Your Complete Guide to Dubai's Expo 2020
The moment we've been eagerly waiting for has finally come! Dubai Expo 2020(21) opened its doors on October 1, 2021 and is scheduled to run until March 31, 2022. The event was postponed last year due to public health concerns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now officially back on track with additional safety measures. Here's everything you need to know about visiting the Expo.
What's an Expo?
Better known as the World's Fair or Great Exhibition abroad, the event was first held in London's Hyde Park in 1851. The Crystal Palace Exhibition was organized with the mission to create economic links between countries, and deemed a great success that paved the way for the cultural development of London.
It featured 25 participating countries and attracted over 6 million visitors who were eager to see innovations with their own eyes. The expos which are hosted every 5 years would attract millions of visitors, and act as a platform to expose a nation's inventions that would transform societies forever. Among the breakthrough tech legacies were the telephone, electricity, and X-rays which were first debuted at world expos. Other exciting launches included the Eiffel Tower and the completed Statue of Liberty.
Dubai's win in 2013 was a historic moment which promised to deliver the 'best Expo in the world' and a first for the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia region.
What's Dubai's Expo 2020 About?
The Expo 2020 theme is 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future'. The event aims to emphasize the need for greater collaboration among minds to develop solutions to the world's greatest challenges. Visitors will learn about the world's most inventive ideas and game-changing innovations in the sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability.
What are the Pavilions?
They are the dedicated spaces for people to visit. At the very center of the Expo site is the Al Wasl Plaza, which literally means 'the connection' in Arabic. It's the Expo's crown jewel and all roads lead and connect to Al Wasl.
The Thematic Pavilions bring to life the sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability through various educational and interactive experiences. They are respectively called Mission Possible, Alif, and Terra.
Then you have the Country Pavilions, where for the 1st time in expo history, every participating country (190+) will have its own pavilion designed in a way that represents its culture, history, or art. For example, the UAE pavilion is designed in the shape of a falcon in flight. Japan's pavilion is inspired by the art of Origata gift wrapping.
Performances
Over the course of the Expo's 182 days, there will be different performances including cultural performances, theatre, art, music, 'Ted-style' talks, forums, and workshops. There will be up to 60 live performances per day featuring world-famous stars, comedy greats, local talent, and touring attractions.
Performance Tips
During warmer months, most performances take place 5PM onwards. Admission to many is included within your ticket/pass; however, some require separate tickets to be purchased online.
Where Can I Eat?
There's over 200 food and beverage options with cuisines from almost every corner of the globe. Those are located in Expo's dedicated dining venues and food halls, as well as in the Thematic and Country Pavilions. They've categorized the F&B options into 4 collections: Never Seen Before Collection, Local Gems, Bespoke Food Concepts, and the Expo Culinary Experience. Alcohol is served in more than 75 venues.
The Expo 2020 Dubai App
To make the most of your visit, download the Expo 2020 Dubai app to your phone, and link it to your ticket. You'll be able to access a map of the entire place, showing locations, timings, and dining options. You can use the 'What's going on today at Expo' feature and make Smart Queue reservations at participating pavilions to skip the lines.
When Can I Visit?
7 days a week. From 10:00AM to midnight on Saturdays to Wednesdays and from 10:00AM to 02:00AM (next day) on Thursdays, Fridays, and special days. My best advice would be to visit on weekdays, starting early in the day. It's much less busy and you'll have shorter waiting times.
Ticket Information
All tickets available at expo2020dubai.com, the Expo app, or authorized resellers.
Children (1-17), seniors (60+), and people of determination enter free but must register online.
Bonus: Emirates, FlyDubai, or Etihad passengers get 1 complimentary day pass per booking.
How to Get There
The Expo site is located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, near Jebel Ali. The area is a 45 min drive from Downtown Dubai.
Dubai Metro (Recommended): The Expo 2020 station on the Red Line is incredibly efficient, quick, clean, and will practically drop you off at the front door, right by Al Wasl Plaza.
Taxi: There are 100 taxi pick-up and drop-off locations. Use Careem, Uber or S'hail (RTA) app. There's a starting flat fee of AED 20 for rides from the Expo site.
Parking: There are 30,000 parking spaces in the 3 thematic parking areas with free shuttle bus service to the main arrival gates.
Expo Rider: Free shuttle buses managed by RTA, operating from 9 dedicated stations in Dubai.
COVID-19 Rules
Visitors 18+ need to present proof of vaccination OR a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours. Both can be shown using the Al Hosn app, or by presenting official certificates. Free PCR testing is available adjacent to the Expo site with results expected within four hours. Wearing a mask is mandatory everywhere except when dining.
Pro Tips
Carry a refillable water bottle and fill up for free at drinking fountains. Water is sold in cans at F&B outlets (AED 5 at Zoom). The water fountain only comes out when you put your finger on the top of the faucet. Lockers, strollers, and wheelchairs are available for rent on site.
For a detailed guide on must-visit pavilions and where to eat, check out my separate post!
