Eid and National Day, group transport in Dubai

What you are trying to work out

You may be planning a group visit around Eid al Fitr, Eid al Adha or UAE National Day, either because the dates suit your calendar or because the holiday is the reason to come. You want to know whether roads will be a problem, whether the venues will be open, and whether transport will be available.

Here is the honest answer. It can be a busy and festive time, a few days can be difficult for movement, and the details depend on announcements that come late. A plan that allows for that works well.

The dates, and why we do not print them

UAE National Day is on 2 December each year. The days off around it are announced by the authorities and can vary, so a long weekend one year may be a short one the next.

Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha follow the Islamic calendar and the sighting of the moon. They move about ten or eleven days earlier each year on the Western calendar, and the exact day is confirmed shortly before. Public holiday periods for each Eid are also announced late.

For that reason, we avoid giving specific Eid dates. If your trip depends on them, check the official UAE government announcements as your travel date comes near, and keep a day of flexibility either side. Ramadan, which comes before Eid al Fitr, has its own page: group transport during Ramadan.

What changes on the roads

These patterns are general. The specifics of any year depend on the programme of events and the weather, and we cannot tell you them in advance.

National Day: celebrations and closures

National Day is a time of flags, parades and events, with the main public celebrations spread across the country. In Dubai, some roads can be closed or slowed for events, and public areas can be crowded. The organisers and the authorities publish details close to the day.

For a group, this has two practical effects. A route that takes 30 minutes on a normal day can take much longer near a celebration, so add a buffer. And the best viewing and photo spots are busy, so ask the driver for a drop-off point that avoids the crowd. We do not sell event tickets, and we cannot tell you the programme. The venue or organiser holds it.

Eid: a different rhythm

Eid is a family time. Many residents visit relatives, and the city can feel quiet in the morning and busy later. Malls and leisure venues are full, and traffic can bunch around them. Business meetings are unlikely, because offices close.

Visitors are welcome, and the festive atmosphere is part of the draw. Be considerate, dress modestly in public places and expect a longer wait at popular restaurants. If your group wants a day trip, early starts are an advantage. A drive to Abu Dhabi, about 1.5 hours in normal traffic, is smoother if you leave early and return before the evening rush.

Airport days

The days before and after a holiday are the busiest at the airport, as residents depart and return. If your group arrives or leaves on one of those days, allow more time. Ask the driver to track the flight as usual, and allow a longer buffer between your pickup and your first programme item.

On a departure day, plan to leave the hotel earlier than you would on a normal day. The DXB group pickup guide explains how pickups work, and airport transfers covers the service.

Demand for vehicles

Group demand in holiday weeks can be high, because residents hire coaches for family outings and visitors choose the dates. Booking early is sensible. The guide to booking ahead shows how lead times change with the season.

The same logic applies to the days around National Day, when many groups and events share the same dates. Nothing is certain until the quote is confirmed, so ask for a written quote as soon as your dates are firm. Starting prices are on the price page, and your written quote confirms the exact price for the date, route and hours.

A worked example, labelled as an example

A family group of 28 over a National Day weekend

The group arrives on the evening before the holiday and wants two city days and a trip to Abu Dhabi. A mini coach carries 28. We suggest the Abu Dhabi trip on the first holiday morning, leaving early and returning by mid-afternoon, to avoid the heaviest holiday traffic. The city day is planned as an indoor and waterfront day, with the driver advised to drop at the nearest permitted point near any celebration area.

The quote lists the hours for each day and the waiting allowance. If the authorities announce a road closure, the driver and the group leader adjust the route, and the hours stay within what is written. If the day runs longer than the hours on the quote, extra time is charged at the rate shown.

What to do before you travel

1. Check the official UAE announcements for the holiday dates nearer the time.
2. Ask each venue for opening hours on the days you want to visit.
3. Ask your hotel about holiday events near it that could affect the coach drop-off.
4. Send us the programme with times, and note which items are firm.
5. Allow extra time on airport days.

Then ask for a fixed written quote. For a related busy week, see the New Year's Eve guide.

Related: Ramadan groups · Book ahead · New Year’s Eve with a group · Peak season booking guide · Get a quote

Keep reading

• GITEX delegation bus: Coaches and minibuses for national and company delegations.
• Coach itineraries: Sample 3 day and 5 day group itineraries by coach, with realistic driving blocks and what to check with each venue.
• Car with driver for a day: One car, one chauffeur, from breakfast to dinner, with the day planned around you rather than a meter.
• Family holiday in Dubai: A family week in Dubai: which days a van with a driver earns its place, which days taxis or the Metro are fine, and a simple way to work out the cost.
• Abu Dhabi day trip: A coach day from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for groups of 13 to 100: the mosque, the Corniche, the return drive and the buffers that keep the evening on time.
• Fujairah day trip: A coach day from Dubai to the east coast: the mountain road, a beach stop, the long return and how driver hours shape the plan.