Dubai is famous for being one of the most lavish and luxurious places in the world with its architectural marvels and top-level service. However, it is a common misconception that Dubai can only accommodate rich people, as members of the middle class can also have an amazing trip to the Emirates. In this guide, you will discover everything you need to know to have a memorable trip to Dubai on a budget.
Flights and Hotels
Understandably, there is not a lot of leeway when it comes to organizing the trip itself. After all, you definitely need a flight and a place to stay for the duration of your visit. However, there are still a couple of things you can do to minimize these essential spendings.
Book in Advance
First of all, it is always better to book everything in advance – the sooner, the better. It is no secret that hotel and flight prices skyrocket for last-minute bookings, so it is generally a good idea to start browsing for the options months prior to your trip.
Be Ready to Adjust the Dates
If possible, it is always better to be flexible with dates when booking hotels and flights to Dubai. Sometimes, prices for specific dates might spike even if you’re organizing everything months in advance, so being able to move the plans for a couple of days is always an advantage.
Consider Nearby Airports
Depending on various circumstances, the fares for flights to Dubai’s neighboring emirates such as Sharjah and Abu Dhabi might be significantly cheaper than flying directly to Dubai. Considering the UAE is a small country, choosing a different airport won’t extend the travel time too much: the Sharjah International Airport is only an 18-minute drive away from DXB, while a trip from the Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi to the Dubai city center will take around 60 minutes.
Choose Modest Accommodation
Even though Dubai is well-known for its lavish hotels such as Atlantis, The Palm or Burj Al Arab that may charge thousands of dollars per night, there are many accommodation options that are much more affordable.
If you’re planning an active trip to see all the main attractions in the city, you won’t be staying at the hotel for too long. And in case you’re looking for a beach vacation at a hotel, you can either save on everything else, or choose an entirely different destination for your trip.
Don’t Use Booking and Airbnb
Major aggregators for hotels and apartments such as Booking and Airbnb might be convenient tools to browse for options in the area and get a general understanding of prices, but it is always cheaper to make actual bookings outside of these platforms.
This is especially true for hotels, as in the vast majority of cases, it is cheaper to book the room directly from its official website. If you’re looking for a rental apartment for the duration of your stay, you should consider using local platforms such as Silkhaus.
Activities You Can Enjoy in Dubai on a Budget
It is another popular misconception that every activity in Dubai is pricey. In fact, there are numerous places you can visit either for a very small fee or entirely for free.
Must-See Attractions
It is only natural for any visitor of Dubai to want to see some of its most well-known attractions, and the good news is that they all are fairly affordable:
- Burj Khalifa – You can admire the iconic skyscraper for free from many points in the city, but if you plan to climb all the way up to its viewpoints and observation decks, you should be prepared to spend from $40 to $60 per adult.
- The Dubai Mall – Needless to say, you can visit the Dubai Mall for free. There is no entrance fee and luxury purchases are strictly optional, so you will be able to admire this architectural marvel on a budget.
- Burj Al Arab – Even though Burj Al Arab is one of the most expensive hotels in the world, you don’t need to stay in it in order to admire its architectural beauty. There are several viewpoints in the city, where you can enjoy great views on the magnificent hotel for free.
- Palm Jumeirah – The famous Palm Island is also free to visit. You can either simply explore it by driving around or hang out at its public beach area.
- Dubai Marina – It is one of the most modern and beautiful neighborhoods in Dubai, and you can visit it at any time without spending a dime.
- The Jumeirah Mosque – You can either view the Jumeirah Mosque from the outside for free, or enter with a guided tour for up to $10 per adult.
- Miracle Garden – This park with impressive flower installations is only available for paid visitors, and the tickets cost around AED 100 or $27 per adult.
- Global Village – This attraction is also only available through purchasing tickets which go for AED 30 or around $8 per adult.
If you wish to learn more about these attractions and discover even more places you can visit in Dubai, make sure to read our dedicated guide on the topic.
Natural Attractions
There are many natural attractions that you can visit completely for free in Dubai and its close outskirts. The list includes the Dubai Creek, the Al Qudra Lakes, the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the Safa Park, the Hatta village area, and many other places.
If you’re driving to spots like the Hatta Dam, you can even enjoy a day of camping, although you should be prepared to pay the fees for renting the equipment.
Public Beaches
Needless to say, public beaches are completely free to visit in Dubai. As you would expect, renting equipment and indulging in some water sports comes with an additional fee, but you can definitely spend an amazing day on the beach on a budget. In fact, we have a separate guide on the best beaches in Dubai, where you can learn even more details about spots like the Jumeirah Beach, La Mer Beach, Marina Beach, and others.
Water Parks
There are many water parks in Dubai, and none of them are free to visit. However, considering you can spend an entire day there, it is very much possible to fit the price of the tickets into a budget. Here is an overview of the most popular water parks in the city:
- Aquaventure Water Park (Atlantis, the Palm) – AED 320 or $87 per adult;
- Wild Wadi Water Park (near Burj Al Arab) – AED 200 or $55 per adult;
- Laguna Waterpark – AED 145 or $39 per adult;
- LEGOLAND Water Park – AED 200 or $55 per adult;
- Yas Waterworld (Yas Island, Abu Dhabi) – AED 270 or $74 per adult.
Expo City and Art Galleries
Expo City is a popular exhibition center in Dubai, where you can visit lectures, cultural celebrations, and other types of events for free or for insignificant entry fees.
There are many smaller art galleries and exhibitions available in the emirate, where you can learn more about the local culture of the UAE without excessive spendings.
Event Calendars
There are numerous events hosted in Dubai all the time, starting with famous occasions like the Dubai Marathon or the Dubai Jazz Festival and ending with smaller local exhibitions, concerts, and celebrations.
We recommend researching the events for the dates of your stay in the UAE in advance to make sure you won’t miss out on any interesting experiences. The best way to do so is to look up major mainstream events first, and then search for smaller niche events according to your personal preferences.
Food and Drinks
Dubai is home to some of the world’s most exquisite and expensive restaurants with celebrity chefs and cuisines from all around the globe. As you could have already guessed, there are enough options to eat and drink on a budget as well, so let us share some tips on how to make the most out of your visit in these regards.
No Restaurants
Depending on how tight your budget is, you can limit or avoid visiting expensive restaurants. After all, you don’t need meals for AED 1,000 or $270 to have a good time in Dubai. There are many smaller cafes and other venues that have much more affordable prices.
Benefit from Discounts
Almost every bar, restaurant, or cafe in Dubai has special discounts that you can benefit from. Whether it’s ladies’ nights, brunches, or business lunches, there are more than enough great deals around to fit decent meals into a limited budget.
Cooking at Home
If you’re staying at an apartment or a hotel with all the required amenities, you can always cook meals at home. Of course, it is an essential part of the visit to experience authentic local cuisine, but you can still skip a few nights of eating out to reduce your spendings.
Try Street Food
Another way to combine local cuisine exploration and saving money relates to trying out street food. There are numerous spots with street food scattered all around the city, where the most common dishes are shawarma, falafel, luqaimat, manakish, and knafeh. Needless to say, the prices are always affordable, and the vendors are happy to serve the meals to tourists.
Go Against the Flow
This tip is definitely familiar to any experienced traveler but might not be as obvious for aspiring tourists. Staying away from crowded areas and known tourist zones is a sure way to get better offers on food. If you have any local friends, you should definitely inquire about the spots they lunch at to save even more and discover more authentic dining options.
Transportation
When it comes to budget ways of getting around in Dubai, there are basically only two options to choose from: renting a car and using public transport.
You can benefit from a sophisticated network of buses and a subway line called the Dubai Metro. Public transport is extremely affordable here, although it might be a bit burdening having to figure out the itineraries and payments.
Renting a car might become a noticeable part of your budget, but it is still much more beneficial compared to catching cabs. Having your own vehicle will enable you to freely explore the city and its outskirts, where riding a bus might not be an option at all.
Besides, in contrast to a popular misconception, Dubai is not all about luxury sports cars, as there are many affordable options available for rent here.
Conclusion
Summing up, it is definitely possible to plan a trip to Dubai on a budget. Hopefully, the tips we shared today will help you spend a quality time in the Emirates, and it will be the only spending you will remember. If you wish to learn more about Dubai, discover the best destinations to visit, and get even more useful tips, feel free to read other posts in our blog.