UAE packing list: what to pack, month by month
This list is made by TripRai's code from our 5-day UAE itinerary (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), for a traveller from India. Every item with a day next to it is there because of that day. Plan your own trip and you get the same kind of list, made from your own days, dates and food.
Plan a trip to the UAE with its own packing list →Documents and money
- Passport (valid for 6+ months) and photocopies
- Visa or e-visa printout (if your nationality needs one)
- Travel insurance documents
- Forex card and some cash in AED
- eSIM or international roaming
- Travel adapter: Type G
What the days of this trip need
From the sample itinerary, 5 days: 1 place of worship and 2 flights.
- Modest clothes (shoulders and knees covered)Day 4 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Socks that are easy to take offDay 4 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: shoes may come off inside
- Scarf or cap to cover your headDay 4 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: head covered inside
- Charger and power bank in hand luggage (never checked in)Day 1 Delhi to Dubai · Day 5 Dubai to Delhi
- Liquids under 100 ml in a clear bagDay 1 Delhi to Dubai · Day 5 Dubai to Delhi
- A pen for the arrival cardDay 1 Delhi to Dubai · Day 5 Dubai to Delhi
- Neck pillow and a light shawl for the flightDay 1 Delhi to Dubai · Day 5 Dubai to Delhi
UAE weather, month by month
What each month usually feels like, for packing (not a forecast). ☂ marks the rainy season.
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Mild | Mild | Warm | Hot | Hot | Hot | Hot | Hot | Hot | Hot | Warm | Mild |
| Abu Dhabi | Mild | Mild | Warm | Hot | Hot | Hot | Hot | Hot | Hot | Hot | Warm | Mild |
- Mild · ~18–25°CLight jacket or a layer for the evening
- Warm · ~25–32°CLight, breathable cotton clothes, sunglasses
- Hot · over ~32°CLight, breathable cotton clothes, sunglasses, sun hat or cap, reusable water bottle
The base checklist (City break)
For the sample trip's weather; a plan of your own follows your dates (no jeans or jacket in a hot month, for example).
Clothing
- Underwear and socks
- Sleepwear
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Jeans or casual trousers (2)
- T-shirts / tops (3–4)
- Light jacket
- An evening outfit
- Scarf or a layering piece
- Sunglasses
- Clothes for 5 days
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and conditioner (travel size)
- Moisturiser
- Razor or grooming kit
- Lip balm
Tech & essentials
- Phone and charger
- Power bank
- Earphones
- Debit / credit cards and some cash
- Copies of bookings (offline)
- Day bag or crossbody bag
- Reusable water bottle
Health
- Prescription medicines
- Basic first-aid kit (paracetamol, plasters, ORS, antacid)
- Hand sanitiser
- Blister plasters
- Tissues and wet wipes
Questions
Do I need a travel adapter for the UAE?
Yes. The UAE uses Type G sockets, and Indian plugs do not fit them.
What is the weather like in Dubai through the year?
Roughly: January–February: mild (~18–25°C); March: warm (~25–32°C); April–October: hot (over ~32°C); November: warm (~25–32°C); December: mild (~18–25°C). November to March: warm, sunny days that are comfortable outdoors. From May to September it is very hot.
Which money should I carry to the UAE?
A forex card and some cash in AED for small shops, markets and tips.
Which transport card should I get in the UAE?
Nol card at any metro station, for Dubai Metro, buses and trams. Buy it there; there is no need to arrange it before you go.
What should I wear to religious sites in the UAE?
Clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Shoes may come off inside, so socks that are easy to take off help. At mosques, cover your head with a scarf or cap. On the sample itinerary: Day 4 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
How do vegetarian, Jain or vegan travellers manage food in the UAE?
All meat is halal, and Dubai has a huge range of Indian vegetarian and Jain-friendly restaurants, especially in Karama and Bur Dubai. A short food card in Arabic ("no meat, fish or egg"; for Jain food, also no onion, garlic or root vegetables) helps when ordering. TripRai plans every meal of a trip around what you eat.
A packing list for your own trip
Tell TripRai your dates, cities, food and who is coming. You get the whole trip day by day with estimated costs, and a packing list made from those days and that month's weather, to tick off and share on WhatsApp.
More packing lists: Japan · Thailand · India · UK · Spain · Albania · Netherlands · Vietnam · Indonesia · Singapore · Bangladesh · Pakistan