shouldbewriting

We'll be spending a night in the airport hotel in Dubai en route to JNB in a few weeks, and two nights on the way home. I assume we'll need local currency for tips if for nothing else. Does anyone know if I'm accurate here? I assume the restaurants and shops will take cc. Thanks for help!

AAFrequentFlyer

Dubai airport is one of the most beautiful airports in the world. Very modern with all the conveniences of modern world. ATM's every were, CC cards excepted everywhere.

http://www.dubaiairport.com/en/passe...ages/home.aspx

NoFlyZone

Technically, credit cards are accepted everywhere, but you got the intent.

shouldbewriting

Thanks, but don't think I was clear enough. When we deplane, a hotel employee will meet us and escort through security and to the hotel. As we won't have local currency to tip, must we stop & find an ATM (after a 15 hour flight) or can we tip in dollars? I assume that we will have to get the local currency somehow between gate & hotel entrance, but just wondered if anyone had been in this situation and knew how to handle.

julia1

Yes, you will need cash for tips and yes, the local restaurants and shops accept credit cards. I had two long layovers in Dubai last year while flying to and from India.

As you depart the airport there are kiosks for hiring cars and drivers. I hired a driver for 5-6 hours and had a most enjoyable time. He was Palestinian and an interesting, helpful and very accomodating young man who spoke excellent English. I asked him to take me to the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, where I went up to the observation deck. We drove through the Palm Jameirah and stopped at the Atlantis to see the aquarium and I had lunch at the hotel. We also visited the Al-Fahidi Fort which houses the Dubai Museum which I found interesting.

We stopped at Jumeirah Beach and I dipped my toes in the sea while getting a few photos of the iconic Burj Al Arab across the water. I photographed Dubai's two most important mosques, the Jumeirah Mosque and the Grand Mosque, walked along the Creek and all in all had a good look around the city. The driver dropped me at my hotel when I tired of the sightseeing.

qwovadis

Best ATMs airport in the world for me at Emirates Palace you can even ATM bars of GOLD!Using an exchange rate updated every 10 minutes, gold-hungry investors can pump cash into this machine and out will pop gold bars of the corresponding amount. Good for those of us who need 24 karat gold bars in a hurry!

shouldbewriting

That's hilarious...