How can international travelers pay for purchases in Dubai, and which backup payment methods should they bring?

For a trip, carry several payment options: cash, an overseas card, UnionPay and Plati po miru. The latter can help with apps that do not accept Russian cards, but it should not be your only way to pay.

If you need a large amount of cash, consider buying currency well ahead of departure, when you may have time to wait for a better exchange rate. The difference is usually less significant for small amounts.

Cash remains an important backup alongside UnionPay or an overseas card, since a particular card may not work everywhere. Avoid relying solely on cashless payments.