Dubai transport for Russian and CIS groups.

Winter stays and what they mean for transport

The cooler months are when many groups from Russia and the CIS choose the UAE, and the dates often run from late autumn to early spring, around school holidays and the long public holidays at home. The trip may be a week or two weeks, with one hotel for the whole stay or a hotel move halfway. For transport, this means four jobs: the airport arrival, the hotel move if there is one, a handful of day trips, and the airport departure.

Many guests also stay longer than the group leader first planned, so the number of people on any given day can change. Tell us the expected headcount for each day, and we will quote with room for the variation.

A flight of 5 to 6 hours, and one hour of difference

Flying from Moscow to Dubai takes about 5 to 6 hours, depending on the airline and the route, and Dubai is one hour ahead of Moscow time. Flights from other CIS cities vary a great deal, so check your airline for your own routing. Many flights land late at night or very early in the morning, so the hotel often cannot give rooms at once.

Our quote times are always in UAE local time. We suggest the group leader writes both times in the group message, for example "02:30 Dubai", to avoid confusion between the airport clock and a phone still on home time.

Airport waves: when the group arrives in pieces

Family groups of 20 or 30 rarely arrive together. Some come on the direct flight, some connect, and a few arrive a day early. The simplest plan is to give each flight its own line: flight number, terminal if you know it, number of people and bags. The driver tracks each landing, and we can send one vehicle per wave or hold a larger vehicle to collect two flights that land within an hour of each other.

Our big group arrival guide explains how we handle waves, and group airport transfers covers vehicle choices for DXB and DWC. For a beach hotel, see DXB to Dubai Marina and DXB to JBR. If part of the group lands at the other airport, we can quote that leg too, see DWC transfers.

Choosing the vehicle for a family group

Family groups carry more per person than business groups: beach bags, strollers, big cases, sometimes sports kit. Seats count less than boot space. A group of 12 adults with children and bags does not fit a 13-seater van comfortably, so we may suggest a Sprinter, or two vehicles.

The starting prices are for a full day of up to 10 hours with driver and fuel. The airport transfer price differs, and your written quote confirms the exact price for your date, route and hours. The Sprinter costs more than the mini coach per day, and a mini coach seats more, so for a group of 17 or more the mini coach is often the more sensible choice.

Children, car seats and slow loading

Family groups usually include children. Tell us how many and how old. Child seats are a separate request: ask on the booking, and the written quote shows whether we can supply them for that vehicle. Do not assume they are included. For long days, build in a longer loading time, because a family of eight takes more minutes to get into a vehicle than a business team.

Strollers and sports bags go in the luggage area. Mention them when you give the bag count so the vehicle is sized for them.

One hotel or two: the move day

A hotel move in the middle of a trip is common. One week by the beach, one week in the city, for example. A move day is a half-day job. The driver collects the group at checkout time, drives to the next hotel, and the luggage goes with them. Check-in often opens in the afternoon, so many groups combine the move with lunch or a short outing and leave the luggage with the hotel desk.

Our hotel group transfer guide covers coach bays and drop points in more detail.

Day trips from Dubai

The most common day trips for family groups are Abu Dhabi, a desert evening, and the theme parks. See the pages on desert safari group transport and theme park group transport for how we plan those days, and Abu Dhabi transfers for one-way trips. We do not sell tickets or tours, and the organiser or venue confirms dates, opening hours and entry rules.

New Year’s Eve is a special case, with road closures and heavy traffic. The New Year’s Eve guide sets out the planning. There is also a guide for fans arriving for the Grand Prix from Russia.

A short example for a family party of 22

Example only

Twenty-two relatives arrive on two flights, 14 and 8 people, landing about two hours apart. A Sprinter meets the first, a V-Class meets the second, and both go to the same beach hotel. For the week, a mini coach with a driver takes the party on two day trips. At the end, one vehicle collects everyone for a night flight. The quote lists each vehicle, date and time, and the exact price is confirmed on the written quote.

What to send us

Send the dates, the number of adults and children, flight numbers, hotels, bag counts and any day trips. We reply with a fixed written quote in AED. Starting rates are on the price page. When you are ready, ask for a fixed written quote. We do not give visa advice. Check the official ICP and GDRFA sites for your passport and dates.

Prices for these vehicles

Starting prices with driver and fuel, within Dubai. Hourly hire has a minimum number of hours, confirmed on your quote. Monthly prices are for a daily staff route; the route, hours and working days are confirmed on your quote. Your written quote gives the exact price for your date and route.

Related: Dubai airport transfer for groups · Big group arrival at DXB · Minibus rental Dubai · Family holiday in Dubai · Get a quote

Keep reading

• Grand Prix from Dubai, Russia: Race weekend transport from Dubai for groups and families from Russia.
• Transport for Indian groups: Coaches and vans for tour groups flying in from India: arrival timing, vegetarian meal stops, family-size parties and a 13 to 50 seat choice.
• German groups: Coaches and minibuses for German-speaking tour groups: a written day plan, clear pick-up times, planned rest stops and a fixed quote in AED.
• Chinese groups: Coaches for sightseeing and shopping days: a clear split between the guide and the driver, one fixed quote and a day plan that survives a long lunch.
• Group transfers for tour operators: A planning guide for tour operators and destination management companies: arrival waves, manifests, hotel driveways, luggage, coach sizes and what to send for a quote.
• Filipino groups: Vans, Sprinters and coaches for Filipino community outings, church groups and family gatherings on weekends and days off, quoted in writing in AED.