Dubai, a city of extravagance and opulence, is always considered to be very expensive for tourists. But if you are planning to spend cheap Dubai holidays, this place can be quite affordable. All you need to do is look around and search smartly. However, with this blog, your struggle comes to an end. Here, we’ll demystify finding budget-friendly lodgings, foods, and transit so that you can enjoy your trip to this Arabian Peninsula without putting a dent in your pocket. Let’s explore the cheap side of Dubai.
1. Cheap Accommodations to Stay
For every traveller, the most crucial thing during his trip is to find a balanced lodging. There are plenty of ways you can find affordable arrangements. These are mentioned below:
Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
One of the best ways is to utilise Dubai’s Airbnb. In fact, this option is considered ideal to find villas as well as accommodations at a fraction of the price. The plus point is that it is quite convenient to use and is also transparent.
The following are the benefits of renting a house on Airbnb:
- As explained above, it could be affordable, as you just need to filter out the expensive options.
- You get complete privacy and control over your lodgings.
- You can enjoy a local experience by acting like a native resident.
- The places here often have more space compared to traditional hotels.
Either download the Airbnb app or search “Dubai Airbnb” on the internet. Enter your check-in and check-out dates. You will find a range of options – choose the one that best suits your budget or select a price range from the filter.
While choosing accommodation via this platform, always try to book in advance, as it will save you additional bucks. Before going with a property, read the customer’s reviews and also look for discounts. Further, also ensure that you are fine with the region of lodgings, as some options are in the countryside and others are in the main city. If privacy is not a big concern for you, you can even go with the shared room options, as it is more cost-friendly.
Hostels
Another option that you can choose for budget-friendly lodging is going with hotels. Although they come at the cost of privacy, the best thing about them is that they often give a social experience and opportunities to meet new people. For some extra bucks, you can even select private rooms if you prefer to stay alone.
Choosing a hostel is quite simple. Just search “Hostels in Dubai” and scroll from the top web results. Sites such as Booking.com, Kayak, and MakeMyTrip can offer you better options both quality and budget-wise. If you are planning to stay in a hostel, here is what you can expect:
- You will get basic amenities such as Wi-Fi, beds, showers, as well as bath supplies. Some hostels do provide meals, while others don’t.
- Even if you go with the separate room options, consider that kitchens, lounges, and bathrooms could be shared.
- A positive aspect is that you can find new people, or even the best, new travellers to participate in your journeys.
While choosing one hostel, prioritise your safety by checking the measures they are taking. Read the online review for your surety and also consider the location of the hostel. Finally, do a thorough analysis of the amenities that best suit you.
Off-Peak Travel
A hack to get cheap accommodations in Dubai is to travel in off-seasons. Mostly, there are fewer travellers as well as less demand, dropping the overall prices. For instance, you can choose to go in the summer months, which are between June and August. Although this is relatively considered a hot period, with proper precautions, you can enjoy your trip while saving money.
Shoulder seasons such as spring and fall also offer decent prices due to fewer crowds. Similarly, avoid travelling to Dubai during any major events, such as the Polo Master Cup or Dubai Cup, as the accommodation rates are mostly high during these occasions.
2. Affordable Foods to Try
Apart from tourism, if there is one place where Dubai is also famous, it is their cuisine. Since there is a mixed race of people here, you will find a variety of foods in this cultural mosaic. Here is how you can find new eateries and foods at a cheap cost:
Local Eateries
Dubai is rich with local food eateries. A wide variety of people from around the globe have come, and they have introduced their tastes here. To get access to these eateries, you can try searching online for “local eateries near me,” and there will be plenty of options there. Choose the one that best fits your preferences and try the new cuisines on a budget.
Alternatively, you can even go to these sites and try your hand at one:
- Siraj Restaurant at Souk Al Bahar for a delicious Emirati cuisine,
- Al Ustad Special Kabab in Bur Dubai for mouth-watering kebabs,
- Bu Qtair in Jumeirah for fresh fish and prawns,
- Arabian Tea House for a savoury breakfast,
Mind that these eateries mainly offer local Asian food. However, if you are looking for something international, you need to find some budget-friendly restaurants such as Level 43 Sky Lounge or White Orchid Restaurant.
Street Food
The street life of Dubai is quite vibrant. You can learn about the diverse tastes of this multicultural city. The following are the common dishes that you can get at these street food points:
- Knafeh
- Falafel
- Luqaimat
- Shawarma
- Samboosa
- Kofta
- Gulab Jamun
Again, the street foods are mostly run by locals from Asian countries. Hence, you will get a similar experience. While going at these points, always prioritise food hygiene and don’t shy away from negotiating the prices. This way you can get the best on the budget.
Meal Deals and Lunch Specials
A quick trick to enjoying food at a premium hotel is to look for meal deals and special offers. Many restaurants and hotels offer these packages to grab new clients, providing great value for money. However, the real struggle is where to find such deals. Try the following options:
- Food courts in shopping malls,
- Businesses hubs that cater to the local workers,
- Local food chains such as Texas Chicken or LIWAN,
- Buffet meals at some hotels, such as the Friday Brunch at The Huddle Sports Bar & Grill,
- Combo offerings by fast food chains or at local dining spots,
Consider that these deals often contain a meal, a drink, or one side dish (optional). Sometimes, you even have to get in line or wait for a specific time to enjoy food on a budget.
3. Cost-Effective Transit for Intra-City Travel
A cheap trip is incomplete without cost-effective transit in Dubai. Try the following options for affordable and efficient transit in the city:
Metro and Buses
This is the best way to travel in Dubai while saving your money. There are two metro lines in the city, red and green metro lines. Both alternatives are good enough to cover the entire city, taking you to the major attractions and business hubs.
Similarly, the local bus network is also available at your service and complements the metro as it reaches the area where the metro can’t go. For a more affordable ride, get the Nol card, which is not only convenient but also makes it possible to have seamless travel.
Ride-Sharing Apps
Although booking Uber or Careem could be expensive, you can try the ride-sharing option. Both apps offer this convenience to the customers, which is reliable as well as budget-friendly. You can even try the “Hala” feature on Careem, which works like a regular taxi and costs you the same.
Further, many companies have also introduced carpooling services, where you can agree to share your ride with multiple people. For instance, CarpoolWorld or Dubizzle are the top options. However, beware that you can’t carpool privately, as this is prohibited in Dubai and can fine you up to Dh3000.
Do you need to enjoy cheap Dubai holidays? Contact Virikson Holidays. They have one of the most competitive prices in the market, and all of their services are ATOL-protected. On top of that, if you need multi-city travel such as Dubai and Maldives holiday packages, get in touch with us now to avail affordable deals.
