Four Dubai days grouped by area so you are not criss-crossing the city, plus one day out in Abu Dhabi. Prices checked September 2026.
Five days in Dubai is enough for the main sights plus one day out of the city. This plan gives Downtown, old Dubai, the Palm and the beaches a day each, adds a desert safari evening, and spends day 5 in Abu Dhabi for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre.
Dubai is long and thin, and the big mistake on a first trip is bouncing between areas. Each day below stays in one part of the city, and times are set for the heat: outdoor stops early or late, indoor ones in the middle of the day. The two things to book before you land are a Burj Khalifa time slot and the Grand Mosque visitor pass for day 5.
Buy a nol Silver Card at any Metro station. Metro fares are AED 3, AED 5 or AED 7.50 per trip depending on zones, and the same card pays for the bus to Abu Dhabi. The UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday, so attractions are busiest then: put Burj Khalifa on a weekday if you can.
Swap days 2 and 3 freely. Keep day 4 flexible for the safari pickup, and put day 5 on any day except Friday morning, when the Grand Mosque closes for prayers.
Our Burj Khalifa ticket guide compares the levels and time slots. If the fountain is your priority, there are also afternoon shows at 1pm and 1:30pm (2pm and 2:30pm on Friday).
The Palm Monorail links the island to the Dubai Tram, but a taxi from The View to JBR is usually quicker. From the Marina, the Red Line takes you back towards Downtown.
Before paying, check pickup area, time spent on the dunes, whether dinner is a buffet or served, and the licence of the operator. Our desert safari guide explains the types.
Abu Dhabi is the out-of-city day that gives you the most for the travel time. Leave early by bus or taxi and be back in Dubai for dinner.
The RTA E100 bus runs from Al Ghubaiba to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station for AED 25 each way by nol card, taking a little over two hours. Our Abu Dhabi day trip guide has the full timings. If you would rather stay in Dubai, the Hatta mountains are the other out-of-city day; see the Dubai to Hatta guide.
Per adult, as of September 2026. Hotels, food and taxis depend on your choices, so they are not totalled here.
| Item | Day | Price (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| nol Silver Card | 1 | 25 | Includes AED 19 credit |
| Metro trips | All | 3 / 5 / 7.50 | Per trip, by zones crossed |
| At the Top, Burj Khalifa | 1 | Varies by slot | Book on the official site |
| Abra crossing | 2 | 1 | Cash on board |
| The View at The Palm | 3 | 110 | Standard entry |
| Dubai Frame (optional) | 4 | 50 | Children 3 to 12: AED 20 |
| Desert safari | 4 | Varies | Compare what is included |
| E100 bus to Abu Dhabi | 5 | 25 each way | Paid by nol card |
| Louvre Abu Dhabi | 5 | 70 | Adult |
| Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | 5 | Free | Pre-booked online pass required |
Our 5-day Dubai itinerary on a budget swaps paid views for free ones and uses buses throughout. With more time, the 7 days in Dubai plan adds a slower pace and extra day trips.
Send us your dates and interests through the enquiry form and we will suggest how to order the days and which day suits Abu Dhabi.
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