Travel guide for Indian travellers

Dubai trip from India: cost, visa & best time

Dubai is the easiest big international trip from India — short direct flights from almost every metro, Indian food everywhere and a skyline you have to see once. Here is what it really costs, when to go, how the visa works and where vegetarians eat well.

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Flight
3–4 hours direct
Budget
₹13,000 a day
Best time
Nov – Mar
Visa
e-Visa for Indians

Why Dubai

Why Indians love a Dubai trip

  • Closest big-city break

    Direct flights from 15+ Indian cities, so even a long weekend works.

  • Easy for families

    Safe, clean and built for kids: theme parks, aquariums and beaches.

  • Veg food made easy

    Karama and Bur Dubai are full of pure-veg and Jain-friendly restaurants.

  • Desert in a day

    Dunes, a camp dinner and sunset are 45 minutes from the city.

Cost

How much does a Dubai trip cost from India?

Per person, per day, excluding flights; trip totals are for our 5-day itinerary. Prices are planning estimates for sharing a room.

  • Budget

    ₹7,000/ day

    About ₹35,000 for 5 days

    3-star in Bur Dubai or Deira, metro and buses

  • ComfortMost popular

    ₹13,000/ day

    About ₹65,000 for 5 days

    4-star near the metro, a few taxis, two paid attractions

  • Luxury

    ₹30,000/ day

    About ₹1.5L for 5 days

    5-star on the beach or Downtown, private transfers

Flights: ₹18,000 – 35,000 returnPrices jump from mid-December to New Year and during big events; summer brings the best hotel deals.

Best time to visit

When to go to Dubai, month by month

  1. JanBest

    20–25°C, ideal for the desert

  2. FebBest

    Pleasant days, festivals

  3. MarBest

    Warming up, still comfortable

  4. AprGood

    Hot afternoons, cooler evenings

  5. MayAvoid

    Around 38°C

  6. JunAvoid

    40°C+, indoor plans only

  7. JulAvoid

    Hottest month, big hotel deals

  8. AugAvoid

    Very hot and humid

  9. SepAvoid

    Still 38°C+

  10. OctGood

    Cooling down, season starts

  11. NovBest

    Perfect weather returns

  12. DecBest

    Festive, but the busiest and priciest

Our advice: November to March is the sweet spot: 20–28°C, ideal for the desert and the beach. December is the most festive and the most expensive; June to September is very hot, but hotels cost far less.

Before you fly

Visa, flights & money for Dubai from India

  • Visa for Indians

    Apply for the UAE tourist e-Visa (30 days) through your airline or an approved agent 7–10 days before travel; you need a passport valid 6 months, a photo and a confirmed return ticket. Visa on arrival is available to Indians with a valid US visa/green card or UK/EU residence.

  • Flights from India

    Direct flights from almost every Indian metro (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, Kolkata and more) take 3–4 hours. Emirates, flydubai, Air India and IndiGo all fly daily.

  • Money & payments

    Currency is the dirham (AED, about ₹23). Cards work almost everywhere; UPI is accepted at a growing number of Indian-run shops. Carry a little cash for abras (AED 1), souks and tips.

  • SIM, eSIM & apps

    Buy an eSIM before you fly or pick up a tourist SIM at DXB arrivals. WhatsApp chat works, but WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked — use regular calls or approved apps like Botim.

  • Plugs & power

    UK-style three-pin plugs (Type G), 230V. Indian chargers work with a simple adapter; most hotels lend one at reception.

  • Time difference

    UAE is 1 hour 30 minutes behind India.

Visa and entry rules change. Always confirm on the official embassy or government website before you book.

Vegetarian & Jain food

Where vegetarians eat well in Dubai

Dubai is one of the easiest places outside India to eat pure-veg and Jain. Karama and Bur Dubai (near Meena Bazaar) are the hubs; tell staff "Jain" and they understand.

  • Karama

    Govinda'sJain food

    Sattvic pure-veg restaurant run by a Jain family; no onion or garlic, plus homemade ice cream.

  • Al Karama (behind Park Regis)

    RangoliJain food

    Gujarati and Rajasthani thalis with a dedicated Jain menu — ideal for families.

  • Al Souq Al Kabeer, Bur Dubai

    Bapu KathiyavadiJain food

    Jain-food specialist serving home-style Kathiyawadi meals, a short walk from Al Fahidi.

  • Al Karama

    Kashi — Veg Indian FusionJain food

    Pure-veg fusion menu that serves Jain food; good for a dinner out.

  • Karama, Bur Dubai and malls

    Saravanaa Bhavan

    Reliable South Indian dosas and thalis near most sightseeing areas.

How to ask: Say "Jain food — no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables". On the desert safari, ask the operator for a "pure veg" meal when booking.

Insider tips

Save money and skip the queues

  • Save money

    Book Burj Khalifa a little off-peak

    Sunset slots cost the most. A slot 60–90 minutes after sunset is cheaper and you still see the city lights come on.

  • Save money

    Get a Nol card at the airport metro

    A Silver Nol card makes metro and bus rides a fraction of taxi fares — the Red Line runs from the airport to Downtown and the Marina.

  • Save money

    Claim your VAT refund

    Shops with the "Tax Free" sign tag your receipt to your passport; validate it at the airport kiosks before check-in and get most of the 5% VAT back.

  • Local secret

    Watch the fountain for free from the bridge

    Skip paid boardwalks: the Souk Al Bahar bridge and the lakeside promenade give a great view of the Dubai Fountain at no cost.

  • Local secret

    Use the women & children cabin

    Every metro train has a pink-signed Women & Children section at the front — great for families, and fines apply to men who sit there.

  • Best timing

    Visit Global Village on a weekday

    Weekends (Saturday–Sunday) are packed. Monday to Thursday evenings mean shorter queues for rides and food stalls.

FAQs

Dubai trip questions, answered

What Indian travellers ask us most before booking.

How much does a Dubai trip cost from India?

Plan about ₹13,000 per person per day for a comfortable trip, plus ₹18,000–35,000 for return flights. A 5-day comfort trip usually lands between ₹80,000 and ₹1.2 lakh per person including flights.

How long does a Dubai visa take for Indians?

The UAE tourist e-visa usually takes 3–5 working days through your airline or an approved agent. Apply 7–10 days before travel. Indians with a valid US visa or green card, or UK/EU residence, can get a visa on arrival.

Which is the best month to visit Dubai?

November to March. January and February have the most comfortable weather; December is festive but the priciest.

How many days are enough for Dubai?

Four to five days covers the skyline, Old Dubai, a desert safari and a beach or theme-park day. Add a day for Abu Dhabi.

Is Dubai good for vegetarians and Jains?

Yes. Karama and Bur Dubai have many pure-veg restaurants, including Jain food without onion or garlic, and most malls have Indian vegetarian options.

Curated by EZYaan

Dubai: Skyline, Souks & Desert

Old Dubai creek life, the world’s tallest tower, a desert sunset and a day in Abu Dhabi — paced for a first visit.

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Dubai Trip from India: Cost, Visa, Best Time & Veg Food (Guide)