Is your ticket to Dubai booked? Then you have something very special to look forward to. There are plenty of places, buildings and attractions that will literally take your breath away.

Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah, the stunning marina, adventures on the sand dunes, sun-drenched beaches – there really is a lot to see, do and discover. The question is, what should you pack for your trip to Dubai? Find out in our article!

Tips on packing list for Dubai

Here is a suggested packing list for a trip to Dubai. We list the clothes you’ll need, what you’ll need to pack in your toiletries bag and some smart things to keep in your suitcase or hand luggage.

This proposal is comprehensive. Moreover, it is not divided between women and men. You simply have to choose the things that suit you and your trip. Check, tick and tune before you go.

In our Dubai trip packing list, we’ve made sure you take in everything this special place has to offer. Shopping, sun and sea, restaurants, adventure – everything!

Clothing to pack for Dubai – basics

Clothing for shopping, dining and nightlife

Clothing for sun and bath

  • Sun hat/cap
  • Bathing suit/swim shorts
  • Beach dress
  • Summer dress (Get a low price with a Wallis discount voucher)
  • Sarong/cover-up
  • Rashguard
  • UV clothing
  • Bathing shoes
  • Quick-drying microfibre towel
  • Beach blanket
  • Cooling towel

Hygiene and more

  • Sun protection factor (really don’t forget!)
  • Stick with SPF for lips
  • After sun products
  • Health care
  • Skin care (especially moisturizing skin lotion)
  • Hair care
  • Hair cords/hair bands
  • Hairbrush
  • Deodorant
  • Things for shaving
  • Sanitary products
  • Makeup (Get a low price with an Allbeauty discount voucher)
  • Contact lenses and lens solution
  • Medicines (don’t forget prescriptions!)
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Wet wipes
  • Mosquito wipes
  • Handkerchiefs
  • Melatonin/sleeping pills
  • Pills for an upset stomach
  • Painkillers
  • Sun protection factor (really don’t forget!)

Smart things to pack

Travel documents and more

  • Passport
  • Passport wallet
  • Visa (optional)
  • Credit/debit cards
  • Card holder
  • Bookings and reservations
  • Travel insurance

Woman packing a bag

More tips for your trip to Dubai

We hope you can pack easily and correctly with our packing lists on this page. As always, it’s wise to go through the trip a little in your head and think about what clothes and gadgets you might need.

There’s more to be said for packing right for your Dubai trip. Here are some gems you probably won’t find in any other travel guide or packing list for Dubai.

Don’t underestimate the power of air conditioning!

It’s almost always scorching hot in Dubai. So it’s easy to think that you only need to pack thin summer clothes for a trip to the emirate.

This is true to some extent. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First of all, don’t underestimate air conditioning. If it’s sizzling hot, what do you do? Well, you turn up the AC to the max in hotel rooms, in buses, in taxis, in shopping malls.

Secondly, it can actually get a bit chilly in the evenings and nights during the November-January period.

It’s not a bad idea to always carry something for chilly temperatures! A thin windbreaker or a comfortable long-sleeved sweater will usually go a long way.

Leaving room for shopping

There are many reasons to travel to Dubai. One big reason is shopping. Prices for most things are lower than in many (most?) other places and Dubai boasts absolutely enormous shopping malls. Dubai Mall, with over 1,200 stores, is actually the world’s largest shopping mall.

With so many shopping opportunities, wouldn’t it be a shame if there was no room in your bag? A good tip is therefore to leave some space for shopping.

Many people who travel to Dubai do so with only hand luggage and a handbag or equivalent. Then the opportunities for shopping may be a little less. Here are some tips on how to maximise your opportunities for great shopping.

  • Choose a lightweight cabin bag
  • Read the airline’s rules for “personal items” (such as a handbag or small backpack)
  • Use packing bags/cubes to minimize the size of the pack
  • Wear the shopping on you!
  • Cut down on toiletries

The scarf is the most important garment

There is one item you absolutely must not forget in your suitcase when packing. It’s about the scarf. Why is this particular garment so important?

We can think of at least five different ways to use a scarf in Dubai, namely:

  • As a warming garment over the shoulders on chilly nights
  • For covering your face when adventuring in the desert
  • As a stylish accessory
  • To cover shoulders, chest and head if you are visiting a mosque
  • As a cover-up at the beach

As you can see, whether you’re staying in Dubai for just a few days or spending a week or more in this unique city, a shawl is essential. Of course, you can buy one or two scarves on the spot in Dubai, but you should also carry one in your suitcase or hand luggage.

Pack clothes with respect for the local population

As a tourist, you should take the custom where you come. This is certainly true in Dubai and the UAE as a whole.

The United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country with conservative values on dress. Sure, the etiquette for tourists may be tampered with, especially in resorts and hotels, but as a tourist you should follow the dress code in public places.

So what are the dress codes about? The main rule is that it is not acceptable to wear clothes that are too short and clothes that “show” too much. You could say that shoulders and knees should not be visible when you are in more public places.

It is also not allowed/acceptable to wear for example:

  • Clothing with prints that may offend in some way
  • Jeans with holes
  • Tight dresses
  • Tops showing the band of the bra
  • Blouses/tops with neckline

Why are we writing this? If you only pack tops and miniskirts, or just knee-length skirts and shorts, you’ll struggle to discover all that Dubai has to offer. Pack smart!