Need help planning Dubai Trip

raksrules

raksrules

Level N
I am located in Mumbai. I intend to travel to Dubai sometime later this year. Possibly when Kids have holidays too in school. I will be going with my wife and 2 kids (8 and almost 4).
I need help on following...

  • I am planning 5 Days, is that good amount of time?
  • I would like to go to Kid friendly locations, so need suggestions of what they are. Not intending any waterpark or amusement park, but if Legoland is there, I would love to go.
  • Should I plan travel and sightseeing myself or go through a tour? I am going for first time and want to make sure I don't get overwhelmed planning it.
  • I would like to live somewhere (if not going through tour) where things are accessible around, like food (veg only) to eat and such.
  • What is a good time to visit? Since I have to plan around my kids' school holidays, I will have to go around Diwali or Christmas.
  • I intend to go to the market where I can buy some electronics (mostly iPhone / iPad) and I believe it is in Bur Dubai?
  • For connectivity, is it easy to get a SIM at airport or something?
  • How to get Visa for Dubai? I have heard / read that going through VFS is cumbersome and better to go through make my trip, go ibibo or some tour website / agency. Is that true?
  • Wife may want to buy some gold (not sure what is max allowed legally to be brought in). Suggest where to go for this. I have zero knowledge about precious metals.
 
raksrules said:
I am located in Mumbai. I intend to travel to Dubai sometime later this year. Possibly when Kids have holidays too in school. I will be going with my wife and 2 kids (8 and almost 4).
I need help on following...

  • I am planning 5 Days, is that good amount of time?
  • I would like to go to Kid friendly locations, so need suggestions of what they are. Not intending any waterpark or amusement park, but if Legoland is there, I would love to go.
  • Should I plan travel and sightseeing myself or go through a tour? I am going for first time and want to make sure I don't get overwhelmed planning it.
  • I would like to live somewhere (if not going through tour) where things are accessible around, like food (veg only) to eat and such.
  • What is a good time to visit? Since I have to plan around my kids' school holidays, I will have to go around Diwali or Christmas.
  • I intend to go to the market where I can buy some electronics (mostly iPhone / iPad) and I believe it is in Bur Dubai?
  • For connectivity, is it easy to get a SIM at airport or something?
  • How to get Visa for Dubai? I have heard / read that going through VFS is cumbersome and better to go through make my trip, go ibibo or some tour website / agency. Is that true?
  • Wife may want to buy some gold (not sure what is max allowed legally to be brought in). Suggest where to go for this. I have zero knowledge about precious metals.
Click to expand...
I can answer the gold part only, as few of my office pals had been to Dubai for company trip, he purchased a gold chain and wore it while coming back to avoid any hassles.
You can buy chains/rings & wear it, make your wife & kids wear it.

I think, the customs authority won't question on the gold you are wearing, you can get it melted & reformed here if that is required.

Gold Biscuits may be an issue.

Whatever you do, don't do this

.jpg
 
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montsa007 said:
I can answer the gold part only, as few of my office pals had been to Dubai for company trip, he purchased a gold chain and wore it while coming back to avoid any hassles.
You can buy chains/rings & wear it, make your wife & kids wear it.

I think, the customs authority won't question on the gold you are wearing, you can get it melted & reformed here if that is required.

Gold Biscuits may be an issue.
Click to expand...

Yes I have heard lot of people do this. Wear the ornaments to bypass the customs limits.
 
Even customs are aware of this but as people wore them they dont question. I think there might be some capping to as to how much gold one might carry else people will even wear worth 50cr.
vishalrao said:
Just don't look like a Bappi Lahiri lookalike
Click to expand...
Ya else forget gold they will detain you on human piracy grounds..
 
raksrules said:
I intend to go to the market where I can buy some electronics (mostly iPhone / iPad) and I believe it is in Bur Dubai?
Click to expand...
yes you got the right information about the area.
Take a metro, get down Sharaf DG, https://goo.gl/maps/uR3KUg3jhkBquYbT9 lots electronics shop nearby, check near Al Fahidi Street/Astoria Hotel.
But beware - until you bargain hard, like Palika Bazaar type bargain, you are not going to get decent price. If buying latest iPhone model, people says its better to get in India itself.
My personal experience - "electronic is cheap in Dubai" is a myth.

raksrules said:
For connectivity, is it easy to get a SIM at airport or something?
Click to expand...
yes, at immigration you will (every adult travelling) gets a free SIM valid for one day. and one can recharge it if wish to continue using.
if you have airtel - take international roaming in that, at-least you should be able to receive SMS in that. if using Vodafone, pray God that it works.

raksrules said:
How to get Visa for Dubai? I have heard
Click to expand...
if want to go via agents, check Akbar travels.
Else applying and getting visa online is easy - its eVisa. check YouTube lots of video in this context.

raksrules said:
I am planning 5 Days, is that good amount of time?
Click to expand...
amount you should consider while visiting dubai is not time, but money.... how much you want to spend :)
raksrules said:
I would like to live somewhere (if not going through tour) where things are accessible around, like food (veg only) to eat and such.
Click to expand...
accessibility is not an issues, if you don't mind travelling in metro, Dubai has very robust network. regardless wherever you stay a metro/tram should not be more then 500m away,
 
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Ramadhir Singh said:
yes you got the right information about the area.
Take a metro, get down Sharaf DG, https://goo.gl/maps/uR3KUg3jhkBquYbT9 lots electronics shop nearby, check near Al Fahidi Street/Astoria Hotel.
But beware - until you bargain hard, like Palika Bazaar type bargain, you are not going to get decent price. If buying latest iPhone model, people says its better to get in India itself.
My personal experience - "electronic is cheap in Dubai" is a myth.


yes, at immigration you will (every adult travelling) gets a free SIM valid for one day. and one can recharge it if wish to continue using.
if you have airtel - take international roaming in that, at-least you should be able to receive SMS in that. if using Vodafone, pray God that it works.


if want to go via agents, check Akbar travels.
Else applying and getting visa online is easy - its eVisa. check YouTube lots of video in this context.


amount you should consider while visiting dubai is not time, but money.... how much you want to spend :)

accessibility is not an issues, if you don't mind travelling in metro, Dubai has very robust network. regardless wherever you stay a metro/tram should not be more then 500m away,
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for detailed replies.

I am ok to travel in metro but then if we are 4 people (not sure if they will charge for a 4 year old kid), will metro still be good option or getting taxi better as cumulative metro fare for 4 people may (just guessing) be similar to taxi fare.

About SIM Card, what are cheapest recharge options? I guess I may need more data than calling I believe but yes calls on need basis may be required.

About electronics, I have to kind of agree with you. I just bought iPad Mini 6 from croma and combining various offers, I paid 41K which is actually less than official apple price in UAE. I understand that Bur Dubai markets etc will be cheaper but then even for those I saw prices on youtube (there are numerous youtubers who do videos in city choice and such shops) and it is only marginally less. I am sure if I have to buy iPhone Pro or Pro max it may be considerably cheaper than India but still I personally think that in India too, with bank offers and other things, we are able to score good deals.

Can you suggest an area where accessibility (like going out at night to eat and roam around safely) is not an issue and preferably near to some metro station. I don't want fancy hotel as almost full day will be spent outside. Hence I want reasonably hotels only. Don't want to pay 10K per day for hotel. I guess 5K or less (in Oct-Dec months) may be good price but I am not sure if I am just having wishful thinking.
Because when I am considering some costs even before I leave India, visa itself will cost me cost to 30K for 4 people, flight tickets i guess will be 20K both ways each minimum (didn't check yet) and since we want to take kids to Legoland, that itself is close to 30K Rupees.

I need to consider the days to visit as I have to manage office leaves and either plan around kids school holidays or get them to take leave.



Just to add, we are completely ok going in "off Season". What exactly is the off season for Dubai visit and is there anything called off season for this destination or not? I just tried to see tickets for Oct 2022 around diwali and I am getting 19K cheapest and december 34K cheapest and I even tried March 2023 and it gives me 27-29k for that.
 
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raksrules said:
I am located in Mumbai. I intend to travel to Dubai sometime later this year. Possibly when Kids have holidays too in school. I will be going with my wife and 2 kids (8 and almost 4).
I need help on following...

  • I am planning 5 Days, is that good amount of time?
  • I would like to go to Kid friendly locations, so need suggestions of what they are. Not intending any waterpark or amusement park, but if Legoland is there, I would love to go.
  • Should I plan travel and sightseeing myself or go through a tour? I am going for first time and want to make sure I don't get overwhelmed planning it.
  • I would like to live somewhere (if not going through tour) where things are accessible around, like food (veg only) to eat and such.
  • What is a good time to visit? Since I have to plan around my kids' school holidays, I will have to go around Diwali or Christmas.
  • I intend to go to the market where I can buy some electronics (mostly iPhone / iPad) and I believe it is in Bur Dubai?
  • For connectivity, is it easy to get a SIM at airport or something?
  • How to get Visa for Dubai? I have heard / read that going through VFS is cumbersome and better to go through make my trip, go ibibo or some tour website / agency. Is that true?
  • Wife may want to buy some gold (not sure what is max allowed legally to be brought in). Suggest where to go for this. I have zero knowledge about precious metals.
Click to expand...
Did you get the Visa? How long did the Visa process take?
 
prime said:
Good thread.

I am also planning to visit Dubai in Jan'23 with my wife and 12y kid. Almost same requirements except we want to stay at least one night (and day) in Atlantis. YOLO. :p. I hope we get it in 50k-60k range.
Click to expand...
Damn, I am hoping to find 6 days accommodation for less than that price.
 
raksrules said:
Damn, I am hoping to find 6 days accommodation for less than that price.
Click to expand...
Even I am hoping to find other 4-5 days accommodation for less than that price.

It's just one day, Earlier, it was Taj Lake Palace, udaipur on my wishlist but I guess Atlantis is better than that (or at least as good as Taj Lake Palce).
 
raksrules said:
I am ok to travel in metro but then if we are 4 people (not sure if they will charge for a 4 year old kid), will metro still be good option or getting taxi better as cumulative metro fare for 4 people may (just guessing) be similar to taxi fare.
Click to expand...
yes, i have missed the fact that you will be total 4 members. I guess taxi fare will be equivalent to metro, and with family opting taxi is better and hassle free.. also as for the first time the views from road will be amazing.
when you are there, just compare with metro and use the best option. Time wise both mode will take almost same time.

Hailing a govt taxi is easy, are available easily. Secondly you can use the local cab hailing app Careem, they levy i guess extra 1 dhiram on actual fare.
Uber will be 1.5- 2x compared to govt taxies - and should be used as only last option.

raksrules said:
About SIM Card, what are cheapest recharge options? I guess I may need more data than calling I believe but yes calls on need basis may be required.
Click to expand...
A local Dubai sim will be cheaper. check this out - https://www.du.ae/tourist ,
Or if you use airtel & able to negotiate with them for better roaming rates. (please don't even try this with any other indian ISP, you will regret).
Please note: no call over data will work, that includes your facetime, whatsapp, telegram, etc nothing works there. for calls you have to rely on traditional phone call.
About data for internet usage - don't worry, you will find free wifi almost everywhere, if are low on data just use public wifi.

raksrules said:
roam around safely
Click to expand...
you are going to one of the safest city of the world. don't worry.
I don't have much idea about the various areas. So let's wait for someone more knowledgeable to answer this.
Else if you need - I will check with my local friends & DM you at later stages. (this info should not be on open internet).

raksrules said:
What exactly is the off season for Dubai visit and is there anything called off season for this destination or not?
Click to expand...
Not sure - but someone told me the peak summers are the off-season.

prime said:
Almost same requirements except we want to stay at least one night (and day) in Atlantis.
Click to expand...
dear sir, if you ever want to do any charity please let me know.
I accept, even petty amounts such as $50. :D :D

I think this is the hotel who charge Rs.6000 to use their elevator for an ariel view.
 
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raksrules said:
What exactly is the off season for Dubai visit and is there anything called off season for this destination or not? I just tried to see tickets for Oct 2022 around diwali and I am getting 19K cheapest and december 34K cheapest and I even tried March 2023 and it gives me 27-29k for that.
Click to expand...
IINW, right now is the off-season. Dubai has plenty of events usually planned around December-January, including the Dubai shopping festival, which is why you see high flight tariffs during this period.
 
logistopath said:
IINW, right now is the off-season. Dubai has plenty of events usually planned around December-January, including the Dubai shopping festival, which is why you see high flight tariffs during this period.
Click to expand...

Ok. I don't really intend to "shop" as such. Wife may get some gold. In electronics I have nothing on my wish list. I am not sure what people usually shop in Dubai. I or anyone in my family don't wear designer clothes so clothes is out of question. I guess the shopping part would be like roaming in mall and finding something interesting and buying.



Btw what about Money? As in what is best way to carry money? Should I get some sort of forex card from icici etc? It will be loaded with AED? I guess some good amount in Cash should be carried and others in forex card?
I know some people say convert to dollar and then to AED and such. Will that help especially now with dollar above 80?
 
raksrules said:
like roaming in mall and finding something interesting and buying
Click to expand...
instead of big malls, shop from the small shopping places, unique stuffs and good pricing as well.
And definitely get perfumes - the local one from local people, not fancy one like gucci, dg.... you will find multiple places where they will make custom ones for you as well.
raksrules said:
I know some people say convert to dollar and then to AED and such. Will that help especially now with dollar above 80?
Click to expand...
avoid unnecessary complication.
25k INR is max allowed to carry per person, get some money exchanged from private exchange companies for best rates, 2k EAD is good, and later use card. once can easily use Indian debit card in atm over there if needed.
 
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Ramadhir Singh said:
avoid unnecessary complication.
25k INR is max allowed to carry per person, get some money exchanged from private exchange companies for best rates, 2k EAD is good, and later use card. once can easily use Indian debit card in atm over there if needed.
Click to expand...

Using Indian debit cards, does it attract fees if I am just getting cash?
Also what about using indian credit cards in shops / Legoland etc? Which has least fees? I have icici regular, icici amazon pay, hdfc regalia and idfc first credit cards.

If fees isn't much, I would prefer using Indian credit cards as I have healthy limit in them.
 
raksrules said:
Using Indian debit cards, does it attract fees if I am just getting cash?
Also what about using indian credit cards in shops / Legoland etc? Which has least fees? I have icici regular, icici amazon pay, hdfc regalia and idfc first credit cards.

If fees isn't much, I would prefer using Indian credit cards as I have healthy limit in them.
Click to expand...
Check Niyo Global. It is zero balance saving account with 0% foreign currency markup fee. It can be used in most countries. Also useful if you buy something online in US$ (like Amazon.com).

I have got one, yet to use it.
 
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