Given its dazzling ambiance and prized architectural marvels, Dubai is often touted as an expensive city. But fortunately, it’s a myth! With a smart travel program, you can really experience the best sights of Dubai without breaking the bank, no matter whether you’re considering a short 3 day visit or even a week in this city. Wonder how? Choose self-serviced apartments or decent two-star / three-star hotels over flashy resorts, fill up on scrumptious yet super affordable street foods and most of all, refer to this 3 Day Dubai itinerary for budget sightseeing, which also includes top tips on when to visit and how to get around in the city.

BEST TIME TO VISIT DUBAI 

The peak season in Dubai is during winter months, especially from December to March. Not to mention, the prices of accommodation and airline tickets will be the highest in these months. One of the best ways to cut down on your overall travel expense is to visit during shoulder season from September to early November or April – May. Apart from the pleasant weather, Dubai will be less crowed during these months. But if you’re on a tight budget constraint, it’s definitely worth visiting during summer months. It may be scorching hot outside, but its widest array of indoor attractions like shopping malls and leisure attractions such as Ski Dubai and iFly Dubai allow for a super cool holiday in Dubai.

HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND IN DUBAI ON A BUDGET 

Dubai’s public transportation is not only exceptionally advanced and sophisticated, it is also extremely affordable. Operated by the Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), it includes metros (with red and green lines), buses, cars, and trams; all well connected to different parts of the city. Of all the transport systems, Dubai’s metro is convenient and a great Dubai attraction too, it being automated without any driver. 

Each of these transport options is spotless and completely air-conditioned with relaxed seating and ample leg space, thus promising a comfortable, hassle-free travel. And the greatest advantage is that you can use or access all these with a single NOL card. Simply choose an ideal NOL card (with four options to choose from) and top up as you go. Moreover, it’s good to know that the public transport is absolutely free for kids under five years or below 90 centimeters.

BUDGET THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THREE DAYS 

Day One

Visit Downtown Dubai, see Burj Khalifa, and enjoy a look at some of its free attractions such as Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Dubai Dancing Fountain, Dubai Trolley etc. 

Morning:

Make your way to Downtown Dubai which has become the ultimate symbol of Dubai with its larger than life highlights. Choose bus or convenient metro to reach here. If you’re taking the metro, get off at Burj Khalifa Metro Station. Head straight to catch up with the towering sight of Burj Khalifa Dubai which is also the tallest man-made structure seen on our planet. After some mandatory snaps against Burj Khalifa, continue to Dubai Mall which is the world’s biggest mall. 

Majority of its attractions come with an entry fee, but you can view some of its parts for free. One among them is Dubai Mall Aquarium which shelters over 33,000 underwater specialties in its colossal 10-million-liter aquarium tank.  However, this doesn’t give you access to its other parts such as aquarium tunnel and underwater zoo. You can enjoy a glimpse of the mall’s other must-experiences like the 155-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton, Dubai Ice Rink etc. 

Afternoon:

With dining options perfect for every taste bud and - of course - budget, you can grab your lunch within the Dubai Mall’s sprawling food court. Post lunch, continue exploring the massive mall. Before you exit the mall, make sure that you check out the balcony adjacent to the Apple Store. It offers the best views over Burj Khalifa and other splendors that dot the region, mainly Dubai Fountain. 

Evening:

Check out Souk Al Bahar which is right next to the Dubai Mall. Literally meaning the Sailor’s Market, it recreates a traditional ambiance with over 100 outlets and 20 plus cafes and restaurants. If you’re lucky, you’ll find some rare Arabian carpets, handicrafts, perfumes etc at unbelievable rates. Just before the darkness takes over the area, we recommend you to take a ride on-board the Dubai Trolley which is a classic, red double-deck tram with open top. It’s probably the most exciting way to cover the whole of Downtown Dubai which spans over a whopping 500 acres. And yes, it’s free too! 

Dusk / Night:

Now make your way back to the Boardwalk or promenade adjacent to Dubai Mall Burj Khalifa in order to take in the world-renowned Dubai Fountain Show. This is a true engineering feat where a choreographed display of water (in tune to mesmeric Arabic and international music) is sure to blow you away. The water shoots up to a height equivalent to that of a 50-story structure during the show. It takes place every 30 minutes from 18:00 to 23:00 on all days. 

Day 2

Discover the city’s authentic historic and cultural side. Be sure to add museums, traditional Arabian souks, and street foods on your second day Dubai travel program. 

Morning:

After your breakfast from hotel or nearby restaurant or café, take a bus or metro ride the Al Fahidi Historic District. It’s just a kilometer away from Al Fahidi Metro Station. Built in the early 19th century, this is the Dubai’s oldest area and is preserved as a historic neighborhood. You can take a leisurely stroll through its narrow lanes packed with age-old sand-colored structures. 

Also, check out some of the region’s top museums like Coffee Museum, Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House, and mostly the Dubai Museum, which is located inside the region’s oldest fort (Al Fahidi Fort). In most of these museums, you can enjoy free entry. Now even if you’ve to pay also, it won’t set you back more than AED 3. So don’t miss out these museums; they are an inspiring source to experience the region’s fascinating culture and lifestyle during the pre-oil era. 

Afternoon:

While the whole area is packed to brim with almost all dining options imaginable, some of our top recommendations for budget dining are Bombay Bites and Al Ustad Special Kebab. Once lunch is over, proceed to Dubai Creek which is celebrated as the city’s historic heart. That’s not all; it segregates the city into two significant parts: Bur Dubai and Deira. As you’re right now in Bur Dubai area, continue your sightseeing to Deira. And one of the best ways to get here is via crossing the creek on an abra ride. Surprisingly, this amazing ride aboard a traditional sail will cost you just AED 1. 

Evening:

Most glittering experiences await you once you’re in Deira. After all, it’s especially noteworthy for its traditional Arabian bazaars, known as souks. Each of the region’s souks is authentic and elegant in its own right. That said, the Gold Souk is extra special, thanks to its entire streets and stores dedicated to selling gold jewelry. If gold shopping is not in your travel program, don’t worry; with options like Day to Day and Gift King Novelties across Deira and Bur Dubai, your shopping fund will still be enough to buy some rare and unique souvenirs or gifts for everyone back home. 

Night:

Give a perfect end to your historic sightseeing with a lavish dinner cruise across Dubai Creek. This unique cruise aboard a traditional Arabian wooden vessel is highly recommended if this is your first time visit to Dubai. Besides great food and traditional entertainment like Tanura show, it lets you see the region’s illuminated sights from water on-board. There are many service providers which arrange this dreamy cruise for super less. 

Day 3

Set out to experience Palm Jumeirah, enjoy a monorail ride, see Burj Al Arab & More

Morning:

One of the first things that comes into mind when one thinks about Dubai is its palm-tree-shaped, man-made island. If you’re taking metro, know that Dubai International City and Nakheel are the metro stations closest to Palm Jumeirah. Hire a cab or look out for a reasonably priced, transport option to get around in this area which is dotted all over with high-rise buildings, incredible leisure attractions, and swanky residential and commercial buildings. Take a quick drive across its sights and visit some of the region’s attractions such as the waterfront promenade of Boardwalk and Al Ittihad Park, an eco-friendly park. 

Afternoon:

Stretching for over 11 kilometers along the island’s crescent part, Boardwalk is not only a great spot to soak up the stunning views over Arabian Gulf, but also amazing for its cost-effective dining choices, thanks to the food trucks seen here. So go ahead and sample some exotic culinary flavors. After this, make a stop at Atlantis, The Palm which is striking for architectural fineness. It’s also home to some of Dubai’s most visited highlights like Aquaventure Waterpark, the Lost Chamber Aquarium and Dolphin Bay. If your budget vacation doesn’t allow for an entry here, make sure that you at least take a monorail ride which is a great way to get a perfect overview of Palm Jumeirah’s awe-inspiring sights. It connects the Atlantis hotel in Palm Jumeirah to the Gateway Station at the island’s entrance.   

Evening:

Proceed to see some of the of the Dubai’s eminent sights such as Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Mosque up close. While Burj Al Arab with its imposing sail-shaped design is touted to be the only seven-star hotel in the world, the waterfront complex of Madinat Jumeirah takes after an Arabian citadel and stands as an epitome of the classic Emirati heritage, with its resorts, souk, beach and more. Speaking of Jumeirah Mosque, this charming place of worship is open to non-Muslims as well. 

Night:

Just before you return to the hotel, make a visit to the Dubai’s most popular public beach at Jumeirah Beach. It’s not only pristinely maintained but also exceptional for its cool facilities ideal for all age groups and skills, with a park, picnic space, barbeque area, and courts for basketball, volleyball etc.

So those are our top suggestions and tips to spend your 3 day Dubai on budget. We believe that this will serve as a perfect jump off point for your quick Arabian getaway.

Thank you VERY much for reading our article. We actually created this website to help people reach financial independence. Did you know that by having a remote job and traveling endlessly, or living in a country that has low costs of living, you can actually reach retirement quicker? Plus, retirement abroad is up to 75 percent cheaper as well! Learn more by exploring our website: EatWanderExplore and REmotiFIRE.

See our Thank You page to sign up for our free weekly newsletter - you’ll receive only 1 email per week letting you know about our latest travel articles, remote-work life, and amazingly affordable destinations!

Found this post useful? Buy us a coffee to help support this site’s running costs OR share this article with a friend.