How to Stay Safe When You’re Travelling Alone in Dubai

Dubai is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for all kinds of travellers, including solo female travellers. This Middle Eastern country has so much to offer to its visitors, ranging from numerous adventurous activities to stunning architectural marvels. 

When I was planning my solo trip to Dubai, I had high expectations from the country. And in all honesty, Dubai exceeded my expectations! The experience was one of a kind and something that I will cherish forever. And yes, I have heard and read quite a bit about the super strict laws of the country. But I never felt unsafe or threatened in any way on my Dubai solo trip.

How to Stay Safe When Travelling Alone in Dubai

Dubai is quite modern in its approach and makes all its visitors feel at ease. If you are planning your next solo trip to this marvellous country, here are some tips that will help you have a safe and fun time!

Plan your itinerary well in advance

This is one of the most important things when it comes to staying safe in a foreign country. I believe when you plan your solo trip to Dubai in advance, it makes things a bit easier. This also gives you a sense of assurance about how your day is going to go. But hey, if you are confident in yourself, you can even ditch the planning and make some impromptu plans as well!

Choose the right accommodation

Well, this is another of the very important things to consider when it comes to your safety in a foreign land. Finding good accommodation that is easily accessible and centrally located can help enhance your travel experience in Dubai. Now, one way of choosing good accommodation would be based on the places you want to explore in the country. If you will be exploring a lot of places in the Marina area in Dubai, then choosing a hotel in the same area would be a smart move on your part. This will cut down on your transportation cost and also save your time!

Dress modestly

“Dress modestly” does not mean that you have to be covered up from head to toe at all times. You can still wear your crop tops, shorts, shirts, and bikinis. However, there is a time and place for everything. For instance, it is completely okay to wear bikinis when you are on the beach, but as soon as you come out in public places, it is mandatory to cover yourself up. Another instance would be when you visit religious sites like mosques. Here, you will have to cover yourself up, including your head, when you step inside the mosque.

I wore my shorts and skirts when I visited Dubai on my solo trip. But I made sure my clothing was as modest as possible. Also, as tourists, I feel it’s our responsibility to honour and respect a country’s rules and regulations!

Keep your documents safely

You will be carrying your passport, visa, and travel documents with you to Dubai. I would suggest that along with the original documents, keep a few xerox copies as well. And when you go about your day exploring Dubai, you can carry the xerox copy instead of the original documents. This will reduce your chances of losing your original documents in a foreign land and help you have a safe travel experience!

Come back to your hotel room before dark

I know this one sounds a little absurd. But coming back to your hotel room before it gets too late at night will help you stay safe on your solo trip to Dubai. And also, you will get to start the next day early!

Do not photograph in prohibited places

I know how crazy most of us are about taking pictures and uploading them on our social media accounts. And a beautiful country like Dubai deserves to be on the internet. However, some places in the country have prohibited photography. If you get caught clicking pictures in a prohibited place, you could get into trouble. 

Another important thing to keep in mind here is to not click random pictures of the locals. Well, none of us would want to get photographed by strangers either, right? The same goes for the people of Dubai. 

Keep some cash handy

Yes, the world has now gone digital, and most places accept digital payments. But still, it wouldn’t hurt to keep some cash handy. In certain places such as Old Dubai and small shops and stalls, vendors still take only cash. And more often, in such places, there are no ATMs too.

Buy a local SIM card

Regardless of how long your solo trip is, I recommend getting a local SIM card in Dubai. It will not only make it easier for you to make calls to your loved ones but also ensure you have a smooth internet connection. This will also help you navigate more smoothly and freely in the country. And not to forget how easy it will be for you to use Google Maps on your phone!

And hey, remember to buy the SIM card from an authorised mobile store. The SIM card stalls you see on the roadside are usually fake!

Keep these emergency contact numbers saved on your phone when you visit Dubai on your solo trip.

Choose the right place to drink alcohol

Another thing that falls under the strict laws of the country is drinking alcohol in public places. Or drinking and driving. There are certified restaurants and pubs in the country where alcohol is served. I would suggest you drink alcohol only in these eateries. Also, if you get too drunk, do not drive yourself back to your hotel. 

Book a cab or take a taxi and reach your hotel safely. If you get caught drinking or drunk in public places, you could get into serious legal problems.

Take the special pink cabs

Well, this is one of my favourite parts of Dubai. Thanks to these special pink cabs, my solo trip was a safe and memorable experience. The country has started special cabs for women. And the best part is these cabs have female drivers. So, in case you feel a little uncomfortable travelling in a regular cab at night, you can always book these special pink cabs.

Stay alert

And lastly, stay alert at all times. Now, this does not mean that you have to compromise on having fun. I would suggest that you stay aware of what’s happening around you and your surroundings, especially when you go out partying or stay out late at night. At the end of the day, you are your own best friend in a foreign country, right?

Well, these are some of the tips that have helped me have a safe solo trip to Dubai. On a general note, the country is quite modern, and the crime and violence rates are low too, so you won’t have to worry too much about anything. The locals of the country are very warm and welcoming too, which adds to having a safe solo travel experience. All you need to do is keep these things in mind and enjoy as much as you can because once the time to go back home from Dubai comes, you would wish you could have stayed a bit longer!