Latest Dubai Rules For Female Tourists: Do’s & Don’ts

Dubai is not only considered as a famous and safest country for males but also for females. As a female tourist, maybe you are wondering is it safe to travel to Dubai as a woman or what are Dubai rules for female tourists?

Traveling to Dubai as a woman is completely safe because of having low safety issues with quite lower crime rates. Over 16 million international visitors travel to Dubai each year including female tourists, considered as a safe destination for solo female travelers.

If you have planned your trip to Dubai, keep reading this blog post till end to get familiar with Dubai rules for female tourists reddit.

Dubai Rules for Female Tourists

Dubai is completely safe and secure country for women but only when they follow essential rules and safety guidelines. By following the strict rules, you can save yourself from several uncomfortable situations.

By adhering to all cultural norms and traditions, women can enjoy memorable experience.

Crime Rate	Lower
Violent Crime Against Women	Extremely rare
Public Harassment	Rare but can occur
Women’s Safety Index	Ranks higher
Solo Female Travelers	Completely safe
Emergency Numbers (Dubai)	Police: 999, Women’s Shelter: 800-111, Ambulance: 998
Harassment Cases	Few incidents reported but authorities take legal actions on time
Dress Code Enforcement	Moderate dress code is required in public spaces

Here is a list of Dubai rules for tourists like females.

Dress code rules
Public etiquette rules
Transportation & traveling around Dubai rules
Social media & digital restrictions
Alcohol, drugs & partying rules for women

Let us explain these rules one by one in detail.

What to Wear in Dubai as a Woman?

Dubai is a Muslim country so it has certain traditions based on Islamic culture and religious practices. Dubai dress code for tourists including male and female should comply with Dubai local laws, customs and regulations.

Women are advised to wear modestly especially in public places and it is highly appreciated. The following are few general guidelines that every woman needs to follow in terms of dress code.

Dress modestly while respecting local laws and customs.
Cover your shoulders and knees in public areas like Dubai Mall, attractions & markets.
Avoid wearing revealing outfits. Just wear it when you are at the beach or poolside.
When visit mosque or any other religious site, make sure that you are covered from head to toe.

What Not to Wear in Dubai as a Tourist?

As a tourist, no matter whether you are male or female, there are few types of dressing in public that should be avoided to respect local culture.

Here’s what to avoid.

In public areas, tank tops, spaghetti straps, and overly short shorts are restricted to wear.
Women should cover their knees or shoulders in most religious and heavily crowded areas.
Avoid kissing or hugging with opposite gender as it is strictly prohibited in Dubai.
Cross-dressing can result in legal consequences so avoid wearing it.
If you want to visit mosque, do not wear loose-fitting clothes, shorts and skirts. Cover your ankles, knees, head and arms before entering into mosque.

Dubai Rules for Couples

For couples, both married & unmarried, Dubai has specific rules and cultural expectations. While Dubai is considered as more liberal as compared to other parts of UAE but it is still important for couples to follow these rules for a memorable tour experience.

Public displays of affection like kissing or hugging at public places is totally unethical and treated with zero-tolerance policy. These public places are malls, parks and beaches.
There are some hotels where couples can share rooms together but these are few in number. Some hotels demand marriage certificate to give couples a sharing room.
Drinking alcohol on public and unlicensed places are not allowed. Couples can only drink in licensed places like hotel bars and restaurants.
As a couple, both of you should dress modestly and do not do any sort of physical contact when visiting religious sites. Also, make sure that you follow basic cultural norms.
Dubai features special events for couples where they could enjoy at their own pace without thinking about local traditions, customs or laws.

Dubai Laws for Women Marriage

Under the personal UAE’s status law, the legal marriage age is 18 and women have the right to marry with person they want to get married. Although woman under 18 can also get married but only after the approval of court orders.

Moreover, it is must for female tourists to get consent from their father or closest male relative for marriage. In case if the guardian is not in support of marriage, then court may have legal right to transfer guardianship, allowing women to get married wherever they want.

Public Behavior Rules & Cultural Rules

No doubt Dubai is a modern city but it follows both Islamic laws and cultural traditions. Whether you are married or unmarried, it would be good to follow these public behavior etiquette rules.

Dress modestly in public during daylight hours by covering your shoulder and knees when in public places.
Do not use offensive language or gestures as it conveys the message of insecurity for others so it should be avoided.
Public displays of affection are not recommended in Dubai especially for unmarried couples.
Do not take picture of locals without their consent. Also, there is no photography in government buildings, military areas and private spaces.
Respect both religious and cultural norms of Dubai to spend your time in a memorable way.

Transportation & Traveling Around Dubai Rules

Dubai transportation system is like no elsewhere. In Dubai Metro & Dubai Tram, there are separate cabins for women and children. If you don’t want to travel in public transportation, there are Uber and Careem taxis available for enhanced comfort and security.

If you want to rent a car, make sure that you have international driving permit. Without permit, you can’t drive a vehicle in UAE as female drivers and if found in driving, there are chances that you may be penalized with heavy fines.

Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers

Just like ordinary female travelers, Dubai is also safest city for solo female travelers. However, the travel rules for solo female travelers are just same as other female tourists with few exceptions. Let’s take a look at what safety tips should be followed by every solo female traveler in Dubai.

Dress appropriately in public by knowing the local traditions, customs and laws.
Use women-friendly transportation options like pink taxis, Dubai Metro, Uber and Careem.
Street harassment is rare so be cautious with strangers. Do not share personal details, make eye contact with males and avoid interacting with them too closely.
It is good not to walk alone at night particularly in less crowded areas or where safety is at risk.
Last but not least, follow local laws and customs at any stage. When you follow local laws and customs, you will automatically don’t face any issues in the UAE.

Ending Thoughts!

These Dubai rules for female tourists promises every woman in Dubai feel valued, safe and respected. Overall Dubai is a safest country to explore for female expats but being a Islamic country, there are some restrictions to follow local etiquette and cultural norms.

Moreover, Dubai is the country where cultural events & festivals held every year. These events and outdoor activities welcome female tourists with respectfulness. There are some private romantic spots in Dubai where you don’t need to obey rules because of intimate privacy.