5 Days in Dubai on a Shoestring Budget

  • Day 1: Dubai Museum
    25 minutes (9.7 km) from Dubai International Airport

    Start your trip by visiting the Dubai Museum. The museum is located in the oldest existing building in the city, and it showcases the rich history and culture of the region. You can take a tour of the museum to learn about the city's development and see exhibits such as traditional clothing, music, and artifacts from archaeological sites. Entry costs just 3 AED ($0.82 USD).

  • Day 2: Dubai Miracle Garden
    20 minutes (10.8 km) from Dubai Museum

    Spend a morning at the Dubai Miracle Garden. This attraction features over 45 million flowers arranged to create stunning designs and displays, making it the largest flower garden in the world. You can walk around the garden and take photos of the unique structures and floral sculptures. Entry costs 55 AED ($15 USD).

  • Day 3: Jumeirah Beach
    20 minutes (13.3 km) from Dubai Miracle Garden

    Head to Jumeirah Beach in the morning for beautiful views of the Persian Gulf. You can swim in the clear blue water, relax on the white sand, and take pictures of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel in the distance. The beach is free to access.

  • Day 4: Dubai Mall
    20 minutes (18.8 km) from Jumeirah Beach

    Visit Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world, for a shopping and entertainment experience. You can explore over 1,300 stores, watch the Dubai Fountain show, and visit attractions such as the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. Entry to the mall is free, but the attractions have separate fees.

  • Day 5: Dubai Creek
    25 minutes (11.8 km) from Dubai Mall

    End your trip by taking a trip to Dubai Creek, the historic heart of the city. Here, you can take an abra (traditional boat) ride across the creek and explore the markets and shops in the area. You can also visit cultural attractions such as the Dubai Spice Souk and the Dubai Gold Souk. The abra ride costs just 1 AED ($0.27 USD) and entry to the markets is free.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Dubai Museum (1-2 hours, 3 AED)
  • Dubai Miracle Garden (2-3 hours, 55 AED)
  • Jumeirah Beach (2-3 hours, free)
  • Dubai Mall (4-5 hours, free entry, attractions extra)
  • Dubai Creek (2-3 hours, 1 AED for abra ride, free entry to markets)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 59 AED ($16 USD)

Transportation

Public transportation in Dubai is affordable and efficient. The Dubai Metro is a great way to get around the city and costs between 2-7 AED ($0.55-$1.90 USD) per ride, depending on the distance. There are also buses and taxis available, but they are slightly more expensive. Consider purchasing a Nol card for easy access to public transportation. The average travel time between locations is around 20-25 minutes.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting other attractions in Dubai such as the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah island, or the Dubai Miracle Garden. If you have less time, you can skip the Dubai Mall or just visit for a shorter period of time.

Airports

The main airport in Dubai is the Dubai International Airport (DXB), located about 14 km from the city center. Another airport, Dubai World Central (DWC), is located further from the city center, about 38 km. Many international airlines operate flights to Dubai International Airport, and there are several transportation options available from both airports to the city center.

0