How to Travel the UAE on a Budget

If you are planning to travel to Dubai on a budget, then this guide is for you.  Unlike any drama or movie with billionaire people having no limit on their credit cards, real life is far different. If you are one of them, far and good but most people look to travel in a budget-friendly manner. In this article, you will find the appropriate steps on how you can make your trip budget-friendly with just bit of a planning.

Ultimate Hacks for Budget Friendly Travel in the UAE

1. Timing is Everything

Visiting UAE in the winter season will not help you to save money or travel with less spending as it is a peak season. Hence, it is best if you travel to the country during the off-peak season which is from May to September. At this time of the year, accommodation prices and even flight costs drop significantly. We understand the difficulty of touring in summer, hence keep the indoor attractions for the day and the outdoor ones in the evening.

2. Affordable Transportation Options

• Public Transport

Even if the city is a bit expensive, they still have some affordable and efficient public transport system. There are metros, buses, and water taxis that offer the best ways to explore the city. For more comfort with an adequate budget, you can purchase the Nol Card which will further give you discount rates. In addition, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, both have an extensive bus network which makes it more cost-effective.

• Carpooling and Ridesharing

There are cab services like Uber and Careem offering budget-friendly carpooling options. It is ideal for covering areas which you cannot reach by public transport.

• Renting Car

For people who are covering multiple Emirates in UAE, renting a car is perhaps the best option. Rent any of your desired cars with us at an affordable rate.

3. Budget Accommodations

Whether you are in Dubai, Sharjah, or any other Emirate in UAE, there are affordable accommodations too apart from the luxury hotels.

• Hostels and guesthouses like Dubai Youth Hostel and other budget hotels can help the cause.
• Book vacation rentals like Airbnb and shared accommodations that go easy on the wallet.
• If you want to target mid-range hotels, go for chains like Ibis and Premier Inn which are also a prime location.

4. Street Food

You can skip the five-star dining and head to local spots to enjoy authentic food like shawarmas, samosas, and falafels. Moreover, you can also go to enjoy the food courts at City Centre Deira and Al Ghurair malls. Many restaurants give affordable lunch sets that give the taste of luxury without any high price tag.

5. Free and Low-Cost Attractions

No one has to spend a fortune to have fun in cities like Dubai and others in the UAE. Here are the top activities that cost little or nothing,

• Dubai Fountain Show- A mesmerizing water and light show for free.
• A historical yet charming district Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
• Relax on public beaches like Jumeirah Beach.
• Visiting the cultural marvel Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
• Look at the amazing art by art enthusiasts at Sharjah Art Museum.
• A great budget-friendly escape on Ajman Beach.
• A great family spot at Al Ain Zoo at reasonable ticket prices.

6. Maximize Discount Cards and Coupons

You can install an application named The Entertainer which has mind blowing offers like ‘two for one’ deals on attractions, hotels, and restaurants. Another is the Groupon UAE where there are discounts on dining, tours, and experiences.

There are many other types of NOL cards too that have good discounts on tourist attractions in Dubai.

7. Cultural Experiences on a Budget

Among all, if you don’t want to deal with such schedule headaches, it’s better to hand over all the flight bookings, transportation, and tour guides to a travel agency in Dubai who can take care of everything.

• Even cultural experiences can be done within your budget like in gold souk, date markets, and others.
• Do not go without experiencing the desert safari packages which are also available in a variety of affordable packages.
• Many mosques like Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque have free entry with guided tours to explore the Islamic culture.

8. Smart Shopping

We agree that shopping can be quite tempting in UAE and to help you do that on a budget, we are here with this amazing list of tips and tricks,

• Outlet Mall and Village in Dubai
• Do not forget to bargain in souks
• You can freely claim VAT refunds since you are a tourist. Do that at the airport before heading.

9. Plan Wisely

Since you want to tour on a budget, make sure you are not dedicating an entire day to one place. Bring more than two attractions to visit in one day and plan the itinerary accordingly.

10. Stay Hydrated

Since you will be visiting during the summer season, you are going to drain a lot of energy and water from your body. This will lead to frequent purchases of water bottles which can result in overspending. So, bring reusable water bottles which you can refill at malls or public areas with free drinking stations.

Takeaway

You do not need to sacrifice the fun and comfort to travel across the UAE on a budget. These are the top insider tips that let you explore the country and do every renowned activity without overspending. Now all you need to do is pack your bags, follow these hacks, and get ready for an affordable Emirati adventure!