Accommodation & Transportation

Hotel Recommendations

Dubai offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget and preference, from luxurious five-star hotels to comfortable serviced apartments. We recommend looking for hotels in areas well-connected by the Dubai Metro or close to the Canadian University Dubai campus.

Some areas to consider for your stay include:

We encourage attendees to book their accommodation early, especially given Dubai’s popularity as a global destination. You can explore options and book through major online travel agencies.

Please note: Unlike previous editions, IEEE SM 2025 does not have exclusive discounted rates with a specific hotel. Attendees are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.

Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina, KAEC

Bay La Sun Hotel is located in King Abdullah Economic City, an hour’s drive from Jeddah’s city center and within a walking distance to YAM Beach. It offers views of the Red Sea as well as a natural lagoon and mangrove. At Bay La Sun Hotel there is a buffet and à la carte restaurant along with banqueting and meeting facilities. Wi-Fi is available at an added charge. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is 12 mi away and King Abdulaziz Airport is 51 mi away. The property offers free parking.

Views Hotel & Residences, KAEC

Set in King Abdullah Economic City, Views Hotel & Residences offers accommodation with a fitness centre and a garden. Featuring a terrace, this hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. There is a restaurant.  A continental breakfast is available every morning at the hotel. A range of activities are offered in the area, such as cycling and hiking. Guests can also take advantage of the business centre and an ATM machine. Speaking Arabic, German, English and Spanish at the reception, staff are ready to help around the clock.

Crowne Plaza Jeddah, an IHG Hotel

Crowne Plaza Jeddah has an outdoor pool, sauna and fitness centre offering with treadmills and free weights. Located near Jeddah harbour, its rooms have flat-screen TV and free wired internet. All rooms feature deluxe bedding and have floor-to-ceiling windows, some overlooking the city. Al Zahra, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, has themed buffets and serves local and international cuisine made from regional produce. Crowne Plaza Jeddah is 3 km away from Jeddah city centre’s main shopping venues and restaurants. King Fahd’s Fountain is a short walk away. 

Novotel Jeddah Tahlia

Novotel Jeddah Tahlia is situated in the convenient access to Jeddah’s major business hubs, leisure attractions and luxury shopping areas. Guests can also enjoy beverages and light meals at Novotel lounge located in the lobby. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. The hotel is 2.6 km from Jeddah Mall and 5 km from Stars Avenue Mall. King Fahad Fountain is 5.3 km from Novotel Jeddah Tahlia, and Al Shallal Theme Park is 6.6 km away. The nearest airport is King Abdulaziz Airport, 12.9 km from Novotel Jeddah Tahlia.

ibis Jeddah City Center

Located in Jeddah, 3.6 km from Jeddah Mall, ibis Jeddah City Center provides accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking, a shared lounge and a restaurant. Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation offers a kids’ club, a business centre and luggage storage for guests. At the hotel, each room comes with a desk. The accommodation offers a sun terrace. Jeddah Corniche is 7.1 km from ibis Jeddah City Center, while Nassif House Museum is 8.9 km away. The nearest airport is King Abdulaziz International Airport, 15 km from the hotel.

Adagio Jeddah City Center

Set in Jeddah, 3.5 km from Jeddah Mall, Adagio Jeddah City Center offers accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a shared lounge. Among the various facilities are a terrace, a restaurant, as well as a bar. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can make use of the business centre or relax in the snack bar. Jeddah Corniche is 7.2 km from Adagio Jeddah City Center, while Nassif House Museum is 9 km from the property. The nearest airport is King Abdulaziz International Airport, 15 km from the accommodation.

Transportation

Dubai boasts a highly efficient and modern transportation network, making it easy for attendees to navigate the city and reach the conference venue.

How to Reach the Conference Venue (Canadian University Dubai)?

The Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is conveniently located and well-connected by Dubai’s public transportation.

  • By Metro: The closest Metro station to CUD is Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station (Red Line). From there, it’s a short taxi ride or a comfortable walk to the university. Many hotels are located along the Red Line, providing direct access.
  • By Bus: Several RTA bus routes serve the area around CUD. You can use the RTA’s Wojhati app or Google Maps to plan your bus journey. The Mazaya Center – 01 bus stop is very close to CUD.
  • By Taxi/Ride-Hailing Apps: Taxis are readily available throughout Dubai and are a convenient way to get around. Ride-hailing apps like Careem and Uber also operate extensively in the city.

Arriving in Dubai

Most international attendees will arrive at:

  • Dubai International Airport (DXB): DXB is a major global aviation hub.
    • From DXB to CUD:
      • Metro: The Red Line of the Dubai Metro has stations directly at DXB Terminals 1 and 3. You can take the Red Line towards Expo 2020/UAE Exchange and alight at Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station.
      • Taxi: Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport. The journey to CUD will take approximately 15-25 minutes depending on traffic.
  • Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC): DWC serves fewer international flights but is also an option.

From DWC to CUD: Taxis are the most convenient option. Public bus services connect DWC to various Metro stations for further travel.

Getting Around in Dubai City

Dubai offers various efficient ways to travel:

  • Dubai Metro: A fully automated, driverless metro system with Red and Green lines, covering most major attractions and business districts. Payment is made using a Nol Card (a rechargeable smart card, available at all Metro stations).
  • Dubai Tram: Connects areas like Dubai Marina, JLT, and Al Sufouh, linking with the Metro. Also uses the Nol Card.
  • Public Buses: An extensive network covering most urban areas. Payment via Nol Card only.
  • Taxis & Ride-Hailing: Abundant and reasonably priced. You can hail taxis on the street or use apps like Careem and Uber.

Water Transport: Abras (traditional boats), water taxis, and ferries offer unique ways to explore certain areas, especially along the Dubai Creek and Marina.

Panel Title: Engineering and Societal Adoption Challenges of Automated Driving Systems
IEEE International Conference on Smart Mobility (IEEESM)
Across the globe, there are tens of companies pursuing the development of automated driving systems (ADS), ranging over SAE Driving Automation Levels 3-5. There are several open engineering challenges of ADS software – particularly in development and validation of ADS operation in challenging weather conditions, critical corner cases, dealing with a variety of pedestrians and traffic conditions, and cooperation with human operated vehicles. Many standards (e.g., ISO 26262, ISO 21448) are emerging providing guidelines to ensure safety of ADS under the intended operating conditions. On the other hand, there are societal concerns that technological advancements such as ADS and robotics might bring in, e.g., people being out of work, competing with automation etc.. Initiatives like Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE) aim to alleviate such concerns by educating public and policymakers on pros and cons of automated driving systems. This panel discussion will focus on ADS engineering and societal adoption challenges and offer some possible solutions.
Ramesh S Senior Technical Fellow, General Motors, USA
Panel Moderator
Arun Adiththan Senior Researcher, General Motors, USA
Panel Moderator
Panel Description
Overlay Image
Panel Title: Engineering and Societal Adoption Challenges of Automated Driving Systems
IEEE International Conference on Smart Mobility (IEEESM)
Across the globe, there are tens of companies pursuing the development of automated driving systems (ADS), ranging over SAE Driving Automation Levels 3-5. There are several open engineering challenges of ADS software – particularly in development and validation of ADS operation in challenging weather conditions, critical corner cases, dealing with a variety of pedestrians and traffic conditions, and cooperation with human operated vehicles. Many standards (e.g., ISO 26262, ISO 21448) are emerging providing guidelines to ensure safety of ADS under the intended operating conditions. On the other hand, there are societal concerns that technological advancements such as ADS and robotics might bring in, e.g., people being out of work, competing with automation etc.. Initiatives like Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE) aim to alleviate such concerns by educating public and policymakers on pros and cons of automated driving systems. This panel discussion will focus on ADS engineering and societal adoption challenges and offer some possible solutions.
Ramesh S Senior Technical Fellow, General Motors, USA
Arun Adiththan Senior Researcher, General Motors, USA
Panel Moderator
Panel Description
Panel Moderator
Overlay Image