Dubai’s treasures are many. There are record-breaking attractions, high-class hotels, and luxury shopping. Golden beaches and year-round sunshine. Deserts, gardens, waterparks, and VR adventures. This all sounds amazing. What it doesn’t sound is affordable.
And yet with planning, insider knowledge, and a thirst for adventure, it is possible to do Dubai on the cheap. You can still see and do loads in this megacity, and you’ll enjoy a side of Dubai that not everyone experiences. Hold onto your hats, and your purse strings, and find out how.
💡1. Plan ahead
Start your low-cost holiday in Dubai as you mean to go on, and take an inexpensive journey from the airport. The bus is the way to arrive in Dubai on the cheap.
Be prepared with a pre-purchased NOL card, the only method of payment allowed on Dubai’s buses. You can stay connected too when you pre-purchase and collect your NOL pass and pre-paid 5G Tourist SIM card at the airport.
Depart from the stands opposite Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and you’ll ride in air-conditioned comfort to the heart of this international holiday playground.
💡2. Take the bus
Dubai is about three times the size of London, so finding an affordable way to get around is key to keeping your costs down. The good news is that the city has efficient, modern public transport, and buses are the best way to travel to Dubai on the cheap.
With over 100 routes, Dubai’s buses will get you to all the places you want to go. Use your NOL card – you can’t pay by cash or credit card. Fares vary according to the number of zones, starting at AED3 for travel within one zone.
And remember, not only the buses but also many bus shelters are air-conditioned.
💡3. Sightsee for free (or very little)
Really get to know Dubai by spending time outside the shopping malls and high-end hotels. Wander the streets and souks and soak up the atmosphere. Relax on Jumeirah Public Beach and watch the waves dance on the shore.
Explore Dubai’s traditional architecture and culture in the Al Fahidi Historical District. There are free tours of the nearby Bur Dubai Grand Mosque on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings. If that whets your appetite, and you’re keen to go further afield, take an affordable day trip to Abu Dhabi including a tour of the UAE’s largest mosque, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
For a look at contemporary Dubai, see the street art at 18b Street, Al Karama. This is a great area for budget shopping too.
💡4. But don’t miss the big sights
You didn’t come all the way to Dubai to miss out on the city’s iconic sights – and you don’t have to. For a way to see the top spots of Dubai on the cheap, treat yourself to the Dubai Pass. This combines a visit to the 124th and 125th floors of Burj Khalifa, a morning desert safari, and two handy audio apps. You’ll receive a very useful 10% discount on other city attractions too.
For those with more on their agenda, the Dubai Explorer Pass offers access to three, four, five, or seven of Dubai’s top attractions with discounts of up to 40%.
💡5. Dine like a local
Your best options for cheap places to eat in Dubai are to seek out locals’ favorite bargain eateries.
📍Sind Punjab
29 A Street, Al Fahidi
Visit Dubai’s very own Little India, Meena Bazaar, for affordable and authentic Indian snacks like chaat and panipuri. After shopping for gold and South Asian fashions and fabrics, head to Sind Punjab for melt-in-the-mouth butter chicken and tasty chicken tikka masala. This local stalwart has been serving Indians nostalgic for a taste of home since 1977.
📍Zaroob SZR
Jumeirah Tower
On the ground floor of the Jumeirah Emirates Tower, you’ll find Palestine street food specialist Zaroob. Wholesome falafels, delicious houmous – try adding chicken or beef shawarma – and tabbouleh, with an extensive choice for vegetarians.
Zaroob is one of the best cheap places to eat in Dubai, with great-tasting Levantine dishes. And if you fancy a return trip, there are branches at the Radisson Blu Marina at Dubai Marina and at Motor City.
📍Al Usted Special Kebab
Metro Station, Al Mussallah Road, near Al Fahidi, Al Hamriya
Al Usted Special Kebab is your answer to the question: how can I do Dubai on the cheap and still eat a hearty, meaty meal? Head to Al Usted and take your pick from its generous plates of kebabs, marinated mutton, and fried chicken. The restaurant’s friendly, fast, and efficient service has been welcoming Iranian ex-pats, Dubai locals, and tourists since 1978.
📍Vietnamese Foodies
PL-04 Lake Terrace Tower, Cluster D, Jumeirah Lake Towers
Family-run Vietnamese Foodies boasts a menu bursting with tempting southern Vietnamese specials. Don’t miss the pho, simmered for 14 hours, or Chef’s Special ‘com ga kep sa’, lemongrass grilled chicken rice with stir-fried vegetables.
Owner and Executive Chef Lily Hoa Nguyen is devoted to offering fresh, tasty food from her homeland, and has added four locations to the portfolio since opening the original outlet in Jumeirah Lake Towers in 2018.
📍Dampa Seafood Grill
Ground Floor, Centurion Star Hotel, Deira
Proving that cheap places to eat in Dubai can offer top-notch fish and shellfish is Dampa Seafood Grill. Sharing plates steaming with seafood is the favorite here. Dine Filipino-style so you can eat with your hands and really get stuck in.
Consistently rated one of the best budget restaurants, Dampa Seafood Grill is a delicious eatery to do Dubai on the cheap.
