Quick answer
Five days in Dubai works best as: arrival and a Creek dinner cruise, Old Dubai and the Burj Khalifa at sunset, a desert safari, an Abu Dhabi day trip for the Grand Mosque and BAPS Mandir, and a final morning at the Marina and Palm. Mid-range land cost starts at about ₹36,000 per person, excluding flights.
The route
- Old Dubai
- Downtown
- Desert
- Abu Dhabi day trip
- Dubai Marina
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive and settle in
Morning: Land at Dubai International (DXB). Most flights from India arrive early morning or late evening; the transfer to Bur Dubai or Al Barsha takes 20–40 minutes.
Afternoon: Check in around 2–3 pm and rest. Pick up a local SIM and some dirhams at the nearest mall.
Evening: Dhow dinner cruise on Dubai Creek, or Global Village if you are travelling between mid-October and May.
Stay: Bur Dubai or Al Barsha
Buy a Nol card at the airport metro station; it works on the metro, trams and buses.
- 2
Day 2
Old Dubai and Downtown
Morning: Al Fahidi's wind-tower lanes and Al Seef, then an abra across the Creek to the Spice and Gold Souks in Deira.
Afternoon: Dubai Frame or the Museum of the Future, then a rest at the hotel during the hottest hours.
Evening: Burj Khalifa At the Top at sunset, then the Dubai Fountain show and dinner at Dubai Mall.
Stay: Bur Dubai or Al Barsha
Book the Burj Khalifa sunset slot at least a week ahead; it sells out in winter.
- 3
Day 3
Beach morning and desert safari
Morning: Slow start. Kite Beach or Dubai Miracle Garden (open roughly October/November to May).
Afternoon: Desert safari pickup around 3 pm: dune drive, camel ride and sandboarding.
Evening: Barbecue dinner and shows at the camp; back at the hotel by about 9:30 pm.
Stay: Bur Dubai or Al Barsha
Ask for vegetarian or Jain dinner when you book, and choose a soft safari for seniors.
- 4
Day 4
Abu Dhabi day trip
Morning: Leave by 8 am. Stop at the BAPS Hindu Mandir near the Dubai–Abu Dhabi highway (closed on Mondays; register online).
Afternoon: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, then the Louvre Abu Dhabi or Ferrari World on Yas Island.
Evening: Back in Dubai by about 8 pm. Dinner in Karama or Bur Dubai for Indian food.
Stay: Bur Dubai or Al Barsha
Carry modest clothing for both places of worship: shoulders and knees covered, a headscarf for women at the mosque.
- 5
Day 5
Marina, Palm and departure
Morning: Palm Jumeirah monorail or a photo stop at Atlantis, then a walk along JBR beach and the Marina promenade.
Afternoon: Last shopping at Mall of the Emirates, or Ski Dubai with children. Check out.
Evening: Transfer to the airport and arrive three hours before your flight.
Most hotels store luggage after check-out, so you can use the full day.
Who this 5-day Dubai itinerary suits
This plan is built for first-time visitors, families with children or parents, and couples who want the main sights without rushing. It mixes one big outing a day with rest in the afternoon, which matters even in winter. Add or swap items from our list of things to do in Dubai.
Why the days are in this order
Old Dubai comes first because it is best in the morning before the souks get hot. The Burj Khalifa sits at the end of day two so you can see the city at sunset and the fountain straight after. The desert safari gets its own afternoon, and the Abu Dhabi trip goes on day four so you can move it if it falls on a Monday, when the BAPS Mandir is closed.
What this plan costs
Mid-range land cost starts at about ₹36,000 per person, twin sharing, for four nights in a 4★ hotel, airport transfers, the UAE visa, Burj Khalifa tickets, the desert safari, a dhow cruise and a shared Abu Dhabi tour. With return flights from Delhi or Mumbai, expect about ₹58,000 per person. The full breakdown is on Dubai trip cost.
Where to stay
Bur Dubai and Al Barsha are good bases for this route: both are on the metro, close to Indian restaurants and well priced. Compare areas on where to stay in Dubai.
Most Indian passport holders need a UAE visa arranged before flying. Apply two weeks ahead using our UAE visa guide.
Vegetarian and Jain travellers will find it easy; see the Dubai food guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 days enough for Dubai?
Can I follow this itinerary with senior citizens?
How much does a 5-day Dubai trip cost from India?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
