Planning a UAE trip can mean keeping hotel quotes in one tab, attraction tickets in another and transport details somewhere in your messages. This UAE travel checklist puts those decisions in one place, with official tourism links for all seven emirates and worksheets you can copy into your own notes.
Use it for a holiday, a family day out or a trip between emirates. Start with the emirates you actually plan to visit. You do not need to fit all seven into one itinerary.
Prepared by GulfInside. Source directory reviewed: 20 October 2026. The worksheets below are original editorial planning tools, not official government forms. They contain no live prices, transport timetables or promises about entry eligibility.
1. Find the official tourism source for your emirate
These links are starting points for destination research. For a particular attraction, follow through to its own official booking or visitor-information page before making plans.
On mobile, swipe the table sideways to view all columns.
| Emirate | Official tourism resource | What to record in your plan |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Experience Abu Dhabi | Attraction location, visitor information and booking source. |
| Dubai | Visit Dubai | Neighbourhood, activity choices and official attraction links. |
| Sharjah | Visit Sharjah | Destination, cultural stops and visitor guidance. |
| Ajman | Visit Ajman | Destination information and contact details for planned stops. |
| Umm Al Quwain | Visit UAQ | Tourism information and the operator responsible for each activity. |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Visit Ras Al Khaimah | Destination location, route and activity booking details. |
| Fujairah | Fujairah Tourism | Destination, map location and visitor information. |
2. Complete the essentials before booking
- Travel dates: Write down your arrival date, departure date and number of usable sightseeing days.
- Travellers: Record adults and children, including children’s ages where ticket conditions depend on age.
- Entry arrangements: Check UAE Government tourist-visa information and the relevant issuing authority. Confirm documents with your airline.
- Accommodation: Record the full address, check-in arrangements, cancellation deadline and total quoted cost.
- Personal requirements: Confirm accessibility, dietary needs, equipment and assistance with the provider.
- Booking records: Save confirmations and contacts offline. Keep passport numbers and payment details out of shared itineraries.
3. Copy this daily itinerary worksheet
Make one copy per day. Allow realistic transfer time and leave room for meals and delays. Check the return journey before committing to an evening activity.
| Planning field | Your entry |
|---|---|
| Date and emirate | ____________________ |
| Starting address | ____________________ |
| Main activity and official booking link | ____________________ |
| Confirmed entry time and last admission | ____________________ |
| Outbound route, departure point and estimated transfer time | ____________________ |
| Return route and last usable service | ____________________ |
| Meal stop and rest break | ____________________ |
| Indoor or alternative activity | ____________________ |
| Cancellation deadline and operator contact | ____________________ |
| Information checked on | ____________________ |
For Dubai journeys use RTA’s journey planner. For Abu Dhabi use Abu Dhabi Mobility. Check inter-emirate routes with their operators. A driving estimate is not a bus timetable.
4. Build a budget from actual quotes
Record costs in AED using final checkout totals where possible. Check whether a quote is per person, room, vehicle or group. Record extras separately.
On mobile, swipe the table sideways to view all columns.
| Cost item | How to calculate it | Your AED total |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Sum final quoted totals for stays | ________ |
| Arrival and departure transfers | Outbound plus return transfer | ________ |
| Daily transport | Sum planned fares or vehicle quotes and extras | ________ |
| Attraction tickets | Adult plus child tickets and add-ons | ________ |
| Meals | Daily group allowance times number of days | ________ |
| Other planned costs | Connectivity, insurance, equipment as applicable | ________ |
| Reserve | Your chosen amount for unplanned expenses | ________ |
| Trip total | Add every line once | ________ |
Mark prepaid items as paid instead of removing them. Subtract amounts already paid from the full trip total to calculate your remaining budget.
5. Keep a source-checking record
Save the source and the date checked beside important details.
On mobile, swipe the table sideways to view all columns.
| Detail | Where to confirm | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Attraction admission | Official attraction or booking operator | Date, ticket type, price and cancellation terms |
| Transport | Official transport operator | Route, boarding point, travel date and return service |
| Hotel | Provider or booking confirmation | Total price, address and check-in details |
| Outdoor activity | Operator and official notices | Operating status, participation conditions and alternatives |
6. Check again before you leave
- Reconfirm flight status and transfer arrangements.
- Check attraction notices, booked time slots and opening changes.
- Check official weather and local notices relevant to your route.
- Save tickets, addresses and return details offline.
- Share your itinerary with your group and keep an alternative plan.
More GulfInside planning guides
- Free places to visit in Dubai
- Free places to visit in Abu Dhabi
- Global Village bus routes and visitor guide
Using this resource
You may copy the blank worksheets for personal trip planning. Editors and community groups can link readers to this page as the source of GulfInside’s UAE planning worksheets. Keep official-source links and the review date visible when referring to the directory.
Editorial method: GulfInside created these worksheets to help readers organise their bookings. The directory points to official tourism and transport resources. It does not represent visits to every attraction, an accessibility inspection or a survey of current prices. Recheck providers before paying.
