Finding flights
I recommend checking flight prices using Kiwi, as they offer more options and connecting flights. If you care more about getting the cheapest flight possible.
If you have two connecting flights with different flight companies, then I’d recommend to buy their insurance that’ll cover if you miss the connecting flight.
✈️ Search for the best-priced flights ✈️
Although Emirates is the main carrier to Dubai, I recommend to check the following airlines also:
Etihad flies into Abu Dhabi and offers a great economy service similar to Emirates. They also offer a free shuttle bus to the airport from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
If you’re flying Business Class or First you’ll get a free chauffeur ride to anywhere in the UAE.
It’s also worth checking Qatar Airlines as well. They connect via Doha in Qatar, making it a long flight but you can sometimes get a good deal if you don’t mind having 1 stop.
You can also read my article that helps for saving money on Dubai Emirates flights.
Hotels
Hilton.com
Hilton has a good range of hotels for the majority of budgets and many hotels available internationally. Even their more affordable hotels have a luxury feel to them plus you get a free cookie when you check in for being a Hilton member! Yay!
There are a few advantages to booking directly through their website:
- You earn points which are redeemable on future bookings.
- They guarantee the best rate when you book directly.
- For reward bookings, you get the 5th free when you book 4 consecutive nights
- You can earn Silver, Gold, or Diamon status the more nights you stay, which gets free things like late check-out and free breakfast
🏨 Check out Hilton’s Dubai hotels 🏨
Booking.com for unique places to stay
Booking.com has a wide range of different types of accommodation, including hotel apartments, villas and apartments.
I really like their option to search by “Best reviewed and lowest price.”
Hotel apartments are like residential apartments; however, they’re connected to a hotel, meaning you can use their amenities such as the swimming pool, gym, concierge and maid service. A lot of these exist in Dubai too!
Just make sure to read the small print as it can vary the services you get, for instance it may be a weekly maid service rather than daily.
If you haven’t used Booking.com before, they are very easy to use and offer member discounts. They also have different member tier levels.
However, if you’re planning to stay in a hotel chain then I still advise booking direct as usually even with the member’s discount, it’s still cheaper direct.
I particularly like to arrange their hotels available by “Best Reviewed and Lowest Price” so I can find the best hotels in terms of value
Renting a car
DiscoverCars.com helps search through all the different providers to help you get the best deal for your holiday car rental. The site is super easy to use and allows you to add on extra insurance also.
Activities, Events & Tours
Get Your Guide for tours, activities and attraction tickets
Why I recommend Get Your Guide
- They are usually the best priced in Dubai compared to competitors, saving you money for more activities!
- They offer good customer service, instructions are clear & are easy to book
- The offer a generous cancellation policy, allowing you to cancel up to 24 hours without incurring a fee
- They have a wide range of amazing tours, activities and excursions available
Platinum List for Events & Activities
Platinum List is a home grown Dubai brand and very well known in Dubai. It’s the main platform to all events in Dubai. Everything from concerts, theatre to brunches.
The website is sadly not the best in the world but they are usually the cheapest. They also do frequent discount to attractions. So if you’re trying to get the most for your money, it’s best to check prices on here compared to Get Your Guide.
When you buy a ticket, you’ll get it sent straight away to your email or as an SMS. I’ve even bought tickets last minute on my phone to save money on entrance fees.
🎟️ See what events are going on in Dubai 🎟️
Viator for tours
If you’re more comfortable with Viator as a platform, then this is another great option for buying tickets in Dubai however they do tend to be the most expensive.
There are sometimes unique options only available via Viator so it’s worth having a look!