Dubai Is Not a Vacation, but a Working Tool
Dubai is a city almost everyone has heard about. For some, it is beaches, skyscrapers, and luxury. For others, it is flashy life and tourist gloss.
But when you look at it from a business perspective, it becomes clear: Dubai is, first and foremost, a tool. A city where it is convenient to meet, negotiate, and move forward.
My first trip to Dubai was exactly like that — a business trip. Without a vacation mindset, without chasing tourist attractions, but with clear goals, meetings, and a desire to understand the city from the inside.
Parking area near Dubai Mall in Marina
Why Dubai
The main purpose of the trip was business meetings and the development of international partnerships. Dubai is convenient for several reasons:
- efficient logistics for flights from Europe, Asia, and the CIS;
- a high concentration of businesses and IT companies;
- well-developed infrastructure;
- a neutral ground for negotiations.
People don’t come here just to “take a look.”
They come here to get things done.
Flight Astana — Dubai: Finding Tickets
Any international trip starts with dozens of browser tabs and an attempt to find a balance between price and reasonableness. I compared tickets on Freedom Travel, Kaspi Travel, Halyk Travel, Aviasales, and Skyscanner.
Despite promotions and cashback offers from local services, the best prices were found via Skyscanner. It is an aggregator that provides a transparent overview of the market.
The purchase was made through the Wingie website — a service I had never even heard of before. There was a brief moment of doubt, but everything went smoothly.
The round-trip flight cost 230,000 tenge.
Walking area in the Dubai Marina district
Day 1. Journey Astana → Dubai
The departure was scheduled for 12:00, so I arrived at Astana airport early, around 10 a.m. Online check-in did not work (the QR code was not generated), but everything was handled quickly at the check-in counter.
The flight lasted about 4.5 hours and was quite comfortable:
- a travel kit was provided (toothbrush, toothpaste, sleep mask, earplugs, socks);
- hot meals were served;
- during the flight, I watched The Shawshank Redemption.
Sometimes small details like these set the right tone for the journey.
Connectivity and Transport in Dubai
Upon arrival, right at passport control, I was given a free SIM card from the operator Du with a 10 GB data plan valid for one day. This was very helpful — I had issues with roaming, and as it turned out, roaming must be activated at the departure airport.
From the airport, I went straight to the metro and purchased a silver Nol card — a universal pass for the metro, trams, and buses.
Staying in the Dubai Marina Area
I stayed in the Dubai Marina area, in the JBR complex. The location turned out to be very convenient:
- metro nearby;
- beach within walking distance;
- developed infrastructure;
- a comfortable environment for both living and working.
After check-in, I simply went for a walk — without a route or a plan. The beach, the promenade, the evening air, people around. At some point, you catch yourself thinking that the city does not pressure you or rush you, even if you are here on business.
Closer to midnight, I returned and almost immediately fell asleep.
Control panel on the boat
Day 2. Business Meeting and DIFC
The morning started with a workout and swimming in the pool. A nice bonus — the pool was free for all residents of the building. A great way to clear your head before a meeting.
The meeting took place in the DIFC area — Dubai International Financial Centre. This is a place where you clearly feel the concentration of decisions, money, and ambition. During the day — formal suits, offices, negotiations; everything is structured and rational.
The meeting itself went calmly and to the point. No rush, but with a clear sense that both sides understood why they were there.
Evening in the City Center
In the evening, DIFC changes. Music, queues at restaurants, a lively atmosphere. I visited a venue with a Michelin star, having double-checked it in 2GIS. There was a bar-club operating next to the restaurant.
I was there with a drink, observing people. Different languages, different cultures — yet the same rhythm of leisure. One thing stood out to me: young people relax the same way everywhere, regardless of language or nationality.
That same evening, I saw the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the dancing fountain.
Burj Khalifa and the dancing fountain in Dubai
Day 3. Trip to Abu Dhabi
On Sunday, I changed my accommodation and then headed to Abu Dhabi. The bus ride took about 1.5 hours, after which I took a taxi to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The mosque makes a strong impression: scale, silence, architecture. It is a place where you do not want to rush. I simply sat in the nearby park and let the impressions settle.
I no longer had time to visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, so I decided to return to Dubai.
Tip: if you are traveling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it is better to board the bus at Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station. The airport is an intermediate stop, and there may be no available seats.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
Day 4. Old Dubai and the Second Meeting
The second business meeting took place in the historic Al Fahidi district. It lasted longer than planned, but turned out to be extremely productive.
After the meeting, I walked through the old city, crossed the canal by boat, and reached the Gold Souk. The scale of the market is truly impressive — there is a lot of gold there.
I also had a local meal with meat, rice, and vegetables. A colorful atmosphere that stays in memory stronger than many restaurants.
In the evening, I visited Dubai Marina Mall — I especially liked the food court with a balcony overlooking the yachts. Then there was a boat ride to Bluewaters Island and a return via the pedestrian bridge.
Return to Astana
The return journey was eventful. Flights were rescheduled several times, and in the end, I departed Dubai at 17:30 instead of 12:00, with a transfer in Almaty. After speaking with an Air Astana supervisor at Almaty airport, I managed to get on an earlier flight, and by 07:30 I was already home.
Sometimes the road tests your patience more than the trip itself.
Historic center of Dubai
Business Trip Summary
Over four days, I:
- saw different sides of Dubai;
- visited Abu Dhabi;
- explored both the business and historic routes;
- held two truly productive business meetings.
The main conclusion is simple: Dubai is not a showcase, but a working tool. A city that is convenient to use for growth, negotiations, and moving forward — without illusions or unnecessary glamour.
In 2026, True Masters is entering the international market, and this trip became another step in that direction.
P.S. If you need services in artificial intelligence, software development, websites, or digital platforms — feel free to contact us at TrueMasters.kz.
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