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Is Dubai suitable for families?
Combine the Emirati values of family and hospitality, and the result is a country that is naturally family-friendly.
Arguably, as a younger city, Dubai has been designed with families in mind since hundreds and thousands of expatriate families have chosen to make this destination their home over the last few decades.
Speak to any expat living here and they'll of course answer “yes” to whether Dubai is a suitable destination for families. But as with any holiday location, there are pros and cons of travelling here with your family and it’s up to you to decide whether it’s the right place for your next trip together.
When is the best (and worst) time to travel to Dubai?
This sun-soaked desert city is an excellent choice for a family holiday due to year round hot weather. But it’s up to you to decide how hot is too hot for you.
October to March are the coolest months, offering up a great place for your winter destination holiday. Winter temperatures are as low as 19°C between December and January, and arguably the best time to visit with children.
Be mindful of booking a trip in February to April, though, as the emirate has a habit of cloud-seeding to entice rainfall. It’s great when you’re living there and you crave some rain, but as a Brit abroad? It’s the last thing you want.
May is when the mercury really starts to rise and in June, July, and August, you’re looking at highs of 50°C. Then with September comes a lot of humidity.
Should you travel to Dubai during Ramadan?
When booking, it’s worth checking when the Holy Month of Ramadan falls. The month moves forward by 15 or so days every year. These days, restrictions during the Holy Month have relaxed, so a stay here during Ramadan shouldn’t be too much of a challenge with children.
Instead, it’s worth knowing as there are cultural norms and etiquette that should be observed throughout the Holy Month and as a tourist, it’s a nice opportunity to experience Iftar, visit one of the many shopping malls and witness the Dubai Police cannons located throughout the emirate.
Is Dubai safe for families?
Dubai is a safe holiday destination to travel to with families. Incidents of petty theft and incidents against tourists or families are extremely rare. In fact, it's frequently considered one of the safest places to visit in the world. Of course, it's always wise to check government guidance before travelling so we'd recommend consulting foreign travel advice before travelling from the UK to the United Arab Emirates.
Do I need to rent a car in Dubai?
If you’re brave enough to face driving on a 12 lane-wide motorway at speeds of 80+ mph, renting a car could be a suitable option. Rental companies offer an array of options to choose from, and you can rent baby and toddler car seats for a little bit extra per week.
But if driving isn’t for you, you can get around the emirate easily via public transport if you stick to the main routes and destinations. Public transport is affordable here. For taxis, you can use the emirate’s national taxi service, RTA, for cheaper rates. Or for a few extra Dirhams - and a bit more luxury - you can easily book a private cab through apps like Uber or Careem.
Depending on where you stay, you may be within walking distance to or a short drive away from the Dubai Metro. There’s also the Dubai Tram in Dubai Marina and the Dubai Trolley in Downtown Dubai to help you get around these popular locations. Riding gold class on the Dubai Metro is a must, and definitely an easy, cheap fun thing to do with kids in tow. It's worth mentioning that Dubai Metro also offer women and children only cabins, too.
What is the time difference between the UK and Dubai?
Despite being a seven hour flight away, Dubai only has a three or four-hour time difference from GMT depending on the time of year. Meaning minimal jet lag for you all.
Where is best to stay in Dubai with kids?
When choosing your hotel, it’s wise to consider transportation links nearby. There’s a reason why locations like Dubai Marina, JBR, Downtown Dubai, and Palm Jumeirah prove popular with tourists every year - and it’s because they’re some of the most well-connected places in the emirate.
JBR is a superb spot for families as you have Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island, JLT all within walking distance or a very short drive. Plus, there’s access to The Beach as well as the many, many dining outlets - hello Cheesecake Factory! - and shops along the promenade that we’re sure you’ll love to wander through on an evening.
What is the most iconic hotel in Dubai?
Burj Al Arab of course. This luxury hotel is the world’s first, self-proclaimed 7-star hotel and is the epitome of indulgence and Arabian opulence.
Don’t be fooled, though. While it might be a 7-star luxury hotel, there are things to do for children and families here. Including a visit to the hotel’s Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary (this is a must), as well as Wild Wadi Waterpark and a dedicated kids club.
Is Dubai expensive to visit for families?
Flights can be expensive depending on what time of year you travel, and unless you’re okay with a standard double room, you’re looking at spending a bit more for some extra space to fit you all.
When it comes to food options, there are thousands of dining outlets and brands to choose from across the emirate. From your low-budget, Western fast-food brands, to mid-range local cuisine restaurants and buffets, to your more expensive a la carte offerings and luxury restaurants.
With this in mind, lots of Mumsnetter’s recommend booking and paying for all inclusive in your Dubai hotel resort to remove the hassle of trying to budget for your meals and drinks each day.
What are the best flights to Dubai for families?
When booking your flights, unless your children are older and could handle a transfer, it’s best to select a direct flight. Emirates is the most popular airline here, and their cabin crew are brilliant with babies and young children. In fact, you may even leave your flight with a photograph in hand as a memory of your experience.
Virgin and British Airways also offer flights, and are both great options if you’re travelling from London or Manchester.
Must-visit attractions in Dubai
As mentioned, there’s endless possibilities for fun with the kids here. From the unusual Museum of Illusions in Al Seef, to the jaw-dropping views of a ride on Ain Dubai, it will be easy to fill your schedule with things to do. Just don’t forget to allow for some sunbathing and pool time!
Here’s some of the top, must-visit attractions in Dubai to add to your list of things to do:
Do’s and don’ts when visiting Dubai
As an Islamic country, a more modest code of behaviour is required when visiting the UAE. Although these days, many would argue that the majority of tourists and expats don’t observe them as strictly as they should - particularly in Dubai.
Despite this, there are a few etiquette do’s and don’ts to be wary of. Including avoiding public displays of affection, no bad language or obscene gestures in public, and absolutely no use or possession of drugs.
When it comes to dress code, you’ll often see exceptions, but a good rule of thumb to follow is modest dressing. Cover your shoulders, cleavage and legs above the knees when in public areas, and away from the beach or pool. Oh, and topless bathing is illegal.
Another thing worth noting is that it’s illegal to be drunk in public. Despite what those images and stories on Instagram may show, being inebriated in the emirate can lead you to being fined, or worse, imprisoned. It’s always best to have your wits about you.
Lastly, taking photographs of another individual without their consent is unacceptable and considered highly offensive. Photographs of government buildings, mosques or military installations are also huge no-nos.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real parents
Before choosing any destination for our roundups, we first consult the Mumsnet forums. With over 10 million users per month, there’s a lot of suggestions by real parents who have been there, done that when travelling to Dubai with the family.
We’ve also picked the brains of our resident ex-UAE expat, Rebecca, to provide you with a detailed guide and advice on where to stay with the kids in the emirate, the best places to see, and even tips on some of the unusual activities you may enjoy with the little ones in tow.
Expert guidance and traveller reviews
After we’ve collated our hotel picks, we then turn to the experts and consult the likes of TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Expedia to see what their recommendations include for family holidays here.
Here we’ll also check what travellers are saying about the UAE on these sites, taking into consideration both the positive and negative points of their trip to bring you a well-rounded and honest guide.
Celebrated hotels
Finally, we cross-referenced all of the above information to find the best Dubai hotels for families that had won the most awards and recommendations across the board. We feel there’s something here for everyone, to suit every budget.
Why should you trust us?
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
About the author
Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. She spent six years living and working in Dubai so knows the UAE well. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. As a mum of two herself, she knows all too well how difficult travelling with kids can be. Whether it’s within the UK or abroad, she’s on a quest to find only the best and most family-friendly locations, with the help of Mumsnet user recommendations.
Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.