Dubai Layover Itinerary: What to Do in 6 Hours, 1 or 2 Days
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Traveling via Dubai and have a few hours to spare? Or maybe you’re planning a longer stopover in Dubai for one or two days, but aren’t sure if it’s worth it or what to see and do? This guide will help you plan the perfect Dubai layover – from just 6 hours in the city to a full-day or 2-day itinerary.
Here, you’ll find the best things to do in Dubai during a layover, practical planning tips, and a few hotel suggestions for a quick stay. Whether you have a short connection or an overnight stop, you’ll see how much you can actually experience in a limited time.
From airport transfers and must-see landmarks to sightseeing routes and short Dubai itineraries, this guide covers everything you need to make the most of your layover or stopover in Dubai.
TIP: Don’t spend your long Dubai layover sitting at the airport. Even with 6–7 hours, you can explore some of the city’s highlights. And if you’re still booking your flights, try to plan at least one overnight stop in Dubai – it’s absolutely worth it!
Good to know: Immigration and security procedures can take quite some time, and you’ll also need to factor in travel to and from the airport. If your layover is shorter than 6 hours, it’s usually better to stay at the airport and relax – booking premium lounge access is a great option and far less stressful.
Have more time? Check out our recommendations for 3 days in Dubai!
Short Layover in Dubai (6+ Hours)
If you have at least 6 hours to spare on a stopover in Dubai, there’s plenty you can see and do without feeling rushed. Below are two great ways to spend your time, based on our own experience and what we find most worthwhile on a short visit.
OPTION 1: Visit Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa
One of the best things to do on a Dubai layover is to visit the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa – both are close to each other and easy to reach from the airport. You can take a taxi or the metro (see our guide to Dubai public transport). Alternatively, book a private airport transfer in advance to save time and avoid any stress.
While the metro can be faster during rush hours, keep in mind that metro stations in Dubai – especially at Dubai Mall – are often quite far from the actual destination, requiring lots of walking. If you want the most efficient option, a private transfer is your best bet.
Below, you can find more details on what you can do on a short stopover in this area.
Here’s what you can see and do on a short stopover in Dubai:
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, is impressive from every angle – both from below and from the top. If you have time, visiting the observation deck is absolutely worth it.
Good to know: The At the Top experience is very popular and often sells out. For a short Dubai stopover, book your Burj Khalifa tickets in advance and allow at least 1.5–2 hours for the visit, including lines and security checks.
PRO TIP: If your time is limited, get tickets for Sky Level 148. They include priority access through security and the elevators – a real time-saver during a tight layover.
Alternative: Instead of Burj Khalifa, you could visit the Dubai Sky Views Observatory nearby. It offers great views of Burj Khalifa, is cheaper, quicker to visit, and conveniently located near the metro exit. As always, book in advance to save time and have guaranteed entry.
Dubai Fountains
Try to catch the spectacular Dubai Fountain show, one of the most popular free attractions in the city. In the evenings, shows take place every 30 minutes from around 5.30 – 6 PM to 11 PM. There are also daytime shows at 1 PM (and 2 PM on Fridays) plus a shorter one at 1.30 PM.
You can watch the show from the Dubai Mall area for free, from the boardwalk (ticket required), or book a traditional boat ride on Burj Lake for an up-close experience – highly recommended, especially in the evening. It’s one of the most memorable things you can do during a short layover in Dubai, but tickets sell out fast, so book in advance.
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in the world. You could easily spend a week there and still not see everything…
Depending on how long your Dubai layover is and whether you still have some time left after you see the fountains, the Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Aquarium, you can do some shopping or explore further.
Don’t miss the impressive waterfall inside the mall! There is also an ice rink, dino museum, a cinema, a kids’ playground KidZania, games, and attractions of SEGA Republic, The Emirates A380 Experience, and much more.
Dubai Aquarium
Located inside Dubai Mall, Dubai Aquarium is another quick stop worth considering. You can admire the massive main tank for free from the mall itself, or purchase tickets to go inside.
If you do visit, plan at least an hour. Lines can be long, so it’s best to book tickets online – it’s cheaper and saves time.
TIP: Combo tickets (e.g., Burj Khalifa + Dubai Aquarium) offer the best value. The aquarium on its own is rather pricey, so a combo deal usually makes more sense. See all the ticket options here.
OPTION 2: Join an Organized Dubai Layover Sightseeing Tour
If you have a 5–9 hour layover in Dubai, consider booking a private driver service – one of the most convenient ways to see the city without worrying about logistics.
Private tours give you complete flexibility and help you maximize your time. Your guide will pick you up at the airport and show you the city highlights, tailoring the route to your interests.
If your stop is shorter, check out this 3-hour private Dubai transit tour instead. It includes airport pickup and drop-off and gives you a quick overview of Dubai’s most famous sights – a great alternative to sitting at the airport for half a day.
Important to know: Traffic in Dubai can be unpredictable, especially in the afternoon. Only book a city tour if your layover doesn’t fall during rush hours and you have enough time to spare. Otherwise, option 1 (Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa) will be much more relaxing.
One-Day Stopover in Dubai
If you have at least one night or a full day during your Dubai stopover, you can easily combine a visit to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa with a short city tour.
As mentioned above, half a day is enough to see the highlights around Dubai Mall – the fountains, Burj Khalifa, and even the aquarium. You can use the rest of your time to explore a few more parts of the city. Below are some of the best half-day tours and activities that work perfectly for a one-day Dubai layover.
Best Half-day Tours for Dubai Stopover
- Old Dubai & Traditional Markets. Join a half-day Dubai city tour that includes visits to the Spice Souq, Gold Souq, Al Khayma Heritage House, and the Blue Mosque. It’s a great way to experience the city’s historic side and see what Dubai was like before the skyscrapers took over.
- Dubai Marina. If your layover includes an evening, don’t miss Dubai Marina, one of the city’s most vibrant areas after dark. You can take a dinner dhow cruise with traditional Tanoura dance performances. We personally recommend the Alexandra Dhow Cruise for its great value, especially for families. If you prefer something more modern, there are plenty of Marina cruises without dinner as well. Even if you don’t go on a cruise, walking along the Marina promenade in the evening is well worth it.
- Dubai Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. If you have a full day in Dubai, the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is an easy and flexible way to see the city’s top attractions at your own pace. It covers all major landmarks -from the old town to Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Downtown – and lets you explore without worrying about transport.
- Morning or Evening Desert Tours. If you’re looking for something different, a desert tour is one of the most unique things to do in Dubai on a stopover.
- Morning option: A sunrise hot-air balloon flight offers stunning views of the desert and is ideal if you have an early morning free.
- Evening option: A camel ride or desert safari is a perfect way to spend your last hours before a late-night flight. We recently did this camel riding tour before our evening departure, and it was an unforgettable way to end our trip.
READ ALSO: Best Dubai Tours
Two-Day Dubai Stopover
If you have two days on your Dubai stopover, spend your first day visiting the city’s top attractions — Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, the Fountains, and some of the tours mentioned above. For your second day, here are a few great ways to make your short visit even more memorable.
OPTION 1: Spend a Day at a Dubai Water Park
If your Dubai stopover is in the summer, when temperatures soar, spending a day at one of the city’s water parks is a perfect way to cool off. It’s also one of the best things to do in Dubai for families with kids.
There are two main water parks in Dubai:
- Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark – Dubai’s most famous water park, located at Atlantis The Palm. It offers a wide range of slides and attractions for all ages, from adrenaline rides to lazy rivers and private beach areas.
- Wild Wadi Water Park – smaller but very family-friendly, with more attractions suited for younger children.
TIP: Entrance tickets for Dubai’s water parks are much cheaper if booked online in advance, ideally at least a week before your visit.
LEARN MORE: Tips & Tricks for Atlantis Aquaventure
OPTION 2: Take a Day Tour to Abu Dhabi
If you’d rather go sightseeing and want to make the most of your Dubai stopover, consider taking a day trip to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. It’s about 1.5 hours from Dubai and well worth the journey.
With a full day to spare, this highly rated full-day Abu Dhabi tour from Dubai is an excellent choice. It covers all the major landmarks, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan Palace, and Emirates Palace, and gives you a great overview of the city in just one day. We did this tour recently and can highly recommend it – just make sure you have enough time for a full-day outing.
If your layover is shorter and you mainly want to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, opt for this popular half-day tour instead. It takes around 5–6 hours, including transfers, and focuses on the mosque — one of the most breathtaking landmarks in the UAE.
LEARN MORE: Abu Dhabi Day Trip from Dubai
OPTION 3: Go on a Dubai Desert Safari
A desert safari is one of the most iconic things to do in Dubai – and a great way to experience the desert without going far from the city. We’ve done both of the tours below on different trips, and they were equally enjoyable (though personally, I preferred the camel tour – less car sickness!).
- 4×4 Dubai Desert Safari. This 4–7 hour tour is a classic introduction to Emirati desert life. It includes dune bashing, sandboarding, a short camel ride (about 5 minutes), and, if you opt for a 7-hour version, also a BBQ dinner at a desert camp with live entertainment.
- Sunset Camel Trek with Shows & BBQ. This 6-hour tour is a slightly more relaxed option. This premium desert experience includes a 30–45 minute camel ride, a traditional dinner, and live performances under the stars.
Both tours offer convenient pick-up and drop-off at your hotel and are ideal if your Dubai stopover includes one full day or an overnight stay.
Where to Stay on Your Dubai Stopover
Now that you know a Dubai stopover is well worth it, the next step is finding a convenient place to stay for one or two nights. Below are some of the best areas and hotel options for a short visit.
TIP: If possible, plan to stay in Dubai for at least one night instead of just a few hours between flights. Immigration and security can take time, and trying to squeeze everything into a short layover can be very stressful.
For a quick stopover, it’s best to stay either near Dubai International Airport or close to Dubai Mall and Downtown Dubai – both are excellent bases for a short visit.
GOOD TO KNOW: Staying near the airport is generally more affordable, but staying near Dubai Mall gives you more flexibility and easy access to some of the city’s top attractions.
If you’re not sure which area is best for you, check my detailed guide on where to stay in Dubai – it compares the main neighborhoods and includes practical hotel recommendations for every budget.
Best Hotels Near Dubai International Airport:
- $$$ Le Méridien Dubai Hotel – Excellent location across from the airport, multiple pools and restaurants, and free shuttle service.
- $$ Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai – Great mid-range option with spacious rooms and a large pool.
- $ Flora Inn Hotel Dubai Airport – The best budget-friendly choice near the airport; clean, comfortable, and popular with short-term travelers.
Best Hotels Near Dubai Mall (Downtown Dubai)
- $$$$$ Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai – Luxury stay right next to Dubai Mall; rooms with views of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain are available.
- $$$ Sofitel Dubai Downtown – Conveniently located near the metro station and connected to the Dubai Mall by a walkway.
- $$ Rove Downtown Dubai – Stylish and great value for money, just a short walk from Dubai Mall.
So, that’s our guide to making the most of a short stopover in Dubai. I hope you found some useful ideas and inspiration for the best things to do during a Dubai layover or stopover.
There’s so much to see and do in this city that it’s impossible to fit everything into one short visit, but whichever options you choose from above, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable Dubai stopover experience. Enjoy your trip!
READ ALSO: What to Wear in Dubai
More tips for visiting Dubai:
- Practical info:
- Things to do & itineraries:
- Interesting to know:
TIP: Did you find this guide helpful? Bookmark this post for later, share it with your friends, and save it to Pinterest to inspire your next trip.
Hi , i have 9 hour transit in Dubai this coming Jan 2024. Can you help to recommend something for me to do? Perhaps a tour in Dubai. I never been to Dubai before. Please help. Thanks
Hi Shahid, all our recommendations are already in the article above.
Have a great trip!
Hi Jurga
Found your ideas very helpful.
I’ve got 5.5 hr transit and I read you don’t suggest leaving the airport for less than 6. In your opinion is 5.5 still doable? I’ll have my 18yo daughter with me and would love to show her a quick glimpse of Dubai given its so spectacular. We arrive at 5.30am so is there anything we could do other than stay in the airport for all that time (even if I got a premium lounge access pass)? I was thinking about catching a cab into town to do a brief sightseeing tour and maybe stop at the Burj K? I’m interested in your thoughts/ideas.
Many thanks.
Michael.
Hi Michael, if your flight arrives on time and you can get through the immigration fast enough, you might be able to quickly see the city. It’s hard for me to say, only you can decide if it’s worth the stress. But yes, I guess it could work.
Otherwise, you can just wait to decide until you get there and if everything goes smooth, go and see Burj Khalifa. Whether you can actually visit it inside, that’s another story (also because of the early hours of your layover), but it’s impressive enough to just walk around the Dubai Mall area.
Don’t forget to get back to the airport on time!
Have a great trip!
@Jurga, thanks for getting back to me…much appreciated. 😉
Very simple , detailed and informative to the common traveller.Thanks.
Glad you found it useful, Rudolph. Enjoy Dubai!
Will i need to be tested for Covid-19 during my brief 12 hour stop over in Dubai, will i be allowed to board my next flight without a PCR test, and if PCR is necessary then how to make sure the test results be available in time for boarding ?
Sorry, but I really cannot help you with the advice in regards to this. The rules and requirements can change rapidly anywhere in the world these days. The last thing I heard of Dubai is that you had to do the test at home, before you leave, and be able to show a negative test upon arrival. But I don’t know if it’s still the case today and probably nobody can tell you how it will be in a month or two. So you have to check the official sources for the most up to date information in time for your trip.
Good luck!
@Jurga, I was wondering the same thing. I’m travelling from USA to Cairo and I have a layover for 7 hours in Dubai and wanted to visit Downtown Area. I was wondering if my PCR test taken in the USA will be good to get back in my Dubai to Cairo flight?
Hi Carlos, unfortunately, I really cannot help you with this. The rules and regulations change all the time, so it’s essential to check the official sources of the countries you are visiting. Good luck!
I m going to karachi ,from Bahrain and stop in Dubai is for 2 hrs can I change and take stop over for a day without any penalty?and can i have a free hotel
Hi, I’m afraid this is not something I can help you with. You have to ask your airline if you can change your ticket. As for the hotel, you can only get free accommodation when there are flight cancelations or significant delays and it’s not something that you should count on. 🙂
Hi, i will be having 1 free day at Dubai on January (Saturday), already booked the afternon desert safari tour (need to be at the hotel at 3pm).
We will be staying in Al Barsha, can you please reccomend what can we do with the kids from morning until 2pm.
At first we were thinking to go to Motiongate but it wouldn’t be possible to go to any amusement park with the limited time that we have.
Thank you!
Hi Dewi, my first idea was to tell you to go to a waterpark, but it’s quite expensive and probably not worth the hassle for just half a day. I think I have a better idea.
Why don’t you take a taxi (it’s quite cheap – metro will take too much time because you have to walk far) and go to the Mall of Dubai and visit Burj Khalifa? Our kids loved it, we loved it too, and it doesn’t require much time (just make sure to book tickets in advance).
If you have some time left after that, you can see the fountains and maybe also take a look at the big wall of the Dubai Aquarium inside the mall (you don’t have to get tickets or stand in line to just see it from the outside).
Enjoy your trip!
We are flying to Australia next week and our travel agent convinced us to do a stopover in Dubai. We have less than 24 hours (1 night) in the city and were wondering what to see, so this is very helpful. I now regret we didn’t book 2 nights.
Don’t worry about it, just make the best of the time you have in Dubai, Dierdre. The city really comes to life in the evening so it’s nice to spend a night there. Lots to see and do and everything stays open very late as well.
I’ve spent long hours in layovers at Dubai airport – I didn’t know that you could do so much in such a short space of time. Do you not need a visa though?
That’s a good question, Sara! Citizens of most European countries (and quite some others including the United States and Australia) can obtain a free visa upon arrival, so no need to do anything in advance. I found this website with more information about visa requirements for UAE.
I live in Dubai and have done for over a year now! There is so so much to do here i love it. People certainly should get out of the airport if they have chance to, i think sometimes people worry about Dubai and there really is no need to, it’s a beautiful place!
Indeed, there’s so much to do in Dubai that everyone can definitely find something for them! The difficulty is to choose where to go if you only have very little time. 🙂
This is exactly what I needed! Thank you so much. Truly informative and relevant information that I will definitely use. A lot of the flights I’ve been looking at do stop over in Dubai – and I’m all about making the most of a trip! So thanks again!
Glad you found this post useful, Suzannah. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment – appreciate it!
Valuable suggestions and a comprehensive list of sights! Specially interesting are the desert trip and the old town.
Indeed, Punita – the Old Town of Dubai is worth a visit and we truly enjoyed the desert trip as well. But I also think that no visit to Dubai would be complete without seeing Burj Khalifa, wouldn’t you agree?