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.
Abu Dhabi
- Official tourism resource
- Experience Abu Dhabi
- What to record in your plan
- Attraction location, visitor information and booking source.
Dubai
- Official tourism resource
- Visit Dubai
- What to record in your plan
- Neighbourhood, activity choices and official attraction links.
Sharjah
- Official tourism resource
- Visit Sharjah
- What to record in your plan
- Destination, cultural stops and visitor guidance.
Ajman
- Official tourism resource
- Visit Ajman
- What to record in your plan
- Destination information and contact details for planned stops.
Umm Al Quwain
- Official tourism resource
- Visit UAQ
- What to record in your plan
- Tourism information and the operator responsible for each activity.
Ras Al Khaimah
- Official tourism resource
- Visit Ras Al Khaimah
- What to record in your plan
- Destination location, route and activity booking details.
Fujairah
- Official tourism resource
- Fujairah Tourism
- What to record in your plan
- 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.
Accommodation
- How to calculate it
- Sum final quoted totals for stays
- Your AED total
- ________
Arrival and departure transfers
- How to calculate it
- Outbound plus return transfer
- Your AED total
- ________
Daily transport
- How to calculate it
- Sum planned fares or vehicle quotes and extras
- Your AED total
- ________
Attraction tickets
- How to calculate it
- Adult plus child tickets and add-ons
- Your AED total
- ________
Meals
- How to calculate it
- Daily group allowance times number of days
- Your AED total
- ________
Other planned costs
- How to calculate it
- Connectivity, insurance, equipment as applicable
- Your AED total
- ________
Reserve
- How to calculate it
- Your chosen amount for unplanned expenses
- Your AED total
- ________
Trip total
- How to calculate it
- Add every line once
- Your AED total
- ________
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.
Attraction admission
- Where to confirm
- Official attraction or booking operator
- Record
- Date, ticket type, price and cancellation terms
Transport
- Where to confirm
- Official transport operator
- Record
- Route, boarding point, travel date and return service
Hotel
- Where to confirm
- Provider or booking confirmation
- Record
- Total price, address and check-in details
Outdoor activity
- Where to confirm
- Operator and official notices
- Record
- 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.
