How to do Dubai on a budget

Get discounted views

Soaring 828m (2,717ft) into the sky, the Burj Khalifa is one of Dubai’s biggest draws. A high-speed elevator delivers you to the observation decks at level 124 and 125, or level 148, and floor-to-ceiling glass provides a 360-degree view over the sea of skyscrapers below.

Pre-purchase your tickets to guarantee the time you’d like (you can book online up to 120 days in advance) and visit outside of the prime viewing hours of 3pm-7pm to save yourself around £17 per adult.

You needn’t bother with level 148 either – you’ll fork out more than double the ticket price of decks 124 and 125 for a similar view.

Nab BOGOF bargains

For the best bargains on dining and attractions, get The Entertainer app. It has more than 7,500 buy-one-get-one-free vouchers for restaurants, bars, spas, activities, hotels and more across Dubai.

The app is free to download, then you can purchase a membership bundle such as the Entertainer Dubai 2025, which allows you to redeem discounts and offers on premium dining, leisure activities and top attractions. You can share your membership with up to three friends and family, making it more cost effective if you’re travelling with multiple people.

Before you buy any packages, take a look through the potential offers and savings attached to them to ensure you save more than you’ve paid.

Discover cut-price culture

Before the mega malls and supercars, Dubai was a pearling and trading village set around the Creek.

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding leads walking tours of the narrow sikkas (alleyways) and restored barjeels (wind towers) of the Al Fahidi Historic District, as well as no-holds-barred Q&A sessions on local culture.

Tours cost around £24.50 and run at 9am every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and at 10.30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Q&A sessions take place throughout the week (excluding Mondays and Wednesdays) at 9am and 10.30am, and are around £10pp.

While you’re here, take an abra (water taxi) across the Creek to the spice and gold souks of Deira for just 20 pence each way.

The city also has a blossoming contemporary arts scene. There are a dozen swanky galleries in Gate Village that you can visit for free, while Alserkal Avenue has a collection of edgier galleries and exhibits housed in converted warehouses. You can check out their latest exhibition schedule here.

Embrace kitschy fun

Dubai Garden Glow is a fun, neon-lit attraction that’s home to a mesmerising display of handmade models and structures. Expect vivid creations illuminated by over ten million LED lights, as well as food stalls and live music (£17 per person; free for under-3s).

At the foot of Burj Khalifa, meanwhile, is a 30-acre lake containing the Dubai Fountain – the world’s largest, naturally – which shoots water 150m (500ft) into the air while ‘dancing’ to Arab pop songs and Lionel Richie numbers.

Watch the free evening shows every 30 minutes from 6pm–11pm outside the entrance to the Dubai Mall.

Fill up on cheap eats

Indians and Pakistanis are the biggest expat communities in Dubai, so you’ll find plenty of budget-friendly fare. Ravi Restaurant is a Dubai institution where you can dine out on a traditional Pakistani curry with dal for less than £9 a head.

Nearby, 2nd of December Street is lined with good budget options such as Al Mallah (Lebanese) and LalQila Restaurant (Asian buffet).

Emirati food is surprisingly hard to come by, but other low-priced Middle Eastern cuisine is widely available. Take a seat at the buzzy outdoor terrace at Aroos Damascus and feast on hot and cold Arabic mezze and grilled meats. Main courses cost between £7 and £12 a dish.

Or grab a shawarma (pitta bread with shaved meat, garlic sauce and salad) – the £10 chicken shawarma platter with fries and pickles at Al Safadi is a popular choice.

Find budget booze

Alcohol is only served in restaurants and licensed premises, which basically means a hotel.

Most bars have a happy hour – one of the best is Cargo, a​ warehouse-style bar with an outdoor terrace overlooking Dubai Marina. It has selected drinks for £7 every Sunday to Friday between 12pm and 8pm. Ladies’ nights, usually on Tuesdays, mean women get free, or heavily discounted, drinks at venues around the city.

For drinking while dining, limitless brunch – an all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink lunchtime feast – is your best-value option. Try the fun-filled Saturday brunch at Vida Emirates Hills. For around £64, you can enjoy mouthwatering food, drinks and live music from 1pm-4pm on Saturdays.

Pitch up in a low-cost room

Dubai is full of expensive places to stay, such as the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, commonly referred to as the world’s most luxurious hotel.

More modest digs can be found in the older parts of town around Bur Dubai and Deira – the four-star Hyatt Place Dubai Al Rigga is within easy reach of the airport and has smart rooms and an outdoor pool. Rooms can be picked up from as little as £88 a night in low season with breakfast included.

Alternatively, look to budget-friendly Citymax Hotel Al Barsha for double rooms starting from around £63 a night. It’s got bright, spotless rooms, three restaurants and a small rooftop pool, plus it’s conveniently located close to the mall, metro and Jumeirah Beach.

*All prices correct as of 16 December 2024.