Curated by EZYaan · 5 days · 18 places
Dubai in 5 Days: The Complete Itinerary for Indian Families & First-Timers
Dubai is the easiest first international trip from India: a 3-hour flight, food that feels like home and sights the whole family enjoys. This 5-day plan covers Old Dubai's souks, the Burj Khalifa at sunset, a red-dune desert safari and a day in Abu Dhabi — paced so seniors and kids are not rushed, with pure-veg and Jain restaurants, e-Visa steps and money-saving tricks locals use.
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- Trip length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Best time to go
- Nov – Mar
- Budget per person
- ₹55k – 85k
- Visa for Indians
- e-Visa for Indians; visa on arrival if you hold a valid US/UK/EU visa
Dubai itinerary: day by day
Day 1: Bur Dubai
Moderate paceAbout 6,000 steps through Al Fahidi and the souks; take taxis between areas if travelling with seniors.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Restored 19th-century quarter of coral-stone houses and wind towers beside the Creek.
Arabian Tea House Café
Leafy courtyard café serving Emirati breakfast, fresh juices and karak chai.
Abra ride across Dubai Creek
Cross the Creek like locals do, on a traditional wooden water taxi.
Gold Souk & Spice Souk
Lanes of glittering gold shops next to the fragrant spice and dry-fruit stalls.
Heads up: Carry your passport if you buy gold to claim the VAT refund
Al Seef
Creekside promenade of heritage-style buildings, cafés and restaurants, lovely after dark.
Day 2: Sheikh Zayed Road
Easy paceMuseum, mall and Burj Khalifa are all air-conditioned and step-free.
Museum of the Future
Dubai’s striking calligraphy-clad museum imagining life in 2071.
Heads up: Timed tickets sell out — book online in advance
The Dubai Mall & Dubai Aquarium
One of the world’s largest malls, with a three-storey aquarium window.
Burj Khalifa – At the Top
Observation decks on the world’s tallest building, best at sunset.
Heads up: Sunset slots sell out days ahead — book in advance
The Dubai Fountain
The world’s largest choreographed fountain, dancing to music every 30 minutes.
Day 3: Jumeirah
Easy paceBeach morning and a seated 4x4 safari; skip dune bashing if anyone has back problems.
Kite Beach
Clean public beach with a classic view of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Beautiful recreated souk with canals, crafts and waterside restaurants.
Evening Desert Safari, Lahbab Desert
Red-dune adventure with dune bashing, sunset photos and a camp dinner with shows.
Heads up: Dune bashing is not advised for pregnant travellers or those with back problems · Book a licensed operator
Day 4: Abu Dhabi
Moderate paceLong day out, but the mosque and museums have smooth floors and lifts.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Breathtaking white-marble mosque, one of the largest in the world.
Heads up: Modest dress: arms and legs covered; women must cover hair (abayas available) · Closed to tourists on Friday mornings
Qasr Al Watan
A working presidential palace with grand halls open to visitors.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Museum of world art under a vast, lace-like floating dome.
Heads up: Closed on Mondays
Day 5: Palm Jumeirah
Moderate paceGlobal Village is large — wheelchairs and electric carts can be hired at the gate.
The View at The Palm
Level-52 viewing deck showing the full shape of the Palm Jumeirah.
Dubai Marina Walk
Waterfront promenade lined with towers, yachts and cafés.
Global Village
Huge open-air festival park of country pavilions, shows and street food.
Heads up: Open seasonally, roughly mid-October to early May
Where to stay in Dubai
Days 1 – 5
Downtown Dubai
Our pick: Rove Downtown
Vegetarian & Jain food 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.
Govinda'sJain food
Karama
Sattvic pure-veg restaurant run by a Jain family; no onion or garlic, plus homemade ice cream.
RangoliJain food
Al Karama (behind Park Regis)
Gujarati and Rajasthani thalis with a dedicated Jain menu — ideal for families.
Bapu KathiyavadiJain food
Al Souq Al Kabeer, Bur Dubai
Jain-food specialist serving home-style Kathiyawadi meals, a short walk from Al Fahidi.
Kashi — Veg Indian FusionJain food
Al Karama
Pure-veg fusion menu that serves Jain food; good for a dinner out.
Saravanaa Bhavan
Karama, Bur Dubai and malls
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.
Visa, flights & money: 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 & 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 with the official embassy or government website before booking.
Dubai insider tips: money savers, local secrets & what to avoid
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.
Best timing
Grand Mosque before 10 AM
Tour groups arrive late morning. Book the free online slot for opening time for empty courtyards and the best light.
Avoid this
Gold souk "too good" prices
Prices are per gram plus a making charge — always ask for both separately and compare two or three shops before buying.
Avoid this
Cheap desert safaris
Very cheap deals cut corners on safety and food. Choose licensed operators with recent reviews and confirm the veg menu in advance.
Avoid this
Public displays and dress code
Kissing in public and drinking outside licensed venues are offences. Carry a scarf for mosques and cover shoulders in malls and souks.
Dubai trip FAQs for Indian travellers
How much does a 5-day Dubai trip cost from India?
Plan roughly ₹55,000–85,000 per person excluding flights for mid-range hotels, entry tickets, a desert safari and meals. Return flights from Indian metros usually add ₹18,000–35,000 depending on season.
Do Indians need a visa for Dubai?
Yes. Most Indians apply for a UAE tourist e-Visa through their airline (Emirates, flydubai, Air India, IndiGo) or an agent before travel. Indians holding a valid US visa or green card, or a UK/EU residence permit, can usually get a visa on arrival — check the latest rules before you fly.
Is vegetarian and Jain food easy to find in Dubai?
Very. Karama and Bur Dubai have dozens of pure-veg restaurants, including Govinda's (sattvic, no onion or garlic), Rangoli and Bapu Kathiyavadi, which specialise in Jain meals. Most malls also have Saravanaa Bhavan or similar chains.
What is the best time to visit Dubai?
November to March, when days are 20–28°C and evenings are perfect for the desert, Global Village and outdoor dining. Summer (June–September) is very hot, though hotel prices drop sharply.
Is Dubai good for senior citizens?
Yes. The metro, malls and major sights are air-conditioned and step-free. This itinerary keeps walking low on most days and puts the busier desert and Abu Dhabi days in the cooler hours.
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