This short trip to UAE was packed with places that took me to the past and the future.
Middle Eastern countries are not on my priority destinations mainly because of accessibility. Direct flights are available but they’re often more expensive than my typical budget. And to add to that, how pricey it is to get a visa. So when I randomly saw a great deal at Cebu Pacific’s website, I immediately booked it without thinking of possible challenges.
A street in Al Ras
The hardest part for me pre-trip was finding a cheap option for my visa. I asked on a travel agency at a mall here in the Philippines and it was 13K Pesos. I couldn’t imagine myself paying that much for a 5-Day trip. So I asked a cousin who works there if she knows a Dubai-based travel agency that could help me with it. I got one for PHP 6,447.00, though I’m sure there are far cheaper options out there. At that time, that was just the safest and most reliable option for me.
Day 1
- Flight 5J14 Manila to Dubai
- Metro to Burjuman Station
- Walk to hostel
- Check in at Backpacker Hostel Dubai
- Night snack at Falafel & Shawarma Cafe
- Walk around Al Karama area
Falafel & Shawarma Cafe
Day 2
- Breakfast at the hostel
- Metro to Al Fahidi Metro Station
- Al Fahidi Historical
- Coin Museum Bur Dubai
- Dubai Museum
- Ride Abra to Deira across Dubai Creek
- Dubai Spice Souq Market
- Lunch at Al Bait Al Qadeem Emirati Heritage Restaurant
- Explore Al Ras area
- Metro from Al Ras Station back to Burjuman Station
- Walk to Spinney’s Karama
- Wait for Desert Safari Tour
- Desert Safari Tour
Dubai Creek
Camels at the Desert Safari tour
Day 3
- Breakfast at the hostel
- Morning rest
- Lunch at Chicken Tikka in Burjuman Centre
- Metro from Burjuman to Sharaf DG Station
- Bus 81 to Umm Suqeim Park 2
- Explore the public beach with view of Burj Al Arab
- Bus 81 to Dubai Mall
- Explore Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa
- Dinner at McDonald’s
Burj Khalifa
Day 4
- Breakfast at 7-11
- Metro to Al Ghubaiba Station
- Bus E100 to Abu Dhabi
- Taxi to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Explore the mosque
- Taxi to Ferrari World
- Rest of the day at Ferrari World
- Walk to Tryano Parking Area
- Carpool back to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station
- Bus back to Dubai
Filipino cast member at Ferrari World
Day 5
- Breakfast at the hostel
- Morning rest
- Check out of the hostel and leave bags
- Lunch at Shahi Mughal Resturaunt
- Bus 33 from Burjuman to Karama Commercial Center 2
- Explore Al Karama Market for souvenirs
- Sunset at Dubai Frame
- Walk to Al Jafiliya Metro Station
- Metro to Burjuman Station
- Get bags at the hostel
- Metro to Dubai International Airport
- Flight 5J15 Dubai to Manila
Some of the murals at Al Karama Market
Expenses
| Roundtrip Flights (Manila - Dubai) | PHP 2,913.94 | Cebu Pacific |
| Backpacker Hostel Dubai | AED 266.00 | Dorm type |
| Desert Safari | AED 65.00 | Complete package with service and buffet |
| Roundtrip Bus (Dubai - Abu Dhabi) | AED 50.00 | |
| Taxi to Grand Mosque | AED 38.00 | |
| Taxi to Ferrari World | AED 56.00 | |
| Ferrari World Admission Fee | AED 295.00 | Ride-all-you-can |
| Carpool from Ferrari World to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station | AED 15.00 | |
| Food, Souvenirs, Transportation and others | AED 410.00 |
Without Flights: AED 1195.00 (PHP 17,028.75)
Total of PHP 19,942.69
For the expenses, I specified some of the major ones like the hotel and Ferrari World admission fee. All other costs like food and souvenirs are estimated as one because it’s harder to keep track of. Though I’m pretty sure about the estimate since I computed it from my pocket money against the other expenses and some leftovers.
To be honest, Emirates is not a cheap place to tour at. If I wasn’t staying at a dorm-type hostel, the accommodation cost would have been so much more. Also the food, even fast-food, are expensive. I spent about AED 20-40 (sometimes more) per meal. The food was great though so I couldn’t complain about the price. The safest budget here would be AED 300.00 per day, not including the accommodation. It’s enough to let you eat wherever you want, take the metro/bus, for paying attraction fees.
Flying Aces ride at Ferrari World
UAE is a country of Tradition and Modernity
At first I thought that there were not much in UAE aside from tall buildings. But what I really enjoyed was getting to see the Old Dubai from exploring unmodernized areas. The vibe that surrounds Arab markets is my favorite feeling from this trip. For me that day when I explored Old Dubai in the morning and then went on a Desert Safari tour in the evening was the highlight of this trip. I love soaring skyscrapers but let’s be real, it always gets boring. So that culture-filled day was, for me, a MUST!
Let me know in the comments, or inbox me on Facebook, if you have any questions. And of course, share this to your travel buddies!!