5 Days in Dubai: A Day-by-Day Itinerary
A 5-day Dubai itinerary: Burj Khalifa and the Fountain, Old Dubai and the Creek, the desert, Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque and Palm Jumeirah, with times.
Checked 3 Oct 2026
Compare before you book
Dubai and Abu Dhabi travel guide
Everything a first-time visitor asks before booking: when to come, what it costs, how to get around and what to wear, then which ticket fits. Each guide is checked against the official pages on the date shown and links straight to the tickets we sell.
Plan your Dubai trip
Start here: the best time to visit, a 5-day itinerary, what a trip costs, the Metro and what to wear.
Best Time to Visit Dubai: Weather and Events
When to visit Dubai, month by month: average temperatures, rain, the October openings of Global Village and Miracle Garden, and the big events.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Dubai Metro Guide: Fares, Hours and nol Cards
How to ride the Dubai Metro: hours, nol cards and fares, the rules and fines, luggage from the airport, and the station for each sight.
Checked 4 Oct 2026
Dubai Trip Cost: Hotels, Taxes and Tickets
What a Dubai trip costs: hotel rates and the Tourism Dirham, VAT, taxi and Metro fares, Salik tolls, the official sight prices and ways to spend less.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
What to Wear in Dubai: Dress Codes by Place
What to wear in Dubai: dress codes at mosques, palaces and heritage sites, swimwear rules at beaches and water parks, and what to pack for each season.
Checked 4 Oct 2026
Free Things to Do in Dubai
The free things to do in Dubai: the Fountain show, Al Fahidi, the Creek and its souks, Kite Beach and the Marina Walk, plus a paid upgrade for each.
Checked 5 Nov 2026
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi: Where to Stay, What to See
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi: what each city is for, the train, bus and road between them, day trip or overnight stay, and which tickets belong to which city.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Compare tickets: Burj Khalifa, theme parks and water parks
Which observation deck, theme park, water park or snow park fits your group, side by side.
Dubai Ice Rink Tickets: Entry Pass vs Entrance Ticket
Two tickets to one rink at The Dubai Mall: how our Entry Pass and Entrance Ticket differ, against the rink's own AED 130 day and AED 150 evening sessions.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Burj Khalifa Tickets: At the Top vs SKY vs The Lounge
Levels 124-125, 148 and 152-154 compared from the official At the Top pages: height, what each ticket includes, time limits, children, access and prices.
Checked 23 Sept 2026
Yas Island Theme Parks: Tickets, Prices and Which to Pick
Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld and Yas Waterworld compared from official pages: who each suits, heights, Ladies Day, 3- and 4-park tickets.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Dubai Observation Decks: Burj Khalifa vs Frame vs The View
Burj Khalifa, Sky Views, The View at the Palm or Dubai Frame? Heights, what each ticket includes, hours, children and official prices beside ours.
Checked 3 Oct 2026
Ski Dubai or Snow Abu Dhabi? Slope, Snow Park and Prices
Ski Dubai or Snow Abu Dhabi? Which has a ski slope, what each Snow Park pass includes, penguins, hours, children's ages and official prices beside ours.
Checked 3 Oct 2026
Dubai Water Parks Compared: Which One to Pick
Aquaventure, Wild Wadi and LEGOLAND Water Park compared from the parks' own pages, with Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi: prices, heights and who each suits.
Checked 27 Sept 2026
Dubai with Kids by Age: Which Attraction Fits
IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and Dubai Safari Park, matched to toddlers, younger kids, older kids and teens by age.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Dubai Animal Attractions Compared: Which to Pick
The Green Planet, Dubai Crocodile Park, Dubai Dolphinarium and Lost World Aquarium compared from their own sites: prices, showtimes and what each includes.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Things to Do in Abu Dhabi: Sights Compared
Compare Abu Dhabi's top sights: the Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, the Louvre, Yas Island's parks and free spots, with official prices next to ours.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Helicopter or Balloon in Dubai: Prices, Rules, Hours
Dubai helicopter tour or hot air balloon: Falcon's own seat prices, age and weight limits, hours and refunds beside our two listings.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Aquaventure or Lost Chambers: Which One to Book
Aquaventure is AED 280 for an adult, Lost World Aquarium AED 170 and both together AED 380: which Atlantis ticket to book, and how to fit them in.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Day trips from Dubai and tours
Abu Dhabi, Musandam, the desert safari and the evening cruises: which tour, and when.
Abu Dhabi Day Trip from Dubai: Tour, Train or Car?
Plan a day in Abu Dhabi from Dubai: Grand Mosque booking and dress rules, Qasr Al Watan and Louvre hours and prices, the new train, and our tours.
Checked 4 Oct 2026
Musandam from Dubai: Dibba or Khasab? Visa and Border Guide
Dibba or Khasab? Oman's visa rules, the UAE exit fee, how long each day from Dubai lasts, and what each Musandam dhow cruise sees.
Checked 23 Sept 2026
Morning vs Evening Desert Safari in Dubai, and Overnight
Evening or morning desert safari in Dubai? Pickup times, dune bashing, dinner and shows, a Mleiha and Hatta morning, and a night in the desert.
Checked 7 Oct 2026
Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise vs Marina Yacht: Which to Book?
Creek dhow or Marina yacht? What each evening cruise includes, when it sails, dinner and drinks, children, and the AED 1 abra across Dubai Creek.
Checked 23 Sept 2026
Attractions, seasons and family days out
Global Village, Miracle Garden, Safari Park and more: opening dates, hours and tickets.
Dubai Frame Tickets: Prices, Hours and What to Expect
Dubai Frame tickets are AED 50 for adults and AED 20 for children aged 3 to 12, before 5% VAT. Hours, the VIP ticket, free entry and how to get there.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
IMG Worlds of Adventure Tickets: Price, Hours, Heights
IMG Worlds of Adventure general admission is AED 365 including VAT. Opening hours, free entry below 1.05 m, half-price tickets, ride heights and refunds.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Louvre Abu Dhabi Tickets: Prices, Hours and Free Entry
Louvre Abu Dhabi tickets are AED 70 for adults and AED 35 reduced; under-18s enter free. Opening hours, who gets in free, and the Qasr Al Watan combo.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Tickets: Prices, Hours, Rides
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi tickets are AED 345 for adults and AED 295 for juniors online. Hours, the Formula Rossa closure, multi-park fares and refund terms.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Qasr Al Watan Tickets: Prices, Hours and Palace in Motion
Qasr Al Watan tickets are AED 65 for adults and AED 30 for juniors at the palace. Hours, the Palace in Motion show, free entry and the Louvre combo.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Dubai Dolphinarium Tickets: Prices, Shows and Rules
Dubai Dolphinarium at Creek Park Gate 1: the venue's AED 112 adult and AED 62 child show tickets, showtimes, age rules and no-refund policy.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Dubai Aquarium Tickets: What Each Pass Costs
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo prices: Silver AED 199, Gold AED 269, Platinum AED 399, and the Burj Khalifa combo for adults and children.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
The Green Planet Dubai Tickets: Prices, Ages and Hours
The Green Planet Dubai at City Walk: the venue's Day Pass at AED 155 or AED 175 by date, age rules, opening hours, parking and refund terms.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Tickets: Prices and Hours
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi tickets are AED 345 for adults and AED 295 for juniors online. Hours by day, the lands, multi-park fares and refund terms.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Dubai Fountain Show Times and Lake Ride Tickets
Dubai Fountain show times from the mall's own page, the AED 75 Lake Ride slots read on 6 November 2026, and where our listing differs.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Dubai Garden Glow Tickets: Price, Hours and Parks
Dubai Garden Glow at Zabeel Park Gate 3: the venue's AED 73.5 ticket, its 16:00 to 21:00 hours, the two parks and its no-refund rule.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
XLine Dubai Marina Zipline: Prices, Hours and Rules
XLine Dubai Marina zipline tickets are AED 699 for riders aged 17 and over and AED 499 for ages 12 to 16. Hours, who can ride, the rules and the booth.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
The Dubai Mall: What's Inside and What to Book
What is inside The Dubai Mall: 14 attractions, the aquarium from AED 199, ice skating from AED 130 and fountain show times, with levels and parking.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Dubai Miracle Garden Season 15: Dates, Prices and Hours
Dubai Miracle Garden reopened on 8 October 2026. Season 15 prices, hours, getting there, the Butterfly Garden and the combo, from the official site.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Global Village Dubai Season 31: Dates, Timings and Prices
Global Village Season 31 runs from 14 October 2026. Tickets AED 25 on weekdays, AED 30 Friday to Sunday; timings, family Tuesdays, buses and parking.
Checked 9 Oct 2026
Dubai Safari Park: Season 8 Opening, Tickets and Zones
Dubai Safari Park is open for Season 8 from 12 October 2026. Hours, ticket prices, the six zones, getting there and our ticket, from the official site.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Dubai Butterfly Garden: Hours, Tickets and the Combo
Dubai Butterfly Garden is open daily, 9am to 6pm. Tickets, what's inside, and the official combo with Miracle Garden next door.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Al Noor Island Sharjah: Prices, Hours & Tickets
Al Noor Island entry is AED 35, or AED 50 with the Butterfly House. Hours, what's on the island, and the passes compared.
Checked 30 Sept 2026
Madame Tussauds Dubai: Prices and Tickets
Madame Tussauds Dubai's Standard ticket is AED 155; the Fame Experience is AED 170. What's inside, and how the two compare.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Aya Universe Dubai: Prices and Tickets
Aya Universe Dubai entry is AED 135, with four other passes from AED 175. A 60–90 minute walk through 12 zones at Wafi City, and what each pass includes.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Indoor Things to Do in Dubai: Prices and Hours
Nine indoor things to do in Dubai compared from their own sites: IMG Worlds, Ski Dubai, Dubai Aquarium, Aya Universe and more, with prices, hours and ages.
Checked 8 Oct 2026
Gold Souk and Old Dubai: Metro, Abra and Museum
Reach the Gold Souk by metro, cross the creek by abra for AED 1 and visit Al Shindagha Museum from AED 50, with what is free and what to book.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Palm Jumeirah: Getting There, The View, Atlantis
How to reach Palm Jumeirah by tram and monorail, what The View costs from AED 115, and what Aquaventure and the aquarium ask in their own checkouts.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Visiting Rules and Hours
Visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: the dress code in the Centre's own words, hours and the Friday break, the AED 10 fee, and getting there from Dubai.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Dubai Marina Guide: Walk, Cruise, Zipline and Flying Cup
What to do in Dubai Marina: the free Marina Walk, the AED 7 water taxi, a superyacht cruise, the XLine zipline and the Flying Cup ride.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
UAE Attractions: Closed Days, Hours and PricesWhich Dubai and Abu Dhabi attractions close on which day, their opening hours and gate prices, each read on the operator's own page and dated.
Dubai travel tips before you book
The facts first-time visitors ask about most, each taken from the guide that checks it.
Budget for the fees on the hotel bill
The average Dubai hotel room cost AED 579 a night in 2025. On top of the rate come the Tourism Dirham, AED 7 to AED 20 a room per night, 7% hotel sales fees and 5% VAT.
Get a nol card before the Metro
The Metro takes no cash. A nol Silver card costs AED 25, including AED 19 of credit, and a ride costs AED 3 to AED 7.50. The Red Line stops at Terminals 1 and 3 of Dubai International.
Cover your shoulders in public
Visit Dubai says all attire is generally acceptable: cover the shoulders and midriff in public areas, and keep swimwear for the beach and the pool. Mosques ask for loose, ankle-length clothes, and a headscarf for women.
Book the Grand Mosque before an Abu Dhabi day
Visitors to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque must book ahead and get an online access pass; worshippers enter directly. On Fridays it opens to visitors from 09:00 to 11:30 and from 14:30 to 20:30.
Time Burj Khalifa for the sunset
At the Top has no sunset ticket. Its own advice is a Level 124 entry about 120 minutes before sunset, and children under 3 go up free.
Small children go free in many places
Under-3s go free at At the Top, the Dubai Frame and Dubai Miracle Garden, and children aged 5 and under ride the Metro free.
Dubai travel guide: common questions
What is the best time to visit Dubai?
October to April, the outdoor season, which Visit Dubai calls the best time to visit for many travellers. January is the coolest month, averaging 21°C, while average highs pass 40°C in July and August. Summer is cheaper: prices drop across the city's hotels and attractions.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
Five days covers the main landmarks, a day each: Burj Khalifa and the Fountain, Old Dubai and the Creek, the desert, Abu Dhabi and Palm Jumeirah. With 3 days, keep the first three, which stay in and around Dubai.
How much does a trip to Dubai cost?
The average hotel room was AED 579 a night in 2025, before the Tourism Dirham, hotel sales fees and VAT. A Metro ride costs AED 3 to AED 7.50 on a nol Silver card, a street taxi starts at AED 5, and official tickets start at AED 50 for the Dubai Frame and AED 189 for At the Top, Burj Khalifa.
What can you do in Dubai for free?
Watch the Dubai Fountain show, every 30 minutes from 18:00 to 23:00 at the foot of Dubai Mall, walk the lanes of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, browse the Gold Souk, and spend a day on Kite Beach or the Dubai Marina Walk. None charges entry, and the abra across Dubai Creek costs AED 1.
Can you visit Abu Dhabi as a day trip from Dubai?
Yes. Our tours plan on about 90 minutes on the road each way, and most visits are built around the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with Qasr Al Watan or the Louvre Abu Dhabi after it. Etihad Rail also runs trains between Dubai Station and Abu Dhabi.
Should you stay in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
For a first visit, Dubai works as the base and Abu Dhabi as a day out: the train between Dubai Station and Abu Dhabi Station takes 64 minutes, and our tours plan on about 90 minutes on the road each way. Give Abu Dhabi nights of its own for the Saadiyat museums or Yas Island's theme parks.
What are the best things to do in Abu Dhabi?
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Yas Island's theme parks, with the Corniche and Heritage Village free to visit. Visitors book the mosque's access pass online before they go, and Qasr Al Watan charges AED 65 online.
Which Burj Khalifa ticket should I buy?
At the Top takes you to Levels 124 and 125, 452 m up. At the Top SKY adds Level 148, 555 m up, with fast-track queues, a guide and refreshments in the SKY lounge. There is no sunset ticket: At the Top recommends booking Level 124 for about 120 minutes before sunset.
What are the best water parks in Dubai?
Dubai has three big ones: Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Palm, Wild Wadi beside Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and LEGOLAND Water Park, built for ages 2 to 12. Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, about 75 minutes away by road, has 70+ rides and slides.
Which Yas Island theme park should I choose?
Warner Bros. World for young children, indoors at 24 °C; Ferrari World for thrill rides, with Formula Rossa for riders 1.40 m and taller; SeaWorld for sea life and mixed ages; Yas Waterworld for water slides. Each takes 6 to 7 hours, so plan on one park a day.
What can you do in Dubai with kids?
Match the attraction to the age: Dubai Safari Park for toddlers, with free entry for under-3s and a Kids Farm zone; Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo for ages 5 to 8; and IMG Worlds of Adventure, a fully indoor theme park, for ages 9 to 12 and teenagers.
Is a morning or evening desert safari better?
Both run all year. Our evening safari is timed for sunset in the dunes, then a BBQ dinner and live shows at the camp. Our morning trip is a longer day to Mleiha and Hatta, with pickup from 05:30 and a light snack rather than dinner.