Piers van der Merwe
How to enjoy Dubai without Breaking the Bank
Dubai is the land of the rich and wealthy. The land of towering skyscrapers and expensive cars. The shopper’s paradise. The land where your “Uber” choices include a chopper ride to your destination. The location where every car seems to cost something over 6 digits. The place where you can stay is at a six-star hotel. Is that your image of Dubai? How can you afford to go to such a place and have fun?
Dubai is expensive. There is no doubt about it. In fact, every luxury brand is there, period. Ostentatiousness is the norm in Dubai and is actually part of the experience.
Dubai Marina
However, if you don’t have a “Gulf-State” type bank account and you don’t have a wealthy benefactor, how can you visit and enjoy Dubai?
Actually, it’s pretty easy. There is plenty to do in Dubai that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and there are ways to stay reasonably in the best parts of Dubai. The modern Internet world is your friend. It starts with Airbnb. If you have never used Airbnb, start now!
It is one of the biggest boons to modern travel in the last half-century. My wife and I have used it in many parts of the world, from Pienza, Italy, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Most recently, I secured an incredible Airbnb apartment right in the heart of the Dubai Marina. This was the view from the apartment.
The Marina is in a fantastic location near places like Jumeirah Beach and Palm Jumeirah (where the famous Atlantis hotel and water park are). By staying in an apartment, I could provide my own breakfast. There was a convenience store at the base of the apartment, open 24 hours a day. Or I could wander outside and pick up breakfast at a local coffee shop or hotel. I could even cook my own dinner if I wanted to (which I didn’t).
The cost of staying in Airbnb was a fraction of the hotels at the Dubai Marina. Cut your costs in Dubai by using Uber too. Catching an Uber ride from the airport to the apartment was much less than taking a taxi. Again, you need to start if you haven’t become an Uber user. It is so convenient when you travel because you don’t have to worry about cash.
You can walk straight from the plane and pick up an Uber car to your hotel. But remember you will need the Internet on your phone. As I complete this article, I am sitting in the airport in Brazil on my way home from a conference. I completed this trip without changing currency, using plastic, and the Internet for everything.
Activities that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is a fantastic place to get lost in. There is so much there that you could do for a day or two, and almost none will cost you any money unless you want to spend it. The Mall contains an aquarium, an ice rink, and fascinating displays like one of the divers over a waterfall. But of course, at the Mall, there is the tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalif. Even though this will cost you something, it is worth going up.
There are 2 levels that you can choose to go to. The first is at the 123 and 124 floors, and the second is almost to the top of the 148th floor. Both are experiences, but I would only go to the 123/124 levels if you are on a tight budget. The views are virtually identical.
Jumeirah Beach
Spend time on the fantastic Jumeirah beach, where you can view the iconic Burj Dubai Hotel. I am always fascinated by the clash of cultures in a situation like this. Dubai is a Muslim country with all the conservative cultural practices that go along with Islam. So at the beach, you will see women in their full hijab next to women in very skimpy bikinis.
All of this makes for an exciting day at the beach! If you are a beach lover, I would suggest you avoid the height of summer when the temperatures may be a little on the high side for a comfortable experience.
Palm Jumeirah
This is a must-visit, even if only because it’s an engineering marvel. It’s the largest man-made island in the world (everything in the UAE is ‘the largest’ – sorry, Texas). In fact, it’s actually a series of islands connected in such a way as to make it look like a Palm. You can take a monorail to the islands, although getting to the start station can be challenging.
The sheer magnitude of the island will leave you speechless. Of course, if you have a little bit of money and some time to spend, go to the Atlantis’ Aquaventure Waterpark – with rides to suit the whole family.
Old Town Dubai
Another “free” thing to do in Dubai is explore the souks of the Old Town if you can resist the temptation to purchase anything. Sometimes referred to as Old Deira, it’s a treasure trove of spices, perfume, and jewelry. One exciting way to do this area of Dubai is by following the National Geographic Walking Tour.
So don’t let a small budget deter you from visiting Dubai.
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Also read:
- Top 10 Best Dubai Hotels for 2023 (With Rates)
- The Ultimate List of the Best Dubai Luxury Hotels
- Bucket List: Top 10 Things to do in Dubai, UAE
- Places to See in Dubai: How to Have a Complete Dubai Holiday
- Why Dubai is a Great Destination for Families
