Is Dubai Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Are you planning a solo trip to Dubai but worried if it’s a safe country for female travellers or not? Well, here is the answer to your question – Yes, Dubai is completely safe for solo female travellers. In fact, it is one of the safest places for female travellers in the world. 

Solo travel in Dubai

Dubai, a beautiful country in the Middle East, had always been on the top of my bucket list. And when I finally got the chance to visit Dubai a few years ago, I was on cloud nine! I felt like a happy and excited child on a Christmas morning! The solo trip to Dubai turned out to be a beautiful experience that I will cherish for a lifetime.

As solo female travellers, one of the many things that threaten our safety is the people of the country. And the people of Dubai are among the sweetest folks I have ever met. There were a few times when I was lost on my way to the hotel, but the locals were quite warm, friendly, and helpful. Now, this does not mean that you initiate a conversation with every local you come across. What I’m trying to say is to be alert of your surroundings and approach people!

One of the many things that can help you have a safe yet fun and memorable solo trip to Dubai is extensive research. Yes, research! Hit the internet and read as much as you can. Speak with your friends who might have visited the country and gather as much information as possible.

Now, I understand going through multiple websites can be a little boring. So, here I am to help you out!

These are some tips that I would like to share with you ladies to make your work a teeny-tiny bit easier.

Dress aptly in the country

The United Arab Emirates is a little conservative with respect to its Islamic culture. However, Dubai is quite liberal with the rules and regulations. Now don’t think that you will have to cover yourself from head to toe. You are allowed to flaunt that little black dress or those cute jean shorts and an off-shoulder top. You get to wear what you want!

But it wouldn’t hurt to wear appropriate clothing in public areas. For instance, swimwear (even a two-piece bikini) would be perfectly fine when you’re on the beach, but once you are on the streets, it is important you cover yourself up. A skimpy dressing may attract unwanted attention, mostly from crowded areas like Old Dubai, but you should be fine when you’re in the mall or other areas!

Come back to your room before dark

I know this sounds a bit absurd. But it is important that you are back in your hotel room before it gets too dark outside. This way, you can even start your day early without having to worry about getting little sleep. It’s a win-win, right?

Check out my blog on dos and don’ts in Dubai.

Buy a local SIM card

I can’t stress enough on this one. When I visited Dubai, this was one of the first things I did. It always helps to have a local SIM card as it makes making calls and using the internet in a foreign country a lot easier. Another thing to keep in mind here is the place you purchase a SIM card from. I would recommend buying one from reputed mobile stores or shopping malls. The tiny stalls on the roadside that sell SIM cards are usually frauds! So, beware!

Also, make it a point to always tell your family and close friends where you are headed to. If possible, share your location with them. If you take an Uber, make sure to share the ride details with someone you trust if you feel nervous.

Download useful mobile apps

Let’s be honest. We are all quite active on social media platforms. Updating regular Instagram stories and sending Snaps has become a part of our lives. So, while we are using our smartphones regularly, it wouldn’t hurt to download certain apps to make our lives easier and more secure, right?

These are the top two apps that I would recommend you download after landing in Dubai:

1. Careem – a cab-booking app
2. RTA App – helps you plan your itinerary that involves travelling via public transportation

Trust me. These apps are life saviours when it comes to navigating safely in Dubai!

Keep the emergency numbers handy

One thing I realised after visiting Dubai on a solo trip was that my smartphone was my best friend over there. Literally. Along with the useful mobile apps, keeping certain emergency contact numbers handy can prove to be extremely helpful.

Here are some of the emergency numbers that you can keep on speed dial on your phone:

1. Ambulance – 998
2. Police – 999
3. Fire Department – 997
4. Coastguard – 996

The chances of you using these are almost nil, but you never know when you might need one. It’s better to be safe than sorry, right?

Always stay alert

Well, this one kind of goes without saying. I’m sure as solo female travellers, the first thing we learn and educate ourselves about is staying alert in a foreign land. The crime rates in Dubai are quite low, and the police are efficient in doing their jobs. You don’t have anything to worry about. Most public places in the country have CCTV cameras installed, which has led to a significant decline in the number of crimes, so you can rest assured of being safe.

But still, it would be better to be wary of the surroundings because, at the end of the day, you are who you must rely upon.

Book special pink cabs

One of the best things about Dubai is that there are special pink cabs for women. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe taking a regular cab, then these would be your saviours. These pink cabs have female drivers, which makes travelling alone, even at night, all the more safe for female travellers. 

Have you planned your next solo trip to Dubai yet?

If you were considering visiting Dubai on your next solo trip, then I would suggest you go ahead and book your tickets. Trust me, the experiences you will have in the country are something that will stay with you forever! If you are visiting Dubai for the first time, here are 25 tips for your first solo trip to this gorgeous country. I visited Dubai once a couple of years ago, and the thought of taking another solo trip has crossed my mind several times now! 

I hope you found this blog helpful. All these tips are from my personal experience of visiting Dubai on a solo trip. If there’s any feedback or tips that you would like to share with me, do leave them in the comments section below. I would be happy to read them all. Till then, happy travelling ladies!!