March saw the end of six glorious months of Expo 2020 Dubai, which witnessed millions of visitors all over the globe flock to Dubai to witness the 6-month mega event. World-class music, sporting events, stunning pavilions and everyday family-friendly entertainment kept visitors hooked to Expo 2020. But now that the Expo is over, what does the future of the world fair look like? Well, we have good news for you. Expo 2020 Dubai has now been revamped as ‘Expo City Dubai’ officially opening its door to visitors since 1 October 2022.
Here’s everything you need to know about this new city and what it promises to offer its visitors.
Expo City Dubai opening
Dubai has transformed the Expo site into a brand new destination, Expo City Dubai. The new destination will play a vital role in the development of Dubai 2040, a comprehensive master plan focused on the sustainable urban development of Dubai. Strategically located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Expo City will be one of the five urban centres pinpointed in the master plan. The 4.38-square-kilometre site will cater to visitors and tenants who will live in one of the 2,000 apartments.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, encapsulated the spirit of the upcoming destination, describing it as “a city that represents the most beautiful ambitions of Dubai, Expo City Dubai will be an environmentally-friendly city, one friendly to families, to the economy, and future generations.”
The primary goal behind the initiative is to enhance people’s happiness and quality of life and reinforce Dubai as a global destination for citizens, residents and visitors alike.
Sustainability and eco-friendly
With a sharp focus on sustainability, nearly 80 percent of Expo-built infrastructure will be retained and repurposed in the new city. Other highlights include:
- No single-use plastic.
- LEED-certified buildings.
- A sustainable community that prioritizes the environment’s positive impact on human wellness.
Care has been put to ensure that the city is human-centric, accessible only by pedestrians with no cars or heavy vehicles, thereby carrying forward the sustainability legacy of Expo 2020. Expo City Dubai would be environment-friendly with buggies to transport visitors. The development shall have cycling tracks, running tracks and more than 45,000 sqm of parks and gardens.
Expo attractions
The Al Wasl Dome, the world’s largest 360-degree projection screen, has come back to life, ushering in the grand opening of Expo City Dubai. Garden in the Sky, a rotating observation tower that lifts visitors 55 meters above the site for a panoramic view, has also continued to host guests. Expo’s iconic and surreal water feature, which became a popular spot for people to cool down during scorching temperatures, is also open to the public.
A paid-for attraction pass has been launched to give visitors access to these experiences.
Expo Pavilions
Since 1 September, visitors have been given access to two Expo City pavilions – Terra, The Sustainability Pavilion and Alif, The Mobility Pavilion. The two pavilions offer visitors interactive educational experiences, including science, technology, engineers, arts, mathematics and culture. Visitors can also access the rotating observation tower – Garden in the Sky attraction.
From 1 October 2022, visitors can also explore the Expo City pavilions and attractions such as the Al Wasl Plaza and ‘Surreal’ the cascading waterfall.
The Women’s Pavilion will continue to show how women have contributed to societies worldwide and will focus on driving gender equality and women empowerment. The Vision pavilion will honour the life and vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
The Opportunity Pavilion, which attracted large crowds for its innovative displays on water, food and energy, will be transformed into the Expo 2020 Dubai Museum. It will highlight the history and impact of world expos and celebrate the success of the six-month event held in Dubai.
Visitors can also expect the return of popular pavilions such as the KSA pavilion and the ‘falcon-inspired’ UAE Pavilion that will re-open soon. Country pavilions of Australia, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Luxembourg and Morocco will be re-purposed; stay tuned for upcoming announcements.
Expo City Dubai opening date
Expo City Dubai has officially opened its doors to visitors on Saturday, 1 October 2022.
Expo City Dubai entry fee and tickets
Entry to the Expo district itself will be free but you will need a paid visitor pass to enter the pavilions. Visitors can now purchase tickets online at the Expo City Dubai official website or at the four box offices at Expo City that have started from 1 September 2022.
Currently, visitors can purchase tickets for the following pavilions in Expo City Dubai:
- Terra (the sustainability pavilion) – AED 52
- Alif (the mobility pavilion) – AED 52
- Garden in the Sky – AED 31
- Women’s Pavilion – AED 52
- Vision Pavilion – AED 52
- Carousel Around the World – AED 21
From 1 October, you can purchase the following passes to visit the Expo City attractions:
One-day pass: The one-day attraction pass is available online and grants visitors access to the Vision Pavilion, Women’s Pavilion, as well as Terra, Alif, Sustainability and Mobility pavilions. The pass is priced at Dhs120 and will grant visitors access to the 4 pavilions. A few more attractions will later be added to the day pass.
Individual pavilion pass: Visitors who want to visit individual pavilions can purchase the individual pavilion pass that are priced at Dhs50 per pavilion per person.
School groups: The Expo City will also welcome school groups, with special programs offered exclusively to the educational community. General entry to the Expo City is free of cost for booked school groups. School group journeys with workshops and shows must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
Children aged 12 and under and people of determination can enter the pavilions free of charge but must obtain a complimentary pass at any one of the ticketing booths at Expo City Dubai.
Expo City Dubai location and opening hours
If you’re driving to Expo City, you can reach there from all major roads. Expo City Dubai has 3 main entrances which are a 20-minute drive from Dubai Marina. You can follow the signs for any one of the four designated parking zones: Opportunity, Mobility, Sustainability or DEC parking.
If you’re travelling by public transport such as the Metro in Dubai, the Metro Red Line will take you from the city directly to the entrance of Expo City Dubai. Taxis or cabs can be booked online using Careem, Uber or S’hail apps.
Expo City pavilions are open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; while some attractions such as the Surreal water feature and Al Wasl Plaza will be open 24/7.