How to book and enjoy a Dubai Desert Safari in the United Arab Emirates

Desert safari tours in Dubai, UAE, are exhilarating experiences that allow you to explore the vast and picturesque desert and dunes landscapes surrounding the city. Here’s what you can expect from a typical Dubai desert safari with quads, 4×4 vehicles, camels or boards for “sandboarding” and how you can book one:

What are Desert Safari tours in Dubai like?

  1. Dune Bashing: This is a thrilling ride in a 4×4 vehicle over sand dunes, often with skilled drivers who navigate steep slopes and valleys. It’s an adrenaline-pumping experience and a highlight of desert safaris.
  2. Camel Riding: Experience a traditional mode of desert transport by riding camels, allowing you to see the desert from a slower, more relaxed perspective.
  3. Quad Biking: Many safari tours offer optional quad biking experiences, where you can ride powerful ATVs through the dunes, adding another layer of excitement.
  4. Sandboarding: Similar to snowboarding but on sand dunes, this activity is popular and usually available during desert safaris. It’s a fun way to slide down the slopes.
  5. Entertainment: Evening desert safaris often include cultural entertainment such as belly dancing, Tanoura dancing (traditional spinning dance), and sometimes even falconry demonstrations.
  6. Dinner: Most desert safaris conclude with a delicious BBQ dinner served under the stars at a desert camp, offering a variety of grilled meats, salads, and local dishes.
  7. Stargazing: Away from city lights, the desert offers excellent opportunities for stargazing due to its clear skies, making it a peaceful and mesmerizing experience.

How to Book Dubai Desert Safaris

  1. Choose a Tour Operator: There are numerous tour operators in Dubai offering desert safari packages. Research online or ask your hotel for recommendations.
  2. Select a Type of Safari: Decide whether you want a morning safari (shorter duration, includes dune bashing and camel riding) or an evening safari (includes sunset views, dinner, and cultural activities).
  3. Compare Packages: Look at what each tour includes (activities, meals, transport, etc.) and compare prices. Many tour operators offer competitive rates and various add-ons like quad biking or private experiences.
  4. Book in Advance: Desert safaris can be popular, especially during peak tourist seasons. It’s advisable to book your safari in advance to secure your preferred date and time.
  5. Check Reviews: Before booking, read reviews from other travelers to ensure the tour operator delivers a quality experience with good customer service.
  6. Pack Accordingly: Depending on the time of day and season, pack essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and comfortable clothing suitable for desert conditions.
  7. Confirm Details: Once booked, confirm the pickup location and time with your tour operator. Most tours include hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience.

Booking a desert safari in Dubai is relatively straightforward, and it offers a unique way to experience the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Whether you prefer action-packed activities or simply want to relax and enjoy the scenery, there’s something for everyone in a Dubai desert safari.

Buy a Travel phone SIM card to use in Dubai and save money

Buying a travel SIM card for your phone when visiting Dubai offers several key advantages. Firstly, it ensures you have constant access to communication tools such as calls, texts, and mobile data, essential for staying connected with friends, family, and navigating your way around the city using maps and apps. A local SIM card typically provides significantly cheaper rates for calls and data compared to international roaming charges, helping you manage expenses effectively. Moreover, having a Dubai-specific number can simplify coordination with local services, making it easier to book tours, make reservations, or contact emergency services if needed. Lastly, with a travel SIM, you avoid potential network restrictions or slow data speeds that can occur with international roaming, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted mobile experience throughout your stay in Dubai.

Dubai desert tours and safaris in Quad, 4x4, camel, board, etc.
Quad safari tours in Dubai

Hotels near the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai

The impressive Burj Khalifa tower of Dubai is not just an iconic symbol of this city in the UAE, but most importantly a visionary architectural work in which science and design were combined to reach the highest levels of perfection. Travellers coming from all corners of the globe marvel at the sight of the tallest building ever built when it shines in the sun as much as when it gets illuminated at night. No other construction in the world has more floors, no lift travels longer distances than the ones inside it and no observation deck in the open air offers such breathtaking views elsewhere.

From virtually every spot in town you can look up and be amazed by its 828 metres tall; however, those who do not suffer from vertigo simply refuse to miss out on such a unique experience and book passes to the attraction known as “At the top-Burj Khalifa” thus being able to enjoy the views of Dubai’s skyline from inside the tallest skyscraper in the world, surrounded by the utmost luxury and even having a drink.

If you decide to stay in a hotel near the Burj Khalifa you will get –in addition- all the advantages of a central location like Downtown Dubai, a true paradise for shopping lovers, business travellers and adventure seekers. Below, you will find our recommended 5-star hotels in Dubai, all of which feature views of the highest tower in the planet.

The Taj Dubai hotel, an Indian inspired oasis

Strategically situated close to the world’s tallest building, the Taj Dubai lies within short walking distance of the financial district, the Dubai Opera, the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates complex, while DXB International airport is easily accessible by car or metro from this specific area. Both the Business Bay and the Burj Khalifa subway stations are less than one kilometre away from the hotel.

This 5-star hotel in downtown Dubai, which features among its numerous amenities an outdoor luxury pool, complimentary WiFi connection all throughout, a spa and fitness centre, a selection of onsite restaurants specialising in foreign cuisines and a night club known as the “Billionaire Mansion”, offers unparalleled panoramic views to the Burj Khalifa tower from its luxury rooms that can accommodate couples or families.

Shopping trip to Dubai: the Address Boulevard hotel

If one of the reasons why you will visit Dubai is its vast array of exclusive international brands and so want to spend lots of time at the shops, know that this hotel near the Burj Khalifa has direct access into the Dubai Mall from inside its own facilities. Other attractions within short walking distance include the Dubai Aquarium, and guests may request airport pick-up and drop-off service for an additional charge.

During their stay, guests are invited into exclusive luxury spaces such as the three swimming pools with stunning Dubai skyline views, the various onsite restaurants offering the finest international dining options, a spa centre, a shisha lounge and a gym. Each room is fully-equipped, provides a Nespresso coffee machine for personal use as well as technological features such as an iPad to adjust the lighting and temperature to one’s liking. Travellers who book a Club Room get complimentary limousine services, earlier check-in times and round-the-clock access to the lounge.

Sofitel Dubai Downtown Hotel

This 5-star hotel in central Dubai featuring views of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper boasts an enviable situation right by the main metro station in the area and only a stroll away from the Dubai Mall, the Business Bay and the City Walk. If you opt for hiring a vehicle to get around, you will be glad to find out that the Sofitel Dubai Downtown hotel provides confirmed guests with private parking spots.

The luxury suites and rooms of this hospitality establishment may feature views of the popular tower, the city or the coast, or include different packages that will entitle you to benefit from extras such as spa treatments, club access and meals. Among the varied choice of dining options on site we count Peruvian, Argentinean, Japanese, African, American and Australian. Furthermore, during your stay you can enrol in yoga classes, receive advice from a personal trainer, relax at the pool bar or plan your city tours at the information point in the reception.

Have you got everything sorted out for your trip already? Our post about how to get your tourist visa to Dubai might be of interest to you.

Hotels near Dubai’s Al-Maktoum International airport (Dubai World Central)

Dubai World Central Airport, also known as Al Maktoum International Airport, is situated in Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It boasts a single terminal, which is part of the larger Dubai World Central complex, designed to eventually become the primary aviation hub for the city, relatively close to the Expo 2020 venue. While currently operating on a smaller scale compared to DXB, it serves as a significant cargo hub and accommodates select passenger flights. Airlines such as Emirates and flydubai operate flights from this airport, offering destinations primarily within the Middle East, South Asia, and some parts of Europe, with plans for expansion in the future to cater to more long-haul routes.

In this blog post, we recommend accommodation close to the DWC airport terminal, so that travelers who need to spend an overnight layover near Dubai World Central can find and book a hotel that suits their needs.

If you are travelling to Dubai soon, you might also be interested in these articles:

How to get your transit or tourist visa for Dubai

Hotels near the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai

Closest hotels to Dubai World Central airport (Al-Maktoum International)

Holiday Inn Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport

The 4-star Holiday Inn Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport hotel offers modern rooms with bathroom, gym, outdoor pool, room service, currency exchange and daily buffet breakfast only 3 kilometres away from Dubai’s Al-Maktoum International Airport. With contemporary rooms and suites, along with amenities such as a rooftop pool, fitness center, and multiple dining options, it caters to both business and leisure travelers. Its strategic location provides easy access to key attractions and business districts in Dubai, making it a popular choice for visitors seeking comfort and convenience during their stay in the vibrant city.

Aloft Dubai South transit hotel

The Aloft Dubai South Hotel is a contemporary and vibrant hotel situated in the heart of Dubai South’s Aviation City. Offering modern amenities and stylish fully-equipped accommodations, it caters primarily to business travelers and aviation enthusiasts due to its proximity to the Dubai World Central Airport (3,1 kilometres). With sleek design, tech-forward features, and a lively atmosphere, it provides a comfortable base for travelers exploring Dubai’s bustling aviation hub. It provides confirmed guests with free shuttle transfers to both the airport and the Expo 2020 metro station.

Rove Expo City hotel in Dubai

The Rove Expo City hotel in Dubai is a modern and stylish 3-star accommodation option conveniently located near the Expo 2020 site. Boasting double rooms and family suites with contemporary design and comfortable amenities, it offers a seamless blend of functionality and comfort for both business and leisure travelers. With its strategic location and excellent facilities, including onsite dining, fitness centre and terrace, Rove Expo City provides guests with a memorable stay experience in the heart of Dubai’s dynamic atmosphere. Each unit has a safety deposit box, coffee and tea maker, TV and private bathroom, and guests are entitled to enjoy a daily breakfast buffet with continental and halal dishes.

How to get a Dubai transit visa or tourist visa

If Dubai is among your next travel destinations, we recommend you start planning for your visa application. Will you have a long layover or stopover that enables you to explore the city of dunes and seemingly never-ending skyscrapers? Perhaps you are thinking of some weeks of luxury and pampering under the sun? Or maybe you are a thrill-seeker looking for safari tours and extreme sports experiences? Regardless of the kind of traveller you are, a specific type of Dubai travel visa has already been devised for you, and it will be selected according to the length of the time period you intend to stay rather than the purpose of your visit.

As long as all requirements are met and the applicant does not need to provide additional information, most visas to enter Dubai are issued within 3 or 4 working days after the application is submitted. When the authority responsible for issuing the tourist Visa to Dubai deems it necessary to process it urgently in view of the proximity of the date of entry, an express modality will be processed, implying the payment of an extra fee by the applicant. All applications must be accompanied by a copy of the passport bio page in colour (which is the passport page containing your photo), a copy of the last page of the passport, a clear ID photo and proof of residency in the country from which you are a national.

Below you will find a brief outline of the most frequently issued visas to visit Dubai.

30-day Dubai tourist visa

This modality remains valid 58 days starting from the day it is issued and allows the traveller to stay for a maximum of 30 days from the date of entry recorded. The total amount of fees and charges to be paid for this application is 97USD (120USD in the express modality), which will not be refunded if the visa is denied. Visitors from some countries may be required to also pay a deposit but, in this particular case, the amount corresponding to this extra fee will be refunded once the stay ends and the exit from Dubai is correctly recorded by the immigration authorities.

96-hour transit visa to Dubai

You must apply for this modality when you are having a stopover or layover in Dubai that is between some hours and a period of up to 4 days long, thus being able to get out of DXB International Airport and roam the city, join guided tours or even stay in one of our recommended hotels in Dubai. The cost of applying for this visa is 73USD (96USD in the express modality). Its validity period lasts 30 days from the moment it is issued and gives a 96-hour stay allowance until your return flight. In short stays, it will be of critical importance that you take into account the time you will need to transfer to and from the airport and go through security so that you do not miss your onward flight.

90-day Dubai visit visa (multy entry)

With this travel visa, you will be authorised to enter the emirate on multiple occasions during a time period spanning 90 days from the first entry record, without the need for applying for a new visa every time. Its validity will not expire as long as you use it within 58 days after it is approved. All fees and charges add up to 490USD to be paid by the applicant.

In addition to the explained above, you may check other visa modalities for your trip to Dubai and find further information about the specific requirements for nationals of your country of origin on the official application site. Moreover, know that you can visit Dubai as a tourist as well as to attend exhibitions and trade fairs as a professional, and the procedures may be arranged, for instance, on behalf of the members of your delegation. Both shorter and longer stay periods are available, and you are strongly advised to pay special attention to the criteria for eligibility and the mandatory documentation to be submitted so that your application gets approval without delay.

Where to sleep in Dubai airport: nap cabins, transit hotel and nearest hotels to DXB

Will you visit Dubai on the occasion of the Expo 2021? Or maybe you are planning a luxury getaway for next summer? Travellers who fly to the UAE from abroad frequently land in Dubai International airport, not to be confused with Dubai World Central, a secondary hub also serving this emirate. Dubai International or DXB is, as a matter of fact, regarded as the world’s busiest airport as well as home to the flagship national carrier Emirates airlines. Whether you book your flight with Emirates or you are travelling with other major airline company like Qantas, flydubai, Aeroflot, Air India, British Airways, Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines, you have the option to sleep in the transit area of Dubai airport or relax at a nearby hotel after your long-haul journey, before an early morning flight or prior to making a connection.

Dubai International airport features a transit hotel after security in Terminal 3, several hotels by renowned hospitality chains outside within short distance of its facilities and an array of sleeping cabins and pods which can be booked by the hour inside Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

Our recommendations below intend to make it easier for you to arrange your accommodation in DXB before flying to Dubai, in such a way that you can arrive, depart or spend your layover with the utmost comfort and convenience.

The sleep’nfly pods in the transit area of Dubai airport (DXB)

Accessible from the airside only, the different types of sleeping cabins and pods in Dubai International can be booked by the hour or for an entire night and offer privacy and convenience while the save you precious time, as you will neither need to leave the boarding concourse nor the airpport. Some of the cheapest nap cabins for individual use are found in Terminal 1 of DXB near the D gates, while larger cabins and pods are found in Terminal 3 (the Emirates airlines terminal) close to the A, B and C gates and the Marhaba Lounge.

Sleeping in a hotel near Dubai airport

In case you are spending several days in the UAE, yet you would like to enjoy the convenience of staying in a hotel close to DXB, which is well connected to the downtown by Dubai metro lines running services from the airport, continue reading for recommended places to stay that will suit all travel budgets.

The Premier Inn hotel near Dubai International airport

This Premier Inn hotel is superbly situated in front of Terminal 3 of DXB airport in Dubai, which ensures that guest are within easy reach of the subway, even when they are additionally offered shuttle services to the passenger terminals, the Dubai Festival City shopping mall, the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. The establishment provides courtesy WiFi, rooms with private bathrooms including tub, shower and amenities, an onsite Mediterranean restaurant, meeting rooms, laundry facilities, rooftop swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and areas that stay open 24 hours such as the Costa Coffee in the lobby or the hotel fitness centre. 

Holiday Inn Express Dubai airport hotel

This Holiday Inn Express hotel is conveniently located within short walking distance of Terminal 3 of Dubai International airport, yet it equally offers courtesy shuttle transfers for travellers with a confirmed reservation. It features air-conditioned rooms with work desk, private bathroom and coffee maker. Guests love to spend time at the onsite restaurant and bar, while also value extra services such as laundry and ironing, free WiFi, ATMs, breakfast in bed, free parking spaces and express check-out. 

The Millennium hotel in Dubai airport (DXB)

The known as Millennium Dubai airport hotel is a 4-star hospitality establishment located just two minutes away from the passenger terminals, and travellers may request their free shuttle service in order to commute from them to the hotel or take the reverse journey. Some of the greatest allures of choosing this accommodation are its four restaurants, its three bars, the outdoor swimming pool and the state-of-the-art gym. Room categories fall into double, double for individual use, king, deluxe, family and suites, and are fully equipped featuring private bathroom with toiletries. 

Would you also like to stay in downtown Dubai for a few days during your trip? Then read about some of the best located hotels in Dubay city.

How to use QR codes at the airport

Hotels near Dubai World Trade Centre

Every year, hundreds of exhibitions and trade shows take place in DWTC, a skyscraper accommodating twenty one halls for organised events and more than 40 meeting spaces distributed among its floors. The Dubai International Boat Show, the International Sports and Wellness Show, Think Science, Smart Stores, the World Cardiology Congress and the Global Franchise Market are just a few examples of its annual activity. Travellers attending a trade fair in Dubai can easily commute from DXB airport to the World Trade Centre by riding the red line of the metro system from either terminal 1 or terminal 3, with services running every seven minutes, or by taking a regular taxi or a ladies-only cab clearly distinguishable due to its pink colour.

Whether you are exhibiting or taking part as a visitor or hosted buyer in an exhibition in Dubai, we advise you to book a hotel near Dubai World Trade Centre. See our recommendations below.

Rove Trade Centre hotel in Dubai

This building is adjacent to the skyscraper where the majority of Dubai exhibitions are held, yet also close to the Dubai Mall and Kite beach, accessible by car, metro and shuttle service. The personnel may arrange transfer services to and from the airport and several tourist locations for guests. Free WiFi available all throughout the facilities, round-the-clock gym, outdoor pool, room service and onsite mini market are just some of the amenities you will enjoy during your stay.

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Among its 270 rooms you can select communicating ones when travelling with a delegation or as a family. Each room has air conditioning, satellite TV, coffee and tea maker, complimentary water and private bathroom. A breakfast buffet including continental, full English, Asian and vegetarian options is served each morning, while an onsite restaurant stays open for the rest of the day, catering to the needs of visitors with delicious international dishes. Furthermore, there are additional services like lockers, currency exchange, 24-hour meeting spaces and laundry available, which will surely help you make the most of your business trip. Make your reservation with this hotel close to Dubai World Trade Centre.

3-star accommodation near DWTC: Ibis One Central

This hotel in Dubai stands 400 metres from the World Trade Centre and its metro station. We strongly recommend it to those who, aside from travelling for work, love to try exotic food and new dishes, as it has an onsite restaurant specialising in Asian fusion cuisine and a Cuban bar serving brunches and signature cocktails every day. Congress attendees staying here will enjoy free WiFi, parking spots, a fitness centre, meeting facilities inside the building and a varied daily breakfast buffet.

Its spacious twin and double soundproofed rooms feature a work desk, a mini bar, in-room safety deposit box, TV with satellite channels and private bathroom with shower. Taking a complimentary shuttle to nearby luxury shopping malls is an optional activity, and guests should take advantage of the excellent location to visit the Jumeirah beach and the Burj Khalifa as well. The multilingual staff at the front-desk has been trained to assist you with directions and arrangements. Book your room in this Ibis hotel if you are going to attend a trade show in Dubai.

The Apartments near the World Trade Centre in Dubai

This apartment complex is located right next to DWTC and offers one, two and three-bedroom apartments in Dubai for either long or short-term stays, which feature a kitchen, living and dining area, large cosy beds and private bathrooms. The largest ones may accommodate up to 6 guests at the same time. Continental breakfast may be ordered to the room service or enjoyed at the restaurant situated in an adjacent building.

Apart from the obvious perks of staying in a comfortable place that makes you feel like at home while you are away, a wide range of amenities makes these apartments even more alluring: nearby restaurants, a metro station in front of the facilities from which you can travel to the main attractions in Dubai in minutes, free parking, complimentary WiFi, car hire service, tourist info and tickets, spa and beauty treatments on site and hair salon. Book your accommodation close to the Exhibition Centre in Dubai.

Is food on Emirates economy flights included in the price? What is it like to fly with Emirates?

Many aviation lovers and frequent travellers from across the world dream of experiencing a journey on board an Airbus 380 or a Boeing 777 while indulging in the exclusive services of the Emirates airline. However, before they do it for the first time, most wonder if flying economy will entitle them to privileges similar to those of the first class and business class tickets. The answer is yes, it will, as a passenger of economy class in Emirates you will get complimentary meals and drinks (especially in long-haul routes), more leg room than the average of international carriers, personal seatback monitor to watch films and TV channels, in-seat power outlet and free Wi-Fi on select flights, aside from some other benefits.

Food on Emirates economy class

If you fly economy with Emirates, know that at least one main meal will be served during your journey. This always depends on flying times, that is, the longer the flight, the higher number of meals and snacks that will be delivered. Your full complimentary meal will be chosen by you from a choice of two or three variations, normally related to your final destination; thus, Middle East delicacies, Asian specialties and African dishes can be expected. Emirates economy inflight meals commonly consist of a starter, a main course, cheese, bread, a hot drink (coffee, tea or chocolate), bread or biscuits and dessert.

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After that, you will be offered wine, beer and spirits at no cost, and additional snacks may be served hours later on the longest journeys. Champagne is available for a surcharge. Should you need to specify your dietary needs or order a kids meal, you can do so while booking your flight online.

Long-haul destinations to which you can fly economy with Emirates

Some of the most popular routes operated by Emirates during which passengers can enjoy one or two meals on board connect Dubai and other bases to world capitals like Buenos Aires (Argentina), Melbourne and Sydney (Australia), Vienna (Austria), Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (Brazil), Brussels (Belgium), Toronto (Canada), Beijing and Shanghai (China), Prague (Czech Republic), Zagreb (Croatia), Larnaca (Cyprus), Copenhagen (Denmark), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Munich and Düsseldorf (Germany), Accra (Ghana), Athens (Greece), Dublin (Ireland), Milan (Italy), Tokyo (Japan), Male (Maldives), Oslo (Norway), Manila (Philippines), Lisbon (Portugal ), Singapore, Seoul (South Korea), London (United Kingdom), Barcelona and Madrid (Spain), Bangkok (Thailand) and Stockholm (Sweden).

Other extras to be enjoyed in Emirates economy

Your economy seat on the majority of Emirates flights will feature a power outlet to charge your electronic devices and a monitor on the back of the seat in front of you so that you can watch films, TV programs and get live news, or even keep your children entertained with video games. Note that the digital content to be displayed on these screens differs from one aircraft to another as well as from one route to another. You can also get pillows and blankets on long-haul routes upon request, and some planes will even allow you to make phone calls up in the air or use wireless internet.

Emirates current regulations state that you can carry a maximum of 30 kilograms of baggage in Economy at no extra charge for you, access the Marhaba lounges in Dubai International airport at a discounted price and have arranged train transfers from your arrival airport to the city already included in the total fare paid. This is possible thanks to partnership agreements with high-speed railway networks like TrenItalia in Italy, AVE in Spain and SNCF in France.

Upgrading to Business or First Class with Emirates

Those booking a business or first class Emirates flight enjoy all the privileges described above on a superior level, being assigned an individual cabin with flat-bed seating and amenities, and granted access to an in-flight shower facility. Furthermore, they have higher baggage allowances (40 kg and 50 kg respectively) and are offered free lounge passes, exclusive check-in and waiting areas, private chauffeurs and meet&greet services on destinations across the globe.

Travel tips: how to plan your first trip to Dubai

How to access the Marhaba airport lounges in Dubai International

If you are having a layover in Dubai but you do not consider it worthwhile to book a hotel room for just a few hours, there is still no reason why you should not enjoy the comfort of a VIP lounge at Dubai International airport. Fortunately, now we can be granted admission to this service even when we do not fly First Class or Business Class, and without the need for signing up for a frequent flyer program. Companies like Marhaba Services provide access to its exclusive spaces after we have paid the corresponding fee and, on many occasions, we will even find it cheap as we can eat, rest and have a shower before boarding another plane without leaving the terminal, thus saving on hotel expenses.

*In case you prefer to find accommodation for your short stay in Dubai, you can book a room in a hotel near DXB airport or check availability for affordable hotels in Dubai.

The Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport (IATA Code: DXB), next to boarding gate B21, remains open 24 hours every day of the year and can be used by any passenger who has paid the entrance fee. Inside it, one can enjoy high-speed WiFi connection, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, snacks, a flight information panel, TV channels, newspapers and magazines.

What is more, if we just arrived from a long haul flight and we need a shower or a nap, we may rent the facilities to do so for forty-five minutes (in the case of the shower), or between 1 and 4 hours if we require one of their cosy sleeping pods. Note that these extra services require the payment of an additional fee aside from the initial one. The privilege of being able to do all this without leaving the airport will undoubtedly save us money and time (something really important in intercontinental travel).

The greatest advantage offered by the Marhaba lounge is that you can fly economy and still indulge in a premium service of this kind in Dubai. Nevertheless, we must bear in mind that, under some other conditions, we may as well enter this and other VIP lounges in Dubai airport free of charge: for instance, being a member of the Priority Pass traveller program, flying with Emirates, having purchased a Lounge Pass through the Internet beforehand in order to ensure there is availability for us, or having subscribed to a travel miles program by Mastercard or other credit cards.