Dubai remains on the top list of many people as a holiday or tour destination. It is a modern city, and the trip to Dubai can be expensive. However, you can travel to Dubai on a budget if you know what you need to do.
You don't have to dig deep into your pockets to travel to Dubai because you can be on a budget. Many people believe Dubai is for rich people, but it is not true. Dubai has something for everyone, both rich and budget travellers.
Therefore if you are a budget traveller, you will find this page useful as it entails travel in Dubai tips to assist in saving money and still have a joyful time in Dubai.
However, Dubai is certainly still within reach of those travelling on a budget. If you are visiting Dubai and looking to save some money, here are some of the best ways to do it.
As you travel to Dubai, you must incur expenses you should be prepared for. At the top list is to get a Dubai visa and travel insurance.
If you are touring Dubai for less than 30 days, you can get a tourist visa. You can get a visa on arrival or through the eVisa. If you want to stay more days, extending your visa in Dubai options are available.
The other pre-expense to remember is the COVID certificate. It is a requirement to have a COVID certificate when entering Dubai, and the test ought to have been carried from a certified hospital within 48 hours.
Even though Dubai is a luxurious city, you can still travel on a budget. Here you will learn various ways to save money when you travel in Dubai.
These travels in Dubai tips are easy to employ, and have a successful trip to Dubai on Budget without breaking your bank account.
At the top, one way to travel in Dubai on a budget is to buy a travel Dubai package. Any travel package you buy everything is organized for you. That way, you can compute the extract budge you need to travel to Dubai.
The travel Dubai package includes even the plane ticket, the accommodation, the meals, and even excursions. Therefore you will be saving money compared to when you count the expenses travelling on your own.
When you are travelling to Dubai on Budget, one of the things to consider is opting for free things and thus saving. There are several places to travel in Dubai on budget. In the end, you will have enjoyed touring Dubai.
Some of the things in this list are not free, but they are cheap things to do in Dubai. Even though they may be cheap or free, you will get to enjoy your travel to Dubai. Sometimes the cheapest things are the ones that offer more enjoyment and experience the authentic Emirati culture.
Camel racing is one of the few activities available in Dubai to immerse yourself in the authentic and real Emirati culture. Camels can run at high speeds, and their race attendance is astonishing.
These races are often held on Fridays from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., although only from November through March. The races are held at the Dubai Camel Racing Club, located in Dubai. This is, without a doubt, at the top of my list of free things to do in Dubai.
If you like gold, the Deira Gold Souq, according to reports, has some of the cheapest gold jewellery available anywhere in the world. Even if you are not interested in gold, meandering around the alleys in search of interesting photo opportunities may be a lot of fun.
While visiting the Deira Gold Souq, you can also view the largest ring ever made, which is displayed in a store window, and witnessing a swarm of tourists pose for photographs in front of it is a sight to behold in and of itself.
Although Dubai has a large Hindu population, the Shiva and Krishna Mandir is the city's only Hindu temple. When to go: The best time to go is on Fridays at about noon, when all Hindus flock to the temple to make gifts to their gods. It is situated in the centre of Bastakiya, which is the historic district of Dubai.
Visitors to the country who want to experience a taste of culture should make their way to this location, which isn't just for budget-conscious travellers. Abras (traditional boats) may transport you across the stream for as little as 1 AED, which is around 16p to us in British currency. It will be fascinating to witness a whole different aspect of this glamorous city once you arrive.
When it comes to sampling cuisine from around the world, there is no better destination than Dubai. Avoid the allure of expensive hotel restaurants and head straight for 2nd of December Street, less than a block away.
This mile-long area is densely filled with street cafés, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and shawarma stalls, among other things. A well-known example is Ravi's, which serves Pakistani curries and kebabs, among other things.
Don't get us wrong: it's terrible you won't be able to climb to the top of the Burj Khalifa. However, if your budget does not allow you to get that far, you may still see the tower from the ground level in the Dubai Mall's outer area. In addition, you can have a good view of the famed dancing fountain performance from this location.
You may forget about taking a taxi when a day passes on the metro costs only 14 AED (just over £2). If you're feeling flush with cash, you may even ride in Gold Class, which features advantages such as large leather seats and spectacular views. Just so you know, even the most basic of cabins are air-conditioned — take heed, TFL...
Even though it's so massive that it can be seen from space, a visit to the one-of-a-kind Palm Jumeirah is nonetheless reasonably priced. You can drive, walk, or take the monorail to the top of the mountain.
If you choose the latter, you'll be rewarded with the greatest views from above. And, when you get closer to the luxurious Atlantis hotel, you'll find yourself dangling over the Arabian Gulf.
Dubai is known for its skyscrapers, and the good news is that they are both visually stunning and completely free to visit. The marina is approximately 8 kilometres long, with luxurious ships moored all around the waterfront.
Dubai is known for its skyscrapers, and the good news is that they are both visually stunning and completely free to visit. The marina is approximately 8 kilometres long, with luxurious ships moored all around the waterfront.
Bastakiya is the old part of the city, which was demolished in the 1980s to make way for an office complex and other structures. The project was eventually halted, and the houses were restored due to a preservation campaign. Today, classic Arab Gulf structures and residences may be found along the city's main thoroughfares.
Also in Bastakiya is the Dubai Museum, which for only three dirhams provides a comprehensive overview of the UAE's history, beginning with the days of black gold and continuing to the present day. It also gives you a sneak preview of some of the city's future innovative developments.
Dubai is known for its skyscrapers, and the good news is that they are both visually stunning and completely free to visit. The marina is approximately 8 kilometers long, with luxurious ships moored all around the waterfront. In addition to the marina, there is a mosque on each side (although only one has been constructed so far), which is also worth visiting.
As you travel in Dubai on a budget, you ought to think about where you will get accommodation. Dubai is a luxurious city; there are both five-star hotels and budget hotels.
The best time to get an affordable price hotel is in summer. The weather in summer is hot; thus, few people travel to Dubai thus the hotel accommodation price is on the lower end.
However, even though the price is reduced during summer, some hotels are still high, considering travelling on a budget. Here is a list of the best accommodation for budget travellers to Dubai. It lists the best hotels you can book accommodation for budget travellers.
If you are travelling on a tight budget in Dubai, this is perhaps the greatest affordable option for visitors on a tight budget. It's exactly across the street from where I used to live, in front of a beach, in the city's most Western-friendly district, to be exact (Marina). The hostel is located on the 66th level of an apartment building and has various dorm rooms.
This hostel is less expensive than the last one; however, the setting is not as spectacular. However, the location is not as horrible as it appears since it is located in Tecom. This neighborhood is well connected to the metro and is only 15 minutes driving from Marina.
This was the first backpacker's hostel in Dubai, and it still stands today. It's located in Al Karama, home to a significant Indian community and where you can get some of the country's cheapest dining options.
It is also close to Old Dubai and Deira. The only drawback is that it is quite a distance away from the trendy expat neighbourhoods; yet, if your goal is to get a feel for the real Dubai, this should be your first choice.
Tina is the most affordable budget hostel steadily opening up throughout the city, located in Marina. Like most buildings in this area, everything is excellent and spanking new, and the building is equipped with a variety of amenities, including a gym and a pool! This is the finest place to stay when visiting Dubai if you are a backpacker.
You can also save on accommodation as you travel in Dubai by opting for Couchsurfing. The CouchSurfing community in Dubai is rather active, and finding a couch to surf is a possible option in this city. In addition, there are you can find events organized.
If you want to travel to Dubai on a budget, you have to save money on food. The food prices in Dubai depend on where you take the meal. You take a sandwich at one restaurant at $15 while at another it is $30.
The most cost-effective strategy to save money on food is to avoid eating in hotels and restaurants that provide alcoholic beverages. They have the right to charge you twice as much simply because you want to order a beer with your dinner.
A burger at a typical nightclub or pub might easily cost you 90AED ($25) or more. If you order a beer on top of that, you'll wind up paying a minimum of $35 for a mediocre dining experience.
You can save all that money by opting for the following suggestions or tips on saving money for food when travelling to Dubai on budget.
If your lodging has a kitchen, you can save food money by hopping for food at the store and preparing your meals. The LULU Hypermarket is the one that offers the most competitive prices. They also sell ready-to-eat meals at a low price in addition to goods.
There is a LULU store in All Barsha, just near the Emirates Mall, which is convenient. Other LULU stores can be found in Bur Dubai or Deira. Carrefour is a competitor to LULU in terms of price and selection.
Prices are slightly higher, but the price range is far wider. The Mall of the Emirates is home to a massive Carrefour supermarket. This would be the most effective method of keeping prices down and your trip to Dubai inside your budget.
When it comes to eating out in Dubai, there are numerous options, but if you want to eat on a budget, avoid hotels and restaurants that provide alcoholic beverages. It is possible that you will be charged twice because they sell alcoholic beverages. You may also want to limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages due to the high cost of alcohol.
Eat at home instead of going to a pub, where even a burger can set you back 90AED. If you add a beer to the mix, you're going to end up paying a lot.
Mall food courts may not serve the tastiest food, but they are the most cost-effective way to eat. In addition, you'll be able to sample a variety of cuisines, ranging from Italian to Lebanese, Indian, and Oriental.
Good hotels and restaurants may be found in the heart of Dubai and the Jumeirah Beach Residence neighbourhood. You should expect to pay no more than 50-60 AED in these locations, which have a large expat community, for lunch. Some inexpensive dining options are Al-Ustad Special Kebab, Arz Lebanon, and Delhi Darbar, to name a few.
Dubai is a huge city 40x40km square as you would like to cover most of the parts you need to do it on budget. There are several means to use to get around Dubai, like the metro line bus system, you can rent a car or hire a taxi.
Therefore, the cost of getting around in Dubai varies by means you choose to use it. Here I'll share with you the budget way to travel in Dubai.
Using the metro system to go around Dubai is the most cost-effective choice. Instead of purchasing single tickets, ask for an NOL card at the ticket desk. It costs 20AED, but it also comes with an additional 15AED credit. A short trip will cost you 3 AED, whereas a long trip will cost you 8 AED.
The metro is only useful if you're going to one of the city's most popular tourist destinations, such as Marina, Burj Khalifa, Deira, or Bur Dubai. If you want to go somewhere that isn't close to the metro. The best option is you take the metro as close as feasible to your destination and then take a taxi there.
When compared to other locations across the world, renting a car in Dubai is a bargain. Because gasoline is inexpensive in Dubai, cab fares are reasonably priced. Aside from that, there are many intriguing things to do that can only be reached by automobile.
Except for one line number 8, the public bus system is not particularly convenient. While it follows a similar route to the metro from Marina to Bur Dubai, it is located by the sea. It goes through several noteworthy locations, including the Souq Madinat, the Burj Al-Arab, and Kite Beach.
The plane ticket is one of the must-haves as you travel to Dubai. The good thing is that you can save money on a plane ticket if you follow the below tips.
One tip is to get the plane ticket at least a few months in advance wherever possible. This will assist you in obtaining the best possible pricing. Many airlines offer special specials in Dubai because it is a popular tourist destination, so keep an eye out for them.
For example, Etihad maintains a continually updated list of special fares on its website. The Emirates website displays the featured fares for flights departing from your country continuously. Budget airlines, like Fly Dubai, have the ability to provide even better bargains.
If you fly with one of the UAE's domestic airlines, you may be able to take advantage of special tourist offers and discounts in Dubai, allowing you to save even more money.
For example, if you travel to Dubai before the end of August and present your Emirates boarding pass at specific restaurants and spas, you may be entitled to receive a discount of up to 40% off your bill.
It is important to understand taking alcoholic beverages is expensive. Dubai is in UAE, and the main religion is Muslim. The religion doesn't allow taking alcohol, but following Dubai is a tourist destination. They allow tourists to take alcohol, but the prices are high.
It is expensive to get drunk in Dubai because a print beer costs on average 40AED ($12). Nevertheless, you can save money on alcohol through the below tips.
The Guzzle application, which you can download and install on your mobile phone, gives a 2 for one deal on beverages in many restaurants.
The application is completely free to download and use. They also have a premium version, which grants you access to more deals than the standard version.
From Sunday through Thursday, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., most bars in Dubai promote their happy hour specials. Tribeca (Ocean View Hotel), Barasti (Westin Hotel), and Garden 7 are just a few of the pubs that are giving amazing bargains (Media One Hotel).
If you are a female, this might be your lucky day because a slew of bars gives free drinks to any female patrons.
Ladies' night is most popular on Tuesdays, which is why this is the case. China Grill is the most well-known of these establishments (Westin Hotel). All night long, the girls can enjoy an open bar that is completely free.
Friday brunch is something of a habit for many expats. You can have as much as you want to drink and eat from 12 noon to 4 p.m. There is no restriction on the amount of alcohol consumed.
Depending on the model, the prices range from 150 AED to 800 AED. Many of them are available at a discounted rate from The Entertainer. When it comes to brunch, Pizza Express (Movenpick, JLT) and Double Deckers are two of the cheapest and most popular options (Al Murooj Rotana, Downtown).
Although it appears to be self-explanatory, the truth is that in Dubai, you cannot purchase alcoholic beverages unless you are a resident and possess an alcohol license. As soon as you land, head to the airport's duty-free section and fill up on alcoholic beverages.
If you run out of duty-free alcohol, there's a liquor store called Barracuda, which is only 60 kilometers from Dubai and where you may purchase alcoholic beverages without a license. One drawback to this location is that it can only be reached by automobile.
Otherwise, make sure you stock up on supplies at the airport. It's located in the Emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. Barracuda Wine Shop is located in Ajman, according to Google Maps.
It is important not all time you can travel to Dubai on budget. You should avoid travelling during peak season. This is because that is the time when it is not easy to find a discount on plane tickets, the hotels hike prices to maximize profits, most of the places you could visit for free start charging tourists, and even eating places increase meal prices.
So what is the best time to travel to Dubai on a budget? Summer season or Ramadan is the best time for budget travellers to Dubai. It is time you can easily find hotels, airlines, and dining establishments that offer special discounts to guests.
Now that you know various ways to save and travel in Dubai on budget, it is the right time to look at what amount you need for a trip to Dubai while still on budget.
It is not easy to approximate the exact amount of money you need when travelling to Dubai on a Budget, considering everyone has a place to stay.
However, let's assume you stay in a budget hostel, travel by yourself, travels by metro, and eat and drink on a budget; you need approximately between 100,000 t0 150,000 Sri Lankan rupees. With such a budget, you can get a mall holiday package.