;
- Thiptara, the Palace Downtown hotel;
- Enigma, the Palazzo Versace Dubai;
- Yacht Club Restaurant, Dubai Marina;
- Trèsind Dubai, the Trade Centre District;
- Ossiano, the Palm Jumeirah;
- At.mosphere, the Burj Khalifa.
At the same time, there are almost unlimited options for quick snacks available in any neighborhood of Dubai. Starting with various food trucks and ending with international fast food chains, the city always has something affordable to offer.
Sightseeing
There are many notable places in the city, and if you have a spare couple of days during your trip, it is definitely worth exploring them. We have covered the 40 most popular tourist attractions of Dubai in a separate article, so here, we will briefly list the most obvious options:
- Burj Khalifa – the highest skyscraper in the world;
- Palm Jumeirah – the largest man-made island in the world;
- Dubai Marina – an impressive neighborhood around the Dubai Water Canal;
- Bastakiya Quarter – a historical neighborhood;
- La Mer – one of the city’s most beautiful public beaches;
- Miracle Garden – a picturesque park with amazing flower installations.
If you have even more time, visiting Dubai’s neighboring emirates might also be a great idea. For example, the drive to Abu Dhabi is only around an hour and a half, and seeing the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as well as the other attractions in person is definitely worth the ride.
Nightlife
Despite the United Arab Emirates having fairly strict rules for locals, Dubai offers its visitors a vibrant nightlife with tons of interesting activities you can indulge in after finishing your business affairs in the city. Some of the most popular nightclubs you can visit are:
- WHITE Dubai;
- Soho Garden;
- Base Dubai;
- 1 Oak Dubai;
- Billionaire Mansion.
Dubai is a city of skyscrapers, so unsurprisingly, there are many rooftop bars that offer unbelievable views. Some of the most well-known establishments of this kind are:
- Level 43 Sky Lounge;
- Mercury Lounge;
- Tomo;
- At.mosphere Lounge;
- Pure Sky Lounge.
Other activities and venues you can enjoy by the sunset include beach clubs, live music events, night markets, dinner cruises, karaoke bars, comedy shows, and essentially everything else you would expect from a modern city with vibrant nightlife.
Costs Planning for a Business Trip to Dubai
To a certain degree, almost every business traveler in Dubai has to operate on a budget, whether it relates to the limit the company is willing to reimburse for food and accommodation or to planning the costs that you’re going to cover yourself. Thus, let us overview the main expenses you will encounter during your visit to the UAE.
Renting a Place
The prices in the accommodation industry may range dramatically, depending on the hotel or apartment you choose as well as on their exact location. The cheapest hostels in the city might be around $6 or AED 24 per night, while the most luxurious venues like the Burj Al Arab hotel might charge up to $1,000 or AED 3,650 per night for its best suites.
Let us list some other examples for you to have a better picture of the city’s prices:
- A terrace suite at the Atlantis hotel at Palm Jumeirah is around $100 or AED 365 per night;
- A double-bed suite in Raffles Dubai is around $140 or AED 515 per night;
- A room in the 4-star Atana Hotel is $40 or AED 145 per night;
- A suite in The First Collection Marina is $60 or AED 220 per night.
Needless to say, the prices also depend on the demand during the time of your stay, and on how much in advance you’re booking the place. We always recommend doing it at least a month prior to your visit.
Cafes and Restaurants
The situation with cafes and restaurants is virtually the same as with hotels and apartments: depending on the level of luxury you’re looking for, the prices may vary a lot. Here are some examples of what meals at different places might cost you in Dubai:
- A quick bite at a fast food chain such as McDonld’s, KFC, Burger King, or Pizza Hut – from AED 25 ($7) to AED 40 ($11);
- A meal at a small cafe such as Starbucks, Tim Hortons, or Costa Coffee – from AED 40 ($11) to AED 100 ($27);
- A dinner with drinks at an average restaurant – from AED 150($40.50) to AED 350 ($95);
- A multi-course meal at a luxury restaurant like At.mosphere – from AED 500 ($135) to AED 1,000 ($270).
Transportation Expenses
We have mentioned four different transportation options for business travelers in one of the previous sections, and your expenses will be directly impacted by the option you go for.
If you decide to explore the city with public transport, the average ride on a bus or subway will cost you from AED 3 ($0.80) to AED 15 ($4), depending on the distance. Assuming you will be staying there for a week with two trips per day, the total would range from AED 42 ($11.20) to AED 210 ($56).
An Uber ride will normally range from AED 20 ($5.50) to AED 60 ($16.35) within the city. With the same assumption of a weekly trip with two rides a day, it will leave us with a total ranging from AED 280 ($77) to AED 840 ($229). Of course, if you decide to go with more luxurious Uber ride types, the prices will be noticeably higher.
With car rentals, the situation is a bit trickier, as each vehicle model and each rental brand might have different daily rates. Let us list some of the average prices for renting different models in Dubai:
- KIA K5 GT – 100 AED ($27);
- Mazda 6 – 220 AED ($60);
- Dodge Charger – 270 AED ($73.50);
- Chevrolet Camaro Cabrio – 280 AED ($76.20);
- Dodge Challenger SRT – 300 AED ($81.70);
- BMW 5 Series – 390 AED ($106.20);
- BMW 520 – 500 AED ($136);
- Porsche 911 Turbo S – 700 AED ($195);
- Lamborghini Huracan – 1,000 AED ($544);
- Ferrari Portofino – 1,000 AED ($544);
- Ferrari F8 Tributo – 1,500 AED ($816).