How do I book hotels cheaper using a VPN?

Set your VPN to a Thailand server before searching on Agoda or Booking.com. Thai IP addresses are shown prices 20-40% lower than US or European IPs — for hotels anywhere in the world.

Is using a VPN to find cheaper hotel prices legal?

Yes, using a VPN is completely legal in most countries. You are simply browsing the internet from a different location. CheapStay teaches you how to find the best publicly available price.

Which is cheaper — Agoda or Booking.com?

It depends on the destination and dates. CheapStay compares both in real time so you always see the lowest price. In Asia, Agoda is often cheaper. In Europe, Booking.com tends to win.

What credit card is best for hotel bookings?

Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x points on hotels with no foreign fees — best for most travelers. Amex Gold has the biggest welcome bonus. Capital One Venture is the simplest — 2x miles on everything.

Can I get cashback on hotel bookings?

Yes. TopCashback and Rakuten offer 3–8% cashback on Agoda and Booking.com. Stack this with Thai IP pricing and a travel credit card for maximum savings.

Expert guideVerified: July 4, 2026

🇦🇪 Flying to UAE (Dubai)

Visa · Health · Arrival · Flights — everything you need before you fly.

⚠️

Content under review. Entry requirements and health rules change frequently. Information marked [VERIFY] has not yet been confirmed against authoritative sources. Do not rely on this page for travel decisions until verified content is published. Always check IATA Travel Centre and your government's travel advisory.

Last verified: July 4, 2026

Sources: u.ae, www.gov.uk, travelhealthpro.org.uk

Avi's Insider Tip

Dubai Metro from the airport is genuinely the fastest way into the city during traffic hours — skip the taxi queue if you're headed anywhere near Downtown.

Travel essentials

Scannable data for the efficient traveler.

Sources: u.ae, www.gov.uk, travelhealthpro.org.uk

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Visa-free entry

Citizens of 60+ countries receive a free visa on arrival valid for 30 days (extendable once for another 30 days), including US, UK, all EU countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and most GCC nationals. GCC nationals have unrestricted access.

Free 30-day visa on arrival for eligible nationalities at all UAE entry points including DXB. A 96-hour transit visa is also available for eligible travelers on layovers.

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Health & vaccines

No vaccines are legally required for entry for most travelers. Routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A) are recommended.

warningYellow fever

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from — or have recently transited — a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This applies to parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America.

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Customs

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars duty-free. 4 litres alcohol for non-Muslims only (must be declared on arrival). Strict prohibitions on drugs, certain medications, and pork products. Declare cash over AED 100,000.

🛂 Entry requirements

Visa-free entryCitizens of 60+ countries receive a free visa on arrival valid for 30 days (extendable once for another 30 days), including US, UK, all EU countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and most GCC nationals. GCC nationals have unrestricted access.

Visa on arrivalFree 30-day visa on arrival for eligible nationalities at all UAE entry points including DXB. A 96-hour transit visa is also available for eligible travelers on layovers.

e-VisaUAE e-visa available for nationalities not covered by visa on arrival — apply via the ICP Smart Services portal (icp.gov.ae) or through Emirates/other UAE airlines. Processing typically 3–5 business days.

Passport validityPassport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.

⚠️ UAE visa rules vary by nationality and can change. Verify at the UAE ICP portal (icp.gov.ae) or IATA Travel Centre before booking.

💉Health & vaccine requirements

Recommended vaccinesNo vaccines are legally required for entry for most travelers. Routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A) are recommended.

Yellow feverA yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from — or have recently transited — a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This applies to parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America.

MalariaThe UAE is considered malaria-free. No antimalarial medication is needed for Dubai or any major UAE city.

⚠️ Health requirements sourced from NaTHNaC (travelhealthpro.org.uk) and UK Government UAE travel advice. Always confirm with your doctor before departure.

Essential local apps

Download these before you land — tap a card to open the real app or site.

Careem

Ride-share

The dominant ride-hailing app in Dubai, alongside Uber — both are reliable and widely used.

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Uber

Ride-share

Also widely available in Dubai — compare prices with Careem.

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Arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB)

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SIM & connectivity

du and Etisalat (e&) SIM counters in DXB arrivals hall. Tourist SIMs with data from ~50 AED. Note: VoIP calls (WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, Skype) are restricted in the UAE on local SIMs — use home roaming or a VPN for calls.

UAE Dirham (AED), pegged to USD at ~3.67 AED/USD. ATMs widely available at DXB. Currency exchange counters in arrivals offer fair rates — better than many other airports.

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Getting into town

Dubai Metro Red Line from Terminal 1 & 3 to central Dubai (15–35 min, ~15 AED) — cheapest option. Metered taxis (starting fare ~25 AED) to Downtown ~50–80 AED. Careem ride-hailing available.

location_onDubai International Airport (DXB)

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Search flights to UAE (Dubai)

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Cheap hotels in Dubai

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Dubai / UAE?▼

Citizens of 60+ countries — including US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada — receive a free 30-day visa on arrival at Dubai airport. Others require an e-visa applied for in advance via the UAE ICP portal. Check icp.gov.ae for your specific nationality.

Do I need any vaccinations for the UAE?▼

No vaccines are legally required for entry for most travelers. Yellow fever certificate required only if arriving from an endemic country. Routine vaccines recommended. Confirm with your travel clinic.

Can I drink alcohol in Dubai?▼

Alcohol is available in licensed hotels, restaurants, and bars in Dubai — widely available in tourist areas. It is illegal to drink in public or appear intoxicated in public. Non-Muslims can buy alcohol at licensed shops (e.g. MMI). Rules are stricter in Sharjah (dry emirate) and Abu Dhabi.

Do WhatsApp and Skype calls work in the UAE?▼

VoIP calls (WhatsApp calls, FaceTime, Skype voice/video) are blocked on UAE local SIM cards. Regular text messaging on WhatsApp works fine. Use your home country SIM with roaming for calls, or a VPN (though VPN legality is nuanced in the UAE).

What is the cheapest way from Dubai airport to the city?▼

Dubai Metro Red Line (~15 AED, 20–35 min to Downtown/Dubai Mall area) from Terminal 1 & 3 — cheapest and often fastest in traffic. Metered taxis cost ~50–100 AED to Downtown. Careem is also a good option.

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