Last Updated: 11/30/23 | November 30th, 2023
Dubai is a popular stopover destination for travelers flying over the region. That was how I ended up there, as I was transiting to/from the Maldives.
As I explored the city, admiring it’s iconic skyline, I came to realize that the rumors I heard were true: Dubai was expensive.
In Dubai, the ways to save are not obvious. They are hidden far beneath the surface of the city. Much like Las Vegas, Dubai is designed to extract as much money from you as possible.
Fortunately, I had some local friends share their secret tips with me during my trip so I didn’t break the bank.
Today, I’m going to share those tips to help you save money in Dubai. I’ll share some of my favorite activities too to help you make the most of your visit, no matter how long you’re staying for!
How to Save Money in Dubai
Dubai doesn’t have to bust your budget but it easily can if you aren’t careful. Like most cities with extremely high prices, many of the city’s residents have found tips and tricks on how to squeeze every last dirham possible.
Use Groupon – Groupon is huge in Dubai and you can find tons of discounts, 2-for-1 specials, and deals on the website. If there is something you want to do, check there first as there is a high chance you’ll find a discount (including eating out, as there are a lot of restaurant deals here).
Get The Entertainer – This is a magazine and app that offers discounts and specials on restaurants, hotels, and activities. There’s one for the UAE that all locals swear by. You’ll get 2-for-1 specials and discounts on attractions, restaurants, drinks, clubs, theme parks, and hotels.
You can pick up a copy when you arrive in Dubai at supermarkets and bookstores, or find an online version on their website (the app costs 594 AED). Check for sign-up sales too. Sometimes you can find the app 50% off or get a free trial.
Find a cheap brunch – I strongly suggest you attend brunch while you’re here as it’s a tradition among locals in Dubai and quite fun. Every Friday, locals flock to a midday buffet of unlimited drinks and food. As the day goes on, it often turns into debauchery that would make Nero proud.
However, brunch is not a cheap affair. Some cost as much as 700 AED. Therefore, knowing where the deals are very important.
Warehouse and 24th St. World Street Food Restaurant are two of the cheapest you’ll find in the city, with prices between AED 159-295 AED per person. You can ask people on Couchsurfing too. There’s an active Dubai group on the site.
For good alcohol-free breakfasts, try More Cafe or Cafe Beirut.
Attend a happy hour – The lifeblood of any drinker, happy hours are where you can go to save a buck: from McGettigan’s drink specials (30 AED from 12-7 pm for selected house drinks) to Lock, Stock & Barrel’s half price drinks Monday to Saturday 4-8pm and Sundays 2-8pm!). Dubai is FULL of happy hours (and drink specials can be found in The Entertainer too). To see what current happy hours there are in Dubai, check out:
- The Best Happy Hours in Dubai
- 15 Best Places with Happy Hours in Dubai
- TimeOut’s List of Happy Hours in Dubai
Moreover, check out the app Guzzler, which also lists the current best happy hours in the city.
Eat in Old Dubai – Step away from the hotels, malls, and fancy souks meant to make you think you are in Aladdin and head into Old Dubai for cheap eats. Meals at restaurants in this area generally cost 35-65 AED. I really loved Al Usted, an Iranian restaurant near the Al Fahidi metro.
Take the metro – While the metro only really cuts through the middle of the city, it does go to the marina, airport, and Old Dubai. At 8.50 AED, it’s cheaper than any taxi. If you do need to take a taxi, prices start at 12 AED and go up 2 AED per kilometer.
To keep your transportation costs low, pick accommodation near a metro stop.
Know where the cheap accommodation is – Hotels in Dubai are expensive. Fortunately, all the major hotel chains have locations here so if you have hotel points, use them. Point redemptions are a bargain here.
I used my SPG points for a night at the Sheraton for 10,000 points! (Start travel hacking today if you want to earn free hotel stays!)
If you lack hotel points or simply don’t want to stay in one, there is a very active Couchsurfing community in the city. I would definitely recommend contacting residents before you visit and see if anyone has a room.
Airbnb is also an affordable option here. You can find private rooms starting at 128 AED and entire apartments from 356 AED, though only if you book early (last-minute bookings cost double or more).
There are also some newer hostels that have popped up in the last few years. They start around 55-146 AED per night. These include Torch 77 and Grays Hostel.
Skip the booze – Outside the happy hours and all-you-can-eat brunches, drinking is expensive, so I would go easy on the drinking during your visit.
9 Things to See and Do in Dubai
Dubai doesn’t have a lot of traditional “things to do.” it’s not Paris, London, Hong Kong.
However, it does have enough attractions to fill a few days. Some of my favorites are:
1. Enjoy the View from the Burj Khalifa – This is the tallest building in the world, by a whopping 200 meters (656 feet)! Standing 830 meters tall (2,723 feet), you can ascend to the 124 & 125th floor for 169 AED. From there, you get panoramic views of the city and desert.
When I went it was pretty hazy, but it still made for a beautiful contrast. I would highly recommend it (but don’t pay to go to the 148th floor. It’s not that much of a difference!).
At night, the building is illuminated by a spectacular light show of fish, palm trees, and other scenes while the fountain below dances to music. It’s easily the highlight of the city.
2. The Dubai Mall – This was one of my favorite malls simply for the cool aquarium, ice skating rink, movie theater, large bookstore (though it didn’t have my book), and all the little cafés that dot the mall.
It’s worth a wander. You’ll see a lot of people just hanging out here, drinking coffee, reading a book, chatting, and escaping the heat.
3. Jumeirah Mosque – This beautiful mosque is one of two in the city you can actually visit. It’s small, consisting of one large room but there is a guided tour taking place each day at 10am and 2pm. It’s 35 AED and comes with a great breakfast spread, and is more cultural information on Islam than a tour. But if you don’t know much about Islam or the role it plays in the UAE, it’s pretty interesting. Open Saturday to Thursday.
4. The Palm Islands – On this famous palm tree-shaped island, you’ll find a large shopping walkway, the Atlantis resort, Aquaventure waterpark, and a host of fancy restaurants, bars, and clubs. It’s beautiful to walk around and explore during the day (at night, it’s pretty boring!) The Waterpark is the biggest in the world and tickets cost 315 AED.
5. The Marina – The marina area is surrounded by tall buildings and contains a beautiful boardwalk. You can see the fancy boats and get some stunning photographs of the harbor and skyline. Be sure to check out Pier 7, which is seven floors of restaurants and bars on the water. I liked Asia Asia, with its gaudy Asian theme.
6. Souk Madinat Jumeirah – This souk (market) is a modern building designed to look like something out of Aladdin, but it’s home to some incredible restaurants, like Agency, a modern wine bar with a huge selection of wines and yummy meat and cheese plates. There’s a beautiful inner courtyard pond in this complex, too.
7. Dubai Museum – A small museum in Old Dubai with not a lot of information but some really cool displays. Opened in 1971, it showcases the history and culture of Dubai as well as life in the desert. There are also some interesting maps that let you track the development of the city from when oil was discovered in the 1960s to today. At $1 USD admission, you can’t go wrong!
8. Old Dubai – This is Dubai as it used to be. Markets (like the famous gold market) dot the area, small merchant shops line the streets, and you can get lost in a maze of alleyways. Take a boat across the river, wander aimlessly, visit the Dubai Museum, eat at some of the traditional restaurants (there’s also a lot of good Indian food here), explore the art district, and see Dubai as it is away from the glitz of the malls and high-rises.
If you’d rather learn about the area from a guide, take a walking food tour. Ocean Air Travels offers a tasty street food tour around the Al Reef waterway followed by a boat ride across Dubai Creek. It’s the perfect way to learn more about the city.
9. Visit the desert – I didn’t get a chance to do this during my visit but everyone said this is one of the best things to do in Dubai. Take a day trip or spend a night out in the desert. It’s supposed to be beautiful.
If you want to check it out but keep it cheap, this half-day trip to the desert includes a safari, quad bike, sandboarding, and a camel ride for 114 AED.
While Dubai may appear expensive (and if you indulge in modern Dubai’s nightlife, it will be), there are plenty of options to save money in Dubai without missing out on all the amazing activities this oasis in the desert has to offer. Simply follow the tips above and you’ll be able to enjoy this amazing city without breaking the bank!
Book Your Trip to Dubai: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Dubai?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Dubai for even more planning tips!