Three days in Dubai, where most flights from India land: the Burj Khalifa and the fountain show in Downtown, then the Creek, the abras and the gold and spice souks of Deira. A night out in the desert at Al Marmoom, and two days in the capital, Abu Dhabi, for the white marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and the Corniche, with your flight home from its own airport.
Why it matters
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the country's great sight, and the BAPS Hindu Mandir at Abu Mureikhah, the Gulf's first traditional stone temple, is 50 km out of Abu Dhabi. Dubai is the easiest place in the Gulf to eat Indian food, from Kerala cafeterias to Gujarati thalis in Karama, Deira and Bur Dubai.
Stop by stop
How the 6 days split across the 3 stops, and what each one costs on the ground for two.
The UAE's biggest city and where most flights from India land. Downtown has the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the fountain shows; across town, Old Dubai is the Creek, the abras, the gold and spice souks of Deira and the wind-tower lanes of Al Fahidi. Deira, Bur Dubai and Karama are the budget base and the easiest place in the Gulf to eat Indian food, from Kerala cafeterias to Gujarati thalis; Downtown and Business Bay are the mid and luxury base. The Metro Red Line runs from the airport through both. The desert safari, Global Village (in the cool season) and the Marina are all within an hour.
Don't miss: Burj Khalifa observation decks · Dubai Fountain show at dusk.
How long: 3 days, which is the recommended stay.
Dubai International Airport (DXB), 15 km
3 days for two from ₹40,382 · ₹80,126 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
The sand sea south-east of Dubai, round the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, the Al Qudra lakes and the red dunes towards Lahbab. Most visitors come on an evening safari from the city (4x4 dune drive, camel ride, sandboarding and a barbecue dinner at a camp, with hotel pickup), but staying the night is the better trip: an overnight camp, or a desert resort, for the silence, the stars and a sunrise balloon flight. The safari season is October to April; in summer the overnight camps mostly close and evening trips start late.
Don't miss: 4x4 dune drive at sunset · Camel ride and sandboarding.
How long: 1 day, which is the recommended stay.
Dubai International Airport (DXB), 55 km
1 day for two from ₹12,834 · ₹17,679 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
The UAE's capital, on an island an hour by Etihad Rail from Dubai since September 2026. The white marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the country's great sight (free, with a dress code); Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, and Qasr Al Hosn, the old fort, tell the country's story, and the Corniche runs along the beach. The BAPS Hindu Mandir, the Gulf's first traditional stone temple, is 50 km out at Abu Mureikhah. Calmer and cheaper than Dubai, with its own airport (AUH) and many direct flights from India.
Don't miss: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at sunset · Qasr Al Watan presidential palace.
How long: 2 days, which is the recommended stay.
Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH), 30 km
2 days for two from ₹20,251 · ₹40,674 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
What it costs
from ₹81,657 a person
The whole 6-day trip as the planner prices it in November, for two sharing at budget stays: flights from India and back, travel between the stops, stays, food, getting around, entry fees and the planner's buffer.
The visa for an Indian passport, about ₹6,860 a person, is on top.
When to go
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November to March is the season; from June to September days reach 40-45 °C and many overnight desert camps close
Entry rules
E-visa before you fly for up to 30 days, about ₹6,860
Apply for a 30-day UAE tourist visa before you fly: through your airline (Emirates and flydubai process visas for their passengers; IndiGo, Air India Express and Air Arabia sell them too), a travel agent, your UAE hotel, or the ICP and GDRFA portals. The government fee is AED 252 + 5% VAT, about ₹6,860; agents add their charges. Allow 1-3 working days.
Checked 2026-10; confirm with the embassy before you fly.
Make it yours
Opens in the planner with all 3 stops, suggested days and your home city pre-filled, in November. Swap anything.
·Flights to the UAE have been cancelled at short notice since the regional war began in February 2026: book a changeable fare and insurance that covers disruption
·Mid-December to mid-January (the Dubai Shopping Festival, Christmas and New Year) are the dearest weeks of the year; February or March is calmer
·Stay the night in the desert rather than only taking an evening safari: an overnight camp gives the silence, the stars and a sunrise balloon flight
·Book Burj Khalifa tickets online for a time slot a few days ahead; sunset slots cost more and sell out
·At the Grand Mosque cover arms and legs (abayas are lent free), book the free entry online and avoid Friday midday prayers; the BAPS Mandir also needs online registration
