We have covered the following topics in this article:
1. Tips for planning a budget-friendly trip to Dubai.
2. Find out where to visit Dubai and how to get there, along with all the contact information.
So lets start...!!!!
Do you like to explore and experience Dubai despite having a limited budget? No worries. It can be accomplished if you plan ahead and you have a budget.
Let's clear one thing up first. Never book a cheap travel package offered by a travel agency! There are enough horror stories about bad accommodations and crammed schedules. The journey would not only disappoint you, but it would also leave a bad taste in your mouth about the whole thing.
The following tips will help you save money on your trip to Dubai:
Visa
First, let's talk about your Visa. Check out the list given below. If your country is listed below, then you are eligible for Visa on arrival. Otherwise, you should apply for the UAE Visit Visa as early as possible. Three weeks prior to your trip is recommended. Your return ticket will need to be presented as proof of your travel when you apply for the visa.
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
India (limited)
Ireland Republic of
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Monaco
Netherlands (NL)
New Zealand (NZ)
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom (UK)
United States (USA)
Vatican City
Read: How To Apply For A Five-year UAE Tourist Visa Through ICA
How To Apply For Five-year UAE Tourist Visa Through Typing Centres
Flight Tickets
1. You have to be careful with this part, as this could consume the majority of your budget. You can choose flights in an economical way by keeping these points in mind:
2. In the case of a budget-conscious person who does not mind long hauls, there is no better option than selecting a flight with multiple connections. Multiple layover flights are often more affordable than direct flights. More stops could mean cheaper fares.
3. Check prices. It is usually cheaper to arrive on a weekday in Dubai rather than on a weekend (Friday/Saturday). Be sure to check the rates between weekends and weekdays.
4. Once you have done your research, be sure to remove your browser cookies. Normally, airlines keep track of the prices provided, and you will not see the latest offers/rates unless you clear your cookies.
5. Compare airline fares from your location to the UAE on sites like Expedia and Travelstart. If the reflected rates are cheaper, you could do one way from one airline and the return from another.
6. Another option is to land in Sharjah. Most people are unaware that with a UAE visa, they can land anywhere in the emirates. There is a decent airport in Sharjah that has all the facilities they need. It is generally cheaper to fly to and from Sharjah since it does not have as much air traffic as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, Sharjah is nearer to Dubai than Abu Dhabi. It would be easier to take a taxi to Dubai. The fare would be around AED 200. Make your plans accordingly.
Locations & Accommodations
This factor can also greatly affect your budget. However, there are still plenty of ways to make this an efficient, budget-friendly, and smart event!
The key is to plan and book well in advance. Try to book 3 weeks in advance.
In terms of how to proceed, there are two highly recommended options.
Raed: Best Accommodation At Affordable Prices In Dubai
You might find some really good places to stay on Airbnb. However, if the listing is too cheap, you should make sure you check the area on Google maps, as you don't want to stay on the outskirts of the city. In most cases, the website will describe the surroundings, distance from the metro, etc. This is the best choice of accommodations
When looking for more economical hotel accommodations, Booking.com is a good choice if you are not interested in BnBs. You'll find great deals here. There are several ways to sort listings, such as looking at locations, ratings, prices, and so on. It's best to take advantage of their limited-time deals, which could get as much as 70% off if you're lucky.
Transportation Expenses
Dubai is very convenient for getting around. It is possible to make use of the well-designed public transportation system if you have a clear itinerary. All major attractions are covered by public transportation in the city, so getting around should be no problem.
1. Dubai Taxi System
The taxi system in Dubai is easy to find, they can be spotted outside the airport.
In general, drivers are courteous and would know where you provide pretty well. There is no custom to tip taxi drivers in Dubai, so if you don't want to give one, you can decline. Taxis are generally the fastest way from the airport to the city.
Read: How To Book A Taxi In Dubai
Driving In The UAE: How To Get A UAE Driving License
2. Uber
There is good coverage with Uber throughout the city. There are mostly Lexus cars in Uber cabs, and the drivers are usually responsive. Uber cab fares are just a little lower than Dubai taxi fares. The Uber application must be installed, the credit card must be loaded and it must be compatible with international transactions.
Uber's only drawback is that, during peak hours, UberX (a more economical option) takes a while to arrive. Additionally, it has a price surge during peak hours, usually 1.5x or 2x the normal rate.
3. Dubai Metro
It is the most convenient method of moving from one point to another. There is a metro station right inside Dubai Airport Terminal 3 or Terminal 1. Get on the metro at the airport and take it to the nearest metro stop, then get a cab from there. It will be half the price of a direct taxi.
There are some metro stations that are recognizable and stand out.
The metro is the best way to travel to places like Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Burjuman, and other locations. Additionally, you get a spectacular view of the city from inside.
If you want to use the metro, you will need to purchase a NOL card. This is like a pass that lets you check in from point A and check out from point B. You should buy a NOL Silver card since it is the best option for you. Simply add another AED 25 and you're set. Whenever your card balance runs out, you can top it up. It's better not to buy the NOL Red Card, they are good if you use the metro a couple of times. However, for more trips, you would have to purchase trips on them based on zones, and it would be generally more expensive than a Silver card. The NOL cards can be purchased in any metro station nearby.
Read: A Guide To Dubai Metro's Route, Timings, And Map (2022)
Note: Make sure you plan your metro trip carefully. When traveling with family, it is recommended to use the metro during off-peak hours - avoid the period between 7 to 9.30 am in the morning and between 4 and 6:30 pm in the evening. These times tend to be very crowded, to the extent that you may not even be able to enter the coach.
Also Read:
Local Laws And Etiquette In Dubai: Do's And Don'ts
Traveling In Dubai On A Budget: How Can I Make My Dubai Trip Cheaper?
The Best and Must Try Shawarma Places In Dubai
Best Indian Restaurants In Dubai: Taste Of India
Find out where to visit Dubai and how to get there:
With a basic understanding of how to get around and in Dubai, let's plan the itinerary and places where you won't have to spend a lot of money.
Emirates is known for its high level of luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture, and vibrant nightlife scene. Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates. Here we provide a list of a few must-see spots in Dubai that are among the major attractions in the city without spending a fortune!
Please click on the links provided to find out their location and contact information.
1. Hop on Hop Off Bus tours for one day
Taking public transportation is the most economical and luxurious way to travel within the city. It is highly recommended that you take the BigBus tour of the city since it covers all the significant areas and also offers you the option to choose the specific route you want to take. Choose the Classic Ticket since one day is more than enough to cover the spots.
With the Hop on Hop off bus, you can easily reach areas that are difficult to reach with the metro (public transport). Make use of the one day to travel from Marina to the Blue Line of BigBus. During your trip, you will be able to see the Palm Jumeirah, Palm Islands, Marina, and Marina Walk. Afterwards, proceed to the Beach Tour - Green Line, which covers Burj-Al-Arab, Souq Madinat, and Jumeirah Beach Park. The tour should take up almost the whole day.
The ticket includes the Night Tour and Dhow Cruise as well. You may choose to do them as well, if you wish.
2. Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Aquarium, Fountain Show (One day Tour)
Be sure not to make this trip over the weekend (Friday & Saturday)
The morning is the right time to begin this step. To use the metro, go to the nearest station (by cab or Uber) and use the NOL card that you will need to enter the station. Guide yourself towards the platform to reach Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa by asking the attendant. Attendants are everywhere, or you can buy your tickets at the ticket counter. As there are only four or six platforms in any given station, this shouldn't be an issue. There is a nice walk-a-lator that will take you all the way to Dubai Mall. When you get off at the Dubai Mall stop, there will be visual announcements and verbal announcements at every stop to guide you.
It's easy to spend the entire day here. A visit to the Burj Khalifa would be a pleasant way to start the day. It is important to reserve tickets in advance for the Burj Khalifa. Click here to buy tickets (https://tickets.atthetop.ae/atthetop/en-us)
Additionally, be sure to check out my website's deals section for some attractive offers on Burj Khalifa - such as VIP entrances and so on.
It would be best to book the time between noon and morning. It is a good idea to book your slots between 11am and 2pm, as they are less expensive and there are no long lines. However, you may want to go to the 148th floor if you are so inclined, but honestly, spending more money is not worth it as the 124+125th floors will be just fine for you.
Afterwards, either check out the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo on the ground floor, or have lunch at the food court.
In both cases, tickets must be pre-booked.
Also, keep an eye on the Deal tab for attractive deals on this.
Afterwards, visit the Gold Souq and Dubai Dino. Enjoy some relaxing time here.
Take a look around the mall by visiting the Fashion District, Ice Rink, Cinemas, Kidzania, etc.
Lastly, in the evening, enjoy the picturesque fountain show and the pleasant music.
Note:
(i) The show starts at 6pm in the evening and runs every 30 minutes. If you go on a weekend, it can be quite crowded. A nice view would be available from the elevated bridge.
(ii) Don't go shopping in this mall. Everything there is pretty expensive. We'll have a shopping day planned.
3. Abu Dhabi - one day trip to the Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, and Ferrari World
It is advisable to contact a local tour company to arrange this trip. Several local companies offer one day tour services to Abu Dhabi. There are a few reliable ones, such as OceanAirtravels, Raynatours, and so on. They offer online booking. Make sure you verify that Ferrari World tickets are included in the ticket price. Tours might include pickup and dropoff as well. Whatever package you choose, the overall cost should not exceed AED 280 per person. Be sure not to miss the Grand Mosque and Ferrari World.
Note: You can also find attractive Abu Dhabi vacation deals by checking the deals tab.
4. One-day visit to Miracle Garden and Global Village
During the months of November through April, you can visit the Miracle Garden. When you visit Dubai during that period, it is definitely worth a visit. Take the metro to Mall of the Emirates and get off there. Then take a taxi to Miracle Garden. It will cost around 35-50 AED. The price of a ticket on the spot is 40 AED per person.
There is no other flower garden in the region and no other flower garden in the world offering such an original display and such an extravagant outdoor recreation destination as Dubai's Miracle Garden.
This is a large garden with plenty of photo opportunities. Make sure all your cameras are fully charged beforehand.
Take a cab back to Mall of the Emirates station when you are finished. You will see the bus stop opposite the station. Catch bus 106 to Global Village stop. It is not necessary to purchase tickets inside the bus, simply use your NOL card.
The Global Village Dubailand project in Dubai claims to be the world's largest tourism, entertainment, shopping and leisure project. It's the first shopping, entertainment, and family destination in the region...
It opens around 4pm. AED 15 is the entry fee. You can purchase tickets at the venue.
There will be stalls for each country, and you can look at the local items and bargain if you want to buy anything. Additionally, Global Village offers some interesting rides, like the ferry wheel and the etx. However, it is not recommended to go to that area unless your kids are obsessed with it. It is quite a large area to explore in Global Village, and all of the rides are overpriced.
Once you've finished here. You can take Bus # 106 to the metro station, or there is a taxi stand near the exit, so you can catch a cab back to the hotel.
5. One-day trip to Deira City Center, Creek, Old Souq, and Abra Ride
It will be your last day in Dubai. We should keep some time aside for shopping. If you are looking for a mall that offers some cost-effective options, Deira City Center (DCC) would be a good choice. Located within this mall is a metro stop called Deira City Center, which is connected to the mall via the metro. Despite not being as big as the Dubai Mall, it is still incredibly large and offers good deals and economical options for shopping. As soon as you enter the mall, read the directory to make a note of the stores and shops that you wish to visit. You can also find a large Carrefour supermarket in this mall, so if you are looking for something local, you may find it useful. You can complete all your shopping needs here.
Take the metro again in the evening and get off at Union metro station - it's only 3 stops away from Deira City Center. Just outside the metro station, you can take a cab to the Deira Old Souq (Market) or the Deira Gold Souq. Depending on traffic, this should cost between AED 12-20 in less than 10 minutes.
You can see the world's largest gold market at the Gold Souq. Make sure you take a selfie with the world's largest gold ring!
Perfume Souq is located near Gold Souq.
Attars are local perfumes, available in a variety of scents.
The Arabic term attar, or perfume, is also known as ittar, a natural oil that is derived from botanicals, such as flowers (jasmine, rose, sandalwood), herbs, spices, and barks. It is also possible to express oils chemically, but most natural perfumes that qualify as Attars are distilled naturally
It would be a good idea for you to buy a perfume if you like them. Generally the cheapest ones are very strong and tend to give a headache A mild, tangy, or flowery flavor usually is worth buying.
Next, ask for directions to the Abra Station. There is hardly a 5 minute walk from the Perfume Souk. Here there would be a station where water taxis would depart from. Two kinds of taxis would be available, one would be an official looking motorboat taxi, and the other would look like a wooden motorboat taxi.
All you have to do is board the wooden boat taxi. No tickets are required. You will be approached by the Abra guy to pay the 1 AED fare per person. After this Abra, you will be taken to BurDubai, on the other side of the creek. It will be a pleasant ride in the evening.
Upon arrival at BurDubai. There is an Old Souq market there, so if you're interested in purchasing anything locally, make sure to bargain hard!
There is also a temple attached to the market. If you are interested in visiting a temple (Shiva Temple), it is the only one in the UAE. Just be polite and quiet inside. There won't be any restrictions.
In case the temple isn't open, just walk for 2 minutes and you'll find the Dubai Museum. This is a must-see!
The museum is rather small, and you should still be able to see everything inside in 45-60 minutes.
After you have finished, you can get a taxi or an Uber and either go to the closest metro station (Burjuman) or directly to your hotel.
The following other attractions are available according to your budget and convenience: Desert Snow, Skydiving, Zip line, Snow Park, Skii Dubai, IMG World, Waterparks. Each of these activities would require an entire day.
Thanks!