A holiday in Sharjah means quiet family beaches, hotels cheaper than their Dubai counterparts, and a conservative "dry" emirate thirty to forty kilometres from Dubai airport. There are no direct flights from Almaty; the journey takes six to seven hours with one connection. The best season is from November to March, when the heat subsides. Tours to Sharjah are usually booked for one or two weeks.
Visa and length of stay in the UAE
The entry procedure for UAE for citizens of Kazakhstan should be checked in advance, and here we will talk about what depends on the tourist themselves. A trip to Sharjah begins with documents, and they should be treated carefully.
Visa-free regime and length of stay
Citizens of Kazakhstan enter UAE with an ordinary passport under a simplified procedure, and the exact permitted length of stay is checked before the trip with official sources. Tours to Sharjah are usually booked for one or two weeks, and this margin is more than enough. Airlines and tour operators publish current conditions on their websites, and changes are indicated there as well.
Passport and insurance requirements
The passport for a trip to Sharjah must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry, otherwise the trip may be denied already at the check-in desk. Medical insurance for tourists in UAE is recommended in any case, and when applying for a visa it is mandatory. The policy covers treatment, hospitalisation and emergency evacuation. For a family holiday in Sharjah, insurance is arranged for each child separately.
How to get from Almaty to the emirate?
There is no direct connection between Almaty and Sharjah, so the route is built through major hubs. Sharjah UAE remains accessible if the connection is chosen correctly.
Routes with a connection via Dubai and Abu Dhabi
From Almaty it is most convenient to fly with one connection via Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and the journey to UAE takes from six to seven hours including the connection. Flights to Dubai are scheduled more often, the timetable is wider, and connections are shorter. Sharjah airport mainly receives budget airlines, and there are no direct flights from Kazakhstan there.
Transfer from Dubai airport to the emirate
From Dubai airport to Sharjah it is about thirty to forty kilometres depending on the district, and the journey takes thirty to fifty minutes without traffic jams. Taxis run on the meter, and the ride will cost more than the bus. It is more convenient to order a transfer in advance with children and suitcases. On Friday evening there are traffic jams on the highway, and the travel time stretches out.
Transport on site and car rental
Movement around the emirate is planned in advance, because the distances between districts are noticeable. It is more convenient to build a holiday here around the chosen beach and hotel.
Buses between Dubai and the emirate
Intercity buses of routes E1, E303, E306 and others run between Dubai and Sharjah, payment is made with a transport card. The card is topped up in advance; drivers do not always accept cash. Buses run within the city, and stops are marked with signs. The timetable changes by day of the week, and on Friday the intervals are longer.
International licence and car deposit
To rent a car in Sharjah you need an international licence or a Kazakhstan licence with a certified translation, plus insurance and a deposit on a card. The car deposit is blocked on the account and returned after the car is handed back without damage. Insurance is arranged on site, and it is included in the base rate. Parking in the city is paid, and fines are charged to the renter's card.
Money, communications and local rules
Financial and everyday details are best sorted out in the first days, so that the trip here goes smoothly. Local customs here are stricter than in neighbouring Dubai.
Dirham exchange rate and where to change currency
The UAE dirham (AED) is the local currency, and the exchange rate to the tenge and dollar is checked before the trip. It is more profitable to exchange at banks and exchange offices, not at the hotel, where the rate is noticeably worse. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but cash is useful at markets and in taxis. Tipping in Sharjah is not mandatory, but is common: five to ten percent in restaurants if service is not included in the bill.
Dress code, prohibition and Ramadan
Sharjah is a "dry" emirate: alcohol is not sold openly, and drinking in public places is prohibited. The dress code is more conservative than in Dubai: a swimsuit is appropriate on the beach, in the city closed clothing is needed, especially for women. Ramadan imposes restrictions: eating and drinking on the street during daylight hours is not welcomed. Sockets in UAE are type G, British, so an adapter is needed; voltage is 220–240 V. Drinking tap water is not recommended; bottled water is bought.
Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, https://icp.gov.ae/en/. The information on this page was verified on 10.09.2026.
How to holiday with children in the heat?
The family format is common here, but in summer the daily routine has to be changed. A trip with children in Sharjah is built around the hotel and the beach.
Family beaches and hotels with pools
Family beaches and hotels with their own beach areas are a common accommodation format; some beaches are paid or only for hotel guests. Sharjah hotels are cheaper than their Dubai counterparts of the same level, which makes the emirate an option for a budget beach holiday. Hotel pools operate all day, children's areas are separated from adults'. Sun loungers and umbrellas are usually included in the stay. Tours to Sharjah are often taken precisely for the quiet family beaches.
Summer heat and excursion schedule
In summer from June to August the temperature can exceed forty degrees, so many excursions and beach visits are moved to the morning and evening. During the day it is wiser to stay indoors: in a shopping centre, museum or a room with air conditioning. Water is taken along even for a short walk. A hat and sunscreen are mandatory for children. In winter the heat subsides, and you can walk all day.
In brief
- There are no direct flights from Almaty to Sharjah; you have to fly with a transfer.
- Buses run between Dubai and Sharjah, payment by card.
- To rent a car, you need an international driver's license and a deposit.
- Currency exchange is more favorable at banks, not at the hotel.