Shout About UAE

Religion

Despite its flair, modern infrastructure, and strong economy, religious traditions are an important part of the UAE. For expats, life in the UAE means that they may have to follow a different etiquette, dress modestly and deal with some limitations in their daily lives. Expats should be sensitive and respectful of religious traditions. Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and one of the five pillars of Islam, is taken very VERY seriously in the Emirates. Non-Muslims living in the UAE may be surprised when they find reduced office hours, closed restaurants, and other changes to their routine during Ramadan.

A photo of the Burj Al Arab building in Dubai
A photo showing a garden with a backdrop of buildings A photo showing a desert safari

Traditions

The rich traditions of the seven emirates are a big part of life. The country is proud of its history of fishing, boating, and trading, which used to dominate life in the UAE for centuries. The souqs, traditional markets, are an essential place to visit. Many of them have been preserved in their original state, giving a picturesque impression of what life used to be like. Dates, camels, Arabian horses, and falconry are still important in the UAE today.

Transport

Taxis

Taxis are the most important mode of transportation and are available almost all over the UAE, for a relatively cheap price compared to other major cities. The UAE has a very well-organized system, and in Dubai the taxis are regulated by the government. All taxis have a fare meter. The fare per kilometer is fixed at around 1.80 AED per minute. The fixed starting fare is about 5 AED; if you take a taxi from the airport it’s 20 AED. You can find several taxi stands throughout the cities, around various stations, and outside the airports. These stands make it easy to find a taxi, but you can also just stop one on the street (which is cheaper).

Buses

Taxis aren’t the only important modes of transportation in the UAE. Buses are also very important for the public transportation network. The biggest bus networks are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The bus networks in the other emirates mainly consist of buses connecting the emirates with each other. 

Metro

Dubai is the leader of the UAE when it comes to public transportation. It’s the only city that has a tram and metro network. The Dubai Metro has been around a little longer, since 2009. The network also has two lines — a red line and a green line — covering 70 km and 49 stations. The red line stops at stations between Rashidiya (close to Dubai International Airport) and UAE Exchange, while the green line runs from Etisalat Metro Station to Dubai Healthcare Center. You can switch between the tram and metro at DAMAC Metro Station and Jumeirah Lakes Towers Metro Station. These stations are both on the red metro line.

Nol

If you’re traveling in Dubai, you can use the Nol Card. There are four different types of this card: Red for tourists and visitors, Silver for frequent travelers, Gold to get access to the Gold class in trams and metro trains, and lastly Blue for frequent travelers who want their credit secured. Purchasing this card is easy: decide which type of card fits you and purchase it at a ticket office, vending machine, an RTA Customer Service Center, from a sales agent, or online.

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