Motocross Dubaiwith theMX-Academy

Motocross Dubai is closer than it sounds: around six hours by plane from Switzerland, you ride on a track in Jebel Ali or in the desert sand – and still have days left for the beach, sightseeing and shopping.

Around 6 hours' flight from SwitzerlandDubai: +2 h in the Swiss summer, +3 h in winterRiding date of your choiceFrom kids aged 4 to racers

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Already in the UAE? Motocross Dubai on mx-academy.ae

Motocross Dubai: three riders pose with their red and white bikes on rippled orange sand under a pale sky

Why Dubai suits a motocross trip

Dubai counts among the seven emirates forming the United Arab Emirates, a country on the Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Oman. For riders from Europe it offers an unusual mix: a proper training track and wide sandy desert, both close to a big city with beaches and hotels. Instead of another week in the snow, you could swap the ski slopes for dunes and spend a few days on a dirt bike in Dubai.

Have you already tried karting, paintball or a skydive on holiday? Then motocross in Dubai is the next step up. Expect soft sand, heat, sore muscles and that moment when you finally get up a slope you thought was impossible – probably the closest most of us will get to the feeling of a Dakar rider.

Flight, time difference and a long weekend

Expect around six hours in the air between Switzerland and Dubai. Dubai keeps the same time all year round (UTC+4) and has no summer time, so the gap depends on the Swiss clock: two hours during the Swiss summer and three hours in winter. Jet lag hardly matters, which makes even an extended weekend worthwhile for a first taste on the track.

You decide how much to organise yourself. Book the MX package through the MX-Academy, or sort out flights and accommodation independently and just contact the team about the riding days or a desert ride. Either way, the riding dates are yours to choose.

What the MX-Academy offers in the Emirates

MX-Academy Dubai is the school of two seasoned motocross and rally riders, Chris Möckli and Mohammed Al Balooshi, who know the region well. Lessons take place at the DMX track in Jebel Ali, which has a separate beginners' track. Kids from the age of four, women, first-timers and racers all train there, in groups of two or more or one to one. The page on motocross training in Dubai describes every course in detail.

The desert comes after the track. If you have never ridden off-road, count on about three days of training before the sand; riders with off-road experience need one sand day at minimum. Then experienced desert riders guide you on a desert ride in Dubai lasting anything from a few hours to nearly a full day. Thanks to motorbike rental in Dubai, with bikes for kids and adults and protective gear in every size, your luggage can stay light.

Motocross in Dubai: a Honda rider in white and red flies high over the track while spectators watch from below

Booking from home and what to pack

Booking works by email from anywhere: write to info@mx-academy.ch with your preferred dates, the number of riders, their experience and the sizes you need. Once the riding days are confirmed, you can book flights around them. Keep the time difference in mind before you call or send a WhatsApp message, because Dubai is two or three hours ahead of Switzerland.

Packing is simple, since the team rents out complete protective gear in every size on site. If you own riding kit that fits well, bring it along – your own gear and even your own bike are welcome. Add sun cream, sunglasses and light clothes for the hours after riding.

MX Dubai: riders and their bikes gathered on pale yellow sand below a steep rocky mountain ridge

Prices in AED, valid on site

The MX-Academy Dubai price list is in AED and counts per rider. These prices apply on site in Dubai, and flights and hotels are not included in them. The cheapest start is the 30-minute introduction course on the track: AED 500 for an adult in a group, while kids up to the age of 12 pay AED 400.

Beach, city and desert between riding days

Plan a day or two without a bike. Dubai has long beaches, shopping malls and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on the planet. For ideas on the free days, see things to do in Dubai and places to visit in Dubai, and a desert safari shows the dunes from a passenger seat.

When the Gulf summer gets too hot, the MX-Academy rides in Europe instead. A motocross trip to Switzerland takes you to Schlatt TG, a drive of around 39 minutes from Zurich Airport, with course days on Wednesday and Saturday and no driving licence needed.

FAQ: Motocross Dubai

How long is the flight from Switzerland to Dubai?

Around six hours, which makes even an extended weekend possible.

How many hours ahead of Switzerland is Dubai?

In the Swiss summer the difference is two hours, in winter three, since Dubai keeps its clocks unchanged all year.

Do I have to book a travel package for riding in Dubai?

No. The MX package is one option; the other is to arrange flight and hotel yourself and only book the riding.

Is it worth packing my own riding gear for Dubai?

Only if it fits you well, because the team in Dubai hires out a full set of protective gear in any size. Your own gear and bike are welcome too.

Can beginners go into the desert on their first day?

Not on day one: newcomers to riding off-road train on the track for around three days, and those who have ridden off-road before still need one full sand day.