By Mohammed Rashad Hussain, Managing PartnerPublished 4 min read
Is Dubai safe for tourists?
Most visitors have an uneventful trip. Violent and street crime against tourists is rare, and the places visitors spend time, such as Dubai Mall, the Marina walk and the Metro, are busy and watched.
That does not mean no risk. The UK government’s safety advice lists the points worth reading:
- Protect your belongings and never leave a drink unattended. Criminals can spike drinks.
- Drinking or being under the influence in public is illegal anywhere in the UAE. Sharjah bans alcohol entirely.
- Fraud and unpaid bills, including hotel bills, can lead to prison, fines and frozen bank accounts.
- The advice describes the terrorism threat as high and says attacks could be indiscriminate. It tells visitors to stay alert in public places and at public events.
The advice also covers regional tension, and it changes. Read the live page the week you fly, and the advice from your own government if you are not British. Our guide to Dubai’s laws for tourists covers the rules that most often catch visitors out.
What are the most common scams?
They are small and avoidable.
- Touts in arrivals. At Dubai International, men may offer a car as you leave the hall. Unlicensed drivers carry no fare meter and no recourse if something goes wrong. Our guide to licensed and illegal taxis in the UAE shows what a legal vehicle looks like.
- Street tour sellers. Buy desert safaris, dhow dinners and attraction tickets from the operator’s own page or your hotel, not from a stranger in a mall.
- Gift and shop pressure. If someone says a shop is closing down and everything is half price, walk on.
- Fake ticket sites. Check the address of the official attraction before paying.
Pay by card where you can, and keep receipts.
Is Dubai safe for solo women?
Generally yes, with the usual city sense. The FCDO advises care when walking or travelling alone or at night, using a reputable taxi company and not accepting lifts from strangers. It also notes that UAE law puts a high burden of proof on a complainant in sexual assault cases, so read it before you travel.
Two women-focused options exist. Dubai’s pink-roofed taxis have female drivers, and the FCDO says women-only taxis can be hailed or booked in advance. A women and children cabin is set aside on the Dubai Metro. Our guide for solo female travellers using rides in Dubai goes through booking, sharing your trip and what to expect at pickup.
Road safety, heat and the sea
For many visitors the traffic is the larger risk. Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road move fast, with six or more lanes in places. Seat belts and child seats matter, and our child car seats in the UAE page sets out the rules.
Heat is the other one. July and August afternoons often pass 40 degrees. Keep outdoor time to the morning or after sunset, drink water before you are thirsty, and see Dubai in summer for a day plan.
At public beaches, swim only where lifeguards are on duty and follow the flag. Lifeguard hours vary by beach and season, so check Dubai Municipality before you go.
Emergency numbers and the Dubai Police app
The UAE Government portal lists these, all callable from anywhere in the UAE:
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 999 | Police |
| 998 | Ambulance |
| 997 | Fire department (Civil Defence) |
The same portal lists tourist police lines, but its tourist help page gives two different Dubai numbers, so we do not print either. Your hotel can give you the working number.
We could not confirm the details of the Dubai Police app from an official page, so we do not describe it here. Check the app store listing of the Dubai Police before relying on a feature.
If you are carrying prescribed medicine, read bringing medication into the UAE first. Families should also see Dubai with kids.
What do current travel advisories say?
Advisory levels move. We do not quote a level here because it would be out of date within weeks. Check the FCDO page, your own foreign ministry and your insurer on the day you book and again before you fly, and register your trip where your government offers it.
Safe transport choices
Licensed taxis, the Metro and booked apps are all sound. A pre-booked chauffeur adds a fixed pickup point, a named driver and a car you can track. Assure is RTA licensed and answers 24/7 on WhatsApp and phone, so you can arrange airport transfers before you land. For a day around the city, see our chauffeur service.
Photos in this guide
Dubai Marina towers and moored boats lit up at nightKhanshahab06 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A white Dubai Police Ghiath patrol SUV parked on the JBR walk with the Ain Dubai wheel behindAlBalushi001 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The ticket gates and concourse of Al Ras station on the Dubai MetroAdbar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cream and red Dubai taxis lined up outside the arrivals doors at Dubai International Terminal 2Ravi Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
