United Arab Emirates travel guide
Emergency numbers, how to stay online, and the apps locals use. Save this page before you fly.
Emergency numbers
Tap a number to call it.
Before you go
- On local UAE SIM cards and hotel Wi-Fi, WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked. On TripoSIM they work, with no VPN app needed, because the eSIM connects as international roaming. TripoSIM tested this in Dubai in October 2026. Turn Wi-Fi off when you make a call.
- Do not take photos or videos of other people without their permission. Privacy laws in the UAE are strict.
Mobile data in United Arab Emirates
- Very fast 4G and 5G in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other cities.
- Coverage is good on main highways but can drop deep in the desert.
- Your eSIM connects as roaming on local networks, so turn on Data Roaming for it when you land. There are no extra roaming charges.
Useful apps
- Careem: rides, taxis and food delivery
- Uber: rides in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
- RTA Dubai: metro, bus and taxi information in Dubai
- Google Maps: driving and walking directions
Good to know
- Get a Nol card for the Dubai Metro, trams and buses.
- For police help that is not urgent in Dubai, call 901.
United Arab Emirates eSIM plans
See all United Arab Emirates plans →Stay online from the moment you land
Install your eSIM at home on Wi-Fi. Your plan only starts when it first connects to a network in United Arab Emirates.
Get a United Arab Emirates eSIMChecked on 2026-10-22. Numbers and rules can change, so please check locally when you arrive. In a life-threatening emergency, call the local emergency number right away.