UAE Packing List Generator: What to Pack for Dubai

How does the packing list generator work?

Choose your month of travel, how many days you are staying, what you plan to do and who is coming with you. The generator builds a checklist from Dubai's average weather for that month and the UAE's dress norms, then adds items for each activity and for children or a baby.

You can tick items off as you pack. The list is a starting point: add anything personal, and remove what you do not need.

What should everyone pack for the UAE?

Some things go in every bag, whatever the season:

• A passport valid for at least six months, plus your visa or entry approval.
• A plug adapter for Type G sockets (the UK-style 3-pin plug). The voltage is 230V.
• A light layer. Air conditioning in malls, taxis and the metro is strong, even in summer.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
• Prescription medicines in their original boxes, with the prescription.

How does the weather change what you pack?

These are Dubai's monthly averages from NOAA climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Sea temperatures are rounded figures from general tables.

In the cooler months, roughly December to February, evenings and the desert can feel chilly, so a light jacket and long trousers are useful. Spring and autumn are warm. From about May to September the heat is over 40°C by day and humid, so plan outdoor time for early morning or evening. See the full picture on our UAE weather by month page.

A worked example

A couple travels to Dubai in January for 7 days with two children. They plan city sightseeing, the beach and a visit to a mosque. Their list has:

• Essentials: 10 items, including clothes for 7 days.
• For the cooler months: 3 items, such as a light jacket for the evenings.
• City and malls: 2 items, including a nol card or the RTA app.
• Beach and pools: 4 items, including a cover-up and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Mosques and heritage sites: 3 items, including a headscarf for women.
• For children: 4 items, including kids' sun hats and swim vests.

That is 10 + 3 + 2 + 4 + 3 + 4 = 26 items. The weather line reads: Dubai averages 24°C by day and 15°C at night, sea around 21°C. Pleasant for the beach, but a jumper for the evening is a good idea.

What is the dress code in the UAE?

The UAE is relaxed for visitors, but it helps to dress with respect. The general rules, as set out by Visit Dubai:

• In malls and public places, cover your shoulders and knees.
• In mosques, cover your arms and legs with loose clothes that are not see-through. Women also cover their hair with a headscarf.
• Swimwear is for beaches and pools only. Use a cover-up when you walk to and from them.
• Hotels, beach clubs and some restaurants are more relaxed, but smart casual works almost everywhere.

Our UAE etiquette and dress code guide explains what is expected in more detail.

Tips for packing

• Pick light, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. Light colours stay cooler in the sun.
• Leave space for shopping. Most visitors bring more home than they took.
• If you are hiking, bring at least 3 litres of water per person, and a fleece for Jebel Jais, which is much cooler than the coast.
• Check what you can bring in your bags with our customs allowance checker, especially for medicines.
• Not sure when to go? Our best time to visit tool compares every month.