Abu Dhabi Travel Tips

Regular Abu Dhabi business hours are from 08:00 to 17:00, Saturday to Wednesday, with most offices being closed on Thursdays and Fridays. Shops usually open from 08:00 to 13:00, close for a few hours, then reopen from 16:00 to 21:00, although more and more shops and department stores are staying open throughout the day. Many shops are open on Thursday mornings; however, most close on Thursday afternoons and all day on Fridays.

Banks and post offices have very limited opening hours, so plan ahead if you need counter service. Recognising the often inconvenient opening and closing times, better hotels go out of their way to provide essential services to their guests 24 hours. Museums and tourist sites have relatively flexible opening and closing times, depending on the attraction. There are also seasonal variations, so check with your hotel for up-to-date information on your arrival.

Banks: 08:00 to 13:00, Saturday to Thursday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 13:00, Saturday to Thursday
Department Stores and Shops: 08:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 21:00, Saturday to Wednesday; 08:00 to 13:00 on Thursdays 
Museums: 08:00 to 17:00, Saturday to Wednesday; 08:00 to 12:00 on Thursdays
Business Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Saturday to Wednesday

Twice voted the world’s safest holiday destination, the UAE is considered one of the safest places to visit. Tourists are rarely, if ever involved in violent crime due to a heavy police presence and harsh penalties. However, potentially inconvenient occurrences such as having valuables stolen are not uncommon therefore it is wise to exercise due caution with your wallet, money, passport, bags and other personal items, just as you would when travelling to any location.

Abu Dhabi police are very approachable and will try to assist tourists with any problems; however it is also advised that you report any incidents of thievery to your hotel as well, so that they can help you with communications to the police. The police treat any reports of crimes committed against foreigners very seriously.

Women travelling without the companionship of a man may receive unwanted attention on the streets or in public taxis. However bothersome, this attention is usually harmless. Dressing modestly in loose fitting clothing and having your hotel call an Al Ghazal taxi should aid your comfort. Al Ghazal taxis are Mercedes vehicles which run on a fixed rate. Their drivers operate at a higher level of professionalism than the regular public taxis you can flag on the street. If eating outside the hotels or shopping centres, look for separate rooms marked "Family Rooms" in local restaurants. This is where women should dine. Also, avoid the public beaches and stick to the beaches of hotels.

 In any situation, if you feel you are being harassed, call attention to yourself and contact the police as they treat harassment very seriously.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. The most common plugs are square with three-pins.

Abu Dhabi is very clean and modern, so there are relatively few health concerns. To guard against the slim possibility of getting sick from unhygienic food, hepatitis A vaccines are advisable prior to your arrival and care should be taken to drink bottled water. Tap water is officially considered safe for drinking, but some parts of the city have outdated pipes that can introduce contaminants. However, tap water is safe for showering and drinking after boiling.

Heat is a factor to be wary of in the UAE. Care should be taken when outdoors to wear sunscreen and protective clothing. Visitors should also take care to drink enough liquids, so as to prevent dehydration.

Most quality hotels have excellent in-house doctors and nursing staff to deal with all but life-threatening conditions, while Abu Dhabi’s hospitals are considered to be of a very high international standard and often employ Western doctors.

The official language in UAE is Arabic; however, English is widely spoken and regarded as an unofficial second language in the spheres of business and tourism.

The official UAE currency is the dirham, which consists of 100 fils. There are 5, 10, 25 and 50 fil coins and a 1 dirham coin, while notes include denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 dirham. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar.

Credit cards are widely accepted in the more upmarket segments of Abu Dhabi’s business and services, such as accommodation providers, restaurants, retail stores, shopping malls, tour operators and car rental agencies. Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express are among the most popular cards accepted. However, if you wish to shop in the souks, then you will need UAE currency.

There are currency exchange booths at the airport and at most hotels, where you can change money 24 hours. You can also change money at specialised currency exchange counters spread around the city. Banks offer bureau de change; however they are only open in the mornings, from Saturday to Wednesday.

ATM machines are common, particularly in the more tourist-frequented localities such as transportation terminals, shopping malls and business districts. Most ATMs will accept cards networked with Cirrus, Maestro, AmEx, Eurocard, Visa, JCB or MasterCard.

Customs formalities in the UAE are just that – formalities. There are no duties imposed on personal items, as much of the UAE is duty-free anyway. Be careful not to carry any inflammatory religious material or items that may loosely be considered pornographic or revealing, such as a Victoria's Secret catalogue, as the UAE is an Islamic country and has strict laws.

 A person may bring in 2,000 cigarettes; 400 cigars; 2kgs tobacco; 2 litres of spirits and 2 litres of wine (non-Muslims only) and perfume. While alcohol can be brought into the country via airports, (except Sharjah) it is generally not allowed in at overland borders.

Standard customs declaration forms need to be filled out prior to approaching the Customs counter.

As the UAE is an Islamic country, care should be taken to dress conservatively when in public, particularly during any religious holiday period. Tourists are not expected to cover their hair or wear the black abaya, however dressing modestly will win you more respect. While hotels and clubs allow Western swimwear, it is frowned upon if worn in public areas.

Special rules of etiquette apply during the fasting month of Ramadan, when eating, smoking or drinking in public during the day is banned and strictly enforced. However, most hotels and clubs allow their foreign guests to sate themselves without restriction. Throughout Ramadan, people should always dress very conservatively when in public including when participating in outdoor activities.

While tipping is not compulsory, it can go a long way in increasing intercultural communication and getting better service. A good yardstick is 10 per cent. Hotels include service charge and hotel tax in the bill. Otherwise, the UAE is a tax-free country. When shopping, the price tag is the final price you pay on anything.

Dining Etiquette
Arab people love to eat, particularly after the Ramadan fasting hours and during religious holidays. When passing food or using hands to touch food, be sure to only use your right hand, as using the left is considered rude. In modern hotels, most rules are relaxed in deference to foreign visitors. Many hotel and other restaurants place a service charge on bills of around 15 per cent, however this typically goes to the owner, so tipping a friendly and helpful waiter or waitress around 10 per cent will guarantee a smile and even better service next time. Dress is considered important in the UAE, so dress smartly, particularly in the evenings when dining at the more upmarket establishments.

Entry requirements for visitors to the United Arab Emirates are rather complicated and subject to regular change; therefore, you are advised to check the current regulations before planning your trip.

British citizens and residents of the Gulf States are issued visas for up to three months on arrival, free of charge, while citizens of most western nations including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada and most western European countries are issued visas for one month on arrival, also without charge. Visitors from non-exempt countries that do not fall into the above categories must apply for a visa at their nearest embassy prior to departure.

Visitors should be aware that citizens of Israel will not be granted entry to the United Arab Emirates, while any other visitor who has evidence of travel to Israel in their passport will also be prevented from entering the country.

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has its own website with information on the city and the emirate, together with useful links to Abu Dhabi websites. Website: www.abudhabitourism.ae Telephone +971 2 444 0444

The UAE Ministry of Information and Culture has a great website that provides in-depth and up-to-date information on all facets of travel and tourism within the UAE including Abu Dhabi. Website: www.uaeinteract.com