Backpacking in Dubai: A guide to travel to Dubai on a budget
It is possible to experience Dubai on a budget. As backpackers ourselves, we travelled to Dubai, spending over four days experiencing incredible attractions while keeping an eye on our finances. Dubai Backpacking means making compromises but still having the fun and the most of this trip. This guide will help you plan a perfect itinerary, considering…
It is possible to experience Dubai on a budget. As backpackers ourselves, we travelled to Dubai, spending over four days experiencing incredible attractions while keeping an eye on our finances.
Dubai Backpacking means making compromises but still having the fun and the most of this trip. This guide will help you plan a perfect itinerary, considering our top money-saving tips for transportation, accommodation, food, and attractions in backpacker-friendly Dubai.
Discover how to stretch your dirham like a local and enjoy the magic of the Middle East’s hottest destination. From Bedouin camps to bustling souks, we show you how to do Dubai on the cheap!
Experience Dubai on a Backpacker’s Budget
Throughout these few paragraphs, you will learn about the best area to search for accommodation or the fantastic hostels in Dubai (Yep, there are backpackers hostels in Dubai, too). Of course, when you think about Dubai, the images coming to your mind are of luxury hotels, flashy cars, and glitzy shopping malls.
But behind the opulent facade lies an affordable side, perfect for backpackers. This is one of the main reasons Dubai is worth the hype, as you can do that on a very limited budget, too. Follow our budget guide to enjoy this dazzling desert city without breaking the bank!
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Backpacking Dubai suggested Budget
With savvy saving strategies, shoestring voyagers can experience the magic of Dubai for as little as $50 per day. Stay in hostel dorms for $10 to $15 nightly, purchase multi-day transport passes for getting around, and enjoy tasty street eats for under $5 per meal.
Round out your budget with free walking tours and attractions. Travel off-season between May and September to take advantage of sale prices, too!
Plan your Dubai on a budget trip
How much is a one-week trip to Dubai?
By following savvy saving tips, you can explore glittering Dubai for a week for as little as $350. That covers $200 for cheap flights and basic lodging, $70 for public transport and street food, $30 for low-cost attractions and entertainment, and a $50 buffer.
Track expenses closely, and you’ll return home with great memories without draining your wallet.
How to Save Money in Dubai
Avoid Alcohol – If you skip Alcohol, you save a lot of money. Drinking in Dubai is expensive, and you can pay a lot more depending on the location. For a drink or two, go on happy hours and all-you-can-eat brunches.
Book your activities beforehand – If you are planning to explore Dubai, it’s good to book everything within your flight. This can save you money and make planning the journey easily. Check our partners Viator and GetYourGuide for the best tours on a budget in Dubai.
Go to the food courts – At lunchtime, we used to go to Dubai Mall (We were staying just 3 stops away) for lunch. The food court is massive, and you can save money by skipping the international eateries in favour of local options.
Friday brunch or Happy hour – First-timers in Dubai don’t know why locals rush on Friday midday. Well, you can get access to Friday brunch for a fraction of the regular weekly prices. Also, consider going for a happy hour, which includes food.
Just follow the locals; one of the best is at Warehouse, but you can ask your hostel for more or check the lists below:
Eat in Old Dubai – Al Fahidi is one of the best districts in Dubai for finding cheap local food. Most of the eateries are Pakistani, Iranian, Persian, and Middle Eastern. You can get a meal outside the touristy places in Dubai for about $10.
How to get around Dubai on a budget
Dubai offers efficient and bargain-priced public transportation options perfect for thrifty travellers. The Dubai Metro rail network spans key districts for less than $2 per ride.
RTA buses reach wider destinations starting at just $1. Share taxis offer an even cheaper alternative for groups, with per-passenger rates as low as $0.50 to $1. Or put on your walking shoes – Dubai’s most fascinating old neighbourhoods, like Deira and Bur Dubai, are best explored on foot!
Fly Cheaply to Dubai
Use budget airlines like FlyDubai and Air Arabia, or even Wizz Air, new routes from Europe. An off season ticket to Dubai costs only 50€ from Rome, Belgrade, Budapest, London or even Tirana in Albania. Book early and travel light to save money.
Every budget airline allows you to take on board a small backpack. All you need for a few days in Dubai are a couple of changes and nothing more. Consider nearby Sharjah Airport or Abu Dhabi to find the cheapest flights. There is a bus connecting Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai Airport and Sharjah for less than 10$.
Use public transport to stay on a budget
Dubai’s metro system is fast, efficient, and super cheap. Hop on the air-conditioned carriage and traverse the city for less than a dollar ticket. Some spots are harder to reach, like Palm Jumeirah, but you can use mixed public transport, which consists of a Metro, train, tram, and elevated metro.
Also, consider that taking a taxi in Dubai is very cost-efficient; for just $5, you can get from Dubai Frame to Dubai Mall using the local App Careem.
Dubai Metro/Bus Quick Overview
Purchase a rechargeable NOL travel card and crisscross popular city districts for as little as $0.60 per ride. To venture further out, take reliable local buses where standard fares rarely exceed $1.
Best area to stay in Dubai for backpackers
Which area in Dubai is cheapest to stay? Dubai’s Deira district offers the most affordable lodging options. Centred around the airport and old Dubai Creek, the vibrant neighbourhood provides easy access to major attractions by metro or bus.
Better yet, room rates at Deira’s mix of hotels and guest houses are typically 20 to 30% cheaper than comparable accommodations in other parts of Dubai.
Best Backpacker Hostels in Dubai
Staying in a Hostel may drastically reduce your budget for Dubai, which you can use for activities and attractions. Also, through the years we found that Hostels are the best way to socialise, make friends on the road, and share experiences.
In fact, joining a group might work out well to lower the price of activities. Find dorm beds for under $10 even in popular Deira and Bur Dubai districts. These are the hostels in Dubai you should book:
Best budget hotels in Dubai
We get that you might not want to share a bed in a dorm with a bunch of strangers, but by stretching your budget a bit, you can get a comfy room in a hotel a few stops away from the centre of Dubai.
Also, we travel as a couple, and sometimes, we prefer spending $5/10 more but staying together. These are three of the best budget hotels in Dubai, which will let you compromise less on your next itinerary.
Best time to visit Dubai for budget travellers
Dubai’s peak tourist season runs from October to April, bringing great weather along with jacked-up hotel rates and flight prices.
For cheaper trips, consider the hotter late spring and summer months of May to September. Temperatures breach 40°C, but you’ll save 30-50% on accommodation and activities, too, are easier on the wallet.
What is the cheapest month to travel to Dubai?
July and August are the most budget-friendly times for visiting Dubai. The scorching heat deters tourists, allowing rates to plunge across the board.
Five-star hotels offer rooms for under $100, normally expensive attractions like Wild Wadi Waterpark can be enjoyed for half off, and flight deals abound, too. Brave the heat, and Dubai is yours on a shoestring!
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Visit Dubai in the offseason
Brave Dubai’s scorching summer months of May through September to enjoy the Emirate’s iconic attractions and experiences for a fraction of peak season rates.
As temperatures breach 40°C, flight and hotel prices drop by 30 to 50% or more, allowing travellers to stay at five-star resorts for under $100 per night. Water parks, entertainment attractions, fine dining – everything costs less to lure tourists during the off-season heat!
Top free things to do in Dubai and best experiences
While Dubai dazzles with its roster of glitzy paid attractions, some of its best experiences come gratis. You can soak up majestic desert views, haggle in colourful souks, relax on beaches, admire architectural marvels like Burj Al Arab Hotel, enjoy musical fountain shows at Dubai Mall, and sign up for free walking tours of historic districts.
Watch the fountain show at Dubai Mall from the Apple Store terrace
Most people are attracted to the main square to watch the fountain show at Dubai Mall. However, one of the best viewpoints of Dubai to enjoy the free activity is from the terrace of the Apple Store. You can easily get in the store like every other client, walk all the way through, and then exit on the terrace, which has a direct view of the fountain show.
Fill Up on Local Food
Skip fancy resort restaurants. Street food like shawarma, falafel, and karak chai offers the best value. For cheap Indian/Pakistani vegetarian fare, head to the bustling cafes around Bur Dubai.
Soak up Dubai’s Natural Wonders
The real treasures in Dubai’s crown are free for all. Wander spice and gold souks, watch the sunrise over desert dunes, or join locals for evening beachside strolls. Check here for budget-friendly tours in Dubai.
Discover History in Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood
Immerse yourself in Dubai’s past at the city museum. Next door lies the restored heritage area of Al Fahidi, perfect for an atmospheric wander.
See the Iconic sights without breaking the bank.
Skip the expensive ticket and view Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, from Dubai Mall’s lakefront. Watch the famous fountains dance for free outside Dubai Mall, too.
Sign up for complimentary walking tours to take in key attractions like the Gold and Spice Souks at no cost.
Shop locally
Dubai has several malls, even though most of the people visiting concentrate at Dubai Mall. For an off-the-beaten-path experience in Dubai, head to quirky community markets like Al Serkal Avenue and Boxpark. Shop for local fashion, crafts, and art at a fraction of the price.
Haggle hard at Deira’s bustling Gold, Perfume, and Spice Souks to find some amazing bargains. For $12, you can join a local tour with a food tour and guide to the Souk of Dubai. CHECK THE ITINERARY AND AVAILABILITY HERE.
Budget Desert Adventures
Dune bashing, camel rides, campfires under the stars…Dubai’s iconic desert is yours to discover on a shoestring. You can’t miss a Desert Safari while exploring Dubai, even if you are a savvy backpacker.
Budget well on meals and accommodation, but never be cheap on experiences; you will regret it.
Staying in a hostel is easy to team up and join backpacker groups to divide the costs of transport and camps. This is the cheapest Desert Safari with Dune Bashing and sandboarding. Book now to access a $25 ticket.
Go on a historic walking tour
Sign up for complimentary walking tours of Al Fahidi and Bastakiya heritage districts to immerse yourself in Old Dubai.
Relax at Kite Beach
Dubai has a public beach, which you can enjoy for free. Dig your toes into the sand or try out watersports for free at this popular stretch close to Burj Al Arab Hotel.
Visit Jumeirah Mosque
Join a complimentary tour of this majestic mosque, one of Dubai’s most photographed landmarks.
Wander along Dubai Creek
While exploring Dubai, we left Dubai Creek for the last day. It is one of the most panoramic areas of Dubai, on the other side of the skyscrapers.
Walk around the historic waterway separating Bur Dubai and Deira, watching traditional dhow boats. You can eat cheaply at one of the restaurants and bars while exploring the area.
Affordable Activities in Dubai
Dubai Frame costs only $15
The entry Ticket to the Dubai Frame with Deck Access costs only $15, and is one of the most impressive sights of Dubai. The Dubai Frame divides the new Dubai from the old Dubai, making a mark on the landscape.
It is one of the most budget-friendly experiences in the futuristic city, unmissable even if you are staying just 3 days in Dubai or passing for a layover. LINK BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE.
Dubai Sky View
Access to the best view in Dubai is very affordable. A ticket to Sky Views Dubai costs about $25 and gives you access to great activities.
Not only a 360 view over the centre of Dubai and the best scenery, with the Burj Khalifa towering with the desert in the backdrop, but also the fun sky glass slide and the walk on the sky edge. Everything from there seems so small. BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE.
Sandboarding for 25$
As we said previously, no visit to Dubai is completely done without experiencing the Desert.
When we visited the UAE city, we slashed our budget with one premium company for the ultimate Bedouin camp experience. However, you can enjoy activities in the desert for a fraction of the price.
This activity in Dubai takes you with private transport from the hotel, go on a safari and dune bashing. If you want more fun and can stretch your budget further, you can add more with buggy adventure and more. BOOK NOW.
Plan Your Dubai Backpacking Adventure
We’ve given you insider tips on stretching your budget further in Dubai. Now, go out and have an epic Middle Eastern adventure without blowing your budget!
