Waiting for a family trip to the UAE? That’s a great choice! This is a place of comfort, beauty, safety, and endless entertainment. To make your time comfortable and unforgettable, plan everything thoroughly, especially if you are traveling with kids. Documents required for entry into the country, access to the internet, and transportation, like from a local reliable company like Evolve rent a car are vital for a successful trip. Let’s create a brief list of essential points to make your trip easier.

Must-Pack Docs

Check and take all the necessary documents that allow all your family members to cross the border and enter the UAE. Do not put docs in your luggage; you should have them with you at all times. So it is better to keep them in the purse, handbag, or backpack. 

• Passports. Check passports’ validation. Each passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
• Visas (if needed). Not every country requires visas; you should check before departure. 
• Kids’ passports. Children should also have their own passports for travelling abroad.  
• Kids’ birth certificates.
• Notarised permission for leaving the country from the other parent (if needed). It may be required if children travel with only one parent. 
• Insurance. Tourist insurance is obligatory. Usually, it also covers medical issues.
• Medical documents (if needed, especially if there are any health problems).
• Bank cards or any other means of payment.

We also highly recommend keeping electronic copies of all documents in cloud storage.

SIMs

Constant access to the internet is highly important when travelling with family (for navigation, bookings, communication).

When comparing local SIM cards and roaming, local SIM cards in the UAE are generally more affordable than international roaming. For instance, SIMs from Etisalat or du have quite affordable tariffs and can be purchased at the airport or in shopping centres. Virgin Mobile UAE offers an e-SIM that is very convenient to set up via app or online. If your phone supports eSIM, providers such as Holafly and Airalo allow you to purchase and activate plans online before you arrive. It is perfect for immediate connectivity without needing to visit any store.

There are also SIM packages for families, which offer large mobile internet packages that are convenient for sharing between several devices. 

Do not forget about kids! Smart watches, children’s tablets also need internet. And set up parental control on their gadgets to keep kids safe. 

SIM cards for tourists are available at major airports, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as in city stores. Be sure you have your passport to register the SIM, as required by UAE regulations.

Hassle-free Transportation

Maybe you expect to read about public transport in the UAE, or some taxi services, but not this time. While traveling with family, you dream of comfort, accessibility, ease, and thriftiness. Public transportation requires considerable time for planning the route and additional time for changing lines or types of transportation. A taxi requires a lot of money and even special cars (for big families). Thus, we highly recommend renting a car. This service is very approachable due to the numerous car rental services available. Hire a vehicle online, at the airport, or in the city, and experience the freedom. 

Why rent a car? Firstly, it gives you freedom. You may go wherever and whenever you want: kids’ beach, mall, restaurant, aquarium, another city… Secondly, privacy. It is highly important to have private space while you are on vacation with your family (especially with babies). Thirdly, and most importantly for parents, a rental car has a boot. It may seem funny, but parents realize the importance of having the opportunity to keep all the necessary items in the boot and not carry them on their own. Swimming equipment, sand toys, snacks, water, towels, extra clothes, caps, suncreams, sunglasses, scooters, bikes, kites – this list is endless! Using a taxi or public transport, parents have to carry everything. It doesn’t sound relaxing. So, prefer comfort and rent a car! Oh, it will be even cheaper than buying tickets for the whole family for public transport or calling a taxi every time you need to go somewhere! Great bonus, isn’t it?

 

Gathering everything together, a family vacation in the UAE may be comfortable and relaxing if you have planned all the details in advance: from the documents you may need to the car rental.