01:32 10-12-2025
Dubai on a budget: practical ways to save on transport, sights and food
Save in Dubai: low season timing, tour-agency hotel discounts, mall exchange rates, Nol buses and metro, free attractions, local SIM tips and cheap eats.
Planning a getaway to one of the world’s most lavish cities but hoping to sidestep runaway costs? Dubai, famed for opulent hotels, pricey restaurants and luxury boutiques, can look out of reach at first. Yet with a bit of strategy, you can enjoy the city’s highlights without draining your wallet. Here are practical ways to save in Dubai: from budget stays and affordable public transport to free sights and low-cost places to eat. Follow these pointers and your trip can feel indulgent rather than expensive.
Choose the low season
High season in Dubai falls in early spring and late autumn. Ideal beach weather at that time comes with the year’s priciest hotel rooms and airfares.
The most budget-friendly period is summer, when prices can drop significantly compared to winter. Be ready, though: from June to September the UAE is very hot, with air temperatures topping 40°C.
In winter, temperatures in Dubai usually stay below 30°C, which feels comfortable for visitors from the Northern Hemisphere. This period also coincides with the start of major sales in the shops.
Leverage tour-agency discounts
To cut costs on a Dubai trip, it pays to use special hotel offers and discounts available through travel agencies but not to individual bookers. The best promotions come via tour operators. Their job is to match travelers with hotels and provide recommendations based on real, up-to-date feedback. Responsible agents collect reviews from their clients, personally inspect properties and confer with colleagues, so their information stays reliable.
If you prefer to book on your own, monitor prices by area and star rating, comparing official hotel websites with major travel aggregators.
Exchange currency in Dubai’s malls
It’s often smarter to exchange money at counters inside shopping centers, which typically offer better rates than UAE banks and hotels. For example, Al Fardan Exchange and GCC Exchange have branches in numerous Dubai malls, including Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa Mall and others.
Pick buses over taxis
The cheapest public transport in Dubai is the bus: a ride costs 3 dirhams (about 70 rubles). To pay, tap a Nol Card at the validator; the silver card is the most economical option.
Dubai also has a metro and tram, which are relatively affordable. Fares may vary slightly depending on distance and time of day.
Use free Wi‑Fi and local SIMs
To save on connectivity, use the free local Wi‑Fi that’s widely available in hotels, on beaches, in malls, restaurants and other public spots. Keep in mind that in Dubai you can use WhatsApp, Telegram or Skype only for text messaging, as video calls are banned.
For longer stays, buying a local SIM is more cost-effective. You’ll find them in most electronics and mobile phone stores, and it’s cheaper than international roaming. If you rely on mobile data, choose a plan with unlimited internet access.
Summer nature escapes in Dubai
Although summer is considered off-season in Dubai, travelers looking to save still head over — and can comfortably visit numerous nature parks. Dubai Safari Park operated in summer for the first time in 2023, offering a summer pass from June to September. The pass is designed around animals’ feeding and sleeping schedules and is available in limited numbers for groups of up to 10 people.
The two-hour Summer Tours run in the morning and evening, including a safari and encounters with a variety of animals.
The Summer Safari Journey offers two safari options in an air-conditioned vehicle for groups up to 10.
Walks in the Wild is a 90-minute guided tour held early in the morning.
Dubai Butterfly Garden, the world’s largest indoor butterfly garden, welcomes visitors year-round. It is home to more than 15,000 butterflies representing 50 species.
At The Green Planet tropical park, a comfortable climate is maintained throughout the year. You can see sloths and lemurs, exotic birds, animals and insects; have a picnic, try the role of an animal keeper, or swim in an aquarium with piranhas.
Dubai Crocodile Park is home to more than 250 Nile crocodiles. Three artificial lakes with waterfalls and sandy shallows let visitors observe the reptiles in what feels like their natural environment. In the park’s museum you can learn more about crocodiles and see numerous hatchlings, as breeding also takes place here.
Make the most of free attractions
Despite its reputation for high prices, Dubai offers several attractions you can visit for free — you’ll only pay to get there.
Each evening, Dubai Mall hosts free fountain shows with music and light. The world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, can be admired at no cost from the Dubai Marina promenade or Jumeirah Beach.
Other free sights include the Camel Museum, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, the Imagine laser show, Madinat Jumeirah (often called an Arabian Venice), Al Fahidi Fort, the Coffee Museum, the Coin Museum, Jumeirah Mosque and the Gold Souk.
Eat at budget cafes and fast-food spots
Some food chains in Dubai serve budget-friendly meals — a solid choice for cost-conscious travelers.
For example, Shawarma Hut, specializing in shawarma, has an average check of about 18 dirhams (approximately 443 rubles). Subway offers inexpensive sandwiches and snacks around 25 dirhams (about 616 rubles). In chains such as Burger King, KFC and McDonald’s, the average check is about 20 dirhams (approximately 443 rubles).