Dubai and UAE in 7 Days (Budget)

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Travel advisory: Dubai and the wider UAE were caught up in the 2026 regional conflict with Iran. During a roughly six-week phase in early 2026, Iranian drones and missiles struck sites in the UAE, including near Dubai’s airport and port and a hotel on Palm Jumeirah. A ceasefire has held since April, and Dubai’s flights, hotels, and attractions are operating and recovering, though the situation stays fluid (the current risk is mainly to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, not the city). The US State Department has the UAE at “Reconsider Travel” and the UK FCDO does not advise against travel, but both flag the regional situation. Check the current US State Department and UK FCDO advisories before booking, and again before you fly. Everything below is written for a normal visit, for when it’s calm.

Before you book: confirm the current advisory yourself. This plan assumes a normal, calm visit, so check the latest situation before you commit to flights.

The 7-day version: the whole country from one base

Seven days builds on the 6-day plan (Dubai core, Abu Dhabi, Hatta, Old Dubai and a desert safari, the east coast, Sharjah) with a seventh day in Al Ain, the “Garden City,” before flying home. See the fuller UAE from Dubai guide for more day trip options, or the separate Dubai city itinerary if you’d rather spend the full week in the city itself.

Book these before you go:

Day Focus Rough cost (solo, no hotel)
Day 1 Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Fountain AED 150-400 (~$41-109)
Day 2 Abu Dhabi: Grand Mosque, Louvre, Qasr Al Watan Tour or car cost, plus Louvre entry
Day 3 Hatta: dam, kayaking, hiking Car or tour cost, plus kayak rental
Day 4 Old Dubai, the abra, a desert safari AED 100-360 (~$27-98)
Day 5 East Coast/Fujairah: Snoopy Island, Al-Bidyah Mosque Car cost, plus snorkel gear
Day 6 Sharjah: museum, heritage area, souqs Car or tour cost, museum entry
Day 7 Al Ain: oasis, Jebel Hafeet Car or tour cost, oasis free

Day 1: Dubai core

Start at the Burj Khalifa (levels 124/125 roughly AED 149-250, about $41-68). Spend the day at The Dubai Mall, free to walk, and catch a free Dubai Fountain show in the evening.

Day 2: Abu Dhabi, the actual capital

Head to Abu Dhabi, about 1.5 hours away, for the free Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Qasr Al Watan.

Day 3: Hatta, Dubai’s mountain exclave

Drive or tour to Hatta, about 90 minutes into the Hajar Mountains. Kayak Hatta Dam, visit the Heritage Village, and hike or bike the Wadi Hub.

Day 4: Old Dubai and a desert night

Spend the morning in Al Fahidi Historical District, free to wander, then the abra (about 1 dirham, roughly $0.27) to the Gold Souk and Spice Souk. Close with a desert safari, roughly AED 99-350 (about $27-95).

Day 5: The east coast and Fujairah

Drive about 1.5-2 hours to the east coast. Snorkel at Snoopy Island, visit Fujairah Fort, and see Al-Bidyah Mosque, the UAE’s oldest, dating to around 1446.

Day 6: Sharjah on the way back

Stop in Sharjah, about 25-45 minutes from Dubai, the “Cultural Capital of the Arab World”: the Museum of Islamic Civilization, a heritage area, and souqs cheaper than Dubai’s.

Day 7: Al Ain, the Garden City

Drive about 1.5-2 hours to Al Ain. Walk the free, UNESCO-listed Al Ain Oasis, then drive up Jebel Hafeet for sweeping views from the top before heading back to Dubai for your flight out of DXB.

How much does this 7-day trip cost?

Figure roughly AED 250-760 (about $68-207) for the Dubai-side days, plus your Abu Dhabi tour or car, the Louvre’s entry, Hatta’s kayak rental, and fuel or tour costs for the east coast, Sharjah, and Al Ain days. Keep your hotel in Dubai the whole trip, no need to pack and repack.

Book your Abu Dhabi tour, Hatta transport, and desert safari before you land, and recheck the current US State Department or UK FCDO advisory closer to your travel date.