August 2026 will bring a number of changes for residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including an increase in fuel prices and the launch of a new electric bus service in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) area in Dubai. Additionally, UAE residents can take advantage of discounts when visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi as preparations begin for the start of the new academic year.
Whether families are planning joint trips or preparing to send children to school, here is an overview of the key events to keep in mind this month.
Fuel prices for August were announced on the last day of July and came into effect on Saturday. Super 98 gasoline will cost 3.6 dirhams per liter, Special 95 — 3.49 dirhams per liter, and E-Plus 91 gasoline will cost 3.41 dirhams per liter. Diesel fuel will be sold at a price of 3.8 dirhams per liter.
Depending on the type of vehicle, a full tank of gasoline in August will cost more than in July, by an amount ranging from 10.2 to 14.8 dirhams.
Louvre Abu Dhabi offers UAE residents a 30 percent discount on entrance tickets as part of its summer program, giving families additional reasons to visit the museum during their vacation. This offer is valid from August 1st to September 30th, while children continue to have free entry.
Dubai is launching a new electric bus service in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) for movement within the area. This service, named JLT Link, will operate on two routes covering clusters from A to Z. It will provide connectivity between different parts of JLT and the DMCC Metro Station and Sobha Realty Metro Station.
The cost of each trip will be 3 dirhams. Passengers can check routes, view real-time bus schedules, top up their account, and pay for travel through the JLT Link application.
Summer holidays in UAE schools will end this month, and the 2026-2027 academic year for students will begin on August 31st. The Ministry of Education previously published the school calendar for 2026-27 earlier this year, which applies to both public and private schools across the UAE.
The Ministry of Education has already released the official School Uniform Guide, detailing the approved uniforms for students from kindergarten to grade 12 in public schools, as well as listing prices and authorized points of sale nationwide. The return to classes on August 31st will lead to increased traffic on the roads as families readjust their schedules to match the class timetable.
UAE residents may soon have the opportunity to enjoy a long weekend, as a three-day break is planned for the end of August to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). According to the list of UAE public holidays, the next break is expected on Tuesday, August 25th, corresponding to 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar. However, like all other Islamic holidays, the exact date depends on the official moon sighting announcement.
The hottest and driest period of the year in the UAE, known as 'Jamrat Al Qayth' (summer heat peak), which began on July 3rd, will last until August 10th. According to the Emirates Astronomical Society, this marks the most intense phase of summer in the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled new fuel prices that will take effect on August 1, 2026. According to the announcement, the cost of fuel will increase by 20 fils per liter across all fuel types compared to July tariffs.
This increase occurs against a backdrop of persistent global market uncertainty, linked to the fragile regional truce and ongoing tensions in the region.
The new tariffs depend on the type of vehicle. In August, a full tank of gasoline will cost more than in July, ranging from 10.2 to 14.8 dirhams, depending on the car model.
Corresponding new prices have been set for compact cars with an average tank capacity of 51 liters. Sedans, which have an average tank capacity of 62 liters, are also subject to the new rates. Furthermore, updated cost indicators have been defined for SUVs with an average tank volume of 74 liters.
Families planning to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with children this summer can save several hundred dirhams thanks to the annual exemption from the tourist visa fee.
This exemption is valid annually from July 15 to September 15 and applies to children under 18 years old who travel to the UAE with one or both parents. The benefit covers both 30-day and 60-day tourist visas.
However, travel agents clarified that a child's visa may not be entirely free. Although the application fee itself is waived, families will still have to pay for medical insurance for the trip and service fees charged by the document processing agency.
Firuzekhan from Arabian Business Centre stated that to qualify for the exemption, the child must travel to the UAE with at least one parent. According to her, 'both the parent and the child must arrive in the UAE as visitors. The child's visa application must also be submitted along with the accompanying parent's tourist visa application.'
This means the benefit is intended not for an UAE resident applying for a visitor visa for their child, but for foreign tourists traveling to the country as a family. Firuzekhan added that 'traveling with one parent is sufficient to meet the requirements. However, a letter of guarantee may be required if the child is traveling only with the mother or father.'
The necessary documents should be provided to the agency handling the applications. Families are advised to inform the agency that they are applying under the summer visa fee exemption before making any payments.
Subair Tekepuratvallapil, Senior Manager at Wisefox Tourism, reported that the standard cost for processing a one-month tourist visa for a child can range from approximately 250 to 350 dirhams. He specified that 'this application fee is waived during the summer period for the eligible child. Service fees and insurance depend on the agencies, and they may charge a processing fee.'
These additional costs can reach about 120 dirhams per child, depending on the chosen agency and the insurance coverage provided. Therefore, parents should not assume they will pay nothing for the child's visa processing. Subair advised: 'Parents should request a full breakdown from the travel agency showing the visa fee, insurance cost, and the agency's service fee.'
A family traveling with two children can save between 500 and 700 dirhams on visa fees. However, they may still need to pay up to 240 dirhams for insurance and service fees for both children.
According to representatives from Amer Centre and travel agencies, the exemption applies to both 30-day and 60-day tourist visas. Applications must be submitted during the benefit period, which runs from July 15 to September 15. For the child to meet the conditions, the parents' and children's applications must be submitted simultaneously.
The official rule covers children under the age of 18. Families traveling with someone who is already 18 years old should clarify the applicable visa cost with the travel agency before submitting documents.
Subair also noted that 30-day and 60-day tourist visas can currently be renewed twice. Furthermore, the parent's visa can also be renewed upon payment of the relevant fees. The renewal cost currently starts from approximately 1000 dirhams, depending on the visa type, agency, and applicant. He warned that 'visitors must check the exact amount before applying, as the summer exemption applies only to the initial child visa application and should not be assumed to cover subsequent renewals.'
Travel agents recommended that visitors apply for parents and children together, avoiding submitting the child's application separately.
As the UAE prepares for the next long weekend, travelers are seeking vacation options that differ from usual beach destinations, preferring cooler and more scenic locations. Although Salalah remains a popular choice, it is no longer the only sought-after destination.
The upcoming national holiday in the UAE, expected on August 25th to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), may create conditions for a long weekend at the end of August. However, as travel agents in Dubai note, the main motive for trips is not so much the choice of location as the desire to change one's state and climate mid-year.
Ipsita Sharma from SCN Travel & More states that Salalah continues to be the main destination, but tourists are broadening their search, considering the mountains of Oman and more distant places such as Bhutan, Kathmandu, and the hilly terrain of Sri Lanka. She notes that the trips praised by tourists are usually related to gaining unique experiences, including misty journeys, secluded beaches, tea plantations, and Himalayan views.
Neha Joseph from Sharaf Travel believes that the capital of southern Oman still stands out. She emphasizes that Salalah represents the only true climatic anomaly within reach, as the Khareef season lowers the temperature in Dhofar to low 20°C, accompanied by mist, drizzle, and waterfalls, while the rest of the Persian Gulf exceeds 40°C. Thus, if one wants to experience the monsoon atmosphere, Salalah remains the closest analogue to a 'climate reset' for the UAE.
Besides Salalah, other attractive places include those that replace heat with higher altitudes or crowded locations with quieter, local relaxation. Ipsita recommends Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams for cool mountain retreats in Oman, as well as Bhutan, Kathmandu, Ella, and Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka, and underrated options like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Pondicherry for those looking for something more special.
Neha similarly advocates for Jebel Akhdar, describing the 'Green Mountain' as a 'true high-altitude escape, not a monsoon one,' offering cooler air, terraced farms, hiking trails, and villages on the edge of a cliff. She also points to Bandar Al Khayran—a fjord-like area of bays and inlets near Muscat—as a place worth visiting, especially for snorkeling, dolphin watching, and dhow cruises.
Regarding three-day weekends, both experts insist on not turning a short vacation into an airport marathon. Ipsita advises choosing a destination that matches the available time and believes that road trips or short tours in Oman make sense because they save precious hours. If flying is planned, she recommends choosing places with convenient connections and focusing on one region instead of trying to see too much.
In response, Neha adds that Salalah is less than a two-hour direct flight away, and for a three-day trip, the option with three nights is best, not two. She advises leaving early in the morning so that tourists can check in by noon and get two full days plus a relaxed morning, making the trip a vacation rather than a sprint.
However, Salalah's advantage comes at a cost: all other destinations possess similar appeal. Ipsita warns that during the Khareef season, hotels book up quickly, prices rise, and major attractions become overcrowded, so early booking and traveling on weekdays yield a noticeable effect. She also suggests deviating slightly from the standard route, as the most memorable moments often occur during such detours.
Neha advises residents to travel mid-week to avoid crowds and lower accommodation costs. She recommends going in late August or early September, after the peak decade has passed, and booking 4x4 excursions to more remote wadis and viewpoints.
