Dubai in winter (December to February) offers the perfect mix of sunshine and cooler temps — making it one of the best seasons to visit. With average daytime highs in the 24–28°C (75–82°F) range and cooler evenings dipping to the teens (°C), you’ll want lightweight clothing for the day and layers for after dark.
Dubai is also very fashion-forward — modest, but trendy. Think breezy fabrics, light layers, and stylish accessories. You’ll need swimwear for resorts, outfits for brunch or rooftop dining, and respectful attire for mosques and malls. Expect sunny days, occasional rain, and indoor spaces that blast the AC.
Here’s your complete list to stay cool, covered, and completely ready for the ultimate Dubai winter escape.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Dubai in winter. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- 🌡️ Daytime Temps: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- 🌙 Evening Temps: 14–18°C (57–64°F)
- ☀️ Sunny and dry, with some breezy nights
- 🌧️ Rare but possible rain showers in January
- 🕌 Modest attire expected in public areas
What to Pack for Dubai in Winter
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Medium suitcase – 🧳 Room for versatile outfits
- Weekender bag – 👜 Handy for desert overnights or resorts
- Daypack or backpack – 🎒 For exploring malls or souks
- Packing cubes – 📦 Stay organized between styles
- Shoe bags – 👠 Protect clothes from sandy soles
- Toiletry kit – 🪥 TSA-compliant and leak-proof
- Document holder – 📁 Keep passport, visa, ID together
- Foldable tote – 🛍️ For shopping trips
- Laundry pouch – 🧺 Separate worn clothing
- Luggage scale – ⚖️ Dubai shopping can add weight!
- Travel lock – 🔒 For hotel or checked luggage
- Accessory pouch – 🎀 For jewelry and scarves
- Microfiber towel – 🧻 Optional for beach/pool
- Neck pillow – 💺 Comfort on long-haul flights
- Eye mask – 😴 Block light in bright hotel rooms
👗 Clothes
- Lightweight tops (5–6) – 👚 Breezy and breathable
- 3/4 sleeve or long-sleeve tops (2–3) – 👕 Modest and sun-protective
- Stylish blouses – 👗 Great for brunches or malls
- Maxi dresses (2–3) – 👗 Elegant and conservative
- Loose linen pants – 👖 Great for comfort and modesty
- Jeans or tailored trousers – 👔 For city exploring
- Skirts or culottes – 🩳 Long and flowy works best
- Cardigan or shawl – 🧣 For AC indoors and evenings
- Light jacket – 🧥 For cooler nights or desert tours
- Pashmina scarf – 🧕 Essential for mosque visits
- Activewear – 🏃 For gym or outdoor activities
- Sleepwear – 🛌 Lightweight for hotel rooms
- Swimsuits (1–2) – 👙 Only for pools, beaches, resorts
- Cover-up – 🩱 Required to walk to/from water areas
- Underwear (7+) – 🩲 Always pack extra
- Bras + sports bras – 👙 For everyday + activities
- Thin socks – 🧦 If wearing closed shoes
- Modest outfit (1–2) – 🧕 For mosque or conservative spaces
💆 Skincare
- Gentle cleanser – 🧼 Combat dry or oily skin
- Toner – 💧 Balance after sun exposure
- Hydrating moisturizer – 🧴 Desert air is dry!
- SPF 50 sunscreen – ☀️ Face + body protection
- Micellar water – 🧽 Quick cleansing option
- Exfoliant – 🌿 1–2x/week to refresh skin
- Eye cream – 👁️ For late nights or flights
- Hydrating mist – 💦 Refresh midday
- Sheet masks – 🛁 Replenish after beach or sun
- Lip balm (SPF) – 💋 For sun + AC dryness
- Spot treatment – 🎯 Travel skin fix
💄 Makeup
- BB cream or foundation with SPF – 🧴 Lightweight preferred
- Concealer – 👁️ Cover under-eye circles or blemishes
- Matte powder – 🧂 Reduce shine in the heat
- Blush – 🌸 Natural glow
- Highlighter – ✨ For radiant evening looks
- Bronzer – 🌞 Year-round sunkissed effect
- Eyeshadow palette – 🎨 Neutrals or shimmers
- Waterproof eyeliner – ✏️ Humidity-proof your eyes
- Mascara – 👁️ Choose smudge-resistant
- Brow pencil or gel – 🪮 Frame your face
- Lipstick or gloss – 💄 Bold or nude options
- Setting spray – 💨 Lock in makeup
- Brush set – 🖌️ Travel-friendly case
💇 Hair Care
- Travel hairbrush – 💇 Compact and anti-static
- Hair ties + clips – 🧷 Hot weather = tie it back
- Shampoo & conditioner – 🚿 Bring what suits your hair
- Dry shampoo – 🌬️ For longer days out
- Leave-in conditioner – 💁 For pool/beach recovery
- Heat protectant spray – 🔥 Use if styling tools
- Mini hair dryer – 💨 Optional, many hotels provide one
- Straightener or curler – 🌀 For sleek or wavy looks
- Hair oil or serum – ✨ Add shine and tame frizz
- Accessories – 🎀 Headbands, silk scarves, clips
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Comfortable sandals – 👡 Walkable + chic
- Dressy flats or wedges – 👠 For evenings out
- Sneakers – 👟 Great for malls or outdoor walks
- Flip-flops – 🩴 Pool or beach use only
- Light scarf or pashmina – 🧕 Mosque visits and AC
- Sun hat – 👒 Shade and style
- Modest sunglasses – 🕶️ UV protection is key
- Jewelry – 💍 Statement earrings or simple sets
- Watch or fitness tracker – ⌚ Stay on time & on goal
- Crossbody bag – 👜 Safe and hands-free
- Evening clutch – 💼 Glam touch for fancy dinners
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport + copies – 🛂 Entry requirement
- Visa (if required) – 🧾 Many nationalities get visa on arrival
- Travel insurance – 📋 Medical + trip coverage
- Hotel & activity bookings – 🏨 Save confirmations offline
- Credit & debit cards – 💳 Widely accepted
- Cash in AED – 💵 For taxis, tips, small vendors
- Emergency contacts – 📱 Print + store digitally
- Local apps – 📲 Like Careem, RTA, or Talabat
- Notebook + pen – 📝 Travel notes or journaling
- Wallet – 👛 RFID-protected if possible
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – 🩹 For blisters from walking
- Motion sickness meds – 🚗 Optional for desert safaris
- Painkillers – 💊 Headaches or muscle aches
- Cold relief meds – 🤧 AC can cause sniffles
- Allergy pills – 🌾 For sensitive travelers
- Gauze + tape – 🩺 Minor wound care
- Tweezers + scissors – ✂️ TSA-compliant size
- Digital thermometer – 🌡️ For peace of mind
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescriptions – 💊 Bring enough for your stay
- Vitamins – 🍊 Keep your immune system strong
- Hand sanitizer – 🧴 Use often
- Disinfectant wipes – 🧻 For seats, trays, hotel surfaces
- Feminine hygiene – 🩸 Bring preferred brands
- Toothbrush + paste – 🪥 Travel-sized preferred
- Floss – 🧵 Keep teeth fresh
- Deodorant – 🧼 Choose a long-lasting formula
- Razor – 🪒 For grooming needs
- Nail clippers – 💅 For chipped nails
- Perfume/roller – 🌹 Keep it light and fresh
- Tissues – 🤧 Always useful on the go
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone + charger – 📱 With international roaming or eSIM
- Power bank – 🔋 For all-day adventures
- Outlet adapter – 🔌 Dubai uses UK Type G plugs
- Camera – 📸 For skyline and desert shots
- Memory cards – 💾 Don’t run out of space
- Offline maps + apps – 🗺️ In case of spotty Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth headphones – 🎧 Noise control on flights
- Tablet or Kindle – 📚 Great for poolside reading
- Portable speaker – 🔊 For hotel room ambience
🎧 Entertainment
- Books or e-reader – 📖 Beach or rooftop ready
- Podcasts/music playlists – 🎵 Set the mood
- Downloaded shows – 🎬 For flights or hotel
- Travel journal – 📓 Document your glam adventure
- Card games – 🃏 Social fun during downtime
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – 🍫 Energy bars or trail mix
- Reusable water bottle – 💧 Hydration is key
- Foldable shopping bag – 🛍️ Souk or mall purchases
- Travel detergent – 🧴 For hand-washing
- Sewing kit – 🧵 For quick wardrobe fixes
- Whistle – 📢 Safety for solo travelers
- Lint roller – 🧼 For dark or dressy outfits
- Foot spray or powder – 👣 For sweaty day relief
- Melatonin – 🌙 Combat jet lag
🌍 Travel Tips
- Dress modestly in public – 🧕 Shoulders and knees covered
- Book popular attractions in advance – 🎟️ Like Burj Khalifa or desert tours
- Be respectful of local customs – 🙏 Especially in religious spaces
- Pack layers for AC – ❄️ Indoors can be chilly
- Stay hydrated – 💦 Dry climate sneaks up on you
- Bring your first outfit on top – 👗 Ready on arrival
🛂 Visa Tips
- Check if your country qualifies for visa on arrival – 🛃 Many do
- Print hotel + return flight info – 🖨️ May be requested at customs
- Bring passport photos – 📷 Handy for emergencies
- Know local laws – ⚖️ Especially regarding dress, alcohol, and public behavior
- Emergency consulate contacts – 📱 Keep offline just in case
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport – 🛂 Always have it handy
- Travel insurance – 🩺 Just in case
- Daypack – 🎒 Essential for day trips
- Sun hat + sunglasses – 🕶️ Shield yourself
- Hydrating skincare – 🧴 Desert-ready
- Water bottle – 💧 Stay ahead of dehydration
- Swimsuit + cover-up – 👙 Poolside style
- Light layers – 🧥 For evenings & indoors
- Offline apps/maps – 🗺️ For easy navigation
- Modest outfit – 🧕 For mosque or public dress codes
👍 Good-to-Have
- Travel steamer – 👔 Keep outfits wrinkle-free
- Cooling face mist – 💦 Refresh in dry heat
- Reusable straw – 🥤 Eco-friendly & handy
- Anti-chafe balm – 🦵 Useful in warm temps
- Extra scarf – 🧣 One for sun, one for modesty
- SIM or eSIM – 📶 Save roaming charges
- Luggage tag – 🏷️ Stylish ID
- Sleep mask – 😴 Get better rest
- Extra power bank – 🔋 For all-day sightseeing
