Start the day at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport with an early check-in and compare budget multi-city options using Momondo and Skyscanner on a quiet café bench near Gate C; hunt for split-ticket itineraries like LEB→DXB/AUH then onward to Thailand to squeeze the lowest fares. After ticket scouting, drop by the airport's Duty-Free to grab sealed snacks and extra chargers, then confirm baggage rules with the low-cost carriers you'll mix so your onward connections remain smooth and affordable.
After your morning ticket scouting, head into the city for a relaxed planning session at Hamra Street Bookshop Café, where you can compare carrier baggage rules and connection times over strong coffee and use their plugs and Wi-Fi to lock in split-ticket options. Later, stroll to the nearby American University of Beirut campus green spaces to double-check transit visas and regional COVID/entry rules on your phones, then pop into Beirut Central District Travel Kiosk to pick up local SIM cards and printed boarding pass copies for each traveler so your multi-stop routing stays organized.
Wind down your first day of planning with a relaxed dinner at Em Sherif where you can compare final fare screenshots over mezze and strong mint tea, then take a short walk to Zaitunay Bay for fresh sea air and to review connection times on your phone. Finish at Airport City Mall's electronics kiosk to pick up any last-minute travel adapters or inexpensive luggage locks before an early airport arrival the next morning, keeping your split-ticket strategy tight and stress-free.
Arrive early and settle into a low-cost transit routine with a focused comparison of transfer options: start with a strong coffee at Riva Café inside Abu Dhabi Airport or the budget-friendly Costa Coffee at Dubai International T3, then use their Wi-Fi to pull up last-minute carrier-specific baggage and transfer rules. After refreshments, walk to the airport's Visitor Information Desk to confirm inter-airport shuttle schedules (DXB↔AUH) and affordable taxi alternatives, then test-book a refundable onward flight on a cheap carrier's kiosk-this hands-on check helps you lock the cheapest, fastest multi-stop connection for all three travelers before you head to the gate.
After your airport checklist, take a short city-hop to compare routing conveniences: in Dubai, stroll through Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood to grab a light lunch at XVA Café while checking transfer times and cheap bus links to DXB; the relaxed courtyard setting makes reconciling split-ticket schedules easy. Alternatively in Abu Dhabi, visit Qasr Al Hosn then rest at Manarat Al Saadiyat café to review onward budget-flight options and local shuttle timetables, using museum Wi-Fi to rebook seats or adjust baggage allowances for all three travelers.
As evening falls, settle into the lively waterfront at The Beach at JBR (if in Dubai) or the peaceful Corniche Corners promenade (if in Abu Dhabi) for a casual seafood dinner and people-watching while you finalize onward flight times. After dinner, pop into Ibn Battuta Mall (Dubai) or Marina Mall (Abu Dhabi) to compare last-minute duty-free deals and pick up inexpensive power banks or SIM top-ups, then return to your airport hotel or lounge with printed boarding details so your split-ticket plan stays on track for the early next-leg departure.
Land early and breeze through immigration before catching a light Thai breakfast at On Lok Yun (Bangkok) or a seaside coffee at Gallery Cafe by Pinky (Phuket); use the calm morning to buy local SIM cards at the airport's AIS/TrueMove counters and top up transport cards. Then take a short transfer to Phaya Thai Station (if BKK) or Phuket Old Town (if HKT) to drop bags at an affordable luggage storage service, enjoy street-side roti or mango sticky rice, and compare cheap onward bus or budget domestic flight options for exploring Thailand on the final travel day.
After clearing arrival formalities, weave into local life by taking a short taxi to Chatuchak Park (if arriving BKK) for a relaxed picnic and to compare cheap BTS/MRT passes, or head to Phuket Old Town's Thalang Road (if arriving HKT) for a colorful walking tour of Sino-Portuguese shophouses and affordable street snacks. Follow with a budget-friendly stop at Or Tor Kor Market (Bangkok) or Banzaan Fresh Market (Phuket) to taste fresh fruit, pick up inexpensive SIM top-ups and rehearse your onward local-transfer plan for the group before an evening of exploring.
After settling your bags, head to Asiatique The Riverfront (if in Bangkok) for a relaxed riverside stroll, inexpensive street eats and the Ferris wheel views-split a platter of satay and mango sticky rice while comparing onward local transfers. If you land in Phuket, spend the evening at Chillva Market sampling grilled seafood and coconut ice cream, then walk to Phuket Pier to watch the sunset and finalise affordable boat or bus connections for your next-day plans.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (check-in / duty-free snacks) | Free |
| Momondo (flight search - online) | Free |
| Skyscanner (flight search - online) | Free |
| Hamra Street Bookshop Café (coffee / workspace) | $5 |
| American University of Beirut campus (green spaces) | Free |
| Beirut Central District Travel Kiosk (SIM cards / prints) | $5 |
| Em Sherif (dinner per person, mezze) | $25 |
| Zaitunay Bay (walk / promenade) | Free |
| Airport City Mall (electronics / adapters) | $10 |
| Riva Café (Abu Dhabi Airport coffee) | $4 |
| Costa Coffee (Dubai T3) | $4 |
| Airport Visitor Information Desk (transfer info) | Free |
| Inter-airport shuttle DXB↔AUH (per person one-way) | $8 |
| Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (walk) | Free |
| XVA Café (light lunch / coffee) | $8 |
| Qasr Al Hosn (Abu Dhabi entry fee) | $5 |
| Manarat Al Saadiyat café (coffee / wifi) | $5 |
| The Beach at JBR (walk / dinner budget) | $12 |
| Corniche (Abu Dhabi promenade) | Free |
| Ibn Battuta Mall (shopping / duty-free top-ups) | $5 |
| Marina Mall (Abu Dhabi) (shopping / top-ups) | $5 |
| Bangkok Suvarnabhumi/Don Mueang airport AIS/TrueMove SIM (per person) | $5 |
| On Lok Yun (Thai breakfast) | $3 |
| Gallery Cafe by Pinky (Phuket seaside coffee) | $3 |
| Phaya Thai Station (luggage storage / transfer card) | $2 |
| Phuket Old Town (luggage storage / walk) | Free |
| Taxi to city from Bangkok/Phuket airport (approx. per person shared) | $6 |
| Chatuchak Park (Bangkok picnic / BTS pass partial cost) | $2 |
| Or Tor Kor Market (food tasting / fruit) | $3 |
| Phuket Old Town's Thalang Road (walking tour / snacks) | $3 |
| Banzaan Fresh Market (Phuket snacks) | $3 |
| Asiatique The Riverfront (rides / eats) | $6 |
| Chillva Market (Phuket evening street food) | $4 |
| Phuket Pier (sunset / boat connection cash) | $5 |
| Budget domestic bus / ferry (Thailand, per person typical) | $10 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $162 |