Backpacking Dubai (The Definite Budget Guide)

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Dubai looks rich and shiny, but you can still backpack it on a small budget if you plan well. I have done it twice with a carry-on, a hostel bunk, and a long list of hacks.

This backpacking Dubai guide uses easy English and short tips, so every traveler can enjoy the city without big bills.

Budget & Estimated Daily Costs in Dubai

Dubai is not the cheapest city, but costs drop fast when you:

• Sleep in a hostel, not a hotel.
• Eat at local cafeterias, not malls.
• Use metro and bus, not taxis.

Daily price levels:

• Shoestring €55–70: Dorm bed, three cheap meals, metro pass, one low-cost sight.
• Mid budget €80–110: Small dorm, café lunch, beach lounger, evening desert tour.
• High budget €140+: Private pod, ride-share trips, rooftop brunch, paid view decks.

Peak months (cooler weather) add about 15 % to beds and tours.

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Best for Female Solo Traveler

Dubai Town Jumeirah Bea...9.7

from $8.10 | More Details

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Typical Daily Expenses in Dubai

• Accommodation: €22–35 dorm. Add linen and towel if hostel charges.
• Food total: €18–25 for three basic meals.
• Breakfast: €3–5 – flatbread or egg roll + sweet tea.
• Lunch: €6–9 – biryani plate or shawarma combo.
• Dinner: €9–11 – falafel wrap or small buffet.
• Local transport: €5 – day pass for metro, tram, bus.
• Attractions: €0–15 – many beaches and mosques are free.
• Extras: €10–20 – coffee, juice, cheap souvenir, happy hour drink.

A tight budget of €65 gives food, bed, and basic fun. Spending €100 means more comfort and one paid tour each day.

Money Saving Tips

• Buy a silver Nol card at the airport. Top it up and tap for every ride.
• Stay near a metro stop. You save on taxis and time.
• Pick cafeterias in Karama or Deira for big plates under €6.
• Fill a metal bottle. Tap water is safe, and malls have free coolers.
• Use “Entertainer” app for two-for-one vouchers on food and fun.
• Visit public beaches. Lounging is free. Showers cost nothing.
• Plan one Friday brunch. Pay once, eat twice, swim if pool access is included.
• Buy snacks at Union Co-op, not tiny corner shops.
• Ride the 1-dirham abra across the creek instead of river taxis.
• Walk indoor malls midday to enjoy AC and free exhibitions.

Getting Around Dubai on a Budget

Metro is clean, fast, and covers the airport, old city, malls, and Marina. Trains run every few minutes and stop at midnight.

• Use the women-only car if you want more space or safety.
• Sit in the front car for skyline photos. It is driverless.

Bus fills the gaps. It is slower but cheap and cool inside.

Tram serves Marina and JBR beach. Nol card works here too.

Monorail on Palm island is extra cost and takes only Nol Gold or separate ticket.

Night buses start when metro closes. Download RTA S’hail app for live maps.

Ride-share (Careem or Uber) is safe but expensive at rush hour. Split fare with hostel friends.

Best Free & Budget Friendly Attractions

Free things to do

• Watch Dubai Fountain shows after sunset every 30 minutes.
• Walk Al Seef heritage area and snap old-meets-new photos.
• Swim at JBR public beach. Free showers and Wi-Fi.
• Stroll the Dubai Water Canal boardwalk at night for light displays.
• Window-shop in Gold and Spice Souks; bargaining practice costs nothing.
• Ride an abra across the creek for 1 dirham and repeat as many times as you like.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Dubai

1. Dubai Youth Hostel - best for Solo Traveller
2. Top of Marina
3. Heartland Hostel
4. Bollywood Beach Hostel - best for Beach Lovers Retreat, Digital Nomads, Party Hostel, Solo Traveller
5. Bombay Backpackers DXB - best for Party Hostel, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel

Dubai Youth Hostel

8.7

Al Qusais Area

"…All rooms are air-conditioned with fridge, TV, bathroom, and toilet. We have a four-bed room with more

Top of Marina

8.0

"…Taxes included. Breakfast not included. General: 24 hours Reception. No curfew. No smoking more

Heartland Hostel

8.2

"Very convinient and lively - I met good people there, it was fantastic stay. Staff was very helpful more

from

$7.62

Bollywood Beach Hostel

9.7

"…Payment upon arrival by cash, credit cards, debit cards. This property may Pre-authorise your more

from

$9.82

Bombay Backpackers DXB

8.8

"…The Walk is one of Dubai’s outdoor and tourist attractions, with activities such as street more

from

$7.80

Low cost attractions

• Dubai Frame sky bridge: €13 for city views.
• Al Fahidi Fort Museum: €3 for local history.
• Museum of the Future lobby: €8 ground-floor ticket if main slots sold out.
• Dhow cruise dinner: haggle to €18 at the pier; food plus skyline.
• Ski Dubai snow park walk: entry pass starts at €15 for basic snow play.

Food and Drinks on a Budget

Cheap eats:

• Karama cafeteria curry comes with free chapati and lentil soup.
• Deira fish market grills catch on the spot. Share to cut-price.
• Lulu Hypermarket deli sells five samosas for €1.5.
• Man’oushe street stalls bake cheese breads for breakfast under €2.

Low-cost drinks & nightlife:

• Happy-hour bars in Barsha Heights half draft prices 5–8 p.m.
• Many hostel lounges let you bring duty-free beer. Check rules first.
• No beach alcohol in public, but you can grab a coffee and enjoy the sand legally.
• Shisha cafés charge €7–9 for a pipe and free mint tea.

Experiences for Backpackers

• Desert budget camp: Dune-bashing, camel photo, BBQ, and star view for €35 when booked in a group.
• Alserkal Avenue art night: Free galleries on first Thursday each month.
• Books & Beans swap meet: Bring one novel, leave with a new read, chat with locals.
• Palm boardwalk cycle: Rent a bike at sunrise for €4/hour, huge skyline shots.
• Public abra crew ride: Ask captain for the empty sunset return leg—often no charge if boat is heading back.
• Jumeirah Mosque tour: 75-minute guided visit with Q&A for €7, includes tea and dates.

Still not sure? Pick my Favorite Hostel in Dubai

#1 Top Hostel in Dubai: Brand New Boys Hostel

This is the overall best rated hostel in Brand New Boys Hostel. The overall rating is 9.9. You cannot go wrong here.

It is your safest bet in case you are not sure which hostel to pick.

The price for a dorm at Brand New Boys Hostel starts from $6.75.

Check out Brand New Boys Hostel here

Additional Tips & Final Thoughts

• Best time: November to March. Dorm beds cheaper than peak holidays and heat is mild.
• Book early: Hostels near New Year fireworks, Burj Khalifa tickets, and desert camps fill fast.
• Avoid traps: Gold-souq pushy sellers, “Camel milk” chocolate at airport, taxis without meter.
• Safety: Violent crime is rare. Keep bag in front on crowded metro. Swim only at lifeguard beaches.
• Cultural respect: Cover knees and shoulders in old areas, skip PDA, ask before taking photos of locals.
• Pack list: Light scarf, metal bottle, quick-dry towel, card with roaming data.

Dubai can be loud and shiny, but under the glass towers lives a budget traveler’s playground of cheap boats, tasty street food, and warm desert nights.

Stay near the metro, eat where workers eat, and use your Nol card like a pro. 

With these simple tips, you can backpack Dubai for under €70 a day, meet travelers from everywhere, and still ride a camel at sunset. 

Time to pack light, grab your water bottle, and let the desert city surprise you.

Backpacking Dubai? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Anna Kiefer

My travels have taken me from the vibrant streets of Vietnam to the tranquil beauty of Spain, each destination adding a new chapter to my journey. For me, travel isn’t about counting countries or ticking off lists; it’s about the freedom it brings and the stories that unfold with each new adventure. At Hostelgeeks, my goal is to infuse our brand with this sense of freedom and discovery.

Whether it’s finding the perfect 5 Star Hostel or sharing a hidden gem in a bustling city, I’m here to ensure that our travelers get more than just a journey – they get an experience that resonates with the joy of exploration and the freedom of the open road.