Long haul

[feelinlucky]

My first time travelling long haul. We have quite a bit if time in Dubai. What considerations are there please? I'm an incredibly fearful flyer too :( oh, I'm going to the Philippines.

Oh, and vaccinations etc? I'm really useless but lucky to have family who travel there regularly.

Are you stopping over in dubai or just in airport?

you won't believe quite how far away places are! Take a couple of books and an empty water bottle, fill the latter airside before boarding. Then chill out, move around every hour and try not to clock watch.

note that big jets take a good minute to get off the ground, it is a long run up if you are used to short haul. Perfectly normal.

If you are frightened you ought to try to sort this before the journey.

vaccination info on masta.gov.uk. 24/7 insect repellent for all tropical places against dengue.

We will be in Dubai 20 hours!! Arriving at 4am then not off again until the early hours so I'm guessing I should book a hotel at the airport? Is this even possible? I'm quite looking forward to seeing a bit of Dubai. As far as I can see it's not far to see some sites?

I'm incredibly anxious and avoided flying for years but I want to do this so that I can spend some time with my lovely uncle who has a life limiting illness. I've had propananol and a very low dose diazepam before. I'll probably ask the doctor again. It doesn't usually do much except stop my heart from popping out :)

Have a look at the premier inn at Dubai airport. Gets good reviews on trip advisor

Thanks frozen, it's £65 for the night and perfect fir our needs. I'm using a travel agent but found our flights on ebookers for around £300 less. It's a huge amount if money to pay and I'm slightly concerned about doing an online booking. Do you think it will be ok to do it online with ebookers rather than the travel agent?

online sites are fine - make sure you are on the site you think you are on. Make sure you type names exactly as in passports. Check small print re cancellation and changes.

remember to book your travel insurance the moment you book your flights - so get quotes before hand.

Absolutely ok to use ebookers.

If you are 24 hours in Dubai and can afford it may be book 2 nights at premier inn. Means you have your room from when you arrive at 4 am all the way through until you need to check in.

I'll book it online Monday. I have a feeling my passports are out of date!

Just booked it through ebookers ??. I'm so excited. I need to book two nights at the airport, one going out and the other coming back.

I hope the passports are in date and that you've got the insurance!

I got insurance straight away. Thanks for that advice, I wouldn't have thought of it immediately. My passport is in date but my son needs a new one which isn't as bad as needing two. My sister and my niece are also coming. Yay! I need to get a hotel in Dubai now. I will book the premier inn at the airport. It looks like I can get a family room but my niece is 16 and they stipulate two children under 16. Do you think they will be ok with siblings and their children and one being 16?

frozen, we actually get in to Dubai at 7.30am so will just book a room for one night. We flight out to Clark at 4am so we might manage a couple of hours sleep. On the way back we get in just after midnight and get our connecting flight at 7am, is it worth getting a hotel for a few hours sleep?