Everyone packs for Dubai's heat and then shivers in it. Outside can be 43°C (109°F), but the malls, the metro and every taxi run the air conditioning hard, so you go from sweating to cold a dozen times a day. Pack light clothes for outside and one warm layer for inside, and you've solved Dubai.
Dubai weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 25°C77°F | 26°C79°F | 29°C84°F | 33°C91°F | 39°C102°F | 42°C108°F | 43°C109°F | 43°C109°F | 41°C106°F | 36°C97°F | 32°C90°F | 27°C81°F |
| Low | 15°C59°F | 16°C61°F | 18°C64°F | 21°C70°F | 25°C77°F | 28°C82°F | 30°C86°F | 31°C88°F | 28°C82°F | 25°C77°F | 20°C68°F | 16°C61°F |
| Rain days | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Season by season
Winter
December–FebruaryThis is the good season. Highs are 25–27°C (77–81°F) with lows of 15–16°C (59–61°F), and rain is close to zero. Pack summer clothes plus a light sweater for desert evenings and beach dinners, which get cooler than people expect.
Spring
March–MayMarch is a pleasant 29°C (84°F), April climbs to 33°C (91°F) and May jumps to 39°C (102°F) with lows of 25°C (77°F). By May you're planning days around the heat, so pack breathable fabrics, a hat and a bottle you can refill.
Summer
June–AugustJune is 42°C (108°F), July and August hit 43°C (109°F), and lows stay at 28–31°C (82–88°F). There are 0 rain days. Outside time is early morning or after dark, and the rest of the day you're indoors in strong air conditioning, so a wrap or light layer matters as much as the shorts.
Autumn
September–NovemberSeptember is still 41°C (106°F), October eases to 36°C (97°F) and November settles at 32°C (90°F) with lows of 20°C (68°F). It's hot but improving. Pack the same as summer, and expect November evenings at Dubai Marina to be comfortable.
What to bring to Dubai
0 of 23 packed- A warm wrapClothing
Roughly 70 by 30 inches of wool or cashmere. It's your fix for freezing malls and taxis, and it covers your shoulders when a mosque or souk calls for it. We'd pack it first.
- Bearwind S40 Portable Handheld Turbo FanTech & Power
A battery fan you hold in one hand. At 43°C (109°F) in a taxi queue it's the difference between fine and miserable. Worth the bag space in summer.
- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
Keeps water cold for 24 hours, which is the whole point when the pavement is radiating heat at Dubai Creek. Fill it at the hotel every morning.
- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
Has the UK plug for Dubai's Type G outlets and 3 USB-C plus 2 USB-A ports, so one socket in the hotel charges your whole kit.
- Anker Nano Power Bank 5,000mAh (Built-In USB-C)Tech & Power
A pocket 5,000mAh battery that plugs straight into a USB-C phone. Maps, ride apps and photos at the Burj drain a phone fast. Grab one before you fly.
- Bellroy Lite SlingBags & Luggage
Fits a wallet, phone, keys and a small water bottle. Light enough that it doesn't turn into a sweat patch on your back like a backpack does in the heat.
- MZOO Sleep MaskSleep & Comfort
Long flight in, jet lag on arrival. The raised contours keep pressure off your eyes so you can actually sleep through the cabin lights.
Clothing
- Loose, breathable tops that cover shoulders · 4Malls and mosques expect covered shoulders
- Lightweight long pants or maxi skirt · 2Covers knees in malls and mosques
- Headscarf · 1Women cover hair at mosques
- Swimwear · 2For hotel pools and beaches only
- Light sweaterDec–Feb evenings dip to 15–16°C
Footwear
- Breathable sandals
- Closed walking shoes · 1 pairFor desert trips and long mall days
Gear
- Sun hat
- Polarized sunglasses
Health and toiletries
- High-SPF sunscreenSummer highs reach 43°C
- Oral rehydration saltsFor Jun–Sep heat
- Lip balmDry desert air
- Moisturizer
Documents and money
- Passport
- Contactless card
Tech
- Phone with offline maps
What shoes should you pack for Dubai?
Sandals for the beach at JBR and Kite Beach, and comfortable closed shoes for long mall walks, since Dubai Mall is huge and you'll cover real distance inside. Midday pavement and sand get very hot, so don't plan on going barefoot. One smarter pair for rooftop bars and hotel restaurants.
What do people wear in Dubai?
Modest in public places. Malls ask visitors to dress respectfully, and covering shoulders and knees is the safe choice there and in the souks. Swimwear is fine at the beach and the pool, not on the walk to the mall. Bars and hotel restaurants run smart casual, so bring trousers or a dress that covers the knees.
What plugs does Dubai use?
The UAE uses Type G plugs at 230V, the same three-pin plug as the UK. A universal adapter with the UK plug covers it. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 230V, but check anything with a heating element.
Tours and things to do in Dubai
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Dubai.
What should you leave at home for Dubai?
Leave the heavy coat and the umbrella, there's basically no rain. Skip revealing clothes for the city, you'll end up not wearing them outside the pool. And leave the dark, heavy fabrics, they're miserable in July's 43°C (109°F).
Around Dubai
Packing for Dubai: questions people ask
What should I wear in Dubai in July?
The lightest, loosest fabrics you own. July hits 43°C (109°F) with lows of 30°C (86°F), and you'll want a light layer for the cold air conditioning in malls and the metro.
Do I need a jacket in Dubai?
A light one, yes. Winter evenings drop to around 15°C (59°F), and indoor air conditioning is cold all year round.
What is the best month to visit Dubai?
December to February, when highs are 25–27°C (77–81°F) and it almost never rains. It's the most comfortable time to be outside.
Can I wear shorts in Dubai?
At the beach, the pool and around hotels, yes. In malls, souks and older parts of the city, knee-length or longer is the safer choice.
What plug do I need for Dubai?
Type G at 230V, the UK three-pin plug. A universal adapter with a UK plug works.
Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.