United Arab Emirates: In the Country

Accommodation

Rules For Eating Out: It is recommended to tip even if service is technically included in the bill (at 10% of the amount in Dubai and 16% in Abu Dhabi). Restaurants generally serve from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. Meals are paid at the end.

Food Specialties: Middle Eastern specialties like mezze (assortment of salads and sauces in which flat bread is dipped), grilled meat specialties, matchoub (spicy lamb), mensaf (lamb dish served with a white cheese sauce and rice).
Drinks: Consumption of alcohol is permitted for non-Muslims in the Emirates, except in Sharjah. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited during Muslim festivals, as is offering alcohol to Muslims.
Dietary Restrictions: Pork is prohibited. During the month of Ramadan, eating, drinking or smoking in public places is not allowed. Muslims are not served in the restaurants and hotels during hours of fast.
Table Manners: Emiratis use their right hand to eat. Using the left hand is considered poor manners.

Urban transport services: Geography and map of the United Arab Emirates
Online map of the Emirates
Taxi services: Dubai Taxi Agency

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Abu Dhabi Intl (AUH)	38 km / 21 miles	AED 70 / 30-35 min	AED 5 / 40 min	-	Available
Dubai Intl (DXB)	5 km / 3 miles	AED 40 / 10 min	AED 2 / 15 min	-	Available

Train reservation services: An extensive train network (1,200 km) is under construction in the Emirates.

Name	Type	Domestic Flights	International Flights
Emirates	Major	yes	yes
Etihad Airways	Major	no	yes
Air Arabia	Low-cost	no	yes

Time zone

Type of Climate: There are two seasons: the temperate season from November to April (with temperatures between 12° C and 30° C) and the hot and humid season from May to September with temperatures reaching up to 50° C. There are sand storms in the months of March and April.

Climate

Domestic Currency: UAE Dirham
ISO Code: AED
To Obtain Domestic Currency: It is difficult to exchange traveler's cheques outside of the big cities. It is possible to withdraw cash directly from ATM machines, but depending on the exchange rate offered, it may be better to use an exchange office.
Possible Means of Payment: Bank cards are accepted in most cases. The trader may, however, take a commission on the transaction which can be 2% of the purchase amount.

To Find a Cash Machine Where You Need, Use the ATM locator

Official Language: Arabic
Other Languages Spoken: Persian, Urdu and Hindi in relation with expatriate communities.
Business Language: English

Telephone Codes: To Make a Call From the United Arab Emirates, Dial 00
To Make a Call to in the United Arab Emirates, Dial +971
Mobile Telephone Standards: GSM
National Mobile Phone Operators: There are two operators, Etisalat and du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunication Company).

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