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TRAVEL TIPS
General
Information
General tips
Opening hours and holidays
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GENERAL
TIPS
SECURITY
Personal safety
The UAE is one of the safest places in the world to visit. In fact, it has been designated the world’s safest holiday destination by the international travel industry on two occasions. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to take out travel insurance and to take the normal precaution to safeguard yourself and your valuables.
Police Headquarters
| Abu Dhabi |
02 4461461 |
| Dubai |
04 2292222 |
| Sharjah |
06 5631111 |
| Ajman |
06 7436000 |
| Umm al-Qaiwain |
06 5656662 |
| Ra’s al-Khaimah |
07 2333888 |
| Fujairah |
09 2370000 |
Dubai Police hotline (Al Ameen service)
8004888 alalmeen@emirates.net.ae
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Emergency Numbers
| Ambulance |
998 or 999
|
| Fire |
997
|
| Police |
999
|
| Coastguard |
04 3450520
|
| East Coast Coastguard |
09 2380380
|
Helicopter Service
If you dial 999 or 04 2821111, Dubai Police guarantee that in an emergency a police helicopter will be with you within 8 minutes
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TIPPING
Tipping is not compulsory, but is common practice. Gratuities to staff at hotels are at your discretion. Most restaurants add service charges to the bill (Abu Dhabi 16 per cent; Sharjah 15 per cent; Dubai 10 per cent). If this charge is not included, add 10 per cent of the total to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. Supermarket baggers, bag carriers and windscreen washers at petrol stations are generally given a tip.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ask permission before photographing people in general. Avoid photographing Muslim women and do not photograph airports, docks, telecommunications equipment, government buildings, military and industrial installations.
TIME
The UAE is four hours ahead of GMT. The time does not change during the summer. This means that there is a three-hour difference between UK and UAE local times in summer and a four-hour difference in winter.
ELECTRICITY
Domestic supply is 220 volts. Sockets suitable for three-pin 13 amp plugs of British standard design are the norm. However, it is a good idea to bring an adaptor with you. Alternatively, adaptors can be purchased in local supermarkets. Appliances purchased in the UAE will generally have two-pin plugs attached.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
The UAE uses the metric system, although British and US standard weights and measures are understood.
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CLOTHING
Lightweight summer clothing is ideal with a wrap, sweater or jacket for cooler winter nights and air-conditioned premises. Although the dress code in the UAE is generally casual, guests in the larger hotels do tend to dress more formally in the evening. Since you are visiting a Muslim country, bikinis, swimsuits, shorts and revealing tops should be confined to beach resorts. Women are usually advised not to wear short skirts and to keep their shoulders covered. Note that in Sharjah women are prohibited from wearing swimsuits on public beaches.
TOILETS
Most shopping centres, public gardens, museums etc have clean, well-maintained public toilets. Outside of the cities, you can find good public toilets at restaurants and petrol stations.
FOOD AND WATER
The standard of food hygiene and water quality is extremely high, especially in all of the larger centres. You should take the time to investigate conditions in smaller cafés in remote areas, although again standards are usually good. Raw salads and shawarmas (meat cooked on a spit and served in a pittta bread sandwich) are to be avoided if you have any doubts.
Drinking water is usually produced by desalination so it is normally safe to drink, nevertheless you may prefer the taste of bottled water. In any case it is advisable to drink plenty of water in the heat so carry a bottle with you at all times.
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