Traveling to Dubai, UAE in October (2025): Our review

If you are considering visiting the UAE in October, congratulations, you are halfway through to a successful vacation. Now, all you need to do is budget carefully (as money tends to disappear quickly in the Emirates!), create a bucket list of places you don’t want to miss while you’re here, and choose the perfect resort and hotel.

The peak of fall is my favorite time in the UAE, although it does have its downsides. Let’s explore how much a vacation in Dubai costs in October, which resorts are better and cheaper, and what to expect from the weather in the Emirates during the spookiest month of the year.

Article contents

1. Weather in Dubai in October
2. Which Emirate to choose for your trip?
3. Travel expenses for your trip
4. Our list of Dubai neighborhoods + Dubai hotels top picks
5. Things to do in Dubai
6. Is going to Dubai in October worth it? Our review

Weather in Dubai in October

The month of October really suits Dubai Marina neighborhood: You can stroll along the promenade for hours on end!

Is October still hot in Dubai? Yes, but not to the point of it being unbearable. It’s ideal for those who prefer temperatures not lower than +30°C and not higher than +35°C.

Can you swim in the UAE in October? Yes! The weather conditions strongly suggest you do. The water is warm as milk and you don’t shriek in shock every time you do a cannonball dive into the gulf. Plus, spending the whole day on the beach in Dubai in October becomes even more tempting as you learn that the sunny days are guaranteed to be abound all throughout your vacation (clouds are quite rare in the Emirates in general).

• Mid-fall is the moment when the country awakens from the scorching +45°C summer heat. The dog days are over, and locals return to their residencies. Life flows back to the cities. However, acquiring the wrong shade of red instead of a golden tan is still quite easy, so stay diligent about sun protection if you don’t want to become yet another Dubai sun casualty.

The end of October in Dubai is that period when the water is still warm enough for swimming, and air temps allow you to show your nose outside between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. In comparison with the months leading up to October, this is such a treat — you won’t have to spend tons of cash on expensive beach loungers with giant umbrellas (like in September in Dubai).

How hot is Dubai on October night? Heat haters, rejoice! October evenings in Dubai tend to be quite pleasant. The temperature drops to a refreshing +24°C, and you still don’t have to add another layer to your outfit to enjoy the night out.

Side note: Speaking of clothes, the ultimate packing list for the fall season in the Emirates includes a swimsuit, shorts, a t-shirt, and dresses. You won’t need a shirt or a jacket outdoors, but you’ll definitely need them indoors, where the air conditioning is set to a chilly +16°C degrees.

To put a face to a name (or a number to a feeling, in this case), here’s a short table I’ve made to help you understand the scope of October weather in the UAE, with all the little changes you might encounter emirate to emirate:

Emirate	Average air temperature	Average water temperature
		Start of October	End of October
Dubai	+33°C / 91,4°F	+32°C / 89,6°F	+30°C / 86°F
Sharjah	+33°C / 91,4°F	+32°C / 89,6°F	+30°C / 86°F
Ras Al Khaimah	+35°C / 95°F	+32°C / 89,6°F	+30°C / 86°F
Abu Dhabi	+34°C / 93°F	+32,5°C / 90,5°F	+28°C / 82,4°F
Fujairah	+33°C / 91,4°F	+31°C / 88°F	+29°C / 84°F

If after all the information I’ve thrown at you thus far has made it even harder for you to choose the best time to visit Dubai, then, by all means, feel free to consult with my article here, where I detail all the pros and cons of each of the month you might want to consider for your future travels to the Emirates.

Which Emirate to choose for your trip?

Guess the emirate by its architecture!

Here’s a brief overview of resorts in the UAE that can help you choose where to stay in October based on your travel goals:

• Dubai

Dubai takes the lead in everything, and this list right here is no exception. October prices in Dubai are a cut above those in other emirates, but there are also so much more tourist activities here.

Miles-long beaches and the sea, endless shopping possibilities (from Zara to Gucci, covering the entire spectrum of tourist retail habits), entertainment ranging from observation decks and museums to renting Lamborghinis. Add to that world-famous restaurants courtesy of celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, boozy rooftop bars with head-spinning city views, and even snow at the indoor ski resort Ski Dubai, — in a nutshell, Dubai is ideal for those seeking a perfect blend of modernity, entertainment, and Emirate culture. Check my tried and tested one day in Dubai itinerary!

• Sharjah

Sharjah is great for a beach vacation. You don’t have to pay the premium prices of Dubai that usually follow its “top” status, all while being in close proximity to the city.

Most local hotels offer free transfers to Dubai Mall, and taxis cost around 100 AED / $27 (+20 AED for crossing the border). The beaches here are wider and less crowded, with many hotels located on the waterfront. But there’s one important detail to keep in mind: Alcohol is strictly prohibited in this emirate, even in all-inclusive hotels. So for a night out with cocktails, you’ll have to go to either Dubai or Ajman — the next emirate on the coast.

Sharjah would probably suit best for a family vacation. It offers numerous water parks and other family-friendly entertainment options.

Best hotel deals in Sharjah >>

• Abu Dhabi

That’s the super luxury “7-star” hotel in Abu Dhabi which is usually included in the itinerary of guided tours from Dubai

Abu Dhabi is another good resort for a family vacation with children. It is more conservative and family-oriented compared to Dubai, and the local amusement parks are a dream for both kids and adults (more details about them in the section below). However, the beaches are not the strongest point of Abu Dhabi. The most decent ones are located on Saadiyat Island — it’s only a 10-minute drive from the center, but it’s still a drive.

Ahu Dhabi is definitely the best choice for cultural and historical exploration. Here, you can visit a lot of cultural landmarks like Louvre Abu Dhabi (click if you want to know if it’s worth visiting) or the brand new teamLab Abu Dhabi.

Side note: Saadiyat Island is set to become the Emirates’ top cultural hub, with such constructions as Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum currently underway.

• Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah would work great for those who want to spend their time on the beach 24/7. You won’t be distracted by the fear of missing out on attractions (there’s not much to see in the city itself, and Dubai is far away), nor will you have to worry about the distance from the hotel to the sea.

Most hotels in Ras Al Khaimah are located almost on the waterfront. Additionally, it is the most relaxed emirate when it comes to alcohol regulations. If a peaceful and secluded beach vacation gets dull at any moment, you can always plan one or two day trips to Dubai and Abu Dhabi to learn what the fuss is all about.

Best resorts in Ras Al Khaimah >>

• Fujairah

Why do people spend another hour and a half on the road to Fujairah after landing in Dubai? In fact, the emirate has solid reasons that might make you consider this bus adventure.

First of all, it’s the best place to find the cheapest all-inclusive packages for your October vacation. Secondly, Fujairah is located on the Gulf of Oman (weather-wise, it’s the same as an ocean-front resort), which means it offers different water temperatures and marine life, compared to other emirates that all face the Persian Gulf. Just imagine being surrounded by a mountain landscape on a cozy beach with a diving session in an hour. Snorkeling in Fujairah is a very popular activity. Finally, the country of Oman is just around the corner, making it convenient for you to kill two birds with one stone and cover two new countries in just one vacation.

Hotels in Fujairah >>

Travel expenses for your October trip to the UAE

Every shopping mall in the Emirates has several exchange offices with good rates

Since October promises the best weather in Dubai, tourists love this season. Therefore, the prices change quickly and tend to grow exponentially fast. Your best bet to secure a fun and affordable vacation is to plan ahead of time.

Flights to Dubai in October

Since September 2025 Wizz Air no longer flies to and from Abu Dhabi. But it still can get you from Europe to Dubai

While looking for plane tickets, take your time and double-check the aggregators — sometimes you can find better deals on Expedia or even Trip.com.

• A direct round-trip from the East Coast (NYC) will cost approximately $850 for one person. But if you don’t mind layovers, you can find deals that start at $700.
• West Coast prices are a bit higher: $1,000 for a direct flight, and $700 — with layovers.
• Flights from Europe, despite your hopes and dreams, aren’t cheap in October either (although the “ground” covered is a little shorter, resulting in more bearable travel days). They are $450 for a round-trip, but if you want to save another couple of hundred bucks, book the itineraries with stopovers — from $320.

Hotel prices in Dubai, UAE

Alserkal Avenue in Dubai is all about graffiti, yoga studios, coffeeshops, and art galleries

Keep in mind that hotel prices in the Emirates vary significantly based on the resort and star rating of the hotel. As always, finding a budget-friendly resort with great service is the ultimate goal of every traveler, but it can be tricky in the Emirates. Generally, the further you go from Dubai, the more affordable options you can find.

Here’s a comparative table with the average prices of accommodation in the Emirates in October.

Side note: The prices mentioned here are for a 1-night two-person stay. Planning out our latest trips, I noticed that sometimes Trip.com offers better rates in the UAE than Booking — so it’s worth comparing.

Emirate	3-star hotel	4-star hotel	5-star hotel
Dubai	from $70	from $90	from $130
Sharjah	$50	$65	$85
Ras Al Khaimah	$55	$75	$150
Abu Dhabi	$80	$120	$150
Fujairah	$45	$70	$95

If you want to dig deeper into the price policies of Dubai and be fully prepared for anything, check out my article on prices in Dubai.

Which Dubai’s neighborhood to choose for your stay?

If you’ve landed on visiting Dubai in October, here is a list of Dubai’s neighborhoods that we prefer to stay in:

1) Al Barsha is my choice when we need a location that is conveniently close to metro and offers affordable lodging options. It doesn’t have direct access to the sea and beaches, but many hotels provide complimentary transfers.

2) Deira is located on the outskirts, and it’s the cheapest district of Dubai. It lacks beaches, but easy access to the metro makes it a convenient base for city exploration. Despite its chaotic atmosphere with crowds and shops that can at times scare tourists away, Deira remains a popular choice due to its budget-friendly appeal.

3) Dubai Marina is the most family-friendly district in the city. Situated near the sea, it built its own “city within a city” world with an excellent beach and lots of entertainment options.

4) The Palm Jumeirah stands out as the most luxurious and exclusive district in Dubai. There is a range of exquisite hotels and private beaches on the island, but grocery stores, down-to-earth restaurants, and public transportation are limited. If I didn’t plan to stay on the Palm Jumeirah, I would stick to just looking at its iconic palm-shaped lines from the View at the Palm observation deck ($30) or to a great thrill of a helicopter ride ($195).

5) Downtown Dubai is the heart of the city featuring remarkable architecture and famous landmarks like Burj Khalifa. On one side, it’s pricey and far from the waterfront. On the other, it’s ideal for luxury shopping, dining, and stunning skyscraper photos.

…3 more neighborhoods >>

Our best Dubai hotel recommendations for October 2025

I have a deep respect for the hotel industry in the Emirates. Strict adherence to standards has led to a reality where you’re always guaranteed a pleasant stay, be it in a 3-star hotel on the outskirts of the city or a 5-star beachfront giant.

But all good things come at a price (and it’s not just about hotel prices in October). There is a mandatory tourist tax that you pay upon check-in in the UAE:

• 5-star hotels — 20 AED ($5.5) per day
• 4-star hotels — 15 AED ($4) per day
• 2 or 3-star hotels — 10 AED ($3) per day

The tax is calculated per room, not per number of guests. So, for triple occupancy in a 4-star hotel for a week, you’ll need to pay 15×7 = 105 AED ($29). The tax can be paid with a credit card or in cash with dirhams.

Which hotel to choose in Dubai? I have gathered a whole collection of completely diverse hotels from all of our 10+ trips. I’ll share them with a brief note on the type of vacation they are best suited for:

• 4* Hilton Garden Inn Dubai, Mall Avenue (Al Barsha; from $140 a night) — great for vacation with a mix of sightseeing and beach time. It’s near the famous Mall of The Emirates, which means just five minutes to a metro station. From here, it’s only four stops to both Burj Khalifa or Dubai Marina.
• 3* Rove City Walk (almost city center; from $130 a night) — Rove is a trusted local hotel chain, and location of exactly this one is unbeatable: Next to the shopping mall with a pretty outside walking area, the Green Planet zoo, and the Barn (yep, from Berlin!) and %Arabica coffeeshops. Moreover, you can WALK to Dubai Mall as it takes mere 15 minutes.
• 4* Ramada by Wyndham Dubai Deira (Deira; from $90 a night) — if you only have one day in Dubai and want to check out the general vibe of the city.

Some hotel recommendations in Dubai for a beautiful vacation by the beach:

— 4* Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai (Media City; from $150 a night) — this hotel has it all: It belongs to a renowned global chain and has an excellent rating based on 2,000+ reviews. It is conveniently located between Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina (with a tram station nearby), making it easy to access both destinations. The beach is just a 20-minute walk away, which is not a challenge for those visiting Dubai in October. Guests appreciate the delicious breakfast, well-equipped gym, and overall hospitality.

— 3* Beach Walk Boutique Jumeirah (Umm Suqeim; from $190 a night) — a real gem for Dubai newcomers. I really appreciated the hotel’s size and design (it’s small and super cozy) as well as its location: 3 minutes to the spacious Umm Suqeim public beach. The long promenade that combines running, cycling, and walking paths attracts visitors from all over Dubai and you have a chance to just be there, in the midst of action.

— 4* NH Collection Dubai the Palm (Palm Jumeirah; from $270 a night) — a waterfront hotel located on the Palm Jumeirah’s “trunk” base. It has everything you want from Dubai: Its own area with sunbeds on the trendy Palm West Beach, a rooftop pool with views of Marina’s skyscrapers, a large Nakheel Mall just steps away, and a shuttle to Mall of The Emirates for easy access to the metro and exploring new luxurious heights like Burj Khalifa.

— 5* Atlantis The Royal (Palm Jumeirah; from $1,000 a night) — it’s still the talk of the town and an ultimate destination in Dubai. The hotel offers top-notch service, elegant rooms, and an array of exceptional amenities, including a waterpark, aquarium, and diverse dining choices. With breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf, your stay here guarantees an unforgettable experience and a perfect opportunity to bombard your followers on social media with reasons to feel FOMO.

Must-do October UAE experiences

I always see this giant Ferris wheel as a visual sign of where Bluewaters neighborhood begins

There’s an endless list of things to see and do in the UAE, and I could talk about it for hours. It’s partly due to our frequent visits to the Emirates and the constant opening of new attractions here. For every trip, I have 2–3 unexplored places on our itinerary. But what to do in Dubai in October specifically?

1. Check out the coolest beaches in the city

… and go for a swim while the weather in Dubai allows it in October. The choice of beaches is vast, ranging from free public ones to beach clubs collaborating with Dior and Ralph Lauren. Tourists often flock to:

• Kite Beach/Umm Suqeim Beach — a beach popular among kite surfers and regular beachgoers, part of the extended Jumeirah beach area where there’s plenty of space for everyone.
• Marina Beach is located in Dubai Marina, and that description pretty much sums it up: It has everything for everyone (partly because it’s conveniently accessible by the metro). But it becomes too crowded in October.
• Al Mamzar beach — probably the most inconveniently located beach, since it’s right on the border with Sharjah. Plus, there’s a 5 AED entrance fee. But the upside is that it’s big and wide, the sand is clean, and the sea is bright blue. There are no facilities, so you’ll need to bring everything with you.

2. Visit all the main attractions of Dubai

That’s one of the sculptures in the Miracle Garden in Dubai I felt the urge to take a selfie with!

I think I’ll mention here several of my favorite places in Dubai. I’m working on a huge and beautiful article on the best things to do in Dubai and am going to publish it soon.

The Bluewaters district with the Ain Dubai observation wheel is a relatively recent addition to Dubai’s list of attractions. Bluewaters itself is a typical shopping and entertainment area of the city, featuring interesting architectural accents. Strolling, taking photos, popping in and out of stores, and relaxing in a café with a drink in hand are the usual activities here. The Ain Dubai Ferris wheel, the largest in the world, is also located here, and you can take a ride on it for the price of the Burj Khalifa entry ticket! Speaking of which…

Burj Khalifa doesn’t need an introduction — it’s grand and iconic. I’ve been here twice: For the first time in Dubai and for the last, tenth time in Dubai. The views changed so much! Standard fare cost is $49 per person, evening tickets (from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) are $71, and there is also a great combo offer for the tower and the aquarium in Dubai Mall for $85.

• Getyourguide is the service to buy tickets for every sight in Dubai.

While you’re in the area, check out the Fountain Show. This October, it starts its new season after a huge makeover that began in April. Starting at 6 p.m., it happens every half hour and lasts for about five minutes.

Side note: You can either watch it from the viewing deck of Burj Khalifa, from one of the many free viewing points peppered all around the fountain (like the Apple Store), or take it a step further and watch the spectacle from the traditional abra boat on the water.

Museum of the Future is a place you literally can’t get into: Tickets are sold out weeks in advance! It features flying penguins, robot dogs, and predictions of what our Earth will look like many, many years from now. It’s a fantastic museum — you should definitely grab a ticket if you can!

Al Fahidi District (Al Ghubaiba metro station) is a recreated historic quarter of Dubai. Skyscrapers give way to low-rise buildings and a Middle Eastern atmosphere with its bustling markets and shops selling teapots and carpets. However, unlike many other Eastern cities, this area is very clean and orderly. Pop into Al Shindagha Museum to learn the history of Dubai from its early days or take a ride on a boat to the Spice Market on the opposite bank for 2 AED / 50 cents.

Al Serkal Avenue (On Passive metro station + 30 minutes of walking) is an area where garages and warehouses have been transformed into galleries with contemporary art, coffeeshops serving matcha lattes to go, and fitness studios offering hot yoga classes. There are so many great spots here for taking beautiful photographs!

Dubai Frame or Sky Views Observatory are another couple of great observation decks to enjoy the city from up high. Dubai is a very expansive city, so each viewing point offers a completely different experience.

3. Explore theme parks (and not necessarily with kids)

Do you see a kid on this picture? Me neither, and I immensely enjoyed Ferrari Park in Abu Dhabi!

It’s a great plan for excessively hot days (most parks are indoors and have air-con). In Dubai, everything is built with grandeur, and amusement parks are no exception.

• Wild Wadi Water Park — competes for the title of the best water park in Dubai. Wild Wadi has a lower price (269 AED / $73) and the facilities here are upgraded.
• Dubai Parks & Resort — a complex consisting of three buildings:
  — Legoland theme park and water park with attractions suitable for kids from 4 and up to 10 years old;
  — MotionGate for kids from 5 to 12 years old, with roller coasters and carousels featuring characters from movies like Kung Fu Panda, Ghostbusters, and The Smurfs.
  There’s an offer for 2 parks in 1 day. Individually, each park’s entrance fee is $80.
• IMG Worlds of Adventure — if your child (including your inner child) ever admired Marvel Universe and superheroes like Iron Man, Hulk, or Spider-Man, this park is a dream come true. It offers thrilling roller coasters, shows, and stunning visual effects. The ticket is 365 AED ($100).

4. Discover lesser-known places

The UAE is not just Dubai and Abu Dhabi with their focus on impressing tourists with everything extravagant, expensive, and cutting-edge. There are also lesser-known but interesting places away from the cities. Here are the ones that won our hearts:

• Bab al-Shams desert resort — for those who seek tranquility and safe adventures in the Arab Desert.
• Terra Solis glamping — a less luxurious version of a desert adventure.
• An abandoned village in the desert Al Madam — for those who love ghost stories and mysterious landscapes.
• Jebel Jais mountains towards Ras Al Khaimah that are home to the world’s longest zipline. In this altitude, the temperatures are surprisingly cooler than in the rest of the area.

The best way to get to your out-of-the-city discoveries in the Emirates is to rent a car. In the UAE, there’s a fantastic service that we recommend to everyone — Localrent. They are all about customer comfort and offer great prices: In October, rental costs start from $25 per day.

5. Fill your day with tours

Excursions in Dubai deserve a separate section to avoid getting lost in the general recommendations. Here, you can enjoy tours in convertible cars, thrilling helicopter rides, and nostalgic journeys in old-fashioned buses with guides who can immerse you in the intricacies of life in the Emirates in just a few hours.

The best way to book a tour is to look for it on GetYourGuide or Klook. Alongside group tours, there are also private excursions available for a limited number of people, often with more custom itineraries. The city offers tons of attractions, but here are some definite highlights to enrich your stay in Dubai in October 2025:

• Sightseeing tour (from $50 per person) — navigating Dubai on foot can be challenging due to its sprawling layout, making a city tour by car a popular and convenient choice. With an experienced guide at the helm, you can efficiently cover all the major attractions on your travel itinerary and gain valuable insights into the city’s history and culture.
• Safari jeep tours in the desert are a versatile and thrilling experience for both adults and teenagers. Even our parents, who are in their 50s, were amazed! We went on the safari twice — we booked a group tour ($40 per person) for ourselves, and then we opted for a private tour for our parents ($300 for the four of us) to have the whole jeep to ourselves.
• Marina Cruise (from $34 per person) — well, you can marvel at the beauty of Dubai forever: The city offers so many different angles for that. Here is another fantastic view of Dubai — now from the water.
• La Perle by Dragone (from $60 per person) — anywhere else in the world, you go to Cirque du Soleil, but in Dubai, you go to La Perle. It’s a semi-circus, semi-theatrical performance by a renowned director. The plot is understandable without words, and the special effects are top-notch, but I still felt that it was more suitable for a family outing with teens no older than 15 years old.
• One day in Abu Dhabi ($95 per person) — a good alternative if you don’t have 2–3 days for a full trip to the capital. See the main gems of the emirate from the outside and inside: Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Etihad Tower, and the Presidential Palace.
• Helicopter ride (from $195 per person) — I would trade all the excursions in the world for just this one. I had never flown in a helicopter before, and together with the breathtaking views of Dubai and the sea from above, it turned into an incredible combination!

Where to eat in Dubai?

Somewhere in the corners of Alserkal Avenue

Dubai offers a wide variety of food options, but lots of the places are superoverpriced. Considering that even a simple cup of latte in Dubai costs no less than 25 AED ($7), at these prices you’d expect the food at least taste good. If I scratch my memory, I’d love to come back to these restaurants and coffeeshops:

☕Al Ustad Special Kebab (Deira / Sharaf DG metro station) — a definite must-visit. It is located in the historic neighborhood of Deira and has been serving locals and tourists for decades. It’s known for kebabs and traditional Middle Eastern cuisine. Noisy, chaotic, crowded, but I like it! Your safest bet would be kebab under “D4” from their menu (40 AED / $11).

☕Afghan Palace Restaurant (JLT, Deira, and near Dubai Frame) — a great place to enjoy cheap Afghani food. One of the restaurants is conveniently located near Dubai Marina. My go-to order is tabbouleh and chicken uzbik kabuli pallow for 47 AED ($13) — and this is more than enough for two persons.

☕Wild & The Moon (Burj Khalifa and Alserkal Avenue) — an ideal option for those tired of meat. If you feel like açai bowl, you’ll find it here for 48 AED ($13) as well as a wide variety of vegan and gluten-free dishes.

☕Chipotle (Dubai Marina) — gosh, how happy we were when we finally stumbled upon Chipotle! Take my 50 AED ($13.5) and give me that beef barbacoa burrito.

☕Joe & The Juice (15 spots in the city!) — their sandwiches are a breakfast life-saver in Dubai (37 AED / $10). Plus, the coffee is pretty decent, and you can save a bit with their app.

☕%Arabica (13 spots in the city) — their coffee won’t disappoint you (25 AED / $7 for 12oz latte).

Is going to Dubai in October worth it? Our review

Is October a good time to visit Dubai? It’s hard to imagine negative reviews about visiting Dubai in October unless we count the usual subjective impressions like “everything is artificial.” The only things one might complain about are the weather, crowds, and on-site prices.

Many people consider October to be the sweet spot in the UAE’s climate, and it’s easy to agree with that. September in Dubai tends to ride out the unbearable heat wave of summer months, while November and December oversee a significant drop in water temperatures. You can still swim, but the water feels less like warm chicken soup and more like a refreshing gazpacho (on second thought, food, even in liquid form, is a weird metaphor to use when it comes to swimming, but you get what I mean, — just roll with the punches!).

In October 2025, the UAE promises to be an incredibly popular destination. But don’t you worry: There are so many resorts, hotels, and activities here that you will not feel trapped as an ant in an ant farm. Tourists have varied interests, so the crowds are usually evenly spread out. However, the beaches might be a tad packed, especially in Dubai.

Considering everything, I believe October is a great time for your Emirate vacation. Travel costs have risen in many places, but in Dubai, you know what to expect — excellent value for money with its abundance of luxury comforts and top-notch service.