Long queues at popular Expo 2020 pavilions in Dubai have led to visitors snapping up time slots before the curtains close on the world's fair this month.
Organisers last week revealed more than 17 million visits had been paid to the sprawling site, with more expected each day as the last day of admission approaches.
The mini heatwave recently experienced in the emirate made spending time queueing even less desirable.
So how can you beat the queues? The National explains.
Smart Queue
The Expo smart queue system allows people to book for up to 10 pavilions a day, with fast-track options available for over-60s visiting Expo 2020 Dubai on week days.
Advanced bookings are possible on the ‘manage tickets’ option on the Expo app and online.
But with several pavilions booked out until the end of the event, visitors should check on the day as slots open up after cancellations.
One ticket allows a visitor 10 smart queue bookings each day.
On the Expo 2020 Dubai website, create your Expo account, go to the drop down option under your name, and select ‘my tickets & smart queue’.
Link your ticket and add the tickets of people who will accompany you.
Add tickets by entering the reference number and click on ‘activate smart queue’.
Under ‘manage smart queue’, add the pass and select a date, pavilion or attraction and a time.
If you have downloaded the Expo 2020 Dubai app on your phone, create your Expo account and follow a similar process.
Tap on the Expo logo or booklet and select the ‘manage orders’ or ‘manage tickets & smart queue’ options, then activate the smart queue by selecting the pavilion choosing the date and time.
Arrive early
There are some pavilions that do not subscribe to the smart queue system, such as the popular Germany pavilion, so arriving before it opens to secure your place near the front of the line is the best way to make sure you get in.
Several pavilions allow people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women and families with young children in strollers quick access without a booking.
Buggies for seniors
Buggies can be booked for 90 minutes for over-60s.
This is available in two slots at 9.30am and at noon from Monday to Friday.
A quick tour of the site with stops is possible for seniors who also get free entry to the site.
They can be accompanied by family members, friends or carers.
You need to book entry tickets to the Expo for each visitor and the ‘senior citizen’ programme before you arrive at the venue.
Dedicated parking is available near the Expo entrance, as well as a buggy drop-off to the arrival zone and private buggies for up to five people for 90 minutes from 9am until 1pm.
Details about the pavilions that allow fast-track entry for seniors is available here.
For more information, message on WhatsApp on +971 50 141 3453 or email seniorbookings@expo2020.ae
Bookings need to be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Quick tips
For entry to the Japan pavilion, bookings open at 9am daily.
Visitors need to be quick to link their tickets and choose available slots for that day.
It is the only pavilion with daily bookings due to heavy demand.
Bookings must be made on the Expo app or online in the ‘manage tickets’ section.
Visitors should check the bookings page as options for other favourite structures such as UAE, Singapore, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, the US and Italy can become available the day before or on the same day as your planned visit.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
Company%20profile
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