[Guide] Expo2020 - The World Expo in Dubai - Accommodation, transport, what to see/visit, programme and suggested itinerary

We hadn’t planned a long stopover in Dubai, but when we found out we’d be there during the World Expo, we didn’t hesitate for a second to plan a longer stay. That’s how we ended up spending 2 weeks in Dubai, which was initially supposed to be just a short stopover between Koh Phangan and Istanbul. Since we were working at the same time, only 2.5 days were dedicated to the World Expo.

The World Expo takes place every 5 years. Due to Covid, Expo 2020 was postponed by a year, between October 2021 and March 2022.
The next World Expo will be held in 2025 in Osaka (Japan).

Practical Information

Flights to the UAE

Emirates Airlines to Dubai (compare prices with Kiwi)
Etihad to Abu Dhabi (compare prices with Kiwi)

Covid & Entry Requirements for Dubai / Abu Dhabi

Note that unvaccinated individuals are allowed to enter Dubai. You must be vaccinated to enter Abu Dhabi. The latest entry requirements should be checked directly on your airline’s website as each has its own rules.

As of today (13/03/2022), here are the entry requirements.

I won’t answer any questions regarding entry requirements, Covid tests, etc. because it annoys me that you treat me as your secretary. You’re supposed to know how to do a quick Google search.

DUBAI

Since February 26, 2022, passengers arriving in Dubai, regardless of their point of origin, must meet at least one of the following requirements following

Presentation of valid vaccination certificate(s) proving that the passenger is fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the WHO or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with QR code; or
Presentation of a valid negative result certificate from a molecular diagnostic COVID-19 test detecting the nucleic acids of SARS-COV-2 viral RNA, with a maximum delay of 48 hours since sample collection, issued by an accredited healthcare provider, with QR code; or
Presentation of a valid medical certificate issued by the competent authorities proving that the passenger has recovered from Coronavirus SARS-Cov-19 within the month preceding the arrival date, with QR code

ABU DHABI

Good news – you don’t need a test to travel to the UAE if you’re fully vaccinated, or if you’re under 16, or if you hold a valid COVID-19 recovery certificate. You won’t need to quarantine or take a test upon arrival in Abu Dhabi.

Remember that you must be fully vaccinated to enter most public places in Abu Dhabi. You’ll need to show your vaccination status and the latest PCR test result via theAl Hosn app or your home country’s official health app.

We landed in Dubai around 3am. We went through immigration without having to show any documents in record time. A surprise awaited us in our passports: a 24-hour valid SIM card. Since it was too early to take the metro, we were able to order an Uber to take us to our hotel (€25).

Covid & Entry Requirements for Expo 2020

If you’re vaccinated: just show your QR code or certificate, only one dose is required to be accepted
If you’re not vaccinated:
- a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before your visit
- you can take a free PCR test with your ticket Expo 2020. The test is conducted near the Croatia pavilion. Results can take up to 4 hours, so come early

Where to stay for Expo 2020 in Dubai?

Expo 2020 is equidistant between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but:

there are more things to visit in Dubai
entry requirements are more lenient in Dubai

So if your budget allows, book a hotel or an Airbnb in Dubai instead. In downtown Dubai, because then you can enjoy both the city and the expo. Here are a few suggestions:

Luxury: the Westin hotel (booking link), reportedly one of the most impressive in the world, according to seasoned travelers. Around €500 per night
Mid-range: Leva Hotel & Suite (where we stayed for 2 weeks – booking link), great location and good value for money. Around €60 per night.
Budget: Mercure Hotel (booking link). Around €40 per night.

World expositions attract a huge number of tourists and accommodation prices (hotels, Airbnbs) can be multiplied by 4 or 5. When we wanted to go to the expo in Milan, Italy, the grimiest rooms were at least €300/night. But we’ve now found the trick to pay less: stay in a nearby city and take the train (or bus or shuttle) to the exposition. So for Milan, we could have slept in Turin and taken the train (€9) to Milan. Now we know!

For Dubai, our backup plan if hotel rates were too high would have been to stay in Abu Dhabi, but in the end, prices are still quite “affordable” in Dubai (more or less what you’d find in Paris). But keep this tip in mind for future expos.

How to get to Expo 2020?

From Dubai:
- by metro (about 19AED round trip): I find this option more convenient, even if a bit longer
- by shuttle (free): from Dubai Mall, but Dubai Mall is so huge that the pick-up point is not very practical. I’ve tagged the exact spot here
From Abu Dhabi: by shuttle (free)

Tickets

I sincerely recommend buying them online, it’s easier and faster because you can see all the options right away.

With your Emirates Airlines or Etihad boarding pass, you get one free day of entry. Check the airline’s website
If you’re going for more than a day, buy the season-end ticket for $14.44 for unlimited entry

How to organize your visit?

Each country has its own pavilion. Some countries have bigger pavilions than others (a whole building, for example). Expo 2020 focuses on sustainable development, so there are several zones corresponding to these themes: Earth, Mobility, Opportunity, Games… When you arrive, you’ll get a detailed map (pdf file) showing the location of countries and zones. The program changes daily (shows, events, workshops…).

Usually, each country has a souvenir shop or a restaurant serving local dishes. So it’s a perfect opportunity for shopping or tasting specialties (for example, lapis lazuli at the Afghanistan pavilion, saffron at the Iran stand, and ceviche at the Peru restaurant)

It’s impossible to visit all the pavilions (unless you spend weeks there), so it’s best to do some research in advance and plan a little route, instead of wandering aimlessly like we did on the first day. It’s a bit like visiting an amusement park; you have to optimize!

Download the Expo 2020 app
Link your entry ticket to the app
You can see the list of events & their times (for example, drone show at the China pavilion at such time)
You can also book “fast passes” like at Disneyland to skip the lines. The fast passes can be reserved on the spot, so as soon as you see a queue, check if the pavilion offers them on the app. Few people know about this
Tag the pavilions you’re interested in on Google Maps in advance, then create a sort of route (the shortest path). The site is huge, so if you’re at least a bit prepared, you’ll be able to see more things
We recommend spending at least a day and a half at Expo 2020 for the first day from morning to night, and one evening when Expo 2020 stays open late (Thursday evening preferably) to make the most of the pavilions during the day and the shows in the evening. The atmosphere is also very different because locals come for entertainment in the evening and the buildings are beautifully lit.

Recommended schedules

Recommended itinerary if you only have one day at Expo 2020:
- Morning:
  - Start at the souvenir shop to buy an Expo 2020 passport. After visiting each pavilion, you’ll get a stamp. It’ll be like a virtual world tour. The passport costs 20 AED
  - Visit the Germany Pavilion first, as there’s always a long queue from opening time. You’ll find more info and photos about this pavilion further down the article.
  - Then visit the Japan Pavilion. This visit will take you an hour, but it’s an experience not to be missed.
  - Stop by the USA Pavilion for a chance to grab a coffee at the foot of a rocket.
  - Right next door, at the DP World Pavilion, you’ll have the opportunity to sit in an Hyperloop carriage, the transport of the future.
- Noon: there are plenty of stands & restaurants. The choice is yours. Meals cost about 50AED per person, including a drink
- Afternoon:
  - Visit the Egypt stand, they’ve brought a real mummy.
  - Visit the very beautiful Saudi Arabia Pavilion. Play with the water curtain, watch the incredible atmosphere of a pilgrimage to Mecca on the big screen (an experience you’ll never have “in real life” if you’re not Muslim).
  - Then visit the UAE Pavilion. The video under a beautiful dome is very moving and gives you more insight into the history of the UAE.
  - Visit the very relaxing Hungary Pavilion : the focus is on spas and their thermal springs.
  - Check out the Water Features : the 4 artificial waterfalls to cool off a bit.
  - Visit the Luxembourg Pavilion : it’s quite fun, with the slide at the end.
- Evening:
  - Around 6pm, there are numerous sound and light shows at the central stage; it’s absolutely stunning, don’t miss it!
  - End with the drone show in front of the China Pavilion
Recommended itinerary if you’re spending 2 days at Expo 2020 :
- Day 1: same schedule as the previous one
- Day 2:
  - Morning:
    - Peru Pavilion: nothing extraordinary but there are some beautiful images and videos of Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest
    - Russia Pavilion: a very detailed presentation on how the brain works, not easy to understand but there are some stunning images
    - Iran Pavilion: to buy high-quality saffron and watch two artisans craft a carpet live
    - South Korea Pavilion: several shows throughout the day
  - Afternoon:
    - Yemen Pavilion: discovering an extraordinary book that you read from top to bottom, bottom to top, skipping lines, etc. The pavilion is modest but you can chat with everyone
    - Singapore Pavilion: very refreshing, very green
    - Netherlands Pavilion: everyone gets an umbrella and images are projected onto them. Fun
    - India Pavilion: impressive images & miniatures of India’s most beautiful tourist sites
  - Evening: sound & light show at the central stage
Recommended itinerary if you’re spending 1.5 days at Expo 2020:
- Day 1: same schedule as the previous ones

One evening: because the pavilions lit up at night give it a whole new dimension. I recommend Thursday night since it’s the eve of the weekend (the weekend starts on Friday in the UAE).
- UK Pavilion (very pretty at night)
- Netherlands Pavilion: everyone gets an umbrella and images are projected onto them. Fun
- India Pavilion: impressive images & miniatures of India’s most beautiful tourist sites
- Sound & light shows at the central stage
- The drone show in front of the China Pavilion is worth seeing again and again

To get around the site, you’ll have to walk a lot. You can take shortcuts by hopping on the free bus (called the People Mover). Open Google Maps and it’ll show you which bus to take. But if you’ve followed our itinerary closely, your pavilions should be close together, so walking time will be minimal.

Travel diary

Read this if you want to know more about the pavilions. I’ve only listed the ones that stood out to me.

The entrance is impressive. As you walk in, you gradually discover the absolutely stunning central stage, made up of screens and lit up at night.

I discover the concept of the passport for Expo 2020 and rush to buy it. 20AED later, I’m a proud citizen of Expo 2020. Each country has a color code, so it’s best to show the page with the corresponding color.

Germany Pavilion

There are some super fun activities, but this pavilion is above all a place of discovery, showing us how we can save the planet. For example, I’m learning that there are tons of solutions, but people just don’t want to implement them, that’s all 😀 Among the fun activities, you can:

jump into a pool filled with balls
sit on a swing and generate energy

Japan Pavilion

This is my favorite! It’s one of the pavilions that really stick to the theme of sustainable development. We’re taken to see the depths of the ocean: a beautiful ocean turned into water full of waste. And then we’re invited to turn around and observe the animal that pollutes the most on the planet, and it turns out it was just a mirror, and we simply see ourselves in that mirror.

A second room invites us to admire the beauty of the seasons. Thanks to special technology, we earn virtual pines based on the path we choose, and they create an avatar for us only at the end.

What I like most are the miniatures of ordinary scenes created from everyday objects. They were made by artist Tatsuya Tanaka, whom I already follow on Instagram.

Japan has to step up because the next World Expo will be held in Osaka in 2025.

United States Pavilion

The Americans brought a SpaceX rocket. If you fancy sipping a coffee right underneath, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

DP World Pavilion

Right next door, we got to sit in the future seats of the Hyperloop project, which will connect Dubai to Abu Dhabi in the near future. There’s a short video explaining the concept and a test video where the two project founders test and approve their technology over a short distance.

Saudi Arabia Pavilion

I’m very impressed by the Saudi Arabia pavilion. You can see they put in the resources. It starts with a water curtain (where you can cool off and play the game of trying to get in and out without getting wet). Then, all along the escalator taking us to the first floor, an old city is created in miniature, absolutely magnificent.

Next is a National Geographic-style video about Saudi Arabia. It makes me really, really want to visit this country. The footage of Mecca is breathtaking, so impressive. It’s at the end that we learn Saudi Arabia has recently opened up to non-Muslims and that we can apply for an e-visa on site in 15 minutes. That’s one more country on our wish list.

UAE Pavilion

I really liked the UAE stand too. The UAE’s storytelling is pretty standard: from a land with endless sand, natural pearls that made the fortune of the brave locals… until the discovery of oil. We weren’t very impressed by the sand dunes at first, thinking they were fake, but actually, they are real sand dunes. And yet, there’s not a single grain of sand on the walkway.

We end the visit with a super cute animated short film, inside a really stylish white dome.

Hungary Pavilion

Hungary clearly focused on its many thermal baths and spas. Ahh, it makes me want to go back to Budapest so much. We end the visit under a dome that really feels like a spa.

On the screen, very relaxing images appear while I lie down among the balloons that represent bubbles.

Luxembourg Pavilion

There’s a short film explaining Luxembourg’s expertise in space exploration (I didn’t know) and other fields. We end with a fun little slide.

Water Features

There are installations that belong to the World Expo and are not set up by a particular country. That’s the case with these 4 artificial waterfalls, which also follow the music. The show takes place every 15 minutes, and you can walk barefoot on the fake stones; it’s very refreshing and photogenic.

Peru Pavilion

With beautiful images of Machu Picchu, the Amazon rainforest, and other Inca sites. Despite the huge size of the pavilion, the content is pretty sparse, so visit if you have time.

Iran Pavilion

Craftsmanship is well highlighted with two artisans weaving a giant carpet inside the pavilion. Their souvenir shop looks like a mini souq. There’s plenty of choice, and we were able to buy lots of Iranian saffron, the best in the world (we also bought saffron from Afghanistan).

Singapore Pavilion

If you’re hot, you can hide in here; there are plants and green walls everywhere. But that’s it!

Sweden Pavilion

I didn’t visit the inside, but I really liked the fake forest in front, and the IKEA-sponsored café right next door 😀

UK Pavilion

I didn’t have time to visit it because there’s always a crowd in front, but it’s so beautiful. And even more beautiful in the evening when the whole building is lit up.

India Pavilion

There are several floors, but the one on the 1st floor interests me the most. The walls are covered with screens and we are immersed in absolutely incredible tourist sites of India. There are miniatures everywhere, and I realize I still have tons of wonders to explore in India.

Evening shows

Everything is lit up in the evening, it’s so beautiful!

The shows at the main stage, a kind of “son et lumière” projected onto the dome, are not to be missed. It’s so magical, so unique, that I had tears in my eyes at the end. However, there aren’t always explanations in English. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did.

China Pavilion

Same, I didn’t visit the inside but I really really liked their drone show. There are about a hundred drones, capable of performing a multitude of figures and choreographies, with colors that change constantly. There are so many drones that you can clearly hear the noise of the propellers. We had never seen a show like that before, so it was impressive.

France Pavilion

The focus is on luxury, of course. We hold our own pretty well compared to other countries. Bravo!

Russia Pavilion

With a huge exhibit on the brain. I didn’t understand everything but I thought it was cool. Both the exterior and interior are out of the ordinary.

Yemen Pavilion

For us, the World Expo is an opportunity to virtually visit some countries that are difficult to access.

There, we discover an ancient book that can be read from left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, and even skipping lines… it’s a very old collection of poems. I don’t understand Arabic, but I figure it must be truly high-level. Then we see photos of the dragon trees of Yemen. When will we get the chance to see them in person?

Palestine Pavilion

I’m glad Palestine has a pavilion here. It’s very interesting because you see photos and videos of important places to visit in Palestine. And just next to the exit, a delicious barbecue smell emanates from the pavilion’s restaurant (it made us really hungry, but the line was too long).

Vietnam Pavilion

It’s quite small, but I think you’ll like the souvenir shop upstairs. The restaurant is good but a bit pricey.

We also spotted/visited other pavilions with potential:

Brazil Pavilion
Slovenia Pavilion
Bhutan Pavilion
Turkmenistan Pavilion
Spain Pavilion
Netherlands Pavilions

If you have time, visit whatever you like; there are bound to be some surprises.

Shopping: What to Bring Back from the World Expo

Each country has its specialties. Here are the things I bought or would have bought:

India: cashmere & pashmina (more info on pashmina here)
Iran: saffron & carpets
Afghanistan: lapis lazuli & saffron
Bhutan: wild honey
Vietnam: lacquered items, silk
Peru: try their restaurant
Palestine: try their restaurant
Portugal: buy their pastel de nata
Belgium: fries & chocolate, of course
Japan: unfortunately, there was no souvenir shop but a restaurant next door
Philippines: lots of handicrafts

There you go, I hope this little guide was useful. Feel free to complete the list with your favorite pavilions.

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