All you need to know about Expo 2020 Dubai

With just days to go for Expo 2020 Dubai, being touted by the organisers as “The World’s Greatest Show”, to open to the public, it’s all systems go.

The opening ceremony will be held on the evening of Thursday, September 30, and the Expo will open its doors to the public from Friday, October 1, 2021, until March 31, 2022. If you’re planning to visit, and there’s several reasons you should, here’s your ultimate guide to all you need to know.

How many countries are participating and what are the main themes?
There are 192 countries which are participating in the Expo. The Expo has traditionally been a fertile breeding ground for some of the world’s greatest inventions, has been around for over 170 years and takes place every five to six years.

The three main themes at this year’s event are mobility, sustainability and opportunity.

How do I get there?
The most convenient way to get there is by the Dubai Metro which takes you right to the site. Dubai Metro’s new 15-km long Route 2020 opened to the public in September, and was built at a cost of Dhs11bn. There will be a total of 50 trains servicing the new route, and they are expected to carry over 125,000 passengers daily.

Read: Video: Sheikh Mohammed inaugurates Dubai Metro’s Route 2020

You can also take the Expo Rider buses. The RTA has deployed 126 public ‘Expo Rider’ buses to provide free shuttle services to the Expo 2020 Dubai site for visitors from nine locations across Dubai. You can read more about it in the link below.

Read more: Free Expo 2020 bus shuttle services from nine locations in Dubai

If you wish to drive in, there is free parking available from 8.30am-1am on Wednesday to Saturday, and 8.30am-3am on Thursdays and Fridays.

Which are the major landmarks at the site and how do I get around?
The major landmarks around the Expo site include Al Wasl Plaza, Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion, Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, Alif – The Mobility Pavilion and the Dubai Exhibition Centre.

While you can get around on foot, you can also jump aboard the inter-district People Mover (which is also stroller friendly) or pay for the Expo Buggy that can seat an entire family. You can even explore the entire site aboard the Expo Explorer which are electric and compressed-air trains.

Can I book a hotel at the Expo site?
Located adjacent to Al Wasl Plaza, Rove Expo 2020 is the only on-site hotel and features 312 king- and twin-rooms and 19 suites. However, all the suites have already been fully booked for the entire expo period. To learn more about the property read the link below.

Read also: Video, pics: Inside Expo 2020 Dubai’s only onsite hotel

What are the culinary options available at the Expo?
There are over 200 eateries spread across the venue. Several of the country pavilions have their restaurant within their spaces. Some of the biggest culinary offerings at the Expo include the three-course Future of Food: Epochal Banquet concept by Bompas & Parr which will explore the theme of food set 300 years in the future. Other star attractions include XYST, Veg’d and Mudra by American celebrity chef, Matthew Kenney, chef David Myers who will bring his Adrift Burger Bar to the Expo, local gems including The Arabian Tea House and Ravi Restaurant and New York’s Scarpetta which will be present with its burrata bar.

Talabat are the official delivery partners and will also be using a team of 10 autonomous delivery robots to aid their services at the site. They also have a two-storey cloud kitchen set up there and have robots serving you coffee and ice creams too.

Do I need to be vaccinated or have a PCR test to enter?
Visitors must present either proof of a Covid-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test result. Visitors aged 18 and above must present proof of any vaccine recognised by their national government or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours.

Non-vaccinated ticket-holders who have not been tested within this period can test at the PCR testing facility adjacent to the Expo 2020 site.
A network of testing centres across the city can be found on the Expo 2020 website. On presentation of any valid Expo 2020 ticket, alongside an Expo 1-Day or Multi-Day Pass, the PCR test will be free of charge.

Read: Expo 2020 Dubai: Visitors to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination or negative PCR test

Where do I get my ticket from and how much does it cost?
Tickets are available online, at the Expo site and via its app too. One-day tickets are priced at Dhs95, multi-day tickets at Dhs195 and a season pass at Dhs495.

Children and youth under 18, seniors above the age of 60, and people of determination can enter for free.

Expo 2020 Dubai has also launched an October Pass, priced at Dhs95 for the entire month.

Read more: Expo 2020 Dubai launches October Pass priced at Dhs95

For a VIP experience, book the Jubilee Experience which gives you and your guests access to a special lounge, valet parking, discounts on food and drink, and other perks. It costs Dh10,000, and includes four season passes, 30 multi-day Passes and 10 one-day passes.

Entrepreneurs and busines executives looking to leverage the World Fair for networking can buy the Premium Experience season pass for Dh1,750.

Are UAE airlines giving free tickets to the Expo?
Yes. If you book with flydubai between September 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022 to travel to Dubai from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, you will be eligible for a complimentary Expo 2020 1-Day Ticket for each passenger in the booking.

If you’re flying with Emirates to any destination between October 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, the airline will give them one complimentary Expo 2020 day pass for each person in your booking.

Etihad Airways is giving all its guests travelling into or via Abu Dhabi a complimentary ticket to Expo 2020 Dubai until March 31, 2022.

What are some of the big events to watch out for?
There are over 60 events that will be held daily at the site. These include special events, international days in partnership with United Nations and several cultural performances including theatre, dance and music. The events include live music, mascot entertainment, daily parades and 360-degree projection shows too.

The Al Wasl Plaza also has a daily routine of programmes that will repeat throughout the course of the event, in addition to cultural highlights that will take place in individual country pavilions.

What do we know about the opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony will take begin at 7.30pm at the Al Wasl Plaza on September 30 which houses the world’s largest immersive sound installation and also the world’s largest blended video projection installation. The 90-minute ceremony which will be broadcast live on Expo TV will have a number of performances from the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Ellie Goulding, Mohammed Abdou and Angelique Kidjo, among others.