Sightseeing on a Budget in Dubai

Dubai is one of the world’s most expensive vacation destinations, but with smart planning it’s possible to keep your costs down. From choosing combination tours that cut your transportation fares to buying a discount-crammed attractions pass, here are a few ways to save money in the city.

Book a Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Dubai’s sights are spread out, so paying for cabs and metro trains quickly adds up. Limit costs by booking a 1-day or multi-day pass for a hop-on hop-off bus that gives you unlimited cross-city travel for one price. Tours typically cover key sights such as Dubai Creek and Dubai Marina and often include perks such as museum tickets and guided walks.

Bundle Two Activities with Super Savers

Super Saver passes combine two bestselling activities into one tour for a lower price than if you were to book them separately—letting you experience Dubai’s quintessential activities while simultaneously cutting costs. Popular pairings include desert-and-dinner expeditions and dinner cruises and desert safaris teamed with city tours.

Choose Tours that Include a Meal or Tastings

If you’re heading off to sightsee on a city tour, choose one that includes a meal or tastings so you won’t need to pay for the equivalent meal yourself. Many include lunch or dinner at top restaurants, such as the Burj Al-Arab, giving you a way to experience glamorous dining spots at a great value. If you want to experience old Dubai, some tours offer tastings as you walk or let you learn about Emirati culture over an authentic local meal.

Buy a Sightseeing Pass

Passes that provide entry to a number of Dubai attractions for a single price save you money as you sightsee. Options include cards valid for an allotted period that give you cut-price admission to must-visits, such as the Burj Khalifa, as well as discounts and deals on tours and at restaurants, shops, and theme parks.

Opt for a Combination Tour

Combo tours pair together some of Dubai’s most popular activities to fill a day—think a city tour followed by a waterpark visit. These tours typically include transportation, so you avoid the cab, bus, or metro fares you’d pay if going independently. Other tours bundle several essential activities into two days and incorporate transportation throughout, saving you even more.