Dubai or Abu Dhabi with kids

[Anonymous]

We have a choice to doing a multi day layover in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Which area would be better for kids?

Atlantis Dubai looks cool but we have been to the Bahamas several times and stayed at Atlantis and Bahamar there.

[Anonymous]

Dubai has so much more in terms of activities.

[Anonymous]

Dubai is more like vegas - empty of soul but lots of activities.

Abu Dhabi will have more culture, and more of a feeling of being in a different country.

[Anonymous]

you could easily do both as they are like an hour drive apart. I like Dubai but understand Abu Dhabi has an amusement park that could be a good day trip

[Anonymous]

Dubai easily. A lot more to see. Take the kids to the Creek and cross it on the dhows and wander around the gold souk and have a shawarma.

There's also theme parks but typically expensive.

Beaches are quite good in Dubai. There's open public beaches with boardwalks that's fun for an afternoon or stay at a hotel with a private beach.

Malls are much better in Dubai. You may not care about malls but there's kids play areas and indoor ice skating or go to Ski Dubai at Mall of Emirates.

You can take the metro and kids may enjoy seeing the city from the metro as it's elevated for much of the route. Dubai is really quite futuristic.

You can do dune bashing if you want. Or if you're up for a long day, a dhow tour in Musandum (Oman) is feasible and easily organized with collection from your hotel in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi is more "local" but it's also hard to find it. Very private. You'll most likely find it a quiet and reserved city.

Contrary to what some posters want to claim, Dubai has plenty of flavor and "soul." It's a huge expat destination with thriving communities of people from all over the world. A fun evening can be to take the metro to Karama for an Indian meal at a great local Indian restaurant. And there's the colorful fabric souks near the creek that can be combined with a creek crossing and gold souk exploration. Go in the evening.

[Anonymous]

Agree on crossing the creek from Old Dubai to the markets. Old Dubai is a great tour. Many of the modern buildings are amazing and beautiful.

But I agree it doesn’t have a lot of soul. What killed it for me was finding out (from our non-UAE tour guide) that only 10% of residents are actually native to Dubai. Plus she didn’t say this, but it seems like the natives are hiding away in their plush condos. You probably won’t meet many locals: everybody in your hotel, restaurants and stores are from other countries.

[Anonymous]

Is it easy to grab a taxi or Uber in Dubai?

[Anonymous]

Also can you use mostly credit cards and touchless pay, or do you need alot of cash there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dubai easily. A lot more to see. Take the kids to the Creek and cross it on the dhows and wander around the gold souk and have a shawarma.

There's also theme parks but typically expensive.

Beaches are quite good in Dubai. There's open public beaches with boardwalks that's fun for an afternoon or stay at a hotel with a private beach.

Malls are much better in Dubai. You may not care about malls but there's kids play areas and indoor ice skating or go to Ski Dubai at Mall of Emirates.

You can take the metro and kids may enjoy seeing the city from the metro as it's elevated for much of the route. Dubai is really quite futuristic.

You can do dune bashing if you want. Or if you're up for a long day, a dhow tour in Musandum (Oman) is feasible and easily organized with collection from your hotel in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi is more "local" but it's also hard to find it. Very private. You'll most likely find it a quiet and reserved city.

Contrary to what some posters want to claim, Dubai has plenty of flavor and "soul." It's a huge expat destination with thriving communities of people from all over the world. A fun evening can be to take the metro to Karama for an Indian meal at a great local Indian restaurant. And there's the colorful fabric souks near the creek that can be combined with a creek crossing and gold souk exploration. Go in the evening.

Pp here who recommended Dubai above and this is a really good description.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it easy to grab a taxi or Uber in Dubai?

Yes, super easy.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We are leaning towards Dubai and doing a day trip to Abu Dhabi.

Where would you stay in Dubai? Atlantis Palms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it easy to grab a taxi or Uber in Dubai?

Yes, super easy.

+1. We Ubered/taxid everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Hands down Dubai.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it easy to grab a taxi or Uber in Dubai?

Yes, super easy.

+1. We Ubered/taxid everywhere.

+2.

[Anonymous]

OP, you will not regret going to Dubai. There is so much to see and do. You have the old (Dubai creek/souks etc…) and you have the new (Dubai Marina, downtown, etc.) You have beaches and deserts. It is extremely safe and diverse. We went on a female solo trip and walked around the city at 2am (thank you jet lag!) and we never felt unsafe. There are women wearing skimpy clothing everywhere even late at night and nobody bothers them. Dubai is an amazing place.