5★Flight
≈ 4 h 45 m
CCU → DXB, non-stop; check current schedules
Airport
DXB
Dubai International Airport
Best time
November to March
very hot June to September
Stay
3 to 4 nights
+2 for Abu Dhabi and beach
Country
United Arab Emirates
check entry rules
Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) to Dubai International (DXB) take about 4 h 45 m. Most trips run three or four nights: stay in Downtown for the big sights, Dubai Marina for the beach, or Deira and Bur Dubai for the creek and souks. Go between November and March. Indian passport holders need a UAE visa unless they qualify for visa on arrival; check the UAE authorities before booking.
Getting from Kolkata to Dubai
By air
Non-stop flights link Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU), near Dum Dum, with Dubai International Airport (DXB); the journey takes roughly 4 h 45 m. CCU is about 17 km north-east of central Kolkata, and Jai Hind Bimanbandar metro station on the Yellow Line serves it, with services expanding, so check Metro Railway Kolkata. Arrive two hours or more before departure and confirm the terminal with the airline.
Dubai International has several terminals, so check which one your flight uses. Dubai Metro serves the airport and runs into the city, and metered taxis wait outside arrivals. Downtown and Deira are a short ride away; Dubai Marina takes longer. Dubai time runs about an hour and a half behind India.
Other options
There is no rail or road route from Kolkata to Dubai. The Arabian Sea and the Gulf sit between, and an overland journey would cross Pakistan and Iran with visas and long detours. Flying is the practical option, with non-stop services taking roughly 4 h 45 m. Cruise ships call at Dubai, but not as point-to-point transport from Kolkata.
Where to stay in Dubai
Downtown
The Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall are here, with metro stations on the doorstep. Suits first trips and anyone who wants the headline sights close by.
Dubai Marina
Tower-lined waterfront with a walkable promenade, cafés and the beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence nearby. Suits longer stays, families and anyone who wants sea air.
Deira
The old trading quarter across the creek, with the gold and spice souks and busy, inexpensive eating houses. Suits budget travellers and anyone who prefers crowded streets.
Bur Dubai
On the creek's western bank, with the textile souk, Al Fahidi's lanes and abras to Deira. Suits travellers curious about the city that existed before oil.
Jumeirah
A low-rise coastal strip of villas, cafés and public beach, away from the metro spine. Suits families and anyone wanting quiet, with taxis covering the distance.
Top things to do in Dubai
- Burj Khalifa: The world's tallest building, with timed tickets to the observation decks. Sunset slots sell out, so book before leaving Kolkata.
- Dubai Mall fountain: A vast mall beside the Burj Khalifa, with an outdoor fountain show after dark. Free to watch from the surrounding walkways.
- Al Fahidi lanes: Wind-tower houses, shaded alleyways and small cultural centres in Bur Dubai. Best walked in the cooler morning.
- Abra across the creek: A wooden passenger boat crosses between Bur Dubai and Deira in a few minutes. Pay the fare in cash and take it both ways.
- Gold and spice souks: Covered lanes of jewellers and spice traders in Deira, busiest after dark. Bargaining is expected in the tourist stretches.
- Jumeirah public beach: Sand with views back to the Burj Al Arab. Swim early or late; midday heat outside winter is severe.
- Desert safari: Dune driving, camel rides and dinner at a desert camp, usually an afternoon and evening trip with hotel pick-up. Book through a licensed operator.
- Dubai Frame: A glass walkway between two towers in Zabeel Park, looking over old and new Dubai. Timed tickets; go early for clear light.
- Karama and Satwa cafés: Neighbourhoods of small South Asian and Filipino restaurants serving generous meals. A good antidote to mall food.
Three days in Dubai
- Day 1: Creek and old city: Begin in Bur Dubai: Al Fahidi's lanes, the textile souk, then an abra across the creek to Deira for the gold and spice souks. Walk the creek frontage after dark.
- Day 2: Downtown and Burj Khalifa: Timed tickets take you up the Burj Khalifa, then Dubai Mall and the evening fountain show. In winter, add an early walk or a swim before the heat builds.
- Day 3: Beach and desert: A morning at Jumeirah beach or on the marina promenade, then an afternoon safari with dune driving and dinner at a camp. Nights are cooler and the desert is the point.
Add a night for Abu Dhabi, a day trip by road, or a second beach day in Dubai Marina. Sharjah is close enough for an evening.
Best time to visit Dubai
November to March is the comfortable window, when days are warm rather than punishing and evenings are cool enough for the desert. December and January are the busiest, so book Burj Khalifa slots early. June to September is very hot and humid, with most life moving indoors to malls and air-conditioned hotels. Ramadan shifts through the calendar each year; check the current year's dates, as opening hours change.
Getting around Dubai
- Metro: Driverless trains link the airport, Downtown and the marina, with travel paid on a stored-value card. Check current lines and hours with the operator.
- Taxi: Metered and plentiful, the simplest way to reach Deira, Jumeirah and the desert road. Insist on the meter.
- Walking: Works in Al Fahidi, the souks and the marina promenade, but districts are far apart and midday heat is severe outside winter.
Dubai vs Kolkata: what feels different
Kolkata runs on crowds, noise and unplanned corners; Dubai runs on schedules, glass towers and air conditioning. Food shifts from Bengali fish and rice to Lebanese grills, Emirati rice dishes and the South Asian cooking of Karama. Summer is drier and hotter than anything in Bengal. Arabic is on every sign, English is universal, and Hindi and Urdu are common. Expect to spend the first day indoors.
Before you go
- Entry rules: Indian passport holders need a UAE visa unless they qualify for visa on arrival. Check the UAE authorities and your airline well before booking.
- Money: The dirham is the local currency. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry cash for souks, abras and small cafés.
- Language: Arabic is official and English is the working language of hotels, transport and shops. Hindi and Urdu are widely spoken.
- Dress: Cover shoulders and knees in malls and mosques; swimwear belongs at the beach or pool. A light layer helps against heavy air conditioning.
Hotels in Dubai
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Dubai’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
5★
5★
5★Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Residences
≈ 3 km from Deira, Dubai · 5-starGuest score 4.9/5 · 2159 reviewsSee live price
5★Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach
Dubai Marina, Dubai · 5-starGuest score 4.8/5 · 18332 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai
Downtown, Dubai · 5-starGuest score 4.8/5 · 10514 reviewsSee live price
5★DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences
Bur Dubai, Dubai · 5-starGuest score 4.8/5 · 9370 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre
Downtown, Dubai · 5-starGuest score 4.8/5 · 2168 reviewsSee live priceFAQ
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Dubai?
Indian passport holders need a UAE visa unless they qualify for visa on arrival. Rules change, so check the UAE authorities and your airline before booking, and allow time for the application. Carry a printed or offline copy of the visa and your return ticket.
When is the best time to go to Dubai from Kolkata?
November to March is the comfortable window, with warm days and cool evenings. June to September is very hot and humid, and most activity moves indoors. December and January are busiest, so book observation decks and desert trips early. Ramadan dates move each year; check the current year's dates.
Where should you stay in Dubai on a first trip?
Downtown puts the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall within walking distance. Dubai Marina suits beach time and longer stays. Deira and Bur Dubai are cheaper, livelier and closer to the souks and creek. Jumeirah is quiet and low-rise, with taxis doing the work.
How many nights do you need in Dubai?
Three to four nights covers the creek, Downtown, a beach morning and a desert evening without rushing. Add a night if you want Abu Dhabi as a day trip, and another if you are travelling with children who want more beach time. The weekend falls on Friday and Saturday.
How do you get from Dubai airport into the city?
Dubai Metro serves the airport and runs into the centre, and metered taxis wait outside arrivals. Check which terminal your flight uses before you land. Downtown and Deira are close; Dubai Marina is a longer ride. Confirm current metro hours and routes with the operator.
Is Dubai suitable for families travelling from Kolkata?
Yes. Public beaches, water parks, mall aquariums and desert trips all work for children, and hotels usually have pools. Heat is the main constraint: outside winter, plan outdoor time for early morning and evening. Distances are long, so allow for taxis through the day.
What should you eat in Dubai?
Emirati dishes, Lebanese grills, Iranian breads and the South Asian cooking of Karama and Satwa are all part of the city. Alcohol is served in licensed hotels and restaurants, not everywhere. Try karak tea and luqaimat. During Ramadan, eating in public in daylight is restricted; check the current rules.
Can you add Abu Dhabi or Sharjah to a Dubai trip?
Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, is a day trip by road or intercity bus, with the Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi as the main draws. Sharjah shares a border with Dubai and is an easy half day for museums. Check timetables and entry rules with the relevant authorities.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.