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How to Enjoy New Year in Dubai Without Spending Much
Dubai is like a fantasy land for tourists. With its seemingly endless attractions – both natural & man-made – Dubai sees tourist influx throughout the year. However, Dubai goes into a different level of enjoyment during the last week of December, especially on New Year’s Eve. The whole city erupts into fun, colors, and enjoyment as almost everyone gets into the party mode. The number of inbound tourists in Dubai during this time also goes up several times.
However, amidst all this fun & frolic, there’s a flip side. Due to the festivities, almost all service providers – like hotels, restaurants, private car rentals, tourist attractions, etc. – raise the prices of their services. Even flight fares go up by several notches. This puts a serious strain on the purse strings of budget travelers – for whom, every dollar is budgeted for.
Does it mean that the festivities in Dubai on New Year’s Eve are meant only for premium travelers?
The answer is a big NO! While premium travelers can splurge and enjoy the best of the goodies, budget travelers like you have various options to make your 31st December evening in Dubai a memorable occasion. All you need to do is some careful advance planning – and some research. We are also here to help you. Please read on to know more about how to enjoy New Year’s Eve in Dubai without spending much.
1. Book Flight Tickets and Hotel in Advance
The major cash outflow for New Year’s Eve in Dubai starts with the flight tickets. If the decision for this vacation is a last-minute one, you will burn a big hole in your pocket. So – plan months in advance & buy them to and from Dubai flight tickets several months in advance – preferably as early as March/April for the December vacation. And the same logic applies to the hotel room booking. The earlier you book both, the lesser you will have to pay.
2. Contact a Good Travel Agency
While there are almost uncountable travel agencies providing travel packages for Dubai, you need to use some discretion before choosing one. Do proper research, read user reviews or any other 3rd party site where users have given their feedback. Go through the package options carefully and be careful about the hidden charges. Do a cost-benefit analysis of the packages and finally select one that fits your budget, while not compromising much on the festivities. We repeat, please do extensive research before final selection.
3. Watch the Fireworks for Free
Why pay through your nose for something which you can get for free? This applies to the dazzling fireworks displays that Dubai is famous for on New Year’s Eve. Head to the Kite Beach or Black Palace Beach late evening on 31st December, relax on the beach with a cup of coffee – and you would be rewarded with spectacular views of the fireworks – not just over Burj Khalifa but also in the skies above Jumeirah. And you don’t have to pay anything for it!
You can also head for the Dubai Water Canal and take a stroll on the walkways around it. From there also, you would get unparalleled views of the Burj Khalifa fireworks.
4. Join a Public Celebration
The Dubai Global Village – a celebration of food, culture, and shopping from over 90 nations around the world – is reopening in mid-October. The entry fee for this magical place is very nominal. While inside, there are several cultural shows that you can enjoy for free. Shop modestly, eat from the joints where the food is reasonably inexpensive – and you will spend a great New Year’s Eve without spending much!
5. Take a Dhow Cruise Dinner
This is another inexpensive – but immensely enjoyable – way to celebrate the New Year’s Eve in Dubai. The dhows are traditional Arab fishing boats, but these ones are fitted with all modern amenities to make you feel fully comfortable. While the upper deck is slightly expensive, the lower deck is no less great to be in. Sail on gently along the clam waters of the gulf as the magnificently-lit Dubai skyline floats past you. There would be a lip-smacking buffet dinner on board, followed by local cultural performances. And the cherry on the cake? Watching the fantastic fireworks displays at midnight – from the best possible viewing point!
6. Watch the Fountain Show at Dubai Mall
Head for the largest shopping mall in the world – the Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai. While shopping there might put your budget under pressure, you don’t have to pay to wander around the mall & do window shopping! And there’s another beautiful sight that awaits you here – the Dubai Fountain Show.
At over 900 feet, this is the tallest fountain in the world. Brilliantly lit by a multitude of lights of varying designs, the waters rise & fall in sync with melodious music – Arabic, classical, and contemporary – that plays in the background. More than 1000 expressions are created by the waters, creating a dazzling & hypnotic ambience. Take a stroll on the boardwalk here to get to 9 meters of the fountain!
And most importantly – the Dubai Fountain Show is free to watch.
7. Use Public Transportation
Dubai has one of the best public transport networks among all global cities. So, make the most of it. The bus & metro network in Dubai connects almost every tourist attraction worth mentioning. And both of them are very reasonable. They operate for almost 19-20 hours every day, so timing won’t be an issue when it comes to availing of their services. Traveling by public transport in Dubai can substantially contribute towards keeping your Dubai New Year’s Eve travel within budget.