What is it Really Like Traveling in Dubai as a Woman?

When I tell people that I live in the UAE, I often get some interesting responses back in my home country. People will say, ‘Don’t you need to cover up?’, ‘Are you allowed to drive?’, ‘Isn’t it dangerous for a woman?’, and other similar questions.

Most of these queries are based on opinions shaped by things they have seen in the Western media, and confusion between the UAE and other countries in the region. This article aims to clarify some of these misconceptions and provide an accurate portrayal of what life is like for women in Dubai and the UAE.

What is it like for a woman living in Dubai?

As an expat woman living in the UAE, I have always been treated with the utmost respect. I feel safer in the UAE than I do in my home country. I feel that I can walk down a street without harassment or abuse. Nobody catcalls, nobody stares, nobody talks in a way that demeans me. I still don’t walk along quiet, unfamiliar streets in the dark, but walking around my little corner of the city, I feel pretty safe any time of day.

In general, women are held in high esteem in the UAE. Fifty percent of the UAE Federal National Council and over 30% of the Cabinet of the UAE are female. Women are celebrated in festivals such as the ‘Mother of the Nation’ event in Abu Dhabi, and the UAE makes a big deal of International Women’s Day.

Like other areas of the world, girls are outperforming boys in many school subjects and are pursuing higher education to become doctors, architects, engineers, teachers, accountants, and other professionals. Over 70% of University graduates in the UAE are women.

The UAE is home to over 200 different nationalities. Everybody brings with them different traditions and philosophies. Some families are more conservative than others, but the UAE promotes a progressive and empowering stance towards women and their rights. You can find out more about the role of women in Dubai in this article.

Do women have to cover up in Dubai?

Women are not legally required to cover themselves from wrist to ankle or wear a head scarf like they are in some other Muslim countries. In fact, the UAE only really asks women to dress respectably. That means covering the shoulders and knees when in shopping centers and some other public areas.

The rules are different if you’re visiting a mosque (in which case you must cover from wrist to ankle and wear a head covering). This caveat (arms and legs covered) also applies to some government buildings, such as police stations and government departments.

You should avoid wearing swimwear when away from the beach, but strappy dresses and shorter skirts are permitted in restaurants, tourist hotels, beach clubs, nightclubs, and at many establishments that offer ladies’ nights. Most bars and restaurants have dress codes, so it is always best to check in advance before heading out for the night.

We delve into more detail on the appropriate dress code for different situations in Dubai here.

But I saw women wearing very little on Instagram…

What you see on Instagram is not the real Dubai. Most Dubai residents dress respectfully. Whilst Dubai is less conservative than the other Emirates, there is still a boundary between what is acceptable and what is not. As a general rule of thumb, try to wear a knee-length skirt and longer shorts or trousers.

Always carry something like a shawl or cardigan to cover your shoulders if requested. It’s also best to avoid boob tubes, crop tops, or anything strapless in public places such as shopping malls and theme parks.

Can I visit Dubai with my male partner, even though we’re not married?

Yes. You can legally stay in Dubai with your male partner, even if you’re not married. This includes residents as well as visitors, provided neither partner is Muslim or legally married to someone else. Before 2020, it was illegal for non-married couples to live together, although it was a relatively common practice.

Is Dubai safe for women?

Dubai is a very safe city – much safer for women than most other cities around the world. In general there is a very low risk of assault or petty theft.

The Dubai workforce is more than 80% expatriate, with a large proportion of this workforce made up of men from the Indian subcontinent. Conversely, the population of Dubai is less than 25% female. Whilst women may sometimes feel like men are looking at them, this is often out of genuine fascination, rather than with some ulterior motive.

Most of these gents haven’t seen their wives or children in some time, and many of them will be bewildered by the morning onslaught of Lycra-clad ladies queuing up to do burpees. The UAE has a comprehensive and strict set of harassment laws, and any woman who feels threatened can lodge a case. The law, alongside a cultural moral code, makes sure that women feel safe.

That’s not to say that assault never happens; it is unlikely, but not impossible. It can, of course, happen anywhere, but if perpetrators in the UAE are caught, they will be punished with the full force of the law. That said, in the not-too-distant past, there have been stories of women being arrested when set upon by men, usually because the woman was intoxicated.

We ARE NOT condoning this as an excuse, but it is really important to be aware that although drinking alcohol is permitted at certain licensed venues in the city, public intoxication is not.

There have also been multiple stories of women being lured to private parties, with offers of fancy gifts and favours. Again, this can happen anywhere. We recommend that all women traveling anywhere in the world alone adopt a common-sense approach, and if something offered by a stranger sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Should women be wary of public transport in Dubai?

You’re very unlikely to come up against a problem when using the city’s bus and Metro system. The Metro even has ladies’ only compartments – not because it needs them, but to make women feel a bit more comfortable.

All forms of public transport are equipped with security cameras, including public taxis, which ensures that everyone is behaving appropriately.

If you are a woman travelling alone and using a taxi or Uber, particularly at night, it is always best to exercise the same caution that you would in your home country. Whilst something is very unlikely to happen, it’s always best to play it safe.

Can women drive in Dubai?

Yes, women are allowed to drive in Dubai. It is possible to hire a car using a recognised international driving license for a short time.

If you intend to stay in Dubai long-term, you will need to obtain a UAE driving license. For many nationalities, this simply involves submitting your existing documents and undergoing a vision test. You can find out more about driving in the UAE here.

Can women work in Dubai?

Yes, many women work in Dubai. As previously mentioned, over 30% of the UAE’s national cabinet are female. Women work in a wide range of roles, from teacher to lab chemist to company CEO.

To be able to work in the UAE, you do, however, need the correct visa. For ladies moving to the country with a working spouse, you can work but may require a letter of no objection, sometimes referred to as an NOC, from your husband if you are sponsored on his visa. Even this is becoming less common as workplaces and employers in Dubai evolve.

For more information about UAE visas, click here.

Is it easy to travel to Dubai as a single mother?

Yes. It’s very easy to travel to Dubai as a single mother. The only thing you may need is a letter from the children’s biological father stating that you have his permission for the children to travel. I also carry such a letter as I often travel without my husband.

Obviously, this is not always possible, so it may be prudent to carry other relevant documentation, such as copies of birth certificates, adoption papers, or death certificates. Being asked for papers is becoming more widespread globally to reduce human trafficking and child abduction.

Once in Dubai, navigating the city as a single mother is relatively easy. Most taxi companies provide cabs with child seats if needed, and the public transportation system is excellent. Dubai has lots to keep both young and older kids busy.

To learn more about what Dubai has to offer its younger visitors, check out our family-friendly activity guide here.

Shopping malls, beaches, and theme parks generally have excellent facilities for families with young children. In the most modern malls, there are baby changing facilities in both the female and male washrooms, as well as separate baby rooms. Older malls all have changing facilities either in or adjacent to the ladies’ washroom. Some malls could benefit from more lifts/elevators for people traveling with strollers, but by and large, this is not a significant problem.

What else do I need to know as a woman traveling to Dubai?

We recommend all travellers, but especially solo female travellers, familiarise themselves with advice from their own consulates before travel to Dubai. You can find advice from:

• US Department of State
• UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• Australian Smart Traveller
• Canada Travel Advisory Service

Our team of writers here at Dubai Travel Planner are all female and have lived for extended periods of time in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, as well as visited both as single and married women, with and without kids, Muslim and non-Muslim. We hope this Q&A guide to Dubai has provided you with a balanced view of what to expect when visiting Dubai as a woman.