Dubai Budget Guide for First Time Travelers

Dubai warms up to you in ways no other tourist destination can. The fact that world’s biggest entertainment destination embraces both luxury and budget travelers equally says a lot about the city.  Visiting Dubai is fun, but it can be equally confusing when you’ve to pay for every big/ small attraction in dirhams. It can surely create a big dent in your pocket. But what if even as a first-time visitor to Dubai, you knew all the top free attractions in Dubai, as well as the free places to visit in Dubai?

Are there any such attractions? Sure, there are. This Dubai on a Budget Guide is designed so that you can complete your trip to Dubai without burning a hole in your pocket.  There are plenty of free things to do in Dubai, and even more affordable things to do in Dubai.  Your first trip to Dubai can be a memorable and wallet friendly experience.  You will depart already dreaming of your next trip to this glamorous city.

How can I say this with such confidence?  I happen to be a Dubai local, Neha Singh.  Not only do I love my city, but I know it well.  In fact, I manage my own website that gives in-depth information for planning Dubai travel.  If you want more information for your first trip to Dubai, you will find everything you need on my site, Dubai Wikia. 

This Dubai on a Budget Guide includes:

• Free Attractions in Dubai

• Other Affordable Things to Do in Dubai

• Where to Eat on a Budget in Dubai

• When to Visit Dubai

• Getting Around in Dubai on a Budget

• Lodging in Dubai

Are you ready to plan your first trip to Dubai, a trip that you will talk about for a lifetime?

Free Attractions in Dubai

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

 

The Dubai aquarium holds the world record for being the world’s biggest water tank, which can hold a whopping 10 million liters of water. With over 30,000 marine animals from 147 different species, this aquarium holds the biggest collection of sand tiger sharks. You will also find all different types of fish and rays in this aquarium. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you can try feeding sharks or swim with the sharks, although those experiences have an extra price.  If you visit the Underwater Zoo, do not miss the piranhas and king croc!

The Dubai Aquarium is one of the most fascinating free attractions in Dubai.  Visit the aquarium in the lower level of the Dubai Mall for no cost. If you do choose to walk through the aquarium tunnel, or visit the Underwater Zoo, it is still very inexpensive, currently costing 55 AED.

 

Dubai Fountain

 

Close to the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain is another piece of marvelous engineering that Dubai boasts of.  The largest choreographed fountain in the world, which sits on a 30-acre man-made lake. Illuminated by 6600 lights and 50 colored projectors, the fountain shoots water for over 500 ft in the air. Over 22,000 gallons of water is sprayed in the air.

he Dubai Fountain is one of the most popular free places to visit in Dubai, so the shows often attract quite a crowd.  Ensure that you go well in advance during the evening so that you get a good location from where you can stand and enjoy the show.

The Beach, JBR

 

This pristine beach is located near the Jumeirah Beach Residence.  This white sand beach is one of the favorite free places to visit in Dubai for locals and tourists, as it is a beautiful place to be. Perfect for solo travelers or families alike, there are also a lot of outdoor dining options along the beach. Join an outdoor yoga class or try your hands at beach volleyball.  On this beach you will never run out of options. There is free wifi on the beach, and it has an outdoor gym if you want to pump some iron.  It is one of the best options to enjoy without paying a dime if you’re traveling to Dubai on a budget.

 

Pyramids at Wafi

 

With all the budget friendly places listed, none of the others get you on the rooftop.  Outdoor cinemas are popular in Dubai, and with the rooftop location and very relaxed vibe, it may surprise you that it makes it to the list of free things to do in Dubai. Basically, this is a rooftop outdoor cinema in Old Dubai’s Wafi Mall, which has no entry fee. On Sundays the rooftop is filled with bean bag chairs where you can relax and watch some amazing Hollywood movies. Fill your mouth with some crunchy popcorn and hotdogs, and enjoy a Hollywood classic absolutely free.

Local Wrestling Matches

Another one of the unique free things to do in Dubai is to be in the audience of kushti wrestling matches conducted every Friday at Diera. Go behind the fish market on a Friday and see hundreds of laborers of Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and northern Indian origin gather around the sandlot to watch some traditional heavy weight wrestling.  It is not an experience for the faint of heart, but to the fighters it is as an important part of their homeland culture.

 

Kite Beach

 

If you are a person who likes water sports then Kite beach is where you must be. Just steps away from Jumeirah’s main street, there are many vendors who rent out quality equipment for water sports. Be it paddle boarding, wakeboarding or kitesurfing you can do it all here. And if you are not much of a sports person, you can jog along the coastline or just spend your time relaxing on the beach, watching the kites. You also have many dining options in the outdoor shops lining the beach.

 

Other Affordable Things to Do in Dubai

Burj Khalifa

 

Being a first-time visitor to Dubai, your trip is incomplete if you have not visited the Burj Khalifa.  Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. Just seeing in, or standing below it trying to peer to the top is an experience.  But, watching Dubai from the 124th floor of this man-made wonder is a sight to behold. You will see all of Dubai and the vast desert from the Burj Khalifa.  If you come to visit this building before dawn you can see the beauty of Dubai in the dark, and in the evening you can see the sunset from the world’s tallest building.

There are two observatories on the Burj Kahlifa, one on the 124th and 125th floors, and another on the 148th floor.  Visiting the two observatories has different prices, and there is a premium fee during peak hours from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., so avoid that time frame for a cheaper ticket.  The lower observatory, called At the Top, costs 125 AED for ages 12 and up, and 90 AED for ages 4 to 12, during non-peak times.  In my opinion, this fee is totally worth it.

Al Shindagha Museum

 

Located in the traditional center of Dubai, the then ruler of Dubai Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum lived here from 1912 to 1958.  This museum takes you through the success story of Dubai from the days when it was an old sleepy port town to its present grandeur.  This museum tells you the story of how the first merchants and tradesmen fought extreme conditions to pave the way for an affluent society.  You also learn the importance of camels and their role in the life of Emiratis.

Ultimately the museum is planned to have 23 different segments, each portraying a history of elements that are considered central to the Emirati culture and traditions.  Entrance to the museum complex is currently 15 AED for adults, and 10 AED for children.

 

IMG World Indoor Theme Park

 

The IMG World indoor theme park in Dubai is divided into 5 zones. While the boulevard and the lost valley – Dinosaur is the original theme of the park, it also has Cartoon network and Marvel themed attractions. This largest temperature-controlled theme park in the world has a unique array of thrill rides, adrenaline pumping coaster rides and spine-chilling attractions. You can also enjoy your popcorn in the 12-screen state-of-the-art cinemas.

Now you may say, that it is not a free or cheap attraction.  That is agreed.  But with the amount of entertainment, fun, and excitement it offers, it is much more than what you pay for.

Souks

 

Go down the ancient memory lane when you travel in Dubai’s old souks.  Souks in Dubai also offer a modern take on the Arabian market. These souks are bustling markets that will tingle your sense of sight, smell, and sound. The majority of the souks are gold souks, perfume souk with aromatic perfumes and spices souks where you get authentic spices.

Taking in the sensory experience of the souks will make them a memorable, and one of the best free places to visit in Dubai, if you don’t plane to make a purchase.  But if you have funds to buy souvenirs, this the place to do it.  Shop for some authentic perfumes and spices, and remember that bartering is necessary to get the best deal.  In Madinat Jumeirah, the Souk Madinat Jumeirah and the Souk Al Bahar near Dubai fountain both offer good souvenirs.

 

Where to Eat in Dubai on a Budget

Dubai is a place where food is abundant. Big, small, fine dine anywhere your food taste is scrumptious. But if you’re on a budget, remember to look for restaurants offering happy hours and combo meals. There are tons of them.

Start on the the streets of Oud Metha, Al Khareef road, or Karama, where you will find the best budget eateries that suit every taste bud and pocket. Look for happy hour signs. Dubai welcomes tourists from all walks of life and for the budget travelers, almost every restaurant offers a special happy hour with abundant offers on meals, snacks, and irresistible combos that are easy on the wallet and great on taste.

When to Visit Dubai

While the best time to go to Dubai is between the months of November to March as the season in the desert city is at its best. But if you’re looking to save some extra amount on the trip overall, then opt for the non-tourist months. Brave the heat and enjoy Dubai at almost half the rate on almost every attraction.

 

Getting Around in Dubai on a Budget

When in Dubai, you can travel by different means of transport according to your budget.  Renting a car is an option, but it is usually the most expensive.

• Travel by taxi: Taxis in Dubai are available to go nearly anywhere just about anytime. Though taxis are reasonable, the price per km changes depending on tolls and the time of the day when you are travelling.
• Travel by Rail: Dubai is well connected by metro rails and trams. Metro in Dubai is fully automated and driverless. Metro connects to most iconic landmarks in Dubai such as Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall, and Gold Souk. Use the NoI card to ride rails and buses and the ride costs as less as AED 3. You can use any journey planner app to plan your journey and make the most of your Dubai itinerary.
• Travel by Bus: With over 1500 air-conditioned buses and shelters it is a budget friendly means of transportation. You can also book and hop-on hop-off bus tour and can conveniently to many sites, including most of the free attractions in Dubai.

Lodging in Dubai

While many aspects of visiting Dubai can be expensive, hotels prices are on par with those in many other countries.  Rooms can range from 120 AED to as much as 2,500 AED a night, but excellent options can be found for 400 to 500 AED.  Prices will fluctuate a lot, by time of year, so make your reservation well in advance, and lock in your price.

The AED, or dirham, is the currency of the United Arab Emirates is the dirham.  It is occasionally also abbreviated as Dh.  It has a fixed conversion rate to the American dollar, which is 1 AED to .27 USD.  So, prices in US dollars are roughly a quarter of the dirham amount.

You can find a great price and reserve your room in Dubai right now, and be on the way to your dream trip!

 

Take Away

Dubai, the land of world records is a place of glamour, glitz, and fun. This dream paradise is equivalent to revelry in literal terms. Though it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Asia, it is not very cheap to visit Dubai if you are not aware. Be it accommodation, food, alcohol or any activity that you want to do, it can be heavy on your pocket if you don’t plan ahead, so you need to have the free things to do in Dubai lined up before you go.

I hope this Dubai on a Budget Guide has given you enough free things to do in Dubai, and free places to visit in Dubai, that you can start planing your first trip to Dubai now.  You can have an amazing vacation in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

 

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About the Author

An avid trekker, explorer and a true foodie; Neha finds happiness in small endeavours of life and loves to pen them down as a cherished memory. A firm believer that “we have just one life to live and so much to do”, Neha lives every moment to the fullest.  Find her on her website, Dubai Wikia.