Dubai itinerary
This itinerary spends five days on Dubai's landmarks: Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain first, then Old Dubai and the Creek, an evening in the desert, a day in Abu Dhabi at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and Palm Jumeirah to finish. Each day sets the official opening hours and prices, checked on the official pages, next to the ticket or tour we sell for it, and from mid-October Global Village can fill any free evening.
| If you | Do this |
|---|---|
| Have only 3 days | Keep the first three daysThey stay in and around Dubai; the Abu Dhabi tour adds about 90 minutes on the road each way. |
| Travel between mid-October and May | Add Global Village one eveningSeason 31 runs from 14 October 2026 to May 2027, and the park opens at 16:00 every day. |
| Travel in summer | Keep the outdoors for late in the dayJuly averages 36°C; Visit Dubai points summer visitors to indoor attractions, and desert safaris then run from late afternoon into the evening. |
| Want the sunset from Burj Khalifa | Book Level 124 about 120 minutes before sunsetAt the Top has no sunset ticket; this is its own advice. |
| Travel with children under 3 | Two of the tickets are free for themAt the Top and the Dubai Frame both let children under 3 in free. |
| Visit Abu Dhabi on a Friday | Expect a midday break at the mosqueOn Fridays the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open to visitors from 09:00 to 11:30, then from 14:30 to 20:30. |
| Visit Abu Dhabi on a Monday | Expect one stop fewerOur tour visits the BAPS Hindu Mandir, which is closed on Mondays. |
The first two days work by Metro: the Red Line to Burj Khalifa station for At the Top, and Al Jafiliya station for the Dubai Frame, at Gate 4 of Zabeel Park.
In Old Dubai, abras cross between Deira and Bur Dubai from around 06:00 every day. A crossing takes about five minutes and costs AED 1, or AED 2 on an air-conditioned abra, paid to the driver.
On the third and fourth days our tours collect you from your hotel and bring you back: at 14:30 for the safari and 07:00 for Abu Dhabi.
Visit Dubai calls October to April the best time to visit for many travellers, when outdoor attractions take centre stage. July is the hottest month, averaging 36°C, and Visit Dubai points summer visitors to the city's indoor attractions.
Visit Dubai calls a trip into the desert a must-do, and safaris run all year: in summer they go from late afternoon into the evening, when the desert is cooler than the city.
Between 14 October 2026 and May 2027, Global Village opens at 16:00 every day, so it fits any free evening; on Tuesdays it is reserved for families, couples and ladies, except on public holidays.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque asks visitors to pre-book and obtain an online access pass; worshippers enter without one. Its hours differ during Ramadan.
Visit Dubai advises booking a dinner cruise ahead, because places fill up fast, particularly in the peak travel season. Our Creek dhow sails at 20:00 sharp and cannot wait for late arrivals.
At Burj Khalifa, At the Top asks guests to arrive well ahead of their scheduled time, because peak times bring large crowds. For the sunset, book a Level 124 entry about 120 minutes before it.
The Grand Mosque's dress code asks women for loose clothing down to the ankles, sleeves to the wrists and full hair coverage, and men for clothing that covers the legs, without sleeveless shirts. Everyone should avoid transparent or tight clothing.
In the desert, wear loose clothes and closed shoes and bring a light layer for after sunset; a light layer helps on the dhow's open upper deck in winter too. At Burj Khalifa, the Level 124 deck is partly outdoors, so it can be warm in summer and breezy in winter.
From
AED 304
From
AED 48
From
AED 50
From
AED 208
From
AED 144
From
AED 397
From
AED 30
For the sights in this plan, yes: it gives Burj Khalifa and the Fountain, Old Dubai and the Creek, the desert, Abu Dhabi and Palm Jumeirah a day each, with Global Village for a free evening from mid-October.
At the Top's own price for Levels 124 and 125 starts at AED 189, and children under 3 enter free. Our price is shown live on our ticket's page.
Every 30 minutes from 18:00 to 23:00, with afternoon shows at limited times, according to Visit Dubai.
Visitors do: the mosque asks them to pre-book and obtain an online access pass. Worshippers enter without one.
AED 1 a crossing, or AED 2 on an air-conditioned abra, paid to the driver; it takes about five minutes.
Yes. There is no admission fee, though the galleries and shops inside charge their own.
October to April, which Visit Dubai calls the best time to visit for many travellers; from 14 October, Global Village is open too.
Opening hours, prices and rules checked on the official pages on 3 October 2026. They change, so check the official site before you go. Sources: At the Top, Burj Khalifa · At the Top FAQ · Visit Dubai: The Dubai Fountain · Dubai Frame: plan your visit · Visit Dubai: Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood · Visit Dubai: abra creek crossing · Visit Dubai: dinner cruises · Visit Dubai: desert safaris · Visit Dubai: summer desert safaris · Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: visiting hours · Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: mosque manners · The View at The Palm: tickets · Global Village: plan your visit · Visit Dubai: weather in Dubai
