{"id":97170712,"date":"2015-01-29T15:56:39","date_gmt":"2015-01-29T15:56:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/?p=97170712"},"modified":"2022-01-03T17:47:21","modified_gmt":"2022-01-03T17:47:21","slug":"how-to-see-dubai-on-a-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/how-to-see-dubai-on-a-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"How to See the Gold-Drenched City of Dubai When You&#8217;re Basically Broke"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dubai has quite the reputation. From housing the world\u2019s tallest building to fashioning its own personalized, man-made islands, there\u2019s no other place in the world that does excess quite like Dubai. The city\u2019s filled with the most expensive foreign cars, so much so that they are probably worth more than you make in a year. Or five. Seriously, you&#8217;ll even find the Dubai police riding in some of the world&#8217;s fastest and most expensive cars like Lamborghini&#8217;s and Bugatti&#8217;s!<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a destination that most must see to believe&#8230; and you can, too! Granted, Dubai has a bad reputation amongst the budget and backpacking communities for being too pricey, but don&#8217;t fret. It is also possible to enjoy it without going broke.\u00a0Here are some activities for you to stay within your travel spending budget while admiring Dubai!<\/p>\n<h3>Let\u2019s Start With Architecture<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97197128\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai.jpg\" alt=\"affordable dubai trip\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Remember whenn we mentioned the tallest building in the world earlier? Well, that piece of architectural madness &#8212; called <a href=\"http:\/\/www.burjkhalifa.ae\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Burj Khalifa<\/a>&#8212; is, not surprisingly, a must-see. It\u2019s also impossible to miss, for obvious reasons. Getting to the top will cost about $100 a pop depending on your ticket choice, but the views are pretty insane. Make sure you check out <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jumeirah.com\/en\/hotels-resorts\/dubai\/burj-al-arab\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Burj Al Arab<\/a>, while you\u2019re at it. This hotel, shaped like a wind-filled sail, is the fanciest lodging you could ever stay in. You won\u2019t be able to enter this luxurious spot unless you\u2019re an official guest, but it&#8217;s possible to admire it from a distance for the price of zero dollars.<\/p>\n<h3>Shopping&#8230;a MUST!<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97197130\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-3.jpg\" alt=\"affordable dubai travel \" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-3-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-3-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>You can totally shop in Dubai without spending all your money. Head to the fancy malls for the experience\u2014the Mall of Arabia is the biggest shopping mall in the entire world (complete with a Jurassic Park style theme park!) and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.malloftheemirates.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mall of the Emirates<\/a> has an indoor ski slope with real snow. Yeah.<\/p>\n<p>In any case, ogle to your heart\u2019s content at the crazy malls of Dubai\u2014because let\u2019s be real, staring slack-jawed at the insanely wealthy is part of the Dubai sightseeing experience! The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wafi.com\/souk-in-dubai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Khan Murjan Souk<\/a> is where you should go in search of fabrics, spices, and other traditional Arabian wares. To really be dazzled, though, head over to the Gold Souk. You\u2019ll find gold, platinum, and even diamonds aplenty over here\u2014and haggling is expected. As a result, you can get yourself some amazing jewelry for about a fraction of its retail value!<\/p>\n<h3>Hit the Beach<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97197131\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-4.jpg\" alt=\"affordable dubai travel\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-4-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-4-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>With all the glitz and glam you\u2019ll find in Dubai, it\u2019s easy to forget that this city started out as a humble fishing town. But you know what\u2019ll remind you that fun fact? Its gorgeous coastline. Because you can\u2019t visit Dubai without a trip to the beach, even if you aren\u2019t staying at one of the posh waterfront hotels. For a more budget-friendly beach experience, head over to Jumeirah Beach Park to take a dip in the clear ocean and sunbathe. Surrounding the beach are cafes, barbecue areas, and a playground for children.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll have an awesome time tanning and splashing around in the Persian Gulf\u2014but remember, the U.A.E. is an Islamic country, and respect for the local culture is a must. Almost anything goes in cosmopolitan Dubai, but the Western standard of near nudity on the beach is generally considered disrespectful. Unless you\u2019re tanning on one of the private, hotel-owned beaches, stick to board shorts and a T-shirt during your beach adventure.<\/p>\n<h3>Explore The Manmade Island Close Up!<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97197132\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-5.jpg\" alt=\"affordable dubai travel \" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-5.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-5-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-5-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While you\u2019re chilling out at the waterfront, why not check out the bevy of manmade islands that surround Dubai? You can hop on a speedboat that\u2019ll ferry you around the gulf, passing the Palm Jebel Ali, The Palm Jumeirah, and The World, a collection of islands that mimic the geography of the globe!<\/p>\n<p><strong>You may also like: <a href=\"https:\/\/coawp-admin.fareportal.com\/miles-away\/which-budget-friendly-destination-should-you-and-your-friends-visit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Which Budget-Friendly Destination Should You Visit With Your Friends?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Go Dune Bashing in The Desert!<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dubai-safari.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97197133\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dubai-safari.jpg\" alt=\"affordable dubai travel \" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dubai-safari.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dubai-safari-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Dubai-safari-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>You can\u2019t go to the desert without, you know, actually GOING to the desert. Dubai is a glittering metropolis built right in the middle of the Arabian Desert, and you totally have to go see it in all its natural glory. So book a tour guide to experience reckless, irresponsible driving in a 4&#215;4 through the sand dunes, go sandboarding\u2014which is basically like snowboarding, Arabian Desert style\u2014 or even ride a camel if you feel adventurous enough! A desert safari usually includes all of the above, plus food prepared on site.<\/p>\n<h3>Eat Like an Arabian Sheikh<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-97197129\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-2.jpg\" alt=\"affordable dubai travel\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-2-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dubai-2-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Still not convinced to look for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/deals\/cheap-flights-in-january\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cheap flights in January<\/a> to rock Dubai on a budget? To offset the cost of speedboat and dune-bashing adventures, go to Al Diyafah Road. Located in the old part of the city, Bastakia Quarter, you won\u2019t find Ferraris or glittering shopping malls here. Instead, you\u2019ll admire the remnants of Dubai\u2019s fishing village roots, a vibrant local population, and truly delicious (and cheap!) food. Craving Indian, Iranian, or Lebanese food instead? No problem. Check out Ravi\u2019s if you\u2019re a fan of curry\u2014it\u2019s considered one of the best curry houses in the city, despite its humble demeanor\u2014or head over to Sidra if you\u2019re looking for exciting vegetarian options.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Have you been to Dubai? If we missed any of your favorite affordable activities, let us know in our comments section below!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dubai has quite the reputation. From housing the world\u2019s tallest building to fashioning its own personalized, man-made islands, there\u2019s no other place in the world that does excess quite like Dubai. The city\u2019s filled with the most expensive foreign cars, so much so that they are probably worth more than you make in a year. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":97170717,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[94,1018,1778,56],"tags":[228,150,84,231],"class_list":["post-97170712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-budget-travel","category-international-destinations","category-middle-east","category-travel-tips","tag-dxb","tag-emirates","tag-etihad-airways","tag-uae"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97170712","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97170712"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97170712\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97214463,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97170712\/revisions\/97214463"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97170717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97170712"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97170712"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97170712"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}