Comparison of temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| UAE Dubai | 24 | 25 | 27 | 31 | 37 | 38 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 32 | 26 |
| London | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 8 |
General note:
Below is an information overview. The conditions of entry, as well as the political and health situation, can change anywhere in the world at any time. We therefore recommend checking before your trip. Please check the website of the Foreign Office (www.gov.uk) before your departure.
Geography:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) comprises seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Um al-Qawain, Ras al- Khaimah and Fujairah. The UAE is located in the southeast of the Arabian Gulf and borders on Oman.
Capital:
UAE: Abu Dhabi;
Oman: Muscat
Form of government:
UAE: federal, constitutional monarchy consisting of seven autonomous emirates; the highest federal body is the Supreme Council, which is comprised of the rulers of the seven emirates; these select among themselves the head of state, who remains in offi ce for fi ve years.
Oman: absolute monarchy whilst also possessing a constitution.
Religion:
Islam is the state religion in both countries (UAE: 90% Sunnis, 5-10% Shiites; Oman: 45% Ibadis, 45% Sunnis, 5% Shiites). Resident foreigners practice their religions unhindered.
Language:
The official language is Arabic. English is also spoken and understood in business transactions and in hotels
Climate:
Subtropical to tropical desert climate with very low annual rates of precipitation (mostly in winter); extreme heat and humidity from May to October (max. daytime temperature of over 45°C); average temperature in January 18°C, in August 34°C.
Local time:
The time zone in the UAE and Oman is GMT +4 hours with no daylight saving time. The time difference with the UK is + 3 hours in summer and + 4 hours in winter.
Electricity:
220-250 volt AC, 50 Hertz. Three-pin plugs are the norm here. Adapters can be obtained from any electrical store and all larger supermarkets.
Making telephone calls:
The dialling code for long-distance calls from the UK to the UAE/Oman is 00971/00968. For calls to the UK, dial 0044 fi rst. The 0 before the area code is always omitted.
Country and people:
Due to Islam, alcohol consumption is restricted in the UAE and Oman. Particularly in the Emirate of Sharjah, there is a strict, general prohibition on alcohol. No hotel or restaurant here offers alcohol, whereas alcohol is served in the remaining emirates. Women should not wear tops, hot pants or mini skirts, but should always cover their shoulders and knees. During the fasting month of Ramadan, there are restrictions in everyday life (e.g. daytime closure of restaurants outside hotels, reduced working hours at authorities) and increased sensitivity in religious matters and in respecting Islamic traditions. Public eating, drinking, smoking and even chewing gum, even in vehicles, is forbidden from sunrise to sunset, even for non-Muslims. During this time, women should wear discreet, long-sleeved clothing as much as possible and men should refrain from wearing short leisure wear.
The carpet, jewellery and leather goods crafts are firm, sometimes centuries-old components of oriental culture. Therefore, during our trip, we will also visit a jewellery manufacturer, a leather trade and a modern carpet gallery. Here you will learn interesting facts about the art of carpet making and experience how a hand-knotted carpet has been created for generations. As part of interesting demonstrations, you will learn more about the preparation of silk threads, the natural dyeing of wool and the delicate and very time-consuming knotting. In the respective manufacturers, you will then have 1-2 hours each time to look at artworks and products.
Bargaining is part of the local customs. If you are not interested in a purchase, the traders also accept a clear no. Bargaining is not done in department stores and supermarkets.
Entry requirements for British citizens:
To enter the UAE your ‘British citizen’ passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in the UAE. You can get a visitor or tourist visa issued free of charge when you arrive in the UAE. You do not need to apply in advance of travel. Your passport will be stamped with the visa as you go through immigration. It will be valid for up to 40 days. Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. To enter the Oman your ‘British citizen‘ Passport must also have an ‘expiry date‘ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in the Oman. You must have a return ticket, a confirmed hotel reservation, health insurance, and a sum of money that will enable to bear the burden of living during the stay. You are allowed to stay in Oman for 14 days, that cannot be extended or transferrred to any type of residence visa. Note: Entry requirements for British citizens can change at short notice without the Foreign Office being made aware of this beforehand. Legally binding information and/or information on entry regulations going beyond this information can be obtained from the competent representation of the destination country (https://www.fm.gov.om/visitors/entry-visas/). Before travelling to the United Arab Emirates and Oman, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa if necessary. You are solely responsible for applying for, and presenting, any visa that may be required. Please note that entry into the UAE is dependent upon the approval of the immigration authorities.
Whilst we endeavour to provide guidance where necessary, we can not be responsible for any problems encountered (whether at any point of entry or elsewhere) in the event that passport and visa requirements are not satisfied.
Tour guides:
Your expert tour guides will be able to provide you with detailed information about the country, people, history, culture, etc., and offer advice and assistance for organising your trip. They can also help with room allocation and look forward to welcoming you with initial information. Here you will find out all you need to know and useful information about the trip. We have put together a varied programme including numerous highlights, enabling you to experience the culture and diversity of landscape that the United Arab Emirates and Oman have to offer, and learn all about the country and its people.
Additional package:
Although your trip already includes a comprehensive package, you also have the option of choosing added extras. We recommend booking the following packages:
Explorer Package: The package includes the excursions (incl. admissions) ‘Oman National Museum (incl. guided tour)‘, ‘Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi‘, ‘Abu Dhabi Dhow boat ride with Dinner‘ as well as ‘Hotel Atlantis with Aquarium‘: only £159* p.p. instead of £179¹.
¹ The comparative price for the Explorer Package is based on the standard prices of our Turkish partner (www.nbktouristic.com).
* Package prices may vary when booking on site.
Room tax:
On site, an additional bed tax is to be paid. In the 4-star hotel, this is 15 AED (approx. £4) and in the 5-star hotel 20 AED (approx. £5) per room/night (as of February 2025)
Currency/Banks/Credit cards:
UAE: The currency is the UAE dirham (AED). 1 dirham = 100 fi ls. Exchange rate (February 2025): 1 GBP = 4.57 AED; 1 AED = 0.22 GBP.
Oman: The currency is Oman Rial (OMR). 1 rial = 1,000 baizas, Exchange rate (February 2025): 1 GBP = 0.48 OMR; 1 OMR = 2.08 GBP.
International credit cards are accepted by hotels, car hire companies and several shops. Cash withdrawals using a PIN code can be made at ATMs. Travellers’ cheques are almost universally accepted.
Customs regulations:
Passengers departing from or arriving in the UAE and Oman and carrying cash, or financial instruments exceeding AED 60,000 or ORM 6,300 an equivalent amount in other currencies, are required to declare it to the customs authorities. For passenger under the age of 18, the amount in their possession will be added to the permitted limit of their parent/guardian or accompanier. It is forbidden to bring banned items, such as controlled / recreational drugs and narcotic substances, pirated content, counterfeit currency, items used in black magic, witchcraft or sorcery, publications and artwork that contradict or challenge Islamic teachings and values etc. There are restricted goods, which need prior approval from the authorities concerned prior to import or export, such as animals, plants, weapons and related equipment, medicines (except for personal need), drugs, alcoholic drinks, eCigarettes and further. Should you require more detailed information about customs regulations governing the goods which may be brought into the United Arab Emirates, please contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates directly (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/). For Oman (https://www.fm.gov.om/) Only there will you be able to obtain legally binding information.
Important: If you are travelling to Great Britain from outside the UK, your personal allowances mean you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. If you go over your allowances you must declare all your goods and pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category. Please inform yourself about the current customs regulations: www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain.
Safety information specifi c to UAE and Oman:
In view of the general situation in the Near and Middle East, vigilance is also advised in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. You should act in a safety-conscious manner that is appropriate to the situation, especially in large crowds.
Crime: The UAE is one of the safest countries in the Middle East with an extremely low crime rate. Nevertheless, individual incidents of pick pocketing, e.g. in larger shopping centres, can not be ruled out.
Special criminal law provisions:
Strict Islamic moral values prevail in the UAE and Oman. Homosexuality and extra-marital sexual relations are prohibited and punishable by a prison sentence if reported to the authorities. Tourists sharing rooms in hotels do not generally experience any difficulties in this regard. Likewise, expressions of mutual affection (e.g. kissing, physical contact) in public can lead to fines or prison terms in accordance with Islamic law. Consideration of customs and traditions in the UAE is therefore recommended. Travellers should exercise restraint in public, and their behaviour should take consideration of the religious, political, cultural and social traditions of the country, as well as staying clear of any demonstrations or protest events.
The possession and consumption of even the smallest quantities of drugs will also result in prison sentences. Even consumption of soft drugs some days beforehand can be established through blood tests and subject to correspondingly tough punishment.
It is a criminal offence to photograph / film the following facilities: military facilities, ports, airports, imperial palaces, public buildings, industrial plants, crude oil/natural gas plants. In the event of a violation, at least the camera / film/chip will be confiscated.
Medical information:
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest countryspecific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website (https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries). Each country-specifi c page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.
Medical care:
If you are planning to travel with any prescribed or over the counter medicines for personal use, you will need to meet the UAE’s specifi c requirements for your medicine to be allowed into the country. A list of medicines where this rule applies, allowed quantities and documents to present can be found on the Ministry of Health website (UAE: https://www.mohap.gov.ae/en); (Oman: https://www.moh.gov.om/en/) To gain approval prior to travelling, you can apply online using the electronic application form and accompanying user guide on the Ministry of Health website. Healthcare facilities in the UAE are generally comparable with those in the UK, but visitors may be prevented from using them without travel insurance or without the means to settle any medical fees. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
Customers should ensure that they are physically and psychologically fit for undertaking the selected trip and make the necessary queries concerning the level of physical and psychological fitness required.
All information is subject to change/Last updated: February 2025
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