3-Night UAE Family Itinerary from Chennai
Arrival and city stay in Dubai
- Chennai–Dubai flight and airport transfer — Chennai to Dubai International Airport, ~4–5 hours flying plus immigration; depart early and arrange a pre-booked 10-seat vehicle, then check in near Downtown Dubai.
- Dubai Mall — Downtown Dubai, afternoon, ~2 hours; an easy first stop for shopping, children’s entertainment, and air-conditioned dining.
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo — Dubai Mall, late afternoon, ~1 hour; a family-friendly indoor attraction ideal after the flight.
- The Dubai Fountain — Downtown Dubai, evening, ~30 minutes; watch the choreographed fountain show around Burj Khalifa Lake.
- Time Out Market Dubai — Souk Al Bahar, evening, ~1.5 hours; varied family dining with approximate costs of AED 60–120 per person.
Morning — Chennai to Dubai
Take an early Chennai–Dubai flight, allowing roughly 4–5 hours in the air, followed by immigration and baggage collection at Dubai International Airport (DXB). For eight travelers with luggage, a pre-booked 10-seat vehicle is much easier than splitting between taxis; expect about 30–45 minutes to a Downtown hotel, depending on traffic. Check in and rest briefly before heading out—Dubai’s August heat is intense, so keep the first afternoon almost entirely indoors. A private vehicle can drop you at the Dubai Mall entrance; taxis are usually the simplest onward option, while the Dubai Metro’s Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station involves a long air-conditioned walkway.
Afternoon — Dubai Mall and Aquarium
Spend around two hours exploring Dubai Mall, where the children can stretch their legs in the air-conditioning and adults can handle shopping or coffee. Food courts and casual restaurants offer meals from roughly AED 30–70 per person. Continue to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, ideally with timed tickets booked in advance; allow about an hour and budget approximately AED 150–200 per adult, with children’s pricing varying by package. Keep the group together near the aquarium entrance, as the mall is enormous and walking between levels takes longer than expected.
Evening — Fountain show and dinner
After the aquarium, walk outside to The Dubai Fountain at Burj Khalifa Lake. Shows generally run in the evening at regular intervals, but schedules can change, so check the official listing on the day; arrive 15–20 minutes early for a clear view, especially with children. For dinner, cross to Souk Al Bahar and eat at Time Out Market Dubai, a relaxed food hall with plenty of choice for a large family—allow about AED 60–120 per person. It is a short walk from the mall via the pedestrian bridge, but take a taxi back to the hotel if the children are tired; summer evenings remain warm even after sunset.
Dubai city exploration
- Burj Khalifa — Downtown Dubai, morning, ~2 hours; reserve an observation-deck slot for the city’s marquee skyline experience.
- Arabian Tea House — Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, late morning, ~1 hour; enjoy Emirati-style breakfast or tea, approximately AED 40–80 per person.
- Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood — Bur Dubai, late morning, ~1 hour; explore restored wind-tower houses and quiet heritage lanes.
- Dubai Creek abra ride — Bur Dubai to Deira, midday, ~30 minutes; take a traditional abra across the creek for a memorable low-cost experience.
- Deira Spice Souk and Gold Souk — Deira, afternoon, ~1.5 hours; browse colorful spices, textiles, and Dubai’s famous gold displays.
- A desert safari with dune drive and dinner — Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve area, late afternoon–evening, ~6 hours; combine family-friendly desert scenery, cultural activities, and buffet dinner, typically AED 250–500 per person.
Morning — Downtown skyline
Start at Burj Khalifa around 9:00 AM, when the light is clear and the crowds are usually more manageable. Pre-book the observation deck—At the Top levels 124/125 are generally the best value for families, while higher levels cost more; expect roughly AED 160–250 per adult depending on time and package, with children’s prices varying. Allow about two hours including security and the lift queue. From your hotel, a booked minibus or taxis are easiest for eight people; if driving, use the Dubai Mall parking and follow the mall signs for the tower entrance.
Late Morning — Old Dubai and the creek
Take a taxi or pre-booked minibus to Arabian Tea House in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, usually 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Set aside about AED 40–80 per person for Emirati breakfast, karak, or a light meal; reserve or arrive early, as the shaded courtyard tables fill quickly. After eating, wander the lanes of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood for around an hour, looking into the restored coral-stone houses and wind towers. Then walk toward the waterfront and take a traditional Dubai Creek abra ride from Bur Dubai to Deira. The crossing itself is only about five minutes, but allow 30 minutes including waiting and photos; the public abra fare is typically AED 1 per person, cash preferred.
Afternoon and Evening — Souks, then the desert
From the Deira landing, walk through the Deira Spice Souk and Gold Souk for roughly 90 minutes. The spice stalls are most atmospheric in the afternoon, while the gold shops are air-conditioned and easy to browse with children; bargaining is expected for spices and souvenirs, but gold prices are tied closely to the daily rate. Wear comfortable shoes and keep the group together in the busier lanes. Have your safari operator collect you from a confirmed Deira or Dubai hotel pickup point around 3:00–3:30 PM for the desert safari with dune drive and dinner. For a family of eight, request a private vehicle or a gentle, family-friendly dune option, and confirm child-seat availability, pickup timing, vegetarian food, and whether the package enters the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Plan on AED 250–500 per person and about six hours, returning around 9:30–10:00 PM; bring light layers, closed shoes, sunscreen, and motion-sickness medicine if anyone is sensitive to the drive.
Abu Dhabi cultural day
- Dubai–Abu Dhabi transfer — Dubai to Abu Dhabi, morning, ~1.5–2 hours by private minibus; depart around 8:00 AM, allowing for traffic and hotel checkout.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — Abu Dhabi, late morning, ~2 hours; admire one of the UAE’s most spectacular Islamic architectural landmarks.
- Al Qasr Al Watan — Presidential Palace district, early afternoon, ~2 hours; explore grand state rooms, exhibitions, and illuminated architecture.
- Louvre Abu Dhabi — Saadiyat Island, afternoon, ~2 hours; enjoy an internationally important art collection in a striking waterfront museum.
- Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe — Yas Island or Abu Dhabi branch, evening, ~1.5 hours; sample Emirati dishes in a nostalgic setting, approximately AED 80–160 per person.
- Yas Bay Waterfront — Yas Island, evening, ~1 hour; finish with a relaxed promenade walk and family-friendly views.
Morning — Dubai to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
After checking out, leave Dubai at around 8:00 AM in your pre-booked private minibus. The drive to Abu Dhabi usually takes 1.5–2 hours via Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), but morning traffic can add time. Keep passports or Emirates IDs accessible, and ask the driver to drop you at the mosque’s visitor entrance rather than the main prayer-hall approach. Entry is free, but everyone must complete the visitor registration; women should bring clothing covering arms, legs, and hair, while loose trousers and sleeves are advisable for men and children. Allow about two hours for the courtyards, reflective pools, chandeliers, and the famous white marble arcades. The mosque is generally open to visitors from late morning, with changing hours on Fridays and during Islamic holidays, so check the official booking page the evening before.
Early Afternoon — Qasr Al Watan
Continue by minibus—roughly 25–35 minutes, depending on traffic—to Qasr Al Watan in the Presidential Palace district. This is a good time for lunch either before entering or at the palace café; with four children, a quick meal is more practical than trying to find a full restaurant between visits. Spend around two hours exploring the Great Hall, the House of Knowledge, and the palace gardens. Tickets are typically around AED 65 for adults and AED 30 for children, with combination options sometimes available; allow extra time for security and the short shuttle ride from the visitor centre. The palace is air-conditioned, but the outdoor courtyards can be extremely hot in August, so plan the gardens for a brief visit and carry water.
Afternoon and Evening — Louvre Abu Dhabi, dinner, and Yas Bay Waterfront
From Qasr Al Watan, drive approximately 25 minutes to Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island. The museum usually opens from 10:00 AM until 6:30 PM on most days, with a later closing day each week; confirm the date-specific hours before booking. Give the family about two hours for the galleries and the shaded waterfront dome—children often enjoy the changing patterns of light beneath it more than a long march through every room. Tickets are generally about AED 65 for adults, with children under 18 usually admitted free; reserve timed tickets if possible. In the evening, continue 20–25 minutes to Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe on Yas Island for Emirati comfort food such as machboos, harees, grilled meats, and luqaimat, budgeting roughly AED 80–160 per person. Finish with an easy one-hour stroll along Yas Bay Waterfront, where the promenade, outdoor seating, and water views give the children room to move around. Keep the minibus with you for the evening, as August heat makes walking between Yas Island attractions uncomfortable; dinner and the waterfront are close together, but the area is spread out and parking is easiest at the waterfront car parks.
Departure from Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi Corniche — Abu Dhabi, early morning, ~1 hour; take a final waterfront walk before the airport, when temperatures are more comfortable.
- The Founder’s Memorial — Al Ras Al Akhdar, morning, ~1 hour; visit the peaceful memorial honoring Sheikh Zayed.
- Abu Dhabi–Chennai flight — Abu Dhabi International Airport to Chennai, allow ~3–4 hours before departure for check-in, baggage, security, and immigration; use a pre-booked vehicle and return it according to the rental company’s airport instructions.
Early Morning — Abu Dhabi Corniche
Check out early and leave your hotel with luggage loaded into a pre-booked minibus or airport transfer. Begin with a final one-hour walk along Abu Dhabi Corniche, ideally around 6:30–7:30 AM while the waterfront is cooler and quieter. Stay near the central promenade rather than venturing far: the paved path is stroller-friendly, and the beach, skyline, and landscaped gardens make an easy last taste of the city. Public access is free; bring water, hats, and light layers for the children, as August becomes hot quickly.
Morning — The Founder’s Memorial
From Abu Dhabi Corniche, drive about 10 minutes west to The Founder’s Memorial in Al Ras Al Akhdar. Allow roughly an hour for the visitor centre and the peaceful outdoor grounds, where the striking The Constellation artwork honors Sheikh Zayed. Entry is generally free, but opening hours can vary, so confirm before leaving; modest clothing and respectful behavior are expected. Keep this visit unhurried, then depart for Abu Dhabi International Airport—the drive usually takes 25–35 minutes, though allow longer for traffic and airport approach roads.
Departure — Abu Dhabi International Airport
For an international Abu Dhabi–Chennai flight, arrive approximately 3–4 hours before departure, especially with four children and checked luggage. Ask the driver or rental company in advance where to return the vehicle and which terminal entrance to use; airport drop-off logistics can take longer than expected. Keep passports, boarding documents, medicines, snacks, and a change of clothes in hand luggage, and finish any tax-refund or baggage formalities before security. The direct flight to Chennai is usually around four hours, with additional time for boarding and arrival procedures.
