When we think of Dubai, one thing instantly comes to mind – money.
Dubai is indeed a cosmopolitan city designed to attract wealthy tourists with fine dining and enormous shopping malls that are filled with luxury brands.
So much so, that you may be asking yourself…
Is it even possible to visit Dubai on a budget?
The city is not suitable for a complete budget travel experience, as unexpected spendings emerge due to limited transportation options, seasonal price fluctuations, and expensive tourist activities.
Nevertheless, it is possible to cut corners while visiting Dubai and enjoy its relaxing ambiance, views, and urban architecture – without spending too much money.
Some Quick Tips for Visiting Dubai
Dubai is not free of customs and laws that might seem peculiar to foreigners.
To better prepare for the trip, here are a few quick tips that will help tourists:
1. Take local laws and regulations seriously to avoid fines and legal issues. Some laws that typically land tourists in trouble are offensive language or gestures, and unsolicited photography. You can study them here.
2. Purchase health insurance before your trip. Dubai does not have public healthcare and emergency treatment can be very expensive.
3. Avoid popular scams. This includes visiting fake massage salons, taxi fare overcharges, and vehicle rental scams.
4. Download a trusted VPN service. Many websites are blocked in the UAE due to censorship, while internet calling services (such as Whatsapp and Skype) do not work without a VPN. However, you can still use Zoom, Google Meets, and Botim to make calls.
5. Consider the timing of your trip. Summer is seen as a non-tourist season, while winters see a surge in tourism due to cooler temperatures. However, winters are not entirely suitable for beach tourism. The Holy Month of Ramadan might create some challenges for your visit due to restrictions on food and water consumption in public.
6. Keep yourself extra safe as a woman. Generally, female solo travelers might want to avoid areas that are mostly inhabited by migrant workers. Dress code restrictions get relaxed every year, but it is advised to keep shoulders covered in non-tourist areas. Using the Women’s and Children’s compartments in public transportation might also be a good idea.
How to Eat on A Budget in Dubai: Tips for saving money on food
Dubai is well-known for high-end fine dining and restaurants that specialize in providing an experience.
After all, dining is seen as entertainment here.
Additionally, alcohol in Dubai is sold with weighty markups, which tourists are often not aware of.
Price ranges per meal vary across different areas of Dubai and the quality also varies from restaurant to restaurant in the most unobvious ways.
However, there are a few budget food options available.
Grocery stores
Buying your dinner at a supermarket might seem strange, but not in Dubai.
Unlike in many other countries in the world, grocery giants like Spinneys and Carrefour have a variety of budget options to offer.
For instance, Spinneys offers fresh salads, and sandwiches, as well as hot meals.
You can also try traditional foods such as freshly made hummus, moutabel, and garlic paste and pay way less than in a restaurant!
Large ventures of these stores are often located in malls.
Food courts
Eating at food courts is not so strange, either.
Malls in Dubai offer a variety of international cuisines at low prices, ranging from classic fast food to Asian fusion.
Eateries also tend to provide value and combo meals, while food courts tend to be cleaned regularly.
Cheap eateries
They say the further you go from Dubai Marina the cheaper it gets – and it is true.
Traditional food does not have to be expensive, and affordable local favorites can be found in Bur Dubai and Meena Bazaar.
Cheap does not indicate that quality suffers, as traditional street foods like karak chai (milk tea with spices and sugar), shawarma, and falafel are often kept at affordable rates to cater to residents.
Given that such eateries are scattered across town, or are often located in non-tourist areas it might be difficult to visit them regularly.
However, traditional Middle Eastern food is rich in flavor and history, which is why it is worth the effort.
Cook for yourself
Buying groceries and cooking is a great option for the ones staying at an accommodation with a kitchen.
Budget groceries can be purchased from local stores such as Lulu Hypermarket, UnionCoop, and Carrefour.
Moreover, cheap cooking utensils (and other necessities) can be found at Daiso, which has many branches across the city, even in Dubai Mall.
Where to stay in Dubai on a Budget: Accommodation options
Is it possible to not overpay for accommodation in Dubai? It is, but prices tend to change depending on the season.
Hotel rentals in Dubai tend to be low during the Holy Month of Ramadan and in the hot summer months, such as August.
Although they might be good times for visiting Dubai budget-wise, they might not necessarily be the most comfortable ones.
Moreover, it is better to choose an accommodation that has access to the metro or a tram/bus station.
Nevertheless, some options stay affordable all year round.
Airbnb
The real estate market is thriving in Dubai – and many foreigners invest in apartments to later rent them out.
Affordable rates and access to amenities such as swimming pools and gyms are some of the main advantages of renting an apartment for your stay.
Some apartments also provide stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and other sights.
Hostel
Another budget-friendly option for backpackers and other tourists.
Some hostels are located in Marina, while some can be found in older areas such as Karama and Deira.
The choice depends on individual preferences, as Marina is a cosmopolitan Western-style area, while Deira is a less polished neighborhood inhabited by migrant workers.
You can search for hostels and budget accommodations in Dubai on Hostelworld.
Affordable transportation in Dubai
Transport is one of the biggest issues tourists face when coming to Dubai, as the public transportation system is not too accessible or convenient.
Metro, buses, and the tram tend to be the cheapest options, but sometimes taking a taxi is unavoidable.
Car-sharing options are only available in some areas.
Here are some of your best transportation options to consider when visiting Dubai on a budget:
Metro
Metro is simply the most reliable more of public transportation in Dubai – and the cheapest.
The system is fairly straightforward while traveling through the red line also opens a beautiful view of Downtown Dubai.
Nol Cards can be topped up and used in all public transport (and even some stores like Zomato), which is why it is a good money-saving alternative to a day pass.
Some of the downsides include low coverage and slow trains, as well as high traffic during peak hours.
Bus and Tram
These two modes of transport are unreliable, yet cheap.
The tram covers many landmarks and hence is good for sightseeing rather than traveling. Buses tend to be infrequent, with waiting times reaching 30 minutes.
Not all bus stops have air conditioning or benches, making the wait quite uncomfortable.
Buses and trams require a Nol Card. Their schedules are accurately predicted on Google Maps.
Note that the Nol Card has a minimum balance requirement for traveling.
Udrive
Udrive is a car rental and car-sharing service that is accessible to visitors.
Although prices are quite flexible, Udrive cars are often scattered around the city and cannot be accessed easily. For instance, you might need to take a taxi to get to the nearest Udrive car.
Taxi
Taxis can be a relatively expensive way to get around, yet it is impossible to skip them as the city was not designed for walking and commuting.
Nevertheless, it is better to use the Careem app to avoid extra spending and order government-licensed taxis at the lowest possible rates.
Delivery of take-out, groceries, and other necessities can be ordered through the app as well.
Other apps, such as Uber and YanGo are considered premium services and charge higher rates.
Affordable things to do in Dubai
It might seem impossible to find cheap activities and entertainment in Dubai. Tourism is how the city makes money, after all.
However, it is very much possible to enjoy Dubai for free or without paying too much.
The key is to avoid stereotypical tourist activities, such as desert tours, going to the top of the Burj Khalifa, and visiting other famous attractions.
Head over to Viator to book over 100 Dubai activities and attractions!
5 Fun & Cheap Dubai Activities
1. Wander Around Global Village
Global Village is a carnival and a bazaar that offers a large variety of street food. Entry ticket prices are very low, especially on weekdays.
Street food is very affordable which allows you to try multiple dishes at the same time. Moreover, the park has pavilions that represent different countries and continents. You can easily find traditional perfume in the Turkish pavilion and tribal-style accessories in the African pavilion.
It is also a great place for buying souvenirs and gifts. Don’t forget to haggle!
The park only operates in the winter months and its opening timings are 4 PM – 1 AM daily.
2. Spend a Day at the Beach
If you do happen to visit Dubai during the warmer months then definitely head to one of the beaches! Beaches tend to be well-maintained and offer free amenities, such as showers, sunbeds, and bathrooms.
Some beaches are free, while some have a small entry fee.
The Umm Suqeim Beach even has a library, while Kite Beach is full of street food options.
3. Go to Brunch
Take it from a local – brunch is a form of entertainment and a way to dine out on a budget. Brunches are hosted daily in various hotels across Dubai and there are dozens of options to choose from.
Brunches typically offer a variety of high-quality foods and international cuisines.
While some brunches offer good deals on alcoholic beverages and a bar-type experience, other offer Mediterranean food and live music.
Reservations should be made a few days prior.
4. Visit a Mosque
Many mosques open their doors to tourists daily and it is worth a visit if you would like a taste of the Emirati lifestyle.
For example, Jumeirah Mosque provides traditional refreshments for its visitors, which are included in the ticket price.
Note that women are required to cover their heads with a scarf, while an overall modest dress code is mandatory.
5. Walk Around Expo City
If you did not get a chance to visit Expo 2020, here is an opportunity to enjoy some of the pavilions at Expo City.
This park features many attractions and hosts regular events and performances. Park entry is free, while prices for attractions vary. You can enjoy many of its features for free, such as park zones.
Expo city is easily reached by metro through the red line.
BOTTOM LINE
Dubai is one of the least budget-friendly destinations out there, yet that is not a reason not to visit!
With beautiful urbanistic architecture, local culture, vast dining options, and daily entertainment, it is hard not to enjoy what the city has to offer.
However, it is worth noting that it might be good to allocate an emergency fund for your travels, as unexpected expenses may arise due to fluctuating prices.
Always remember that even though it is possible to explore Dubai on a budget, Dubai was not designed for budget travelers.
Just be prepared to spend a little bit of money to get the most of all that Dubai has to offer!
Author Bio
Tatiana is a content writer who lives and studies in Dubai.
She moved to China with her parents in early childhood, spent a year studying abroad in Canada, and is now temporarily settled in the Middle East.
Tatiana writes articles and blog posts that have been largely shaped by her experience of living abroad.
Her work can be found here.
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