How to get to United Arab Emirates: airports, flights and border crossings

Dubai International (DXB) is the country's main air hub and the default for most first trips. It has the most nonstop routes from North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and it is the only airport with a metro station, so you can reach the city without a taxi. Terminals 1 and 3 are the ones most visitors use; Terminal 2 handles several low-cost carriers.

Abu Dhabi Zayed International (AUH) is the better arrival if your trip starts in the capital or you are heading straight to the Grand Mosque, Louvre or Qasr Al Watan. It is smaller, quicker to clear and often cheaper on long-haul routes, but you will need a taxi or bus into the city.

Sharjah International (SHJ) is the base for Air Arabia and several low-cost regional flights. It can be cheaper, but the drive to Dubai can take an hour or more in traffic, and there is no metro. Al Maktoum International (DWC) near Dubai South handles a small number of flights; check which airport your ticket actually names before booking a hotel.

The UAE sits on the route between Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, so almost every long-haul airline flies here. Nonstop times below are typical; connections through Istanbul, Doha or a European hub can add several hours but sometimes cut the fare.

Fares swing with season. The cool months from November to March are peak, and the same routes are cheaper in the summer heat of June to August. Booking two to four months ahead is usually enough for a reasonable fare, and the UAE's own carriers often have the most nonstop options.

The UAE shares land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. The main road crossings are at Hatta and Al Ain for Oman, and Al Ghuwaifat for Saudi Arabia. Driving in from Oman is common for travellers doing a loop through Musandam or the east coast, but you need your own or a rented car, valid insurance and the right visa for both countries. Not every rental company allows its cars across the border, so ask before you book.

There is no regular international passenger ferry into the UAE. Cruise ships call at Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Gulf itineraries, and that is the only practical sea arrival for most visitors. If you are arriving by cruise, check the port and terminal in advance, as some ships dock far from the city centre.

Check your visa or entry status first, because it decides whether you can board at all. Many nationalities get a visa on arrival or a free entry stamp, but the rules differ by passport and change from time to time. Your airline will ask for proof of onward travel and a hotel address, so have both ready.

The UAE is a Muslim country and some rules are enforced: alcohol is served in licensed hotels and bars, but public drunkenness and drinking in the street are offences, and dress and behaviour in public should be modest. Read the local rules before you land rather than after.

Buy travel insurance that covers medical care and any desert or adventure activities you plan. Summer arrivals should expect extreme heat, so book a hotel with a pool or plan indoor days. For the return leg, allow extra time at DXB, which is one of the busiest airports in the world.