While I'm Young

Home
You are here: Home / Travel / Adventure Travel / Is Dubai Safe For Women? Dubai Solo Female Travel Tips
Is Dubai safe for girls to visit alone?

Is Dubai Safe For Women? Dubai Solo Female Travel Tips

Adventure Travel, Travel, United Arab Emirates |

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission if you buy anything mentioned here. It doesn't cost you anything extra.

One of the most commonly asked questions for Dubai tourists – female visitors in particular – is whether Dubai is safe for women.

Having become known for my Dubai expat diaries during my time living in the UAE, I wanted to share everything I know about travelling as a solo female in Dubai.

What qualifies me to give people advice on whether it’s safe for women to go to Dubai alone? Well, I did it.

I flew out on a whirlwind 48 hour visit to Dubai on my own for a job interview and spent the full two days exploring Dubai solo, just in case my interview was unsuccessful and I never got to see the place again.

Is Dubai safe for women travelling alone?

Fortunately, that trip changed my life. I got the job and a few months later, I was on a one-way flight to Dubai.

I moved to Dubai alone and built my life in Dubai as a solo female from scratch.

Tip: – One of the simplest ways to stay safe if you’re visiting Dubai alone is to book tours to see all of the sights etc you’d like to experience while you’re there. There is safety in numbers! Check out this list of unmissable tours and activities in Dubai  and book before you go.

The UAE was my home for 14 months and I met many, many fellow young female expats out there who were living a similar experience.

I hope my advice on female safety helps anyone considering a solo trip to Dubai – whether that’s a five day stay in Dubai, a Dubai layover or you’re considering moving to Dubai.

Arriving in Dubai alone, I was nervous because I hadn’t done many solo trips at that stage of my life.

Luckily, I didn’t feel threatened or unsafe once during my initial trip, and that continued during once I had made the move to live in Dubai as a solo woman.

I found that the destination is wonderfully designed to keep tourists safe, and that nothing is as scary as people who haven’t done it will tell you it is.

FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STAY IN DUBAI! Check out my Dubai accommodation guide for a breakdown of the most popular areas for tourists and my hotel recommendations for every budget.

How safe is Dubai for women and solo travellers?

Watch my full-length Dubai video on Youtube

In short, the answer is yes, Dubai is safe – but with a few important caveats.

When you’re in the thick of boozy bottomless brunches and sparkly shopping malls, it can be easy to forget that Dubai is still very much a Muslim country and visitors of any gender should take care not to cause offence.

The emirate is widely acknowledged as the most lenient of its neighbours, but caution should still be taken.

How safe Dubai is for women depends on how clued-up the woman is on what she can and can’t do there.

Despite its huge expatriate population, Dubai is governed by Sharia law so you should be aware of that when conducting yourself.

There are rules in Dubai that every tourist should be aware of.

Whether you’re going to Dubai alone for a holiday or you’re a female thinking of moving here, these are the things you should know before you go when it comes to staying safe.

How to get around safely as a woman in Dubai

Getting around Dubai when you visit solo as a female is relatively safe, providing you go equipped with the right information.

Remember, this isn’t Saudi Arabia – women have always been allowed to drive and travel unchaperoned in Dubai, whatever the Daily Fail would like you to believe!

If you’re a confident driver, hire a car and navigate around Dubai on your own terms.

The metro in Dubai is easy to use and there are female-only carriages at the front of each train. I always sat in these carriages, mainly because they’re less crowded.

Of course, you’re free to sit in the mixed parts of the train if you prefer!

How to get around Dubai safely

When it comes to getting a taxi in Dubai, my best advice for solo female travellers is to never sit in the front with the driver, especially if you’re alone and DEFINITELY not if you’ve had a drink.

I heard a few scary stories while I was living there but I never personally experienced anything untoward, and I did actually slip up now and then and get in the front.

If you’re worried about taking taxis alone in Dubai, look for the special pink women only taxis, which have female drivers. You’ll find them at the airport and all over the city.

There’s a glut of apps and websites for expats and visitors in Dubai that can help you plan your time there safely. The list I’ve put together is comprised of companies I trust.

I never had an issue getting an UBER in Dubai. Taxis are easy to flag down wherever you are but at least with UBER, you can send your location and the driver’s details to your mum or a friend if you’re nervous!

The safest areas to stay in Dubai for solo travellers

I recommend booking a hotel in the Marina if you’re worried about feeling safe in Dubai.

The Marina, which is where I lived, is great for solo female travellers looking to party in Dubai because you have Pier 7 for Ladies nights and JBR beach, which is a free public beach, all within walking distance (when the temperatures allow).

The Walk at JBR is one of my favourite places to enjoy the sunset for free! Also, you can take a yacht trip from the Marina.

Safest area to stay in Dubai for solo female travellers

If you want to be close to all the main tourist attractions and aren’t too bothered about having amenities within walking distance, Downtown Dubai is one of the safest areas to stay.

It’s well situated for visiting the mall, Bubrj Khalifa etc and I’d suggest staying there if you’re only in Dubai for a short time.

I recommend these areas as the safest in Dubai simply because they’re very popular with western expats so if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, you’ll feel comfortable there. 

You can search for accommodation in Dubai using the booking.com box below.

Booking.com

Drinking alcohol and is it safe for girls to go out at night in Dubai?

I went out to bars, clubs and restaurants a few times a week while I lived in Dubai because everyone is a lot more social there than they are at home.

Trust me, as a single woman in Dubai, you’re going to have a blast!

Dubai offers ‘Ladies Nights’ at various bars around the city, where women drink for free. Of course, that means you can expect to find lots of thirsty men in the bars, looking for prey.

Just like you would in any strange place on your own, it’s best not to get visibly drunk.

Have fun but keep in mind that should any trouble arise either in a club, on your way back to your apartment or hotel OR at a mixed sex gathering (perfectly normal in Dubai but slightly sketchy in the eyes of the law), you are at risk.

Is Dubai safe for women at night?

This is the bit that always left a sour taste in my mouth and it’s difficult to talk about it sensitively.

If you as a female get attacked in Dubai, whether drunk or not, YOU can get in trouble with the law when you report it, because according to the law, you shouldn’t be alone with a member of the opposite sex that you aren’t married to or related to.

It’s a sobering thought and one that angers me, but it just became something that was always in the back of my mind while living in the UAE.

I didn’t meet a single western expat who actually refrained from mixing with the opposite sex, so it was easy to forget that technically it isn’t allowed.

It’s worth noting that though I had very little contact with Emirati men during my time living in Dubai because few of them worked in my office and even fewer went to the bars I hung out in, I found them to be very warm and respectful when I did deal with them.

The only times I had issues with men in Dubai, was with men from my own country!

I also struggled a bit with getting used to the staring from men from some Asian countries, but this is a cultural thing and not something you can change. It’s usually not meant to be threatening, but it can definitely make you uncomfortable.

A sharp glare back usually puts them off.

All of this being said, I never ever felt threatened while out and about at night in Dubai.

I had friends who would walk their dogs in the early hours of the morning when it was cooler, and they never questioned whether they were safe in doing so.

I certainly felt safer walking around in the dark in Dubai than I would at home in the UK!

I have friends who have gone to the hospital complaining of their drink being spiked and ending up getting a slap on the wrist for drinking without an alcohol license.

Technically, you need a licence to buy and consume alcohol in Dubai although the laws relaxed recently for tourists.

Again, this is only something that could be dangerous if sh*t were to hit the fan and you were somehow to find yourself in contact with the police.

What’s illegal in the UAE?

I’m not fluent in Sharia law so it wouldn’t be right for me to speak on this subject with any authority, but I will cover what I do know.

My experiences living as a woman in Dubai showed me that you’re more at risk of getting in trouble with the law than you are facing danger in the form of for example being attacked, mugged or scammed. 

What you may not think is offensive behaviour may just constitute a serious offence in the UAE.

Tips for female tourists in Dubai

While the tales that make the UK tabloids about people getting arrested for holding hands in the mall are slightly sensationalist, it can happen.

All it takes is one local person to make a complaint and you could land in jail.

I have a separate post all about the things that can get you into trouble with the law in the UAE which I suggest you read before your trip.

The UAE’s focus on respect makes it a very safe place and I’ve felt safer there than I have in many European cities.

Plan your solo trip to Dubai

Here are a few useful blog posts to help you plan your holiday in Dubai.

Essential reading for new Dubai expats

Just arrived in town or planning a move out to Dubai? I promise you won’t regret it. Here are some of my most popular expat diaries, to help you find your way.

Some of the best Dubai tours and activities

Getting to Dubai

You can fly to Dubai International Airport from all over the world.

Travel insurance for Dubai

It’s absolutely essential that you have decent travel insurance if you’re visiting Dubai. Those hospitals are costly! I recommend World Nomads.

Use my Travel Resources page to plan and book your Dubai trip

If you’re a female planning on travelling to Dubai alone or even if you’re coupled up but fancy a solo adventure in Dubai, I wouldn’t let worries about potential dangers put you off. 

Having had the time of my life while I lived there, I’d happily send my fictional little sister to Dubai on her own with no worries about her safety (but I’d warn her to stay off Tinder because while I had a fella waiting in the UK for me, my single Dubai friends had bad experiences trying to date there!) 

Though Dubai is much more westernised than the rest of the Middle East, you should still be respectful of local culture.

Aside from that, just enjoy this amazing destination and use my tips for solo female travellers to stay safe in Dubai! Remember: bad things happen anywhere. Don’t let the b*stards stop you seeing the world.

To keep up to date with my blog posts, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest or sign up to emails so you don’t miss any new posts. I also have a Youtube channel.

Pin this

Solo female travel in Dubai

Comments

  1. I was happy to read that you ventured outside of the mall, despite being a little cautious. What’s the point of traveling all that way if you’re not going to explore a little, right?

  2. First of all your skirt is BEAUTIFUL! Now, let´s get to the juicy part: I have many friend (girls) who went to Dubai and they more or less told me the same things that you wrote. They told me that it felt weird, that they felt that women were considered as less important, ecc, but that they never felt threatened and that everything was ok!

    I found very funny the story about the ring! I am in Morocco now and I am in the deep and conservative southern countryside, so I bought one as well! it´s incredible how safer I feel with that little thing on my finger!

    Hope to read something new soon!!

    https://pandaonavespa.wordpress.com/

    • Thanks Arianna, it cost like £6! Yeah I think that above all Dubai is a safe place. Can’t believe how many people are saying they use a fake engagement ring too! I’d love to see Morocco, will have to keep up with your adventures!

  3. Most of my travels have been solo–including in the Middle East. This is the case most places–it is mostly safe, you just need to be respectful and knowledgeable of local customs/dress and be aware of your surroundings. Other than a lot of stares in places that didn’t receive many tourists or hassles from vendors trying to hawk their wares, I usually wasn’t uncomfortable. Kudos to you for exploring on your own!

    • Yes, I think that was what it was in the souks Vicki, though I was surprised that I was the only tourist because they’re featured in all the ‘things to do in Dubai’ lists! Thanks for reading and for not mocking my nervousness, it was a big deal for me 🙂

  4. I’m so glad you had a positive experience. I think I need to go back and try again! I didn’t feel threatened but did feel unsafe once. I think women are treated differently and its not the most comfortable place I’ve visited. I would never let that put me off trying again or telling other solo female travellers to give it a go! Great post

    • I’m so glad I read your post and spoke to you before I went Kate, it always makes me feel more confident to read about others’ experiences first. I wouldn’t have bothered going to the top of Burj Khalifa had you not shared your experience, so thank you!

  5. It’s great to know how you found Dubai from a solo female perspective! I’d be tempted to do an extended stop over there on a trip to Australia but I have to admit I would be a little nervous but it seems like an easy city to get around as long as you respect their values and ways of life! And I love that maxi skirt you’re wearing, it’s beautiful!

  6. I loved visiting Dubai! It’s like any place when traveling, you just have to make smart choices. Granted you can’t predict everything that will happen, but traveling smart will help eliminate those possibilities and have you prepared if they do happen.

  7. I would be nervous to travel alone there too, but my adventurous side would have pushed me to take advantage of the trip as well. Glad you had a good time and it is nice to hear that you felt safe. I would have never thought about a fake engagement ring. Great idea.

  8. When I was your age, I was too timid to travel alone. Over the past few years, I’ve grown more comfortable. I think you’re absolutely right — travel. We can’t let the world dictate our actions. I’m also glad you took some reasonable precautions — both with dressing respectfully for the culture (it is theirs after all), and the ring. Smart young lady!

  11. I’ve only been to Dubai airport when I changed the planes so it’s the city I still have to explore.
    I’m happy to hear you ventured outside your comfort zone and saw more than just a mall 🙂 – it’s important to overcome your fears and explore even if you’re on your own. I often travel solo as well, and I understand well how it is.

  13. Great to know that you were able to travel in Dubai so safely! And that sounds pretty boss that you were able to fly out first class ^^ I really like the first pic and the angle of it. Definitely going to be putting that up on my travel list!

  15. I love how travel often forces you to step out of your comfort zone. Well done for following your adventurous side, I think you would have regretted it otherwise!

  17. Dubai is super safe place! People can be a bit pushy with all the talks and trying to approach you, but they will not do anything more than talk talk. I am not sure which mall did you go to from Creek, but if its not IBN batutta, they scammed you for a price big time ? creek to Dubai mall should be around 50 or less 🙂

  18. “While I’m Young and Skinny” HAHA!! LOVE it. I’ve heard that mall is to die for… glad you ventured out though. Great post 🙂