In the world of internet, one can visit anywhere virtually but being at that place has a different feeling. As one says beautiful roads lead to beautiful destinations, one such Destination to me was DUBAI. So Dubai is a city of ultra Luxury and modern architecture, an emirate city, or a tourist attraction which attracts many people from around the world. And I was one of them. Hello, I am Tejas Chawda a Mumbaikar. Apart from being a businessman, I’m a multi-tasker and a guy with many interests. I really liked playing sports, watching informative shows and movies. I first watched a show on National Geographic about Dubai. And that inspired me to travel to the gorgeous city of Dubai. So have you ever looked for a great Dubai itinerary? If you have, then here’s my 7 days trip to Dubai in ₹60,000 including flight tickets. So this is my journey to this artificial island with man-made marvels.
Why Dubai?
Well honestly speaking I haven’t travelled much until now. So I am a beginner when it comes to travelling. This is one of my first trips to an international destination. Dubai is a city that attracts tourists as well as working people from around the world. My cousin had shifted there, so he would put photos of cars and fancy stuff. I have always had a fascination for sports cars, planes and trains. Dubai is home to such things like the driverless metro and Dubai’s Airlines, Emirates is home to the largest fleet of A380 aeroplanes. One Bollywood movie release at that time, which was based in and around Dubai was also another reason that attracted me to this Middle East country. The film depicted Dubai in a gorgeous manner, that inspired me to read and research about this place in a whole new manner.
My Dubai trip
The best time to visit Dubai would be during the months of November to January. If you visit Dubai any other time of the year, you will probably experience an oven-like feeling, as it’s truly is scorching hot. Dubai mostly has 2 seasons- summer and winter. Summers are intense with temperatures soaring up to 45 degrees Celcius. And winters are chilly with temperatures around 20 degrees Celcius. Also around this time, you can experience amazing shopping offers, festivals and cool concerts.
I planned my Dubai trip all by myself. I did extensive research on it using maps, social media and other websites. I advise you to look for their transport websites for maps and transportation timings. You can also check for the nearest metro station to any sightseeing place. Dubai has 3-days,5-days and 7-days sightseeing tourist buses, that takes you around Dubai. I visited Dubai from 6th November to 13th November 2018. And here’s my 7-days trip to Dubai in ₹60,000 including flight tickets.
Day 1
Well, it was a late evening flight. So I reached Dubai around 10 pm. Taxi drivers in Dubai are funnily enough, similar to Auto Rickshaw Walas in Mumbai. They won’t ferry near distance route and pretend they don’t know the place you want to go to.
So I would suggest you pre-plan your transfer to the hotel, if you are travelling on your own, or avoid late flights. I somehow managed an uber to my hotel, which was pretty expensive, it cost me around 35 AED (₹672 approx) for around 5 km. I reached my hotel room freshened up and left for dinner. Restaurants in Dubai were open until the wee hours of the morning. There were also some places open for 24 hrs. So you need not worry about eating outside. Also, restaurant food is quite cheap like you can have an entire lunch or dinner in around 10 AED(₹192 approx). I had my dinner at 1:30 am and my area was buzzing with working-class people. I even had the traditional dessert of Khunafa, which was delicious.
Also Read: Dubai Voted Number 1 In The Arab World On A List Of The ‘Most Beautiful Cities’
Day 2
On my 2nd Day in Duba, I had decided to go to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. I wasn’t aware of the tourist passes provided by the Dubai government to travel on public transportation. So I got my self a ‘nol’ card, basically a smart card, so I could recharge it. And I was ready to leave for my visit. Burj Khalifa is must-see when in Dubai. It is the tallest building in Dubai and in the world. You can also spot this building from 100kms away.
There is an observatory deck on the 124th and 125th floor and also on the 50th floor. The visiting observatory floor will need you to pay 130AED (₹2498 approx) if you take the early hours ticket. I had an early hour ticket, and I would recommend you to visit the observatory deck early in the morning or by the afternoon 11 am. If you go in the evening you can only see a glittering sight.
Once I reached the deck, I spent around 3 hours there! Later I came down, took some photos from there and spent some time strolling around. Besides, Khalifa building is a huge Dubai mall! You can spend time here too, it has n number of shops. There is a huge 2 storey aquarium in the mall itself. Dubai Aquarium has many ocean fishes including sharks. I had my lunch here and then left for Dubai frame.
Dubai frame is little far from this place, you need to take uber if touring on foot is not your cup of tea. Dubai frame is similar to Burj Khalifa, the only difference is, Burj Khalifa takes you 834 meters high, whereas Frame takes you some 50 meters high. And another major difference is, the floor in the frame is made of glass. So you can see beneath. Don’t visit here if you have fear of heights! It, however, is a Must visit if you are a thrill-seeker. After spending time, in the frame, I decided to go to the creek. They had a light show, as well a flea market and funfair. After spending quality time at this creek, I wanted to witness Dubai’s nightlife. There are many bars in and around Dubai, many are famous for Bollywood nights, some for Russian themed. I decided to visit Pulse, this starts at 10 pm and goes on till 4 am.
Day 3
After a great night of partying, I woke up leisurely and got out of my hotel post noon, and left for a cultural trip. Dubai has small forts and historic monuments near the creek. The forts have attached museums. So time went very fast, as I explored this place. It was evening by the time I left. I took a boat ride for the Dubai market. The boat ride cost me around 1 AED (₹19 approx). Dubai market had fancy things from flavoured coals to designer traditional clothes.
I took some gifts and dates from the market and left for Dubai Marina, as Dubai Marina is the place which should be visited in the evening. That’s where I could finally see luxurious cars including the lavish police cars. For those of you who don’t know, police here ride super cars! Dubai Marina has luxurious buildings and is definitely a happening place! A yacht ride will cost you 25 AED ( ₹480 approx) which will ferry you in and around Marina.
Here also you can spend time strolling on the beach and near the waterfront. You can either ride a cycle or just visit the Marina Mall.
Day 4
Unlike my previous days, this day was preplanned for the Dubai Global Village. This village is located on the outskirts of Dubai. The government provides buses from four locations of Dubai. I left for the global village from the Union metro station. I boarded this public bus E103, a direct bus to Global Village.
The entry ticket to this event cost me around 15 AED (₹288 approx). I decided to go here on a Friday, after researching online. It seems on Fridays there is a higher chance of spotting a Hollywood or Bollywood celebrity. Guess what? I got the chance to experience a Neha Kakkar Concert, that too in Dubai!
And the best part was, there was no extra charge to attend such concerts. Every single thing is included. For those of you who don’t know, Global Village is a set up made on an expansive area. It combines cultures of 90 countries across the world at one place. It claims to be the world’s largest tourism, leisure, shopping and entertainment project. It’s Dubai’s first cultural, entertainment, family and shopping destination. It has this huge section for each country, where you can shop things related to respective countries. This place needs a whole day, so keep a separate day for this place. And let me tell you it’s worth a visit.
Day 5
I had a booking at the Atlantis Hotel. If it’s your birthday month you get a free ticket to the Atlantis water park-Aquaventure! To go there, I needed to take the metro red line which cost me around 10 AED (₹192 approx). Then I get down at Damac Metro Station, took a tram from the same Damac tram station, and got down at Palm Jumeirah. I walked to the monorail station. And took a monorail to the Atlantis Park.
I suggest you travel like this too because Dubai government transportation gives you the most beautiful and iconic views of the city. And by taking monorail it will give you a nice view of the Atlantis hotel, between Arabian sea. If you take a taxi it will go from underground but if you take the monorail, that has a bridge all over the Arabian sea to the Atlantis hotel. After spending a great day at Atlantis waterpark I had a booking at Burj Al Arab!
Burj Al Arab is the world’s most luxurious hotel, for any person to get inside, you need to have an advance booking which requires you to spend minimum 395 AED equivalent to ₹8000 per person. This is a little expensive but the view inside is worth the experience. If you visit Dubai, visiting this hotel is a must. Most luxurious interiors and excellent services!
Burj Al Arab has a sky deck restaurant which is basically a cantilever hotel constructed in such a way that 95 per cent of it is hanging mid-air, giving a great view of Dubai as well as the ocean!
Day 6
I had a desert safari booking, Desert safari bookings can be done on or from any social media sites, but do check prices as they are expensive sometimes. My booking cost me around 65 AED ( ₹1249 approx). This is the basic cost with pick up and drop service and all other desert safari activities. I reached there, via bus then we had a transfer into a 4×4 land cruiser car which took us around the desert, on the sand dunes, steeps, drifting! Then we were left near the camp! Here are Top 10 Things You Must Do In Dubai
There were horse and camel rides and we were served evening tea, after which the program started of fireworks and belly dancing followed by heavy snacks and starters Desert safari activity should end by early evenings, like around 7 pm. Then we decided to go sightseeing at the Dubai creek. We watched the amazing light show and even went to the Dubai Burj Khalifa. It had a gorgeous light and water show.
Day 7
Before my flight back to Mumbai, I had a day dedicated to the Ferrari World. Now heading to Ferrari World is a major pocket pinching thing as it is located almost 120 km. Taking uber will be a literally a (rich)Arab thing as that will cost you more than 200 AED (₹3844 approx). There are many ways going to Ferrari World, like Pathan taxi, that charges you around 50 AED ( ₹961 approx) or more, but that is an illegal thing and can also land you in jail or can attract a whopping 200 AED (₹3844 approx) from the police.
Second, you can opt for a private taxi from any nearby tours and travels, that will cost you 120 AED(₹3844 approx) for a pickup and drop service, but if you opt this, you cannot visit any other place near Ferrari World like Yas mall or Yas waterfront. Still, if you are looking for any cheaper way, than again Dubai Public transport comes in help. This will cost you mere 58 AED( ₹1114 approx) with a return journey, but this is time-consuming as this will take some 2 hours to reach. Did you know The World’s First Warner Bros Hotel Is Coming To The Yas Island?
There are three routes to Abu Dhabi bus station. The number E100 bus will take you straight to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station from the Al Ghubaiba Bus Station in Bur Dubai. Those living in the Marina, JLT or JBR areas can similarly catch the E101 bus from the Ibn Battuta Metro Station, saving you a trip in opposite directions.
You need to allot a whole day just for Ferrari World as it is located in next Emirates city-country Abu-Dhabi. One money hack, book your Ferrari wold ticket online. You could save a maximum of 15% if you book tickets before 15 days of the visit. This is an end to my trip, as the next day I had a flight back to Mumbai. If you want to visit Dubai too then check out 48 Hours In Dubai: This 2-Day Itinerary Is All You Need
After reaching Ferrari World, I straight away headed to the fastest ride ever. Let me tell you that you need to be patient, as there is a long waiting line. I went on a formula 1 based ride then I went to a 360 degree based ride. Apart from this, there were many small rides for kids and adults as well! Also, there was an experience of driving a real Ferrari car. My overall experience was thrilling, as rides would go at speed of some 280 km per hour and some had twisting tracks with a 360-degree roundabout. It such an adrenaline-rushing experience.
My Budget For This Dubai Trip
My Budget was of around ₹60,000 since I had pre-planned my trip well in advance, I had to shell out less money on parks, tickets, and stuff. Still, in the end, my Dubai trip cost me ₹65,ooo approximately. Flights and visa cost me around ₹17,ooo. My stay in Dubai cost me around ₹8500. Tickets to Burj Khalifa cost me around ₹2500. The Ferrari World amounted to ₹5000 and Dubai frame was ₹1000 INR. Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis was ₹6000 INR. The Desert Safari cost me around ₹1200. The rest of my budget went into food, gifts and miscellaneous.
Tips For People Wanting To Visit Dubai
And now last but not least, here are few valuable tips for those of you who want to visit Dubai.
- Prepare well before, so you can make your bookings at cheaper rates.
- Always carry your passport along for identification.
- Indian rupees are acceptable at some restaurants. And it is advisable to get yourself a currency card from your bank! That will help you a lot and reduce your burden of carrying Dirhams in huge amounts.
- Be careful when you go to the Dubai Gold Souk. As there few people Dubai Gold Souk pretending to be from Dubai customs and selling iPhones mostly the latest ones at half prices or less. Do not fall into their trap. They are fake. You can report this to the police or just avoid! They have a new phone in hand to attract customers and a box inside a bag to prove that it is a genuine seller.
My Overall Experience In Dubai
After exploring almost the whole of Dubai, I had could know what road to take to reach a certain destination. Within these seven days of travelling Dubai, mostly on feet, there had been many favourite places and various experiences, which were really memorable. What I liked most of Dubai were the driverless metro, the Aquaventure Water Park and the Marina beach. I truly loved the luxury, flickering city lights and everything about this place.
I loved the Driverless metro in particular because it had no cabin, and you can stand there, feeling as if you are driving it! Waterpark was relaxing and thrilling if you are here, you should try a pineapple juice. Dubai is a beautiful place and I would definitely recommend everyone to visit here and experience luxury on a whole different level.
This article was contributed to Curly Tales by Tejas Chawda. If you have an article or similar experience to share, do write to us on hey@curlytales.com