Flying on Emirates offers the option to extend an existing layover into a two day or more stopover in Dubai. It’s an underrated perk that allows you to explore a city that you wouldn’t otherwise get to see. While you could easily dedicate an entire trip to Dubai, with a little strategic planning you can experience the best of the city during a 24-48 hour Emirates stopover in Dubai.
Where to Stay During a 48 Hour Stopover in Dubai
In order to make the most of your extended Emirates stopover in Dubai, it’s best to stay centrally located. Dubai is a large city, where it can take upwards of 45 minutes to get from one site to another. Downtown Dubai offers a central home base with hotel options at various budgets.
What to Pack for a Long Emirates Stopover in Dubai
As modern as Dubai is to the eye, it is still a conservative, Muslim culture. There is no official dress code, but it’s always best to be respectful of local cultures. There is a wide range of attire in public areas, especially tourist hot spots. I found myself gravitating to loose cotton or linen dresses that covered my shoulders and knees, and never felt uncomfortable.
When packing for an extended layover, it’s important to use packing cubes or leave everything you need easily accessible. Avoid fully unpacking or messing up your perfectly packed bag by setting aside what you’ll need for your Emirates layover in Dubai. Always pack at least one outfit and essential toiletries in your carry on in case of any baggage mishaps.
Dubai Layover Packing List
- 2-3 dresses or skirts that cover shoulders and knees
- Sweater or light jacket if spending an evening in the desert
- Swimsuit
- Cross body bag – I love this Polene dupe!
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals that can double for beach club or dinner out
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Travel-size toiletry bottles
- Camera
- Cash
How to Get Around Dubai
Our primary mode of transportation was Taxi. Dubai also has Uber, though we found taxis to be cheaper than the Uber fares every time. If you’re traveling on a budget, the Dubai metro is known to be clean, reliable and a cheap way to get around. Dubai is a widespread city, so don’t expect to be able to walk everywhere.
What to do in Dubai During a Long Layover
Morning in Old Dubai
In Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, you can get a glimpse of what the city was like before Dubai became a modern desert metropolis. The charming neighborhood, often still referred to Al Bastakiya, showcases the city’s rich cultural heritage and humble beginnings.
Arabian Tea House
Start your day at Arabian Tea House with a taste of Emirati cuisine. Share a pot of one of their many teas under the shade of the covered patio. Whether you’re there for breakfast or lunch, the extensive menu is full of local delicacies to fuel the rest of your day in Al Fahidi.
Explore Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood
Arabian Tea House sits on the edge of the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. After breakfast, venture down the narrow alleyways, protected by the shade of wind towers and coral stone buildings. A leisurly morning allows you to stop along the way to pop into the many galleries and museums that have found home in the historic district.
Most notable is the Al Fahidi Fort, a historic fort since transformed into the Dubai Museum. Dating back to the 1700’s, it’s widely considered to be the oldest standing building in Dubai.
Abra Ride Across Dubai Creek
Abras serve as the bridge from past to present, shuttling commuters and tourists alike along the Dubai Creek. For 1 Dirham – equivalent to about $0.27 – you can hop aboard for a unique and direct way to get across the Dubai Creek. The back-and-forth shuttle will take you from the Bur Dubai dock to the Diera Old Souk dock in just a few minutes. The boats operate on cash-only, so plan accordingly. The driver will come around to collect your fare before leaving the dock.
Textile, Spice, and Gold Souks
Although most of the Souks have become fairly touristy, it’s an experience to be had. Just past the Al Fahidi Fort, you will find the Textile Souk. While most of the other souks sit across the Dubai Creek, the Textile Souk is on the south side of the creek. This will give you a good introduction to the organized chaos of the souks and the opportunity to test out your haggling. If you’re still in the mood to shop, continue on by abra boat to the Spice and Gold Souks, located on the north side of the Dubai Creek.
Haggling is expected, so don’t take any price at face value. You can typically negotiate down by at least 30% – sometimes even up to 50% the original ask. Start your negotiating slightly lower than you’d ideally like to pay to allow some wiggle room to reach a common agreement. To negotiate the best rate, bring cash and buy in bulk from the same vendor if you are planning to buy multiples for souvenirs. Don’t be afraid to walk away – sometimes it takes you leaving the shop for vendors to follow you out with a better offer.
Evening in the Desert
It’s easy to fill a 48 hour stopover in Dubai without leaving the city limits, but if you have time to spare, an evening in the desert is a unique experience that you can’t get in many other places. There are a few ways to experience it – from an active sand boarding excursion to a luxury resort overnight.
Platinum Heritage Safari offers a middle of the road experience for those looking for a leisurely evening learning about the culture and history of Dubai and its surrounding land. The seven hour experience includes round trip transfer from your hotel, a vintage Land Rover ride through the desert to the Bedouin camp, cultural experiences and dinner under the stars.
Morning at the Burj Khalifa
Dubai makes its name for being the ultramodern home to the biggest, newest, or best – fill in the blank. Check off two of the most notable landmarks in one morning with a visit to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and the Dubai Mall, the second largest mall in the world.
Burj Khalifa
Book your tickets for the Burj Khalifa in advance online. Many recommend going at sunrise, but that’s not for the faint-of-heart after after a long red eye to Dubai. Instead, the 8:00 AM time slot will offer a few more hours of sleep with light crowds and memorable views of the early sun rising over the city.
Breakfast at Ida Bakery
After you’ve planted your feet back on solid ground, exit the Burj Khalifa through the Dubai Mall towards the Apple Store to make your way to Ida Bakery for breakfast. Walk along the Dubai Fountain toward the Palace Downtown for a few unmatched photo opps along the way. On the other side of the 10 minute walk, you’ll be met with hand crafted coffee beverages and breakfast favorites featuring freshly baked breads and baked goods.
If you are visiting the Burj Khalifa in the late morning, you can alternatively stop by Time Out Market for lunch. In every city we’ve seen it in, Time Out is an easy option to sample some of the city’s best outposts for a lunch on the go.
Dubai Mall
If you’re at the Burj Khalifa and exploring downtown, the Dubai Mall is easy to check off the list; But if you’re short on time during a quick 24 – 48 hour Emirates stopover in Dubai, there’s no need to make a special stop just for the mall. While it has most western mall staples, including both designer and high street options, it also is home to an ice skating rink, movie theater, and aquarium.
Afternoon at Aura Sky Pool, Palm Jumeirah
The Palm Jumeirah is another one of the man-made wonders of Dubai. The best way to see the palm-shaped island is from above. Aura Sky Pool is the tallest 360 degree infinity pool in the world – keeping with Dubai’s theme of biggest, tallest, best. At 200 meters above ground level, Aura Sky Pool features panoramic views of Dubai.
Loungers can be booked for either a full day, morning, or afternoon. The afternoon time slot gives you access to the best sunset view in Dubai, and should not be missed on a stopover in Dubai. Some lounger options come with food and beverage minimums; however, regardless of which row or view your lounger is assigned, everyone has unrestricted access to the 360 degree pool so you don’t need to worry about missing the view.
Aura offers showers and high-end amenities, like Dyson hair dryers, so you can head right to dinner at the Palm – or to your next connecting flight! – once the sun has set on your 48 hour Emirates layover in Dubai.
Comment below how you would spend 24 – 48 hours on an Emirates stopover in Dubai!
