The Last Two Weeks of Expo 2020 Dubai in UAE

Vehicles beelined for as long as more than a kilometer to enter a parking area are not a good sign. Yet, that is exactly what we witnessed the last time we visited Expo2020. Obviously, the end-of-the-days of Expo 2020 are catching up with everyone.

Visiting Expo2020 is always a fresh and exciting experience as the number of events and shows in the itinerary is nearly endless. Apart from the permanent showpieces and projects, the plethora of vibrant activities keeps you amazed. Be it the events of prominent singers or artists; fireworks or water fountains; food huts or exhibits, once entered the Expo 2020 arena, you are in a magic land.

Last days, busy days at Expo 2020

Knowing well what awaits we decided to visit the Expo 2020 the last weekend. Lo and behold! The inevitable happened. We had bad news displayed on digital signboards on the way around the entry points of Expo 2020. ‘Parking areas of Sustainability District and Mobility District are full. Choose another parking.' Our hearts sank. Each visit did mean a lot to us. In fact, anyone who has visited it once would share the same sentiment.

The majority of the visitors flocking in these days are frequenting for the second or third or even sixth or tenth time, or even more. Once visited, the event persuades you to visit it again and again. After all, when you visit the event for the first time, it is going to take a couple of hours at least for you to make head and tail of what unfolds in front of you. Even more so if you are visiting these days given that the curtains would come down on the Expo 2020 by month-end.

The sheer number of visitors frequenting Expo 2020 is mindbogglingly exorbitant now. And why not? Expo 2025 in Ōsaka-Kansai is far away in time and space.

Luck did favor our persistence and ‘Opportunity District' did have parking slots vacant. Having parked the car, we boarded one of the scores of buses shuttling between the entrance and parking slots. Without boarding one of these buses cannot travel to the entrance point of any pavilion.

Do note down or click a photo of the parking slot and bus number so as not to miss the spot upon returning. Else the vast area of a parking slot and a number of buses plying can mess with your memory.

• No fees for cameras.
• Airport-type frisking and scanning are in place.
• It is wise to carry cap and sunglasses if visiting during the day.
• Restrooms and resting areas can be spotted in every nook and corner.

The Rush and more Rush

Keep your cameras ready and phones fully charged; food and drinks packed and joy-mode on. Since we knew the drill, we did have the soft copies of the ticket and Covid vaccine certificate ready on the phone to display. Carrying in a small portion of snacks and water can save you from splurging huge amounts at the food courts inside.

• Food and drink can be carried inside.
• Drinking water facilities can be availed on the go.

Twin-weekend in UAE

As per the changed norms now in UAE, regular working days fall from Mon to Friday, and weekends during Sat-Sun. Nevertheless, there are several companies and firms that still don't align with the aforesaid format. Hence, the number of visitors flowing to Expo 2020 escalate from Thursday evening to Sunday.

Plan your visit to save time

For someone who is visiting for the first time, it is a tremendously tedious task to plan now. As the days are numbered, you hardly have the luxury of waiting in the queue to enter popular pavilions. Among the hundreds of pavilions by different countries, some of them attract a huge crowd. While a few of them remain mostly vacant which you can visit without much ado.

• To avoid the weekend rush, keep in mind the aforementioned days.
• You can bypass the queue by booking the Smart Queue Bookings on Expo 2020 app.
• Be ready to walk and keep walking.

Reluctant to walk around? No worries. Hope on to

• Electric Bicycles or Expo Explorer trains.

Popular Pavilions

Happy to have started off visiting the Sri Lankan pavilion when we visited this time. With a refreshing cup of Ceylon tea, they offer to each visitor, you feel welcome. You are offered biscuits or fruits or coffee/tea, etc. at different pavilions. They say the early bird catches the worm.

That being said, as far as possible make the effort to visit pavilions of KSA, UAE, Japan, Pakistan, Germany, Singapore, Mexico, Egypt, Iran, Italy, Netherlands, South Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia. Of course, unless pre-booked in the app you may have to stand in a long queue to enter.

Yellow and White Passports

As you move around in the pavilions you can observe children, even adults getting their passports sealed at the counter of each pavilion. You will be reminded of the immigration stamping process at international airports. Alright. The yellow Expo 2020 passport is available to buy at the counters of the event. It is more like a souvenir and a reminder of your visits to different pavilions. Moreover, by gaining a hundred stamps on your yellow passport you become eligible to get a special edition Expo 2020 white passport. Now, that's impressive and it is free. The yellow passport costs you AED 20.

Endless entertainments

Festivals, stage shows, live performances, concerts and DJ nights, flash mobs, and celebrity appearances…list goes on. Each day and each night offer amazing events and programs to keep you lively and thrilled.

Less than two weeks to go before the curtains come down on the largest event happening in the world now.

Do not miss Expo 2020. It is magnificent, magical, moving, and massive.

• Season Pass Finale – AED 50
• Expo 2020 buses plying to and from different Emirates – Free
• Shuttle bus within the premises – free
• Drinking water within the premises – free
• Wi-Fi within the premises – Free