If you’re packing your bags for a trip abroad this season, the UAE Embassy in London wants you to do it smartly. In a fresh travel advisory, the UAE embassy urged Emirati travellers to tick off a few must-do steps before boarding that flight. Also, did you know, London is joining the club of adding a tourist tax? The message? Preparation is key, especially with global travel getting trickier in some parts of the world.
UAE Embassy Issues Travel Guidelines Plus London Eyes New Tourist Tax
The embassy’s advice is pretty clear: hop onto the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website or smart app and get your travel plans sorted before you even think about heading to the airport. Start with the basics: make sure your passport has at least six months left on it, your bank cards work abroad, and any travel visas, even for domestic staff, are squared away.
Simple Steps Now Can Save A World Of Stress Later
On the smaller-but-important stuff, take a minute to learn the local traffic rules before you hit the road, make sure your passport details match your car rental papers, and check any health requirements so you don’t get blindsided mid-trip. While the Twajudi service, the UAE’s overseas travel registration, is recommended for safety, the embassy’s bigger point is this: being prepared keeps your trip smooth and your holiday selfies worry-free.
London Joins The Tourist Tax Club
Speaking of travel costs, here’s something to note if your plans include London. The city is now considering a tourist tax, joining destinations like Paris, Rome, New York, and even Dubai, which already has its “Tourism Dirham Fee.”
The idea is to add a small nightly fee to hotel, hostel, or short-term rental stays. Proponents say it’ll help fund public services and manage the strain of millions of visitors, London welcomed around 43 million 2025. Critics worry it might hit the hospitality industry, still recovering post-pandemic.
How Much Could It Be?
While the exact rate hasn’t been set, other cities offer clues. Paris tacks on anywhere from €0.65 to €15.60 a night depending on your hotel’s stars, Amsterdam grabs 12.5% of your room rate, and Venice charges a flat €5 for day-trippers. Dubai? You’re looking at AED 7 to AED 20 a night based on hotel category. London’s fee won’t drain your wallet, but if you’re hanging around for a while, it’ll quietly stack up.
Minimising The Impact On Your Wallet
If the tax becomes reality, there are easy ways to soften the blow. Pick a spot away from the busiest tourist areas and you’ll usually score cheaper rates, and often lighter taxes too. Staying longer can sometimes cap the total you pay, and opting for a serviced apartment over a hotel might help you dodge the steepest surcharges altogether. And don’t forget, London’s packed with free gems, from the British Museum to a lazy stroll through Hyde Park, so you can easily balance out those extra pounds on your room bill.
Also Read: UAE Embassy Asks Emiratis In Mexico To Be Cautious In View Of Hurricane Hilary
Bottom Line For UAE Travellers
With embassy travel tips on one side and new city charges like London’s proposed tax on the other, the message is pretty simple: plan.
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/mat_hias from pixabay
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