Travelling to Dubai was on my bucket list for a very long time, so I finally decided not to delay this trip anymore and visit Dubai in November. I started planning my trip with 2 of my friends in August itself. Travelling to Dubai from India is not difficult; it is just 3 to 4 hours away by air! Hence, after numerous failed attempts, my trip made it out of the group chat! Here is my India to Dubai travel experience, and I hope it helps you plan your trip too!
2 Months Before The Trip Â
One of the most important things which I feel everyone should know before planning a trip to Dubai is how important it is to apply for a Dubai tourist visa from India. As an Indian, there are many requirements, such as a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining, a completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, a copy of your flight itinerary, and proof of accommodation. Depending on the visa type, you might also need to show proof of sufficient funds.
Also, the best thing I would like to suggest is to book with a reputable and well-known travel agency in Dubai. I personally got in touch with the experts at Travel Saga, who are based in Dubai, so it was easy for me to apply for my visa with them. Surprisingly, the process was very smooth and quick. There are many requirements, so make sure you adhere to all of them.Â
Quick Tip: Always book in advance and book with a travel agency so that you do not make any mistakes.
Travelling to Dubai From India Â
My flight was from Delhi to Dubai. The immigration at both airports did not take so much time. It was my first time travelling abroad, so I was quite nervous too. Moreover, it took my friends and me approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. I cannot explain the feeling I got when I landed in Dubai. The airport was so big and beautiful.
There are free tourist SIMs available at the airport, which have limited data. After that, my friends and I were greeted by a driver outside the airport who picked us up and dropped us at our hotel. Considering that we booked with a travel agency, this whole process was quite easy and hassle-free.
5-Day Itinerary of Dubai: Best Days of My Life Â
I am not exaggerating when I say I had the best time abroad in Dubai. The city never fails to disappoint you. Initially, I did not want to visit the basic and overcrowded tourist places in Dubai like Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah and Burj al Arab, but my friends convinced me otherwise. Here are all the things I did in 5 days in Dubai:
Day 1: Coming to Dubai and Dinner on a Boat Â
As my flight was early morning, we checked in in the afternoon. We decided to go out and explore the old part of Dubai, which we later found out was called Bur Dubai. In the evening, we were taken on a traditional cruise of Dubai, the Dhow Cruise. We got a red carpet welcome at the Dubai Marina. There were 2 decks; the lower deck was air-conditioned, and the upper deck was open air, also both had dinner seating options.Â
Starting Price: 90 AED
Note: Check the menu before finalising the Dhow Cruise Dinner. It is also a buffet dinner where there is live entertainment on board.
Day 2: Exploring the Top Attractions of DubaiÂ
For my second day, I wanted to cover all the major attractions of the city. After breakfast, we were picked up from our hotel and taken on a full-day Dubai city tour. The starting price for this tour (per person) was AED 125 (₹2937). We explored various areas and attractions. The pictures turned out to be really nice! Attractions that we covered are listed below:
- Pick up from the hotel
- Start the tour with Bur Dubai and Deira
- A visit to Jumeirah, Marina and Downtown Dubai
- Bastakiya quarters, Gold Souk & Spice Souk
- Visit Palm Jumeirah
- Visit the Souk Madinat and the Mall of Emirates
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountains
- Drop off at your hotel in Dubai
Starting Price: 125 AED
Note: The ideal time to visit Dubai is in the winter months from October to April. During this period, you will find numerous events and activities in the city that will warm your heart.
Favourite Spot: Burj Khalifa Â
The route to enter Burj Khalifa was from Dubai Mall itself (it is one of the largest malls in the world!). There are 3 different observation decks present there. We opted for At the Top Burj Khalifa tickets, 124th and 125th floors. The view from the top was phenomenal, and because we booked in advance with a travel agency, we didn’t have to stand in long queues.
Starting Price: 197 AED
Note: Wear comfortable footwear while you are on a tour of the city. Additionally, you should always book in advance and avoid booking at the counter.
Enquire - Burj Khalifa Tickets
Day 3: Touring Abu Dhabi’s Best Tourist Attractions in a Day Â
We left for Abu Dhabi quite early in the morning, because we wanted to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The plan was to leave early in order to avoid the crowd. So, it took us approximately. 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai. The second stop on our 1-day tour of Abu Dhabi was the Emirates Palace. The Palace is the pinnacle of luxury, you can stay there, have a meal or click numerous pictures! After that, we visited Corniche Beach, Heritage Village, Date’s Market, and lastly, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
People often come and visit Dubai; however, that is one of the biggest mistakes that you are making. You should definitely include Abu Dhabi in your itinerary.
Starting Price: 199 AED
Note: You are going to see the top attractions of Abu Dhabi. Also, a professional tour guide will accompany you.
Day 4: Shopping and the Famous Dubai Desert Safari Â
2 things which you have to do when you visit Dubai are shopping and a desert safari. We spent the whole day touring Dubai, from Bur Dubai to the new lavish malls. It’s a myth that Dubai is very expensive; if you want to shop on a budget, then you should go to Bur Dubai.
In the late afternoon, we were picked up from the hotel by our travel agency’s driver, and we headed towards the desert. The first stop was an ATV or Quad bike ride, where we also got headscarves. Moreover, we headed towards the place where we did Dune Bashing and reached the camp. There were entertainment shows here, and the food was really tasty. Do try Emirati Cuisine and desserts. Finally, we were dropped off back to our hotel. Honestly, this activity was worth every penny!
Starting Price: 199 AED
Note: Book the desert safari that suits your preference. Enjoy the thrill of the Dubai desert.
Day 5: Hidden Gems of Dubai & Departure
 
On our last day in the city, we went to some lesser-known yet amazing places. From exploring Alserkal Avenue (also known as the art district of Dubai) to Expo Dubai (the future city), Dubai did not disappoint. We ended our trip on a good note and were really satisfied with our vacation.
Final Words Â
To conclude, if you are planning to visit an international destination soon from India, then Dubai should be your number 1 option. Most importantly, you should book with a trusted travel agency in Dubai, like we did with Travel Saga Tourism, which definitely elevated our experience. We neither had to wait in lines at the attractions, nor did we worry about the transportation.
Author Bio Â
Kiara Pareek, a traveller from Delhi, recently visited Dubai along with her friends. She opted for a 4 Nights 5 Days Dubai Holiday Package with us. This was her detailed India to Dubai travel experience. Kiara is head of marketing at a firm in Delhi itself.Â
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