The City of Gold

You would have heard of Dubai as a city of gold or a city of riches. It is home to the world’s best shopping malls, gourmet dining places, swanky hotels, posh neighborhoods, the tallest residential buildings, a gold-plated palace, and record-breaking adventure parks. And these top-notch attractions earn it a reputation of an exorbitant travel destination.

On Less than $25 a Day!

However, one can also visit Dubai on a restricted budget — even on less than $25 a day. That means this city is as much for the backpackers as it is for the spendthrifts. Moreover, you can cherish amazement of a few of Dubai's marvels even without throwing in a dime.

So, if you are driven by your budget and don't want to tear a hole in your wallet, here is a thorough guide that helps you experience Dubai on $25 a day:

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How to Make Dubai Affordable

1. Use Public Transport

Half of your expenses goes to traveling from one place to the other. Dubai has an impressive public transport system, effectively spread across the city. The Dubai Metro has two lines, red and green. You can purchase the NoI card, which charges your fare based on the zones that you cross and is conveniently lower priced than other options. For example, from the airport to Downtown, the Dubai Metro would cost you around $1-$2, while a taxi would charge above $15.

2. Visit Cheap/ Free Attractions

• Dubai Fountain

The world's largest choreographed fountain system, Dubai Fountain is a stunning display of light, water, and music. Accompanied by 6,600 powerful lights and 50 color projectors, the astonishing fountain shoots water at distances more than 150m. The beam of light could be seen from 30 km. The fountain moves to some classic songs, and you could catch the performance free of cost. It is visible from every point on the lake from neighboring areas, and the most popular areas are the Waterfront Boardwalk outside of The Dubai Mall and the area around Souk AI Bahar.

• Dubai Mall

It is one of the largest malls in the world and has an impressive collection of covetable brands. It houses over 1000 stores, several fun zones, and hundreds of food and beverage stalls. Dubai Mall is a place where you can spend a day out and exhaust your money on shopping and entertainment. This is a perfect free hangout place as well. You can browse fancy stores in the Fashion Avenue, view a 155-million-year-old dinosaur, stare at the breathtaking waterfall with artificial divers, and witness over 30,000 marine creatures in the Dubai Aquarium through the world's largest acrylic panel.

• Dubai Creek and Al Bastakiya

Dubai has undergone such major changes, but its creek has been prominent from its pre-historic and trading era. And for ferrying goods and people across the creek for decades, there has been Abras. You can still enjoy a ride on these traditional wooden vessels for as little as 1 Dirham ($0.27). As you cross and reach the Bur Dubar be sure to meander through the oldest residential quarter, Al Bastakiya. You can discover the gallery, museum, cafes, and homes without denting your wallet.

• Beaches

There is no better escape than basking in the sun and luxury of Dubai at the free public beaches. Kite Beach and Jumeirah Beach are a few popular names when it comes to a pristine environment, turquoise water, seaside dining, a bunch of water-sports, and complete family fun. Catch a selfie with the magnificent Burj Al Arab, lounge in the cabanas, go parasailing, play volleyball, enjoy the kid zone, and shop at shoreline retails.

• Desert Safari

The quintessential activity in Dubai, the desert safari is full of adventure and culture. Experience the sunset and sunrise, indulge in dune bashing, ride the camels, admire the live performances, wear an Arabian dress, and have non-stop fun. With facilities and conveniences - like pick up and drop off, washrooms, sleeping tents, unlimited beverages, shisha, and the most mouth-watering buffet - there is a wide array of desert safari tours. There are also various categories, ranging from 2 hours in the morning to 16 hours overnight, suiting your budget, mood, and time. You can customize the itineraries, as the sand boarding, quad biking, and alcohol are optional. Check desert safari prices online and also enjoy big discounts.

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3. Eat at food courts or small eateries

Dubai has a reasonable food scene. Surely, there are exquisite rooftop restaurants that can cost you a ton for having a meal, but places like Ravi Restaurant don't need to hurt your wallet. From vegetarian to non-vegetarian, Indian, and Lebanese to American and French, these restaurants have authentic, flavorsome, and filling dishes. Aappa Kadai has a combo meal at $5, Al Mallah has a menu starting from $2.45, Cafe Isan serves food at $4, and Raju Omlet does experiments with egg in the range of $2-$6.

4. Stay at budget-friendly hotels

Dubai is a proud owner of the only 7-star hotel in the world. On the other side, the city is also studded with the best budget hotels. These do not compromise on the quality of services. The guests receive a well-maintained room, free Wi-fi, pools, meals, and other necessary facilities to make for a comfortable stay. A few are strategically located where you can revel in stellar view from the balcony or rooms. So, it is possible to book amazing hotels without breaking the bank. Some highly-reviewed hotels in the list are Novotel Dubai Deira City Centre ($25/night), Majestic City Retreat Hotel ($18.50/night), City seasons Towers Hotel ($24/night), and Arabian Park Hotel ($25/night).

Make Dubai Your Next Destination

Dubai has high-priced attractions, staycations, and activities. Wrapped in complete opulence, it is hard to think of Dubai as a city for budget-travelers. And with an image of over-the-top luxury, it is not easy to connect it with free or cheap tours. Although, it is true — this versatile city also offers various spots where you can have experienced it without having to spend any money at all. And that makes it a hit name in every traveler's bucket list. Follow these recommendations and you will not only get to explore the city at a reasonable price, but you'll also have an amazing adventure with memories that will last a lifetime!

Don't forget your Customs &
Culture Guide to Dubai!

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