Banking hours
Banking hours, are from 0800-1200 Saturday to Wednesday and
0800-1100 Thursday. Some banks also open from 1600-1730 on
the above days.
Travelers cheques
These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate
charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques
in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Credit cards
American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely
accepted. Check with your credit card company for details
of merchant acceptability and other services which may be
available.
Currency
The currency for the United Arab Emirates are UAE Dirham (Dh)
= 100 fils. Notes are in denominations of Dh1000, 500, 200,
100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of Dh1, and
50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 fils.
Passports
The passports are required by all. Passports must be valid
for a minimum of 3 months from date of arrival for visitors
and tourists, and 6 months for those seeking residence or
employment. Often a sponsor will hold a visitor's passport.
In these case a receipt will be issued.
Visa
The visa is required by all except the following:
(a)Nationals of the UK with the endorsement'British Citizen'
for a maximum of 30 days.
(b)Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
(c)Transit passengers, provided holding valid onward or return
documentation and not leaving the airport.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into the United Arab Emirates
without incurring customs duty:
(a)2000 cigarettes or 400 cigars or 2kg of tobacco.
(b)2 litres of spirits and 2 litres of wine (non-Muslims only).
(c)a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.
The prohibited items are:
(a)Drugs.
(b)Unstrung pearls except for personal use.
(c)Firearms and ammunition.
Health care
Medical facilities are of a very high quality, but are extremely
expensive. Private health insurance is essential.
Getting there
Air
The national airlines are Emirates (EK) and Gulf Air (GF).
Emirates operates international flights to and from Dubai;
Gulf Air serves all UAE airports. Emirates is expanding services
to the Far East. 72 airlines operate scheduled services to
Dubai.
Sea
The main international ports are Jebel Ali, Rashid and Zayed
(Abu Dhabi), Khalid (Sharjah), Saqr (Ras al-Khaimah) and Fujairah.
Cruises call at Abu Dhabi, and there are passenger/cargo services
to the USA, the Far East, Australia and Europe.
Road
There is a good road into Oman and a fair one into Qatar which
connects with the Trans-Arabian Highway on the overland route
to Europe.
Getting around
Air
A daily flight now links Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Flights can
also be chartered and there are small landing fields throughout
the United Arab Emirates.
Sea
Commercial and passenger services serve all coastal ports.
A water taxi travels between Dubai and Deira across the creek.
Road
There are good tarmac roads running along the west coast between
Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah; between Sharjah
and Dhaid; and linking Dubai with other Northern States and
the interior. Traffic drives on the right and the speed limit
in built-up areas is 60kph (38mph) and 80-100kph (50-63mph)
elsewhere.
Bus
Limited services link most towns. However, most hotels run
their own scheduled bus services to the airport, city centre
and beach resorts.
Taxi
Available in all towns. In Abu Dhabi, urban journey fares
are metered, whilst fares for longer journeys should be agreed
in advance. There is a surcharge for air-conditioned taxis.
Many travellers find taxis to be the quickest and most convenient
method of travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
Car hire
Most international car hire companies have offices at airports
or hotels. Renters must produce their passport, two photographs
and either a valid international or national licence.
Social conventions
Muslim religious laws should be observed. Women are expected
to dress modestly and men should dress formally for most occasions.
Smoking is the same as in Europe and in most cases it is obvious
where not to smoke, except during Ramadan when it is illegal
to eat, drink or smoke in public.
Tipping
Most hotels, restaurants and clubs add fairly high service
charges to the bill, therefore tipping is not necessary including
taxi drivers.
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