Dubai is about four hours by air from Chennai and well connected to most Indian cities. It suits honeymooners, families and groups of friends equally, and it is easy to combine with Abu Dhabi. These are the questions we answer most often when travellers ask us for Dubai tour packages from India.
UAE visa for Indians
Most Indian passport holders need a UAE tourist visa arranged before travel. Some Indian travellers who hold a valid visa, green card or residence permit from certain other countries may qualify for a visa on arrival, but the list of eligible documents has changed in recent years. We check the current rules for your passport and apply for the visa as part of your package. Your passport should be valid for at least six months.
Best time to visit
November to March is the season — warm, sunny days and pleasant evenings, ideal for the desert and outdoor attractions. April and October are hot. From May to September temperatures regularly pass 40°C, so days are spent indoors, although hotel rates are lower. Seasonal attractions such as Global Village usually open only in the cooler months.
A 5-day Dubai plan
- Arrive: transfer to your hotel; an evening dhow cruise with dinner on the Creek or at Dubai Marina.
- Dubai city: the Burj Khalifa observation deck, Dubai Mall and the fountain show, then the old town — Al Fahidi, the souks and an abra across the Creek.
- Desert safari: a free morning, then dune driving, sunset in the desert and dinner at a camp.
- Abu Dhabi: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with time for the Louvre Abu Dhabi or the theme parks on Yas Island.
- Depart: last-minute shopping and transfer to the airport.
What affects the cost
Dates (December and New Year are the dearest), hotel area and category, and which ticketed attractions you add make the biggest difference. Shared tours cost less than private ones; a private car makes sense for families and elders. We quote everything in writing, item by item.
Useful tips
- Dress modestly in malls and old Dubai, and cover arms and legs at mosques (abayas are provided at the Grand Mosque).
- The currency is the UAE dirham (AED); cards are widely accepted.
- During Ramadan, eating and drinking in public in daylight is discouraged; many attractions keep shorter hours.
- A cruise from Dubai is a relaxed way to see the Gulf — see our Dubai and Gulf cruise.
Browse our Dubai and Middle East tour packages, or send us your dates and we’ll build the trip around them.
