Advice on making a trip to Dubai affordable?

Dubai is actually quite affordable. If you happen to be coming from any country in the world that is in top 40% of countries when it comes to GDP you won't have trouble. Transportation is super cheap, cabs are really affordable, metro even more so. When it comes to 7 day trips, you can spend a lot of money if you don't know what to do exactly. You could stay at super cool places like at Auris Hotel Apartment in TECOM area (which isn't super premium and luxurious but it is nice) and be only 15 minutes by cab (around 3 USD fare) from Marina area which is one of the most luxurious. If you happen to eat out a lot you'll pay around AED 100 (30ish USD) for a meal for 2 people. Not bad really. However if you want to go to high end places like Gaucho (which I do recommend) or Zuma, both in DIFC area, expect to pay more than AED 500 per person. Alcohol is expensive in clubs and there is no way around it. You could start in bars where they have happy hours and alcohol/food combo is much less expensive. In a nutshell, Dubai can be both dirt cheap and luxuriously expensive, it's up to you which part you want to experience.

Ehsan,

Dubai is the city which has all types of hotels, you can have according to your budget. the transport is so cheap and easily available so wherever you take your hotel it wouldnt be problem. They will become expensive around the shopping festival. So u can plan your dates accordingly. For cheap options you can check hotels near Meena Bazaar مينا بازار, marina.

Good luck

Ehsan,

While there are local/neighborhood restaurants in  Dubai, this is not a cheap city for good food.  Hotel prices vary significantly depending upon season (cheap in summer, not so cheap on December), but there are often affordable options, especially if you look for a place to stay on the Marina district.

Good luck! 

Hi ehasan!

yes absolutely there is! Dubai is not always that expensive. with the recent developments however prices have spiked up but not so much. the best part about dubai is that it has its affordable vacation spots. obviously airline prices go up and down but some of the affordable hotels in dubai include the ramada hotel in Deira and Bur Dubai, the Arabian Park Hotel, Winchester Grand Deluxe Hotel Apartments Dubai in Bur Dubai, and some of the hotels that are a part of the savoy group. im sure if you look it up on google you will find that these hotels are not only affordable but are also totally worth it. and also it is least expensive to come at around december and jan! do try and make a trip.. it is a must see destination.

p.s : i live here

Buy an 'Entertainer Book' although the cost of this is pretty pricey, it does give great discounts e.i. 2 for 1 in restaurants, entries to water parks and other excursions like the desert safari!! 

The savings you make outweigh the price of the book by far. Also once you've finished sell the book on an auction site, i sold mine even though it was half empty!!

Dates : Obviously the non-peak dayz of Summer are much much cheaper but also less enjoyable. The best times I think would be Near the 1st weeks of march (Not as hot & also most of the Dubai festival Tourist have left already) making Dubai stay much more affordable

Hotels : As recommended by other users areas in Old Town Old town ( Deira City Center ديرة سيتي سنتر, Meena Bazaar مينا بازار) would be cheaper than staying elsewhere.

Food / Activities :  if you are planning to stay more than a week & your itenary includes major Activities ( Ski Dubai, Atlantis, The Palm) I would recommend  you to buy the EntertainerME Coupons. Its a pre-purchased Set of 1+1 Free coupons which includes all major Food & activity Outlets.

You can check the same in this link https://www.theentertainerme.com/books/dubai/entertainer-dubai/

I do not remember the name unfortunately, but there were a few hotels in the 50 to 75 dollars in the old part of  Dubai near  Bani Yas Square

I was in Dubai last year for 6 days and stayed in Old Town and found a small but nice hotel where i paid 50 dollars per nigth for a single room.

I was the only westerner at the hotel but i quite enjoyed that as it made my stay a little more authentic.

I would advice you to rent a car for your trip and visit different beaches and places are not far from Dubai. My friends and I always do that. Last time we rented a car for our Dubai trip at http://uae.rentalcars24h.com/dubai-airport. The cost was about $11 per day.

Dubai can be inexpensive if you are really willing to go beyond the norm. In terms of hotels, if you were to stay around the Al Qusais in Dubai. There are many serviced apartments around the area and is quite near the metro as well. Use the metro as much as possible as it is connected to all the cool places and it is inexpensive. Though, it can get crowded but you save a fortune considering the metro over the cabs. As for eateries- immerse yourself in the world of groupon. Yes- Dubai has groupon and try to use it as much as possible! Cheers :)

Hi Eshan

Dubai can be very expensive, but equally can be done on a budget if you're prepared to compromise. The older parts of town tend to be cheaper (both accommodation & eating) but not to everyone's taste (busy, noisy, crowded etc), whilst the beach locations tend to be more expensive.  "Nice" restaurants are pricey, & they are usually the only ones which sell alcohol (which is also very expensive) but there are plenty of "Cheap & Cheerful" places if you can be happy with that

enjoy

Gill