How to spend a day in Dubai with just AED 100

If you’re a traveller looking to explore Dubai in one day, then you’ve come to the right place. Travelling to Dubai on a shoestring budget is a concept that many may find unbelievable since Dubai is mainly known for its towering skyscrapers, luxury branded homes and affluent lifestyle. So how can you visit a city, which is literally known to be the ‘City of Gold’, under AED 100? Well, amidst all the fancy five-star hotels and restaurants, there is a humble side to this glamorous city which you can explore, that is perfect if you are planning to visit Dubai for a day. Wondering what they are? Let’s take a look. 

Things to do & places to see if you have one day in Dubai

Dubai is known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and because of that, there are numerous, extravagant things to do and places to see in Dubai. But with a multitude of options, how do you choose what to do in Dubai in one day? Well, there are plenty of things you can do under AED 100 to explore Dubai in one day. Let’s go into the details about each of them. 

Visit the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood – AED 6

We can begin the journey to explore Dubai in one day, at one of the oldest and most popular heritage sites in Dubai. Previously known as the ‘Bastakiya’, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is the oldest neighbourhood in Dubai. A walk through the winding corridors of this area will allow you to experience the history and culture of Dubai and also calls for some interesting picture angles. The area is open to the public to visit and doesn’t have an entry fee, however, if you do visit either the Dubai Musem or the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, located here, then you would have to shell out an entry fee is AED 3 for adults and AED 1 for children under 6 years for each. At these two places, you will get to see a display of a collection of historic artefacts which include official documents, authentic jewellery, coins, stamps and photographs of the sheikhs and their life in Dubai back then.

The beautiful boardwalk of Al Seef is also close by so if you’re up for a quick walk, you can see how contemporary and modern styles are incorporated in a traditional Emirati village. 

• Get here by a quick train ride to Ghubaiba Station on the Green Line. 
• Total spend AED 6 (if you visit both sites)

take an abra ride – aed 1

After you’re done exploring the history of Dubai, the next item for your ‘one day in Dubai itinerary’ is taking an Abra ride across the Creek, which divides the city into two of its most prominent areas – Deira and Bur Dubai. It is the most traditional and affordable mode of transportation in Dubai and is still popular amongst the residents living in Bur Dubai who commute to Deira for work and vice versa. This is without a doubt one of the best ways to explore Dubai in one day, as you get to see one of the main elements of the city ’s history and heritage in action. The best part about it is that you can enjoy this experience for just AED 1. The Abra operates daily from 6 am to midnight, with boats arriving every few minutes.

• Take the Abra from Bur Dubai Abra Station to Deira Old Souk Abra Station
• Total spend AED 1 

Have A shawarma beside the Deira Creek – aed 20

No trip to Dubai is complete without enjoying its most popular dish – the shawarma! As soon as you get off the Abra, you will find a few cafeterias that serve some of the best shawarmas in Dubai. They also serve a variety of other dishes which you can snack on but nothing can beat the comfort of biting into a warm kuboos (pitta roll), stuffed with juicy chicken or beef, covered in toumeya (garlic sauce). These cafes also have a variety in the selection of fruit juices and smoothies which you can pick from to wash down that yummy shawarma. 

• Total spend AED 20

HEad to the Deira souk – AED 20

Once you’ve re-energized with a shawarma at the local cafe, the next thing to do if you have one day in Dubai is to head on to the Deira Souk. This place is filled with local vendors selling spices, perfumes and clothes. You’ll also get a chance to buy some amazing souvenirs, where you can put your bargaining skills to the test. The Deira Gold Souk is also a stone’s throw away, so make sure to take a trip there and take a look at all the extravagant designs of gold jewellery on display and also the Najmat Taiba a.k.a Star of Taiba, which is known to be the world’s largest gold ring, that is valued at AED 3M. 

• Total spend AED 15 (only if you buy souvenirs) 

Take the metro to the Dubai Canal: AED 5

The Dubai Water Canal is surely a must visit if your thinking about what to do in Dubai in one day. Located just 7-minute walk away from the Business Bay Metro station, the 6.4 km artificial canal is the perfect spot for a relaxing stroll. There are plenty of open spaces and benches along the waterfront of the Canal, where you can sit and relax while watching boats pass through the mechanical waterfall, which opens up like a curtain. It also changes colours and is the best thing to do if you want to see Dubai in a day.

• Get here by taking the metro to the ‘Business Bay’ metro station on the red line 
• Total spend – AED 5 for the metro trip

Time to go indoors – visit the Dubai mall – aed 3

After the long day outdoors, its time to move indoors and enjoy some fun away from the sun. No one day visit to Dubai is complete without a trip to this iconic tourist spot. The Dubai Mall is one of the best malls in Dubai to visit as it has numerous entertainment experiences all in one place and a bunch of them are free. You can watch some beautiful aquatic animals such as sharks and stingrays swim in the Dubai Aquarium, which is one of the largest suspended aquariums in the world, or window shop in the high fashion stores in the mall. 

•  Get here by taking the metro to the ‘Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall’ metro station on the red line (AED 3 from Business Bay metro station)
• Total spend AED 3 for the Metro 

Finish off by watching the dancing fountain – free

Watching the Dancing Fountains at the Dubai Mall is the perfect way to end your one day trip to Dubai. With the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest tower, watching the Dancing Fountain is a mesmerizing experience due to its spectacular views. It is considered to be one of the most popular tourist activity in Dubai and surely one of the best things to do in Dubai if you have one day.  The shows take place every half hour in the evenings, from 6-11 pm.

• Total spend – nothing! 

Things to keep in mind when visiting Dubai for a day

Here are a few things to keep in mind while you explore Dubai in one day.

• Ditch the rental cars and taxis. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has done a tremendous job to connect the city through a network of buses and, of course, The Dubai Metro. The public transportation system in Dubai is the most affordable way to get around and is surely the best way to see Dubai in a day. 
• When travelling by bus or the metro in Dubai, make sure you are in the right compartment. There are dedicated compartments for women and Gold Card holders, which are distinguished by specific markings. If you are found in the wrong compartment, you can face a fine. 
• There will be a lot of walking involved, so make sure you are prepared by carrying enough water. However, even if you run out on the way, don’t worry, there are numerous supermarkets, groceries and even vending machines all around the city, so getting a drink to cool off won’t be difficult. 
• The afternoons can get a bit hot,  so make sure to carry along a cap or sun hat to keep you shaded from the harsh rays and don’t forget to lather on some sunblock.
• You will need to pay by coins in most of the places mentioned here, so make sure to carry some spare change along with you. 
• Google Maps will be your best friend, in case you lose your way; so make sure you have it downloaded on your phone. Another app you should download is the ‘Wojhati’ app which will help you find out bus and metro timings.
• If you are visiting Dubai for a day and are looking for a for a place, check out these hotels near the Dubai International Airport.

And there we have it! All the things to do in Dubai if you have one day. If you are looking for some more affordable places to explore Dubai on a budget, try out these free activities in Dubai. We hope you enjoyed this article. If you have visited these places, do let us know how your experience was in the comments below, and for more trending information about Dubai, make sure to stay tuned to MyBayut.