Are you drawn to sun-drenched beaches, modern architecture, and luxurious shopping centers and galleries? Are you planning a trip or a dream vacation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and looking for advice on how to best prepare for your journey? You've come to the right place! We have several tips and recommendations for what to pack for this exotic destination – from suitable clothing to practical accessories that will make your trip and stay more enjoyable.
Adapt to the Weather
The United Arab Emirates are known for their hot and dry climate with minimal rainfall and predominantly desert terrain. Due to high humidity, temperatures can reach up to 45 °C, especially during the summer months, so it's advisable to bring light, breathable, loose-fitting clothing made from natural materials (cotton, linen). This will also protect you from the sun. During winter, temperatures range up to 25 °C and it tends to be cloudier. If your goal is tourism, it is recommended to plan your trip between March and May or October and December, when conditions for exploring the region are most suitable.
What to Pack for the UAE
Although metropolises like Abu Dhabi and Dubai are cosmopolitan and open to tourists, the society, culture, and behavior of UAE residents are significantly influenced by their religion, which is Islam. When moving around the city, it's best to opt for a more conservative casual outfit, which can include summer dresses, blouses, skirts, shirts, and knee-length shorts. For footwear in hot weather, sandals or canvas sneakers will be suitable, while flip-flops will be appreciated by the pool. If you have various sports planned, don't forget to pack sports clothing and footwear in your travel suitcase. If you're planning a trip to the desert or mountains, classic hiking boots will be invaluable.
When visiting historically significant cultural sites, it is customary to adhere to a recommended dress code – shoulders, chest, and knees should be covered. If you plan to visit any of the mosques, you certainly won't go wrong with a long-sleeved T-shirt, blouse, or shirt and long ankle-length trousers. Ladies may also be asked to wear a headscarf before entering religious sites, so it's advisable to have one with you when traveling around the UAE.
Regarding swimwear, the rule is that it is worn only on the beach and at pool resorts. If you want to go outside the hotel complex after swimming – into the city or a shopping center, definitely change your clothes. Also, don't forget daily sun protection – a hat, scarf, sunglasses with UV filter, and quality sunscreen with a high SPF factor – such as these.
A folding umbrella with UV protection can also be a practical helper; thanks to its small size, it easily fits into almost any carry-on suitcase. Most indoor spaces are air-conditioned, so it's good to have a light sweater or a shirt with you, for example. When sitting in an air-conditioned restaurant or lounge after a hot day, you won't feel cold.
Choose the Right Luggage: Carry-on Backpack or Checked Suitcase?
It all depends on you and your needs. Are you planning only a short stay in the UAE and don't want to bother with checked luggage? Then we recommend using a carry-on backpack, carry-on bag, or carry-on suitcase that meets the dimensions for hand luggage of the airline you will be flying with to the destination. The CabinZero carry-on backpack allows you to have free hands, is more compact, and fits better into the overhead compartment, or within the carry-on luggage limits of various carriers. A laptop can also fit inside.
Do you prefer a suitcase? Then you have a choice of a textile or hardside carry-on suitcase with enough space for your essentials. If you are going on a longer trip or need more items with you, the right choice will be a checked medium or large wheeled suitcase. The advantage of a hardside suitcase is its durable material, which better protects fragile items during transport, and a double-sided packing system offering more organization options.
Classic textile suitcases allow quick access to items (just open the front part) and also have external pockets, which hardside travel suitcases mostly do not. A two-wheeled suitcase offers more storage space but can only be pulled behind you. A four-wheeled suitcase can be comfortably rolled alongside you, and its swivel wheels allow for better avoidance of obstacles on the ground.
TIP: For better organization and easier packing, you can try practical travel organizers. They are suitable for clothes, accessories, or electronics, and fit into both carry-on backpacks and suitcases.
Useful Travel Helpers
When packing for the UAE, the following accessories can be useful, making not only your journey but also your entire stay easier:
- Quality wireless noise-cancelling headphones: A small smart accessory that can do big things, allowing you to enjoy high-quality sound. During a 6-hour flight, you can watch movies or listen to your favorite music. As a bonus, the headphones can also serve as earplugs if you want peace and quiet even in a noisy airplane cabin.
- Travel power adapter: In the UAE, you will commonly encounter British-type sockets (3 pins). Therefore, it is necessary to purchase an adapter (converter) for charging your phone, camera, laptop, tablet, and other electronics.
- Smartwatch with GPS: They will help you quickly orient yourself when exploring new places during walks in the city and its surroundings. This way, you'll be able to stick better to the route you set. If you stray from it, you'll quickly find your way back without having to rely solely on your mobile phone.
- Power bank: If you plan trips to the mountains and nature, it will be useful to have a power bank on hand. It will allow you to charge your smartphone or other device anytime and anywhere as needed. Moreover, it can be easily carried in a carry-on backpack or carry-on bag.
- Water and dust-resistant smartphone case: In the hot and dusty environment of the UAE, it pays to protect your mobile phone from high temperatures, water, and sand. For example, sand could damage the screen or charging connector when on the beach or in rough terrain. A protective case will help minimize risks.
A Peaceful Vacation in the UAE with Travel Insurance
Before traveling to the UAE, it is important to take out suitable travel insurance. The service Klik.cz / Porovnej24.cz will help you quickly compare offers from several insurance companies. You can easily customize your travel insurance to your needs, including selecting accident insurance or baggage insurance against loss and damage during transit. It is important to check the insurance limits to ensure they cover potential unexpected events or health problems during your trip, or risks associated with activities you plan to undertake at your destination – for example, extreme sports.
TIP: For a better overview of what needs to be insured/added to your insurance, a daily itinerary of your trip/holiday, which you can plan using various applications on your computer and mobile phone, will help.
Don't Have a Flight Ticket Yet?
Letuška.cz offers a wide range of flight tickets to Abu Dhabi or Dubai at attractive promotional prices. Simply search for the relevant destination, enter your dates, departure location, and choose the most advantageous ticket for your planned stay. Before your trip, we also recommend checking current alerts, warnings, and recommendations on the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, where you will also find contact information for the diplomatic mission and other practical information for your stay in the UAE.
TIP: You don't have to wait to buy flight tickets! As a Czech citizen, you do not need a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates. The only requirement is a passport valid for at least another 6 months from the date of your stay.
Are you choosing a new suitcase for your trip? Check out brands like IMPACKT or American Tourister.
Sources:
- https://mzv.gov.cz/cestujeme
- https://u.ae/en/#/
- https://www.visitdubai.com/en/
- https://www.emirates.com/cz/czech/before-you-fly/travel/
Photos: pixabay.com, pexels.com, cabinzero.com
