Is It Actually Possible to Do Dubai on a Budget?
Natasha AmarJuly 29, 2024
Considered one of the most expensive cities, Dubai may not be an obvious budget destination for travelers but with these tips, it can be.
While Dubai certainly is one of the most expensive cities in the world, its wide range of experiences and accommodations means there’s plenty to do for all visitors, even those on a budget.
If you wish to explore Dubai on a low to mid-range budget, a little planning can go a long way to creating an itinerary that allows you to experience the best of the city without breaking the bank. Since accommodation costs are likely to constitute a significant chunk of your total travel budget, it’s wise to schedule your trip to the city outside of the busiest months from November to February.
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For those on a budget, it’s also best to avoid visiting during major trade events and conferences such as GITEX Global and Gulfood, when the large number of international business visitors rapidly increases nightly hotel rates. These days, Dubai is a year-round destination, and with these insider tips, you’ll have the trip of a lifetime in Dubai–for $100 a day.
Visit During the Shoulder Season
Most first-time travelers to Dubai prefer to visit from November to March, when the average temperatures hover between 21°C to 27°C (or about 70° to 80° F), and the city experiences pleasant, sunny afternoons and breezy evenings. However, the large number of tourist arrivals directly impacts both rates and availability at hotels, pushing up accommodation costs, even at budget and mid-range hotels.
For more affordable hotel rates, plan to visit during the shoulder season from September to October when average temperatures are in the 31°C to 34°C range or April to May with average temperatures in the 28°C to 31°C range. While you can expect some warm afternoons, especially in early September, it’s still possible to stroll around the heritage buildings and museums in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood or an abra ride across the Dubai Creek to the souks of Deira in the mornings or evenings.
You’ll get the best deals on hotel rooms during the summer months from June to August, when many Dubai residents travel to escape the heat. There’s no lack of things to do to pass the time when it’s too hot to be outside, from snowboarding at the indoor ski resort Ski Dubai and shopping at Dubai Mall to catching an art exhibition at Alserkal Avenue or heading up to the observation deck at the Burj Khalifa.
Another advantage of visiting in shoulder season or in summer, when you’ll have to deal with fewer crowds, is that it’s easier to get tickets to attractions such as the Museum of the Future, which might otherwise be sold out months in advance.
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Get Around By Public Transportation
Comprising the metro, buses, tram, boats, ferries, and water taxis, Dubai’s excellent public transportation offers a convenient way to visit the city’s many sights of interest, from the souks of Deira and the canalside cafes of Dubai Marina to the beach clubs of Palm Jumeirah. Making use of it won’t just help you save significantly on your travel costs; it will also help you skip the notorious rush hour traffic jams that you’ll inevitably find yourself in while nervously watching the taxi meter rise.
While traveling on public transportation, it helps to know that Dubai is divided into seven zones. With a Silver Nol card, the most commonly used public transportation card that costs Dhs25 ($7) and comes pre-loaded with Dhs19 ($5) of credit, you’ll pay Dhs3 for traveling within a single zone, Dhs5 for traveling across two adjacent zones and Dhs7.5 for traveling across two or more zones. This is true whether you use the metro, bus, or a combination of the two to get from point A to B, as long as the transfer between the two modes is within 30 minutes.
That means you could travel from Bur Dubai to Dubai Marina by metro for only Dhs5 ($1.40), whereas you’d pay anywhere from Dhs70 to 90 ($19 to 25) if you took a taxi for the same distance.
Where to Stay on a Budget
With palatial facades, private yacht marinas, and outdoor decks with white sand from the Maldives, you wouldn’t be wrong to think that Dubai’s most luxurious hotels, where celebrities from around the world come to holiday, are an ode to extravagance. But they’re not your only option for accommodation in the city.
If you’re on a budget of $100 a day, steer clear of areas such as Palm Jumeirah and consider budget hotels and hotel apartments in the city’s older neighborhoods such as Bur Dubai, Mankhool, Deira, and the Trade Centre area. If you’d rather stay closer to most of the city’s attractions, Al Barsha and Dubai Marina also offer many options.
Around the city, 3-star hotel apartments can be quite spacious, some with kitchenettes so you can prepare simple meals or breakfast to save on the costs of eating out. Expect clean rooms, modern comforts such as TVs and free Wi-Fi, and access to the hotel’s gym and rooftop pool. With several branches around Dubai, hotel chains such as Citymax, Ibis, Novotel, and Rove offer excellent value-for-money rooms and seasonal deals with prices as low as USD 50 in summer.
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Eat at Casual Restaurants
Home to nearly 200 nationalities, Dubai’s multicultural and vibrant dining scene means there’s no lack of options if you’re eating out on a budget. You’ll find satisfying Levantine fare–possibly the city’s favorite for casual dining–and value-for-money prices at cafeterias and Levantine restaurants such as Operation Falafel, Allo Beirut, Al Mallah, Picnic Home, and Aroos Damascus. A shawarma, falafel, or chicken sandwich costs anywhere from Dhs7 to Dhs22 ($2 to $6), a plate of hummus costs Dhs14 to Dhs22 ($4 to $6), and a plate of kebabs costs Dhs 34 to Dhs68 ($9 to $18).
In Bur Dubai, Karama, Al Satwa, Deira, Al Barsha, and Dubai Marina, you’ll find casual restaurants from around the Indian subcontinent serving everything from Nepali momos and Afghani kebab to Indian dosa, where an all-you-can-eat meal can set you back by just Dhs29 ($8) and a plate of slow-cooked lamb and rice costs Dhs45 ($12). Biryani and mandi restaurants are also fantastic options to enjoy delicious food at affordable prices. Every shopping mall in Dubai offers a food court where you’ll find reasonably priced restaurants serving a variety of cuisines.
If you plan on splurging on a meal or two at one of Dubai’s fancy Michelin-rated restaurants, it’s worth asking about their Business Lunch. Usually offered as a two or three-course set menu (with options for vegetarians) through the week (except weekends), it’s a smart way to enjoy signature dishes at nearly half of what you’d spend there for dinner.
Visit Bars During Happy Hours
Almost every bar in Dubai, whether an upscale establishment in a five-star hotel or a casual pub in a residential neighborhood, offers a daily happy hour that’s worth checking out. During this two-hour duration, selected alcoholic drinks and bar bites are available at significantly discounted prices. In addition to happy hours, most bars have Ladies’ Nights, during which female guests are served complimentary drinks and enjoy deals and discounts on food.
Affordable Attractions and Things to Do
To truly experience the best of Dubai, look beyond touristy attractions and sights and do as the locals do. Spend a morning or afternoon at Kite Beach, a free-to-visit public beach where you’ll be in the company of locals swimming, kitesurfing, practicing yoga, or simply sunbathing on the sand, close to cafes and food trucks from where you can grab a bite.
When the weather is nice, take a Careem bike (Dhs20 or $5.50 for a day pass) and enjoy a ride along the Dubai Water Canal to appreciate this modern engineering marvel and venture all the way to Jumeirah Beach.
To shop for souvenirs, wander around the souks of Bur Dubai and Deira where you’ll find the best prices for frankincense, perfumes, dates, saffron, dried fruits, nuts, and traditional clothing. Bargaining is not only acceptable, it’s expected. Don’t miss a stroll through the Gold Souk, even if to a window shop, and marvel at the opulent jewelry on display.
