1 Day in Dubai. What to see, do and where to stay?

[flyboysp]

In about 2 weeks I'll be flying with QF in J to LHR. I was thinking of arranging my flights so that I'd have about 24 hours in Dubai. I'm tempted to go QF9 with a 0705 arrival to DXB then QF9 the following day with an 0905 departure. In my time in Dubai at the very most I was thinking I could visit the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall. Is there anything that you kind folk suggest I do instead of or as well as I am? Further to this, what hotel would you recommend I stay in, in Dubai? FWIW, this will be my first I'll be travelling solo and am 30.

I'm assuming I don't qualify for Dubai connect.

Regards

 

[RooFlyer]

That connection, being >24hrs will be 2 flights and more expensive of course, but Dubai is worth a look.

Dubai can be oppressively hot and humid so you might like to get a hotel on the metro line, which is excellent (although, being 30, you may be a bit more resilient!). And/or a hotel close to the airport that has a shuttle.

Definitely Burj Kalifa (sunset tour would be good - must book ahead, online) and the mall. Don't miss the 'dancing fountains' outside. A walk along Dubai Creek watching the life on the river is good, and you can also take in the old Al Fahidi fort (now a museum), and then cross the river to Deira and the gold souk.

A separate area, but lesser in my opinion is the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (you'll know it when you look it up) and the Madinat Jumeirah shopping centre.

There are tours into the desert by 4WD - haven't done it but comes recommended. I wouldn't do it if it takes too much of your time - evening would be ideal.

Here is a trip report with pics and descriptions of what I've mentioned above.

 

[Pushka]

April weather in Dubai is perfect. Around 28-30. We'll be there in around 3 weeks. Just coming out of the cooler season.

Khalifa and Shopping Mall for sure and if time do the Hoho red bus route. You won't have time to do the desert safari at night but they do similar during the day. I've done the night one only.

My longer stay TR is in my signature.

 

[flyboysp]

That connection, being >24hrs will be 2 flights and more expensive of course, but Dubai is worth a look.

Dubai can be oppressively hot and humid so you might like to get a hotel on the metro line, which is excellent (although, being 30, you may be a bit more resilient!). And/or a hotel close to the airport that has a shuttle.

Definitely Burj Kalifa (sunset tour would be good - must book ahead, online) and the mall. Don't miss the 'dancing fountains' outside. A walk along Dubai Creek watching the life on the river is good, and you can also take in the old Al Fahidi fort (now a museum), and then cross the river to Deira and the gold souk.

A separate area, but lesser in my opinion is the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (you'll know it when you look it up) and the Madinat Jumeirah shopping centre.

There are tours into the desert by 4WD - haven't done it but comes recommended. I wouldn't do it if it takes too much of your time - evening would be ideal.

Here is a trip report with pics and descriptions of what I've mentioned above.

Thanks for the advice and for that link. Looks really good.
With regards to my flight was to arrive into Dubai on QF9 and depart at 2.10am the following morning to LHR on QF1. Do you think that is better?

 

[flyboysp]

April weather in Dubai is perfect. Around 28-30. We'll be there in around 3 weeks. Just coming out of the cooler season.

Khalifa and Shopping Mall for sure and if time do the Hoho red bus route. You won't have time to do the desert safari at night but they do similar during the day. I've done the night one only.

My longer stay TR is in my signature.

Cheers for the advice mate.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for the advice and for that link. Looks really good.
With regards to my flight was to arrive into Dubai on QF9 and depart at 2.10am the following morning to LHR on QF1. Do you think that is better?

Tough call. If the extra cost of both the flight (I'm assuming!) hotel and evening meal wasn't prohibitive, I'd stay the night as I sleep poorly on planes AND loath early morning departures. But if you sleep well on planes, and 3-4 hrs in the J lounge before the flight doesn't phase you (including dinner), save the money and take the early morning flight. I think you could still do the evening Burj tour.

 

[jastel]

If you can spare a few days Dubai is good for a stopover. I usually try to have a few days if I am doing QF1.
As it leaves at 2am, you dont need a hotel for that night...I have done a desert tour and it got back around 9 - 10pm so plenty of time to get to the airport.
Dubai is hot so at least you can get a shower in the J Lounge.
You can Metro your way around, it is easy. The Hop on/off bus is good as well, just to see the buildings, the old city and the new Palm Tree and marina bit...can be slow due to traffic.
Dubai Mall is a tourist attraction in itself...it has the Aquarium with a small zoo thing as well...Burj Khalifa susnset tour is good but book in advance...fountains...ice skating rink ...shops of course...and cars, just stand near the door and watch the fancy cars come and go.
Mall of the Emirates has the indoor snowski attraction.
Ferrari world is not far away, about an hour and $60 by taxi to the end of the Metro system. I did this on my first day arriving and the roller coaster cured my jetlag.

Enjoy.

 

[flyboysp]

Thank you for your suggestions. I ended up booking the QF9 arrival at about 7am with a QF 1 departure at 2am. To my surprise, I was actually eligible for Dubai connect, so some accommodation and transport is sorted.

As I'm connecting to QF 9 from QF453 ex SYD, where do I collect my vouchers for Dubai?