Base yourself near a Metro station and use the Red Line to reach Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Frame, with the Green Line serving Al Fahidi, Zabeel Park, and Creekside for the dhow cruise. The Tram connects the Metro to The Walk at JBR. Walking is best within Al Fahidi and along the JBR promenade. Hatta requires a day trip by car or shared taxi, roughly 90 minutes each way; budget around AED 200 for a ride there and back via Careem or Uber, or use E101 bus from Al Ghubaiba station (about 2 hours). Metro rides cost AED 3 to 7.50 per trip with a Nol card.
Budget Breakdown
$354Trip total · $118 per day
Accommodation / night
$70
Food / day
$22
Transport / day
$8
Activities / day
$18
Daily total
$118
Trip total
$354
Overall averages for budget hotel, mix of street and local food, moderate transport costs, and entrance/activity fees.
Book tickets in advance for 'At the Top' observation deck, morning light is best for photos.
Learn to cook Emirati dishes; book ahead for evening sessions.
Must-try traditional foods & drinks
What to order in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a fun fact for each
Traditional Savory Dishes
Shawarma
Shawarma is Dubai’s ubiquitous street food, thin slices of marinated meat carved from a vertical spit and wrapped into flatbread with pickles and garlic sauce, it blends simple technique with bold flavor.
Machboos
Machboos is a fragrant Emirati one-pot meal where rice is cooked with meat or fish and perfumed with dried lime called loomi and warm spices, it is a centerpiece of family feasts.
Falafel
Falafel in Dubai can be made from chickpeas or fava beans, and street vendors serve them piping hot so the crisp exterior hides a bright, herbaceous interior.
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Baklava
Baklava in Dubai often gets a local twist with cardamom or orange blossom water, and its many thin layers are baked until impossibly crisp then soaked in fragrant syrup for celebrations.
Kunafa
Kunafa is served piping hot so the gooey cheese center stretches with each bite, and vendors sometimes dye the shredded pastry bright orange to make it look extra festive.
Luqaimat
Luqaimat are tiny, airy dumplings deep-fried to golden perfection and drizzled with date syrup or honey, their name literally means "little morsels" and they are a Ramadan favorite.
Traditional Beverages
Karak tea
Karak tea is a strong, sweet milk tea simmered with cardamom and sometimes saffron, it became so loved that roadside stalls and cafes compete to brew the creamiest cup.
Arabic coffee
Arabic coffee, or gahwa, is lightly roasted and spiced with cardamom, it is served from a traditional dallah into tiny cups as a ritual of hospitality and respect.
Jallab
Jallab is a smoky-sweet drink made from grape molasses, dates and rose water, it is commonly served over crushed ice and topped with pine nuts and raisins for texture and flair.
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