Essential Apps for Traveling to Dubai & the UAE
23 apps · Apps verified August 9, 2026 · Guide written April 1, 2025
Quick Answer
What apps do I need in United Arab Emirates?
For United Arab Emirates, most travelers should download Yesim, Airalo, Holafly, and Saily before arrival for transport, payments, maps, and connectivity. International cards are widely accepted, though keeping a backup payment option is still wise. Tap water is generally safe to drink.
Sources
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Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions travelers and AI assistants ask most often.
What apps do I need in Dubai?
Essential apps are Careem or Uber, Dubai Now (government services), Talabat (food delivery), and a VPN.
Do I need a VPN in Dubai?
VoIP services (WhatsApp calls, Skype) are restricted in the UAE. A VPN may be needed, but use of VPNs for illegal activity is prohibited.
Is Uber available in Dubai?
Yes, Uber operates in Dubai. Careem (owned by Uber) is the dominant local platform.
What is the best payment method in Dubai?
Cards and contactless payment are widely accepted. Apple Pay and Google Pay work well.
What apps do I need in United Arab Emirates?
For United Arab Emirates, most travelers should download Yesim, Airalo, Holafly, and Saily before arrival for transport, payments, maps, and connectivity. International cards are widely accepted, though keeping a backup payment option is still wise. Tap water is generally safe to drink.
If you use these apps at home
How the big global apps hold up in United Arab Emirates — and what locals use instead.
- If you use Uber Works, locals prefer local apps
- Uber works in United Arab Emirates, but locals mostly use Careem.
- If you use Uber Eats
- For food delivery, locals in United Arab Emirates typically use Talabat.
- If you use WhatsApp Limited
- WhatsApp has limited functionality in United Arab Emirates. Messaging works fine, but voice/video calls are blocked. Use BOTIM instead.
- If you use Google Maps Works, locals prefer local apps
- Google Maps works in United Arab Emirates, but locals mostly use Waze and S'hail.
- If you use Amazon Works here
- Yes — Amazon works in United Arab Emirates.
eSIM & Data Plans
4 apps
Already use N26, Revolut, or Truecaller? Some bank apps now bundle travel data, so check yours first. If not, these standalone eSIMs are the best value:
Ride Hailing
2 apps
Public Transit
2 apps
Navigation
3 apps
Food Delivery
3 apps
Communication
2 apps
Shopping
2 apps
Tours & Experiences
2 apps
Health & Insurance
3 apps
💳 Payment Methods in United Arab Emirates
Tourist Accessibility
Excellent for tourists
International Cards
ATM availability: common
Accepted Payment Methods
Popular Local Payment Apps
💡 Card-centric economy with cash only 18% of transactions. Contactless payments handle 84% of card transactions. All major digital wallets accepted (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay). Tipping culture expects 10-15%.
Travel Information for United Arab Emirates
Common Requirements
- Passport valid for 6 months (3 months if holding residence permit)
- Confirmed return ticket
- Hotel booking or sponsor letter
- Sufficient funds for stay
🏧 ATM Tips
ATMs everywhere (10,000+ machines). All international cards widely accepted. No withdrawal fees from most local banks. Daily limits AED 5,000-10,000. Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq common banks.
💱 Money Exchange Tips
Exchange bureaus (Al Ansari Exchange, UAE Exchange) offer better rates than banks and hotels. Airport exchange convenient but slightly worse rates. Many places accept USD. Credit cards widely accepted - best exchange rate.
Best Time to Visit
November-March (cool season, 20-25°C, perfect weather). Peak tourist season with higher prices. Avoid May-August (extremely hot 40-50°C). Ramadan varies annually - restaurants close during day, muted nightlife, but great cultural experience. Dubai Shopping Festival (January), Dubai Food Festival (February-March), Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (November).
SIM Cards & Connectivity
FREE 10GB eSIM from e& (Etisalat) for tourists as of September 2024 (valid 24 hours, easy to top up). Two providers: e& (Etisalat) and du. Tourist SIMs at airport kiosks. Prepaid plans AED 50-200. Requires passport registration. eSIM widely available (Airalo most popular). 5G coverage excellent. VoIP calls (WhatsApp/FaceTime) blocked - need BOTIM/GoChat (paid).
Cultural Notes
- Dress modestly in public - shoulders and knees covered. Beachwear only at beach/pool.
- No public displays of affection (illegal)
- Alcohol only in licensed venues (hotels, restaurants). Drinking in public illegal.
- Ramadan: No eating/drinking/smoking in public during daylight hours
- Friday is holy day - government offices closed. Weekend Friday-Saturday in some emirates, Saturday-Sunday in Dubai.
- Tipping: 10-15% restaurants (often included as service charge), AED 5-10 valet, AED 20-50 hotel porters
- Photography: Ask before photographing locals, especially women. No photography of government buildings, palaces, airports.
- Left hand considered unclean - use right for eating and greeting
- Respect local dress (abaya for women, kandura for men)
- No proselytizing - religious conversion illegal
- Drug laws extremely strict - zero tolerance, including trace amounts
- Swearing and rude gestures illegal (can be deported)
Safety Rating
Emergency Numbers
Tap Water
Tap water is desalinated and safe to drink, but most residents and tourists prefer bottled water due to taste. Bottled water is cheap (AED 1-2).
Power Outlets
220V, 50Hz
UK-style three-pin plugs. US and European visitors need an adapter. All hotels provide adapters or have universal outlets.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not as strongly expected as in the US. Service staff come from diverse backgrounds and generally welcome tips.
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Stations at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Cheapest option. Runs 5am-midnight (Fri from 10am). Buy Nol card at station.
Official taxi queue. AED 25 airport flag-fall. Metered. Reliable and air-conditioned. Careem/Uber also available.
Careem is more popular locally (owned by Uber). Pick up at designated areas. Often slightly cheaper than taxi.
Routes to Deira, Bur Dubai, and Al Ghubaiba Bus Station. Air-conditioned.
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Official metered taxis. AED 25 airport flag-fall. Clean and reliable.
Air-conditioned. Runs every 40 min. Hafilat card needed.
Available at designated pickup area.
⚠️ Fake Gold/Designer Goods
Street vendors or small shops in older souks sell fake gold jewelry or counterfeit designer goods marketed as 'real' at 'discount' prices.
Buy gold only from licensed shops in the Gold Souk (they display licenses). If the price seems too good to be true, it is.
⚠️ Unlicensed Desert Safari Operators
Very cheap desert safari deals (under AED 50) from unlicensed operators may use unsafe vehicles, skip insurance, and provide poor experiences.
Book through your hotel or reputable platforms (Klook, GetYourGuide). Expect to pay AED 150-250 for a quality experience.
⚠️ Taxi Long-Routing
Some taxi drivers take unnecessarily long routes from the airport or tourist areas to inflate the metered fare.
Use Google Maps to track the route. Dubai taxis are generally honest but it's worth checking. Careem/Uber show the route in the app.
✈️ Download Before You Go
Get these apps ready on your phone before boarding
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