DUBAI: Travel Dubai for less! Our 7-day budget guide breaks down costs for accommodation, transport, and food, proving you can experience the best of Dubai’s culture and modern sites for under AED 430 per day.
To successfully stay under the AED 3,000 limit, we need to target an average daily spend of AED 428.
| Category | Daily Budget | 7-Day Total | Notes |
| Accommodation | AED 80 – 110 | AED 560 – 770 | Hostels or budget hotel stays in Bur Dubai/Deira. |
| Food & Water | AED 100 – 120 | AED 700 – 840 | Focused on budget eateries and market food (AED 30-40 per meal). |
| Transport (NOL Card) | AED 30 – 40 | AED 210 – 280 | RTA Metro/Bus only (Silver NOL Card). |
| Activities & Entry | AED 100 – 150 | AED 700 – 1,050 | Allowance for one paid tour (e.g., Desert Safari) and small entry fees. |
| Contingency | N/A | AED 380 – 770 | For souvenirs, unexpected costs, or a fancy dinner. |
| TOTAL TARGET | AED 428 | AED 3,000 | Budget target for your 7-day trip. |
🛌 Part 1: Smart Savings on Accommodation
To meet the target, accommodation must be your greatest saving. Focus on the older, more central, and better-connected areas like Deira, Bur Dubai, or Al Barsha Heights (Tecom) near a Metro station.
Best Budget Stay Options
- Hostels (The Cheapest Option): Several new, well-rated hostels have opened near Dubai Marina and in Deira. Look for dorm beds in places like At The Top Hostel (Marina) or Alphatel Beach Hostel (JBR).
- Cost: Expect AED 80 – 120 per night for a dorm bed.
- Budget Hotels: Look at 3-star chains like Rove Hotels (excellent value and location) or Holiday Inn Express (near the airport/Metro) during the off-season (May-Sept).
- Cost: Expect AED 200 – 350 per night for a private room (Split this with a travel partner to meet the budget).
🍽️ Part 2: Eating Like a Local (Under AED 120/Day)
Avoid hotel buffets and tourist-trap restaurants near the Burj Khalifa. The most authentic and affordable food is in Al Karama, Bur Dubai, and Satwa.
| Meal | Location / Type of Food | Average Price |
| Breakfast | Grocery store pastries, Arabic bread (Khubz) with hummus, or Raju Omlet (Indian egg dishes). | AED 10 – 20 |
| Lunch | Ravi Restaurant (Satwa) for Pakistani curry and bread, or Karachi Darbar for biryani. | AED 20 – 35 |
| Dinner | Al Mallah (24/7) for shawarma (Lebanese street food), or a cheap, delicious Indian thali. | AED 25 – 45 |
| Snacks/Drinks | Karak Chai (AED 1-3), bottled water (buy large pack at supermarket). | AED 10 – 20 |
🚇 Part 3: Transportation (Metro is Your Friend)
Dubai’s Metro is world-class and runs through almost all major tourist areas.
- NOL Card: Purchase a Silver NOL Card (AED 25, includes AED 19 credit).
- 7-Day Pass: For maximum savings, consider the 7-day Silver NOL Card pass for AED 110 (covers all zones) or AED 80 (covers two adjacent zones, usually sufficient). This provides unlimited travel on the Metro, Tram, and Buses.
Budget Essential: The RTA Abra (traditional wooden boat) ride across Dubai Creek costs only AED 1 per person and is a key cultural experience. Use this to travel between Deira and Bur Dubai.
🗺️ Part 4: 7-Day Budget Itinerary
This itinerary focuses on the numerous free and low-cost activities that provide a true taste of Dubai.
Day 1: Arrival & Old Dubai Immersion (Cost: Low)
- Morning/Afternoon: Arrive, check in to your budget accommodation in Bur Dubai/Deira. Load your Silver NOL Card.
- Activity (Free): Explore the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Bastakiya) – wander the wind-tower lanes and look at the free art galleries.
- Activity (Low Cost): Visit the Dubai Museum (if open) or the Coffee Museum (AED 10-15 entry).
- Evening (AED 1): Take an Abra ride across the Dubai Creek to the Spice and Gold Souks (free to wander, but beware of aggressive vendors).
- Dinner: Find a budget kebab spot in Deira.
Day 2: Downtown & Fountain Show (Cost: Free/Low)
- Morning: Take the Metro to Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) or Dubai Marina.
- Activity (Free): Walk the entire Dubai Marina Walk – a stunning, free, 7km loop offering views of skyscrapers and yachts.
- Activity (Free): Take the Metro to the Dubai Mall.
- Afternoon (Free): View the main wall of the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (free viewing from inside the mall). Window shop and people-watch.
- Evening (Free): Watch the iconic Dubai Fountain Show (starts every 30 minutes from 6:00 PM). Get a great view from the surrounding promenade.
Day 3: Beach & Burj Al Arab (Cost: Free)
- Morning (Free): Take the bus/Metro to Kite Beach or Jumeirah Public Beach (Umm Suqeim Beach).
- Activity (Free): Enjoy the public beach, swim, and take the classic photos of the Burj Al Arab hotel from the sand.
- Lunch: Grab a cheap shawarma or falafel wrap from a nearby counter.
- Afternoon (Free): Stroll through the Alserkal Avenue art district in Al Quoz, featuring contemporary galleries and cafes (free to enter and browse).
Day 4: Desert Safari (The Main Splurge)
- Activity (Paid Splurge): Book a budget Desert Safari package online (look for deals on Groupon or GetYourGuide).
- Budget Cost: Expect AED 150 – 250 per person for a package that includes dune bashing, camel rides, dinner, and live cultural shows. This is your largest planned expense.
- Note: Skip the expensive quad biking or alcoholic drink add-ons to stay within budget.
Day 5: Culture & City Walks (Cost: Free/Low)
- Morning (Free): Visit the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary (free entry, best seen early morning/late afternoon) to spot pink flamingos (seasonal).
- Activity (Free): Explore the City Walk or Jumeirah area to view the cool outdoor art and graffiti installations.
- Lunch: Head to Al Karama for a diverse, low-cost Indian or Filipino meal.
- Evening (Free): Head to Festival City Mall to watch the spectacular IMAGINE laser, water, and fire show (free, usually runs every night).
Day 6: Theme & Shopping Focus (Cost: Free)
- Morning (Free): Take the Metro to Mall of the Emirates.
- Activity (Free): Head to the observation window to watch people ski at Ski Dubai.
- Activity (Free): Spend the afternoon at Global Village (check seasonal dates, typically Oct-Apr). Entry is usually AED 15 – 25, and wandering the global pavilions is free.
- Dinner: Eat cheap street food at one of Global Village’s many kiosks.
Day 7: Departure (Cost: Low)
- Morning: Souvenir shopping (use your Contingency fund).
- Activity (Low Cost): Ride the Metro/Bus back to the airport.
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