The moment we’ve been eagerly waiting for has finally come! Dubai Expo 2020(21) will open 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 with the new safety protocols in place.

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, unbeknownst to them in Europe. The undoubted success of Britain’s Great Exhibition prompted other countries, vying for the same title, to try and outdo their predecessors.

In the years to come, many other nations would compete with one another and host spectacular events, inevitably leaving a development mark on their host cities. 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 reveal of what would later become world attractions such as 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, N. Africa, and S. 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 a 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. This means exploring developments in areas of finance, healthcare, artificial intelligence, transportation, and oil and gas to name a few. 

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 even 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. Each of these countries will showcase their history, culture, and inventions in fun and interactive ways. These country pavilions are located within the thematic pavilions. So for example, France is in the Mobility Pavilion. Finally, you have what they call Landmark Pavilions and Organization & Partner Pavilions. The Landmark Pavilions are 2: an Expo Live Pavilion sharing genuine stories of people who have done extraordinary things, and the Women’s Pavilion is dedicated to women and the challenges they face today. Finally, the Organization & Partner Pavilions are mostly companies and groups such as Emirates Airlines, DP World, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

WHAT ARE THE PERFORMANCES I CAN WATCH?

Over the course of the Expo’s 182 days, there will be different performances hosted 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. Country Pavilions will also feature their national dances or songs such as New Zealand’s Te Wehi Haka!

Keep updated with what’s on the calendar by visiting this link here.

Keep in mind: 1/ During the warmer months, most performances will take place 5PM onwards. However, as the weather gets cooler, they’ll be held during the day as well.

2/ Admission to many performances is included within the ticket/pass, so they’ll be free to attend (subject to capacity). However, some are not, and tickets to watch these events specifically will need 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. So you can either opt for a meal from a food truck vendor and enjoy it on a picnic bench, or dine-in at an upscale restaurant. 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 will be served in more than 75 venues. You can view the menus online and book tables ahead. As per COVID-19 regulations, restaurants can only accommodate a maximum of 10 people per table. The Expo will also be hosting thematic gala dinners and private dining experiences. 

Find out where you can eat and book your table by visiting the link here.

WHAT IS 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 (I wasn’t able to do it via the app, but doing it from the Expo website itself worked, so it’s now showing on my app). From thereon, you can use the app to show your ticket every time you visit the Expo. You’ll be able to access a map of the entire place, showing locations, timings, and dining options etc. You can use the ‘What’s going on today at Expo’ to find out what events are happening on any given day and where. You will be able to make a Smart Queue reservation at participating pavilions so you can 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.

WHEN SHOULD I VISIT?

Immediately! 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.

HOW DO I GET EXPO 2020 TICKETS?

All tickets are available to purchase online via the Expo 2020 website here, via the Expo 2020 Dubai app, and through authorized ticket resellers listed here.

Prices are for adults between 18 and 59 y/o including VAT (as of February 2022).  

• Season pass finale: unlimited entry for entire remaining Expo duration for AED 50.

Children and young adults (1 to 17 y/o), seniors 60 y/o and above, as well as people of determination can enter free of charge, unlimited during the entire 6 months; however, are still required to register online* for a pass.

*Tickets for children under 6 years old will only be issued to visitors upon arrival at the Expo site entrance and cannot be booked online.

Please do note that visits on certain days will require prior reservation. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable after first use. For security purposes, when using your ticket for the first time, a camera will record your image at the Expo gate.

Bonus: If you’re flying with Emirates Airlines, FlyDubai, or Etihad, you get 1 complimentary Expo 2020 day pass for every person in your booking. All you have to do is claim your pass(es). Find out more here for Emirates, here for FlyDubai, and here for Etihad.

WHAT DO I DO WITH MY TICKET ONCE I’VE BOUGHT IT?

The first thing you need to do is to take a photo of your ticket, in the event that it gets lost. Your ticket is both nonrefundable and nonreplaceable. So snap a photo of it, and make sure you store in a safe place (wallet) if you plan to make multiple visits. You’ll have to present your ticket twice during each visit.

WHERE IS EXPO 2020?

The Expo site is located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, near Jebel Ali. The area is a 45 min drive from Downtown Dubai, and a 15 min drive from Al Maktoum Airport.

HOW TO GET THERE?

• (Recommended) Dubai Metro: The Expo 2020 station which is on the Red Line will officially open on Oct 1, 2021. Timings are as follows: Saturday to Wednesday from 5:00AM to 1:15AM (next day). On Thursdays, the service will run from 5:00AM to 2:15AM (next day). On Fridays, the service will run from 8:00AM to 1:15AM (next day).

• Taxi: There are 100 taxi pick-up and drop-off locations. The simplest way is to download the Careem*, Uber or S’hail (RTA) app. Through the Careem app, you can also book ‘Hala Taxi’, which is Dubai’s most affordable taxi. There will be a starting flat fee of AED 20 for rides originating from the Expo site.

• Parking: There are 30,000 parking spaces in the 3 thematic parking areas with a free shuttle bus service to the main arrival gates. As soon as you park, take a picture of your parking spot, then find the pole which has a sign saying ‘Where is my car parked?’ and scan the QR code to get the details of your parking location and which bus you need to hop on to get there and back.

• Expo Rider: There will be many Expo shuttle buses managed by the Roads & Transport Authority, operating in Dubai and the UAE. The bus rides are free of charge for Expo 2020 visitors upon provision of ticket. In Dubai, there are 9 dedicated stations: Palm Jumeirah, Al Baraha, Al Ghubaiba, Etisalat, Global Village, International City/Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Mall, and Dubai International Airport. For more information, download the S’hail (RTA) app.

• Valet Parking: There are 1,400 valet parking spaces available across the Expo 2020 site.

  Please note that Expo 2020 has 4 entrances in total at each of the 3 Thematic Pavilions and the Dubai Metro entrance. 

Tip: I’ve tried both driving there myself and using the Dubai Metro, and would highly recommend the latter (Metro). You’ll save yourself the long drive and the shuttle waiting/driving time from and to the parking lot. The Metro is incredibly efficient, quick, clean, and will practically drop you off at the front door, right by the Al Wasl Plaza.

WHAT ARE THE COVID-19 RULES?

To enter the Expo site, visitors who are 18 years old and above need to present proof of vaccination OR a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours.

Both proof and results can be shown using the Al Hosn app, or by presenting official certificates provided by the testing center or vaccination centers.  

While unvaccinated visitors are strongly encouraged to get tested before coming to Expo, a facility adjacent to the Expo 2020 site will conduct free PCR tests on presentation of a valid Expo 2020 ticket (1 day or multi-pass only), with results expected within four hours. Given you’re realistically not going to wait for 4 hours, I would suggest doing the test beforehand elsewhere. For more information about on-site PCR testing, please visit the link here.

Please note that wearing a mask is mandatory everywhere at the Expo, except when dining.

HOW CAN I ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY?

The opening ceremony of Expo 2020 will be broadcast live on Thursday Sep 30, 2021 at 19:30PM (UAE). Opera singer Andrea Bocelli, Golden Globe-winning actress, singer and songwriter Andra Day, platinum-selling British pop star Ellie Goulding, Chinese pianist Lang Lang and four-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo will help to light up the event at Al Wasl Plaza. 

To watch live, tune in to: https://virtualexpo.world/.

Select malls, hotels, and Dubai International Airport will also be live streaming the event which will be shown on screens in designated areas.

In case you missed it, here’s the link to watch the opening ceremony.

WHERE CAN I STAY NEAR THE EXPO?

Rove Hotel is located right at the heart of the Expo 2020 Dubai site, beside Al Wasl Plaza. This is the only Expo on-site hotel available. A reservation at Rove Expo 2020 includes tickets to the event, valid for the whole duration of your stay. 

There is no parking available at the hotel so anyone coming by car will need to park at the Mobility Arrival Plaza only. Regardless of your entry point, to come to the hotel you will need to head to the Rove Expo 2020 hotel kiosk and conduct a quick security check, before being escorted to the hotel. Finally, the hotel does have a nearby supermarket and ATM machine if needed. 

WHICH PAVILIONS SHOULD I VISIT?

Here’s the link to a detailed guide or better yet ‘my 2 fils’ on the must-visit pavilions, delicious bites to munch on, and things to keep a lookout for. It’s updated regularly based on any new wandering discoveries I make when I visit, so make sure to bookmark and check back for updates.

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION TO KNOW

• Carry a refillable bottle of water with you, which you are allowed to bring in to the Expo, and fill up for free at the drinking fountains located in different areas around the site. Pro tip: the water only comes out when you put your finger on the top water of the faucet. I’ve seen many people struggle so hope this helps!

• You can also fill up your non Aquafina bottles for free at the Aquafina Water Stations located across 4 points INSIDE the Sustainability Pavilion OR if you have or wish to buy an Aquafina reusable water bottle, you can use the Aquafina Water Stations inside the Drop. Otherwise water is sold at F&B outlets, Zoom convenience stores (for AED 5), mobile vendors, and vending machines. Pro tip: water is only sold in cans which as environmentally friendly as it is, makes it slightly inconvenient to carry around. Also hard to refill. So bottles, bottles, bottles!

• Lockers to store small bags are available to rent on site.

• Strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent at 11 Visitor Services Locations on a first-come-first-serve basis.

• Visitors can get around the Expo 2020 site using the free People Mover buses which have designated stops and run every 3 minutes during peak times. 

• Zoom convenience stores will also be found in various locations to purchase snacks and other items.

• Expo 2020 branded products from various retailers including my favorite Camel Soap Factory will be sold online or in one of the many shops across the Expo site.

• Free Wi-Fi is available on site.