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Dubai is expensive, there’s no doubt about that. It’s luxury at its finest, and the lifestyle there is truly unlike anywhere else in the world. From stunning skyscrapers to world-class shopping and dining, almost everything comes with a high price tag. However, even though the city is known for its extravagance, it’s still possible to visit Dubai on a budget. I’ve done it myself and had the best time ever!. All I did was plan in advance and saved money on activities and accommodation.

When is the best time to visit Dubai?

The best time to visit Dubai is between November to March. The weather is more pleasant reaching between 18-30 degrees of sunshine. It’s the perfect winter sun destination. The hottest months in Dubai are May to September with temperatures at 38-45 degrees. This is also the cheapest time to visit. Hotel prices drop during these months making it ideal for visitors on a budget.

Where to stay in Dubai on a budget?

Stay outside Downtown and Marina areas where accommodation is much cheaper for both hotels and apartments. On my trip to Dubai I stayed at TRYP by Wyndham Dubai a 4* hotel located in Barsha Heights. This was the perfect base with a supermarket and Metro station right outside the hotel.

Image credits from Booking.com

Staying here gives you access to a Beach Club at The Palm Jumeirah. You can reach it by a shuttle bus which goes to the beach club and back. The shuttle bus stops outside the hotel and runs on a scheduled timetable. It’s best to check the times at reception.

The hotel has three trendy restaurants serving a variety of dishes. I especially liked the egg station in the dining room. You can ask for your eggs exactly how you like them. The chef prepares them right in front of you, which is something I hadn’t experienced at breakfast before.

We traveled to Dubai in June and got a very good deal at TRYP by Wyndham Dubai. We stayed for 6 nights and paid less than £500 which included breakfast. An absolutely stunning hotel with a budget-friendly price tag during the hot seasons.

Things to see and do on a budget in Dubai

There are lots of things you can do without spending a lot of money.

• Have a beach day at JBR beach its free access to the public.
• Take a stroll or sunset walk at Dubai Creek
• Visit old Dubai and check out the markets
• Visit the Gold & spice souks
• See the Dubai Fountain show
• See Burj Khalifa views from Dubai Mall

One of the best things we did was visiting old Dubai and exploring the markets, and supporting local businesses. The gold and spice souks were also interesting to see. There are hundreds of spices you can buy or just smell, which are incredible scents.

Using public transport

We found using the local RTA taxis affordable. They charge a lower rate than what you’d pay by taking an Uber or hotel car service. You can also use Hala taxis which are operated on an app called Careem. We also got the metro to Dubai mall a couple times which was pretty easy to use.

The best day tours in Dubai

Dubai has many mosques, each elegant in its own way. The most visited one is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It is a stunning and iconic landmark that you should add to your list. Book your tickets in advance and check visiting hours before you go. I highly recommend you do a day tour with GetYourGuide where you can visit this mosque and other iconic landmarks.

We booked the From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour. It was an amazing experience. We visited Abu Dhabi, Louvre Museum and got to see the Etihad Towers along the way.

Before you enter Sheikh Zayed Mosque. You will be taken to a store which has abayas (a long dress with a headscarf). Women can wear these and return them after their visit to the mosque.

Another day tour you should add to your list is a desert safari tour. This tour includes quad bikes, sand boarding, dune bashing and camel rides. There is even a live show of traditional dancing with a BBQ and soft drinks.

We booked the Dubai: Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Al Khayma Camp. This was one heck of a trip, each activity was so much fun.

The entire tour is managed and organised by a tour guide, all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Best museum to visit

There are many museums in Dubai to visit. I highly recommend the Museum of the Future, it was one the best experiences I’ve had at a museum. I very much enjoyed it and learned a lot of fascinating things.

We booked Dubai: Museum of the Future Admission Ticket on Getyourguide website.

Plan in advance for the best rates

I always plan trips in advance because that’s how you find the lowest prices on accommodation and flights. I knew exactly what kind of trip I wanted to have in Dubai. Lots of research was carried out on hotels and activities and booked everything as soon as my flights were confirmed. I hope this blog post has given you some ideas and recommendations for your trip to Dubai. Travel smarter and still enjoy all that Dubai has to offer.

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