My Solo Travel to Dubai was the BEST - My Complete Guide

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Dubai

Dubai can feel like a future-city on fast-forward, yet solo travel here is smoother than most people think.

I landed with a backpack, grabbed a bunk in a high-rise hostel, and discovered a mix of budget restaurants, spotless public transport, and rooftop socials that kept my costs and loneliness low.

This guide lays out everything I learned so you can plan smart, choose the right hostel, stay safe, and have fun without panicking over dirhams.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Dubai

Best for Hostel Newbies

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Best for Female Solo Traveler

Dubai Town Jumeirah Bea...9.7

from $8.10 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

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Why Dubai Is Perfect for Solo Travelers

Dubai speaks many languages, posts English signs on every metro map, and runs air-conditioned trains every few minutes.

That means less time lost in translation and more time exploring.

Locals work hard and keep to themselves, but travelers flock to hostels, desert tours, and café events, so finding company is easy.

The city blends ultra-modern malls with creek-side souks, letting you jump between worlds in one day. Metro fares are cheap, rides are safe, and late-night services cut taxi costs. Air-con everywhere helps you survive the heat, even if you arrive off-season.

Free public beaches, countless parks, and low-fee museums stretch tight budgets. Most attractions sit along a single red or green metro line.

Hostel rooftops often offer skyline views that luxury hotels charge triple for.

A 2–3 Day Itinerary on Your Own

Day 1

• Morning: Ride the metro to Al Ras, wander the Gold Souk, and practice bargaining on small trinkets to get comfortable with prices. Cross the creek on a one-dirham abra boat for classic skyline snapshots.
• Afternoon: Explore Al Fahidi Historical District’s wind-tower lanes and pop into the Coffee Museum for free samples. Break for a mint lemonade at the cultural courtyard café, then tour the Dubai Museum for pocket-change entry.
• Evening: Return to your Marina or Barsha hostel rooftop for sunset and group icebreakers. Join the nightly pub crawl or take the tram to JBR Walk for beachside shawarma under fairy lights.

Day 2

• Morning: Pre-book the earliest Burj Khalifa slot; elevator queues are tiny at dawn, and soft light hits the desert horizon. Grab an affordable breakfast at the food court on the lower level of Dubai Mall—egg wraps beat pricey café pastries.
• Afternoon: Hop the red-line metro to Mall of the Emirates, stash your bag in free lockers, and check out Ski Dubai from the viewing window for a quick climate shock. Take a five-minute walk to Al Barsha Pond Park, rent a pedal bike, and chill with locals on shaded benches.
• Evening: Cruise back to Downtown for the Dubai Fountain shows—free and running every half hour. If money allows, splurge on a dhow dinner cruise along the canal; hostels often sell discounted tickets that include pickup.

Day 3 (Optional)

• Morning: Book a budget bus to Abu Dhabi and tour the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; modest dress and registration are required but entry stays free. If you stay in Dubai, take a sunrise yoga class on Kite Beach—many operate on donation.
• Afternoon: Head to Deira’s Karama Market to haggle for souvenirs, then refuel on biryani at a cafeteria where portions feed two. Swing by Al Seef waterfront for shaded boardwalks and heritage architecture.
• Evening: Cap the trip with a desert safari booked through your hostel: dune-bashing, camel rides, and barbecue dinner create a built-in friend group. Back at the hostel, trade socials for WhatsApp numbers and plan future meetups.

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

Hostels in Dubai

Dubai’s hostels occupy residential towers, so you get elevator rides to rooftop pools and skyline decks for a dorm rate.

Expect pod beds or metal bunks, 24-hour security, and fast Wi-Fi that handles streaming and remote work.

Common events include rooftop BBQs, movie nights projected on the building wall, beach shuttles, and group trips to the souks.

Women-only dorms appear in about half the listings and cost just a few dirhams extra.

Most hostels sit near metro stations, which saves at least 40 dirhams per day on taxis. Kitchenettes often have only a microwave, kettle, and fridge, so plan simple meals or embrace cheap street food.

Is Dubai Safe for Solo Travelers?

Violent crime is almost unheard of, and petty theft remains low compared to other big cities. Still, distractible tourists can lose phones and wallets in crowded metro cars.

Carry a cross-body bag that zips shut, and keep small cash separate from cards.

Women find metro cars labeled “Women & Children” helpful during rush hour; they feel less crowded and calmer.

Avoid isolated construction zones at night—stick to lit main roads or use Careem and Uber apps for short hops. Buy water in grocery stores, not kiosks near attractions, to dodge tourist markups.

Scams are rare but watch out for street vendors selling overpriced “desert tours” with no insurance; book through your hostel or an app with reviews.

Dubai police patrol tourist zones heavily, and emergency number 999 has English operators.

Dress codes are relaxed in tourist areas, yet covering shoulders and knees when visiting mosques shows respect and avoids unwanted stares.

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

How to Meet People?

• Hang in the hostel lounge after 5 p.m.; most travelers return then and plan dinner squads.
• Book free Old Dubai walking tours; guides hand out group WhatsApp links for post-tour coffee.
• Look for language-exchange nights on Couchsurfing and Meetup apps; expats love practicing English and swapping travel tips.
• Join beach volleyball pickup games at Kite Beach; just ask if they need another player.
• Sign up for cooking classes in Al Fahidi; stirring date syrup together breaks the ice fast.
• Try a group kayak around Palm Jumeirah—shared muscles create instant camaraderie.

Locals often work long hours, but expats and fellow backpackers make up a friendly, rotating population. Social hostels arrange desert safaris, pub crawls, and game nights, so solitude rarely lasts long.

Best Neighborhoods to Stay Solo in Dubai

1. Dubai Marina: High-rise hostels with rooftop pools, safe promenades, and quick beach access. Perfect for swimmers, nightlife seekers, and first-time solo women.
2. Bur Dubai: Historic creek district, cheap Indian eateries, walking distance to museums, and hostels in mid-rise flats. Great for market lovers and anyone focused on culture over clubs.
3. Al Barsha: Midway between Marina and Downtown, quieter streets, big supermarkets for self-cooking. Works for digital nomads who want balance and quick metro rides both directions.
4. Deira: Lowest dorm prices, authentic souk life, and late-night cafeterias. Stay here if budget trumps beach, but factor extra metro time to reach Marina.

Where to Eat and Drink in Dubai

• Karama cafeterias sell massive rice plates for under 15 dirhams—expect to share tables and chat.
• Ravi Restaurant in Satwa is legendary for curry; solo diners squeeze in quickly during packed hours.
• Last Exit food-truck parks on highways serve quirky fries and shakes with retro décor.
• Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi offers calm courtyards and bottomless mint tea for laptop breaks.
• Many bars hold ladies’ nights (Tuesday is common) with free drinks; hostel noticeboards list current deals.
• Cafés like “Analog” at Alserkal Avenue have free art shows and quiet reading corners for introverts.
• Bakery chains like Al Reef run 24/7, perfect for midnight manakish after hostel events.

Final Tips and Surprises

• Weekends run Friday–Saturday; government offices close, but brunch parties explode—book in advance to avoid queues.
• Tap water is safe but tastes briny; refill at hostel filters, not plastic bottles.
• Airport eSIM vending machines are pricey; buy a local SIM downtown or rely on hostel Wi-Fi and metro free hotspots.
• Hostel elevators can be slow—tall towers with one lift test patience. Check reviews for “lift wait” complaints before booking.
• Public buses accept the same Nol card as metro; keep a minimum balance of 7.5 dirhams to avoid payment issues.
• Most malls offer free bag storage; stash your pack and wander AC spaces on hot afternoons.
• I loved sunrise yoga on Kite Beach with salty air and orange skies. I disliked the rushed souvenir sellers near the Gold Souk—skip them and buy spices instead.

Dubai’s luxury image scares off some backpackers, but hostels, street eats, and public transit prove the city can be affordable.

Follow the tips above, stay flexible, and let the desert city surprise you with sunsets, shawarma, and new friends from every continent.

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.