First Trip to the Middle East: A Guide

At a glance

Your First Trip at a glance

Easiest first stop: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Ideal length: Seven to ten days for two countries
Best months: October to April
Time difference: Dubai is 8 hours ahead of US Eastern (9 in US winter)

Where to begin

Five first trips, each easy to plan from the United States.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

The easiest introduction: beach resorts, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the desert and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, an hour and a half apart. See the UAE.

Cairo, Luxor and the Nile

Egypt

The Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. See Egypt.

Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea

Jordan

A compact country with three wonders in a week. See Jordan.

Marrakech and the Atlas

Morocco

Riads, souks and mountain kasbahs, with nonstop flights from New York. See Morocco.

AlUla and the Red Sea

Saudi Arabia

Ancient tombs, desert resorts and island villas in a country newly open to visitors. See Saudi Arabia.

The Orchard, an indoor tropical garden with a winding walkway, in Hamad International Airport, Doha — Photo: Deerpeter · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Entry for US passport holders

A quick guide to entry rules for tourists from the United States. Rules can change, so always confirm with the official source before you book.

Country	Entry for US tourists
United Arab Emirates	Free visa on arrival, usually 30 days
Qatar	Visa-free entry on arrival for tourism
Saudi Arabia	Tourist eVisa online, or visa on arrival
Bahrain	eVisa online or visa on arrival
Kuwait	Visa on arrival or eVisa
Oman	Visa-free for up to 14 days; eVisa for longer stays
Jordan	Visa on arrival or e-visa; the Jordan Pass includes the visa fee
Egypt	E-visa online or visa on arrival, about US$30
Morocco	Visa-free for up to 90 days
Türkiye	Visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days
Israel	No visa; an ETA-IL electronic authorization is required before travel
Cyprus	Visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period

What to know before you go

Dress: away from the beach and pool, cover shoulders and knees in souks, mosques and traditional areas; resort wear is fine at resorts. Women visiting mosques are given a headscarf at the door where one is needed. See customs and etiquette.

The week: the weekend is Saturday and Sunday in the UAE and Friday and Saturday in most other Gulf states. Ramadan, the month of fasting, moves about eleven days earlier each year; it is a beautiful time to visit, with hotels serving meals as usual and evening iftar feasts to share. See holidays and national days.

Money: most Gulf currencies are pegged to the US dollar, cards are accepted almost everywhere, and tipping is appreciated but modest. See money and tipping.

Getting there: fly nonstop from a US gateway, or arrive privately through a dedicated terminal. See the best airlines and arriving privately.

Questions first-time visitors ask

Is English spoken?

Yes. English is widely spoken in hotels, airports, malls and restaurants across the Gulf, and in tourism across the region.

Can women travel on their own?

Yes. Women travel independently across the region, check into hotels alone and, in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, drive. See women traveling solo.

Is it a good place for families?

Very. Theme parks, aquariums, beach resorts and kids' clubs make the Gulf one of the easiest family destinations in the world. See family travel.

How do I plan a route?

Use our trip planner or browse trip ideas for ready-made journeys.

Travel TodayBefore you travel, check the US State Department's current advice for each country you plan to visit. See the advice ↗

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From a stay to a home of your own

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Your First Trip to the Middle East