Dubai is the ultimate playground of modern ambition — the world's tallest building, largest mall, and most luxurious hotel all in one city. For Indians, Dubai is among the easiest international destinations: 3-hour direct flights, a tourist visa you get online with no embassy visit, and a city that blends Arabic grandeur with contemporary global culture.
Do Indians need a visa for Dubai?
Yes. Most Indian passport holders need a UAE tourist visa before they fly. Visa on arrival is not open to every Indian traveller. It is only for Indians who also hold certain valid foreign visas or residence permits. Everyone else applies online, and the e-visa usually arrives by email in about 48 hours.
- Tourist visa, applied online: Dubai's residency authority, GDRFA, lists a single-entry tourist visa at AED 200 for 30 days or AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT. Airlines and agents may add a service charge.
- Visa on arrival: only if you hold an ordinary Indian passport plus a valid US visa or green card, a UK or EU residence visa, or a residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore. GDRFA lists it as a 14-day stay that can be extended once for another 14 days.
- What to keep ready: a passport valid for at least 6 months, a recent photo with a white background, a return or onward ticket and medical insurance valid in the UAE.
What are the best things to do in Dubai?
Burj Khalifa — At the Top
The world's tallest building (828m) has two observation decks: Level 124 (AED 149 online, AED 300 walk-in) and Level 148 — "The Lounge" (AED 599). Book Level 124 for sunrise (6–9 am) or sunset (4–8 pm) slots — the most dramatic light. The view of the Dubai Fountain at night from Level 124 is stunning.
Desert Safari
Dubai's desert safari is among the most thrilling 6-hour experiences in the world: dune bashing in 4WDs, sandboarding, camel riding, falconry, henna painting, a Bedouin camp dinner with belly dancing, and a star-lit sky over the dunes. Cost: AED 200–400 per person (₹4,500–9,000) — book through your hotel or Viator.
Dubai Mall & Fountain
The world's largest mall has 1,200 shops, an indoor ice rink, an aquarium, and the Dubai Fountain — a choreographed water show that runs every 30 minutes after dark (free to watch from the waterfront promenade). Worth an entire afternoon.
Old Dubai: Deira & Bastakiya
Cross the Creek by abra (wooden water taxi, AED 1) from Deira to Bur Dubai. Explore the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, and the atmospheric Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood (Bastakiya). Authentic, affordable, and a world away from the modern towers of Downtown Dubai.
Palm Jumeirah
Take the monorail to the Atlantis Hotel for Aquaventure Waterpark (AED 400). The Palm Fountain at Palm Jumeirah is the world's largest fountain. Dinner at NOBU or one of the many celebrity restaurants in the Atlantis is a splurge worth considering.
What does a 5-day Dubai itinerary look like?
Five days is enough to see Dubai without rushing: one day each for Downtown, the desert, Old Dubai and the Palm, and a last day for shopping before your flight.
| Day | Focus | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive + Downtown | Burj Khalifa sunset, Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall |
| Day 2 | Desert Safari | Full-day dune bashing, camel, BBQ dinner |
| Day 3 | Old Dubai | Gold Souk, Spice Souk, abra ride, Bastakiya |
| Day 4 | Palm + JBR Beach | Atlantis, Jumeirah Beach, The Walk promenade |
| Day 5 | Shopping + Depart | Dubai Mall, last shopping, airport |
How much does a 5-night Dubai trip cost for a couple from India?
A 5-night Dubai trip from Bangalore costs a couple about ₹81,000 on a budget, ₹1,62,000 mid-range and ₹4,30,000 in luxury, including return flights. That is roughly ₹40,500, ₹81,000 and ₹2,15,000 per person. The table below shows where the money goes.
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return flights from Bangalore | ₹14,000 | ₹22,000 | ₹50,000 |
| 5 nights hotel | ₹35,000 | ₹80,000 | ₹2,50,000 |
| Food & beverages | ₹12,000 | ₹25,000 | ₹60,000 |
| Activities & transport | ₹20,000 | ₹35,000 | ₹70,000 |
| Total per couple | ₹81,000 | ₹1,62,000 | ₹4,30,000 |
Three things decide which column you land in:
- The hotel: it is the biggest gap in the table, from ₹35,000 to ₹2,50,000 for the same five nights. Choosing the hotel first settles most of the budget.
- Paid attractions: Burj Khalifa, the desert safari and Aquaventure are all ticketed. The Dubai Fountain, the souks and the AED 1 abra ride cost almost nothing.
- The season: our Bangalore international trips guide notes that Dubai prices run 30 to 40% lower from June to August, when it is very hot.
The table does not include the tourist visa. Add the GDRFA fee of AED 200 plus 5% VAT per person for a 30-day single-entry visa, unless you qualify for visa on arrival.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
The cooler months, roughly November to March, are the comfortable time for the desert, the beaches and walking around Old Dubai. They are also the busiest. Summer, from June to August, is the cheap season: prices run 30 to 40% lower, but the heat keeps most of the day indoors.
If you travel in summer, plan malls, the aquarium and Burj Khalifa for the day and keep the desert safari and the Creek for the evening. For New Year's Eve, book early. Our New Year destinations guide covers the Burj Khalifa fireworks.
How do you plan a Dubai trip from Bangalore or Coimbatore?
From Bangalore, Dubai is a direct flight of about 3 hours 10 minutes. Our Bangalore guide lists Emirates, Air India and IndiGo on the route, with return fares of ₹14,000 to ₹25,000. From Coimbatore, tell us your dates and we will check the best routing for you.
Curate Your Vacation plans Dubai from two offices in South India:
- Bangalore office: call or WhatsApp 9945534012.
- Coimbatore office: No 23, M.S. Palaniappan Nagar, P N Pudur, Coimbatore 641041. Call or WhatsApp 9994042247.
We do not sell a fixed-price Dubai package today, so we will not show you one. Every Dubai trip we plan is quoted for your dates, your city and your hotel choice, with the hotel named before you pay. Our current packages page lists only the trips we hold at a fixed price.
Tell us your travel month, how many nights and who is travelling. We send back a day-by-day plan in the shape of the 5-day table above, with flights, a named hotel, airport transfers, the tourist visa and the experiences you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indians get visa on arrival in Dubai?
Not all Indians. Visa on arrival is only for Indian passport holders who also have a valid US visa or green card, a UK or EU residence visa, or a residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore. Everyone else needs a tourist visa before flying.
How much does a 5-night Dubai trip cost for a couple from India?
About ₹81,000 on a budget, ₹1,62,000 mid-range and ₹4,30,000 in luxury for a couple flying from Bangalore, including return flights, hotel, food, activities and local transport. The tourist visa is extra.
How many days are enough for Dubai?
Five days covers Downtown, a desert safari, Old Dubai, Palm Jumeirah and a shopping day. A 3-night long weekend still fits Burj Khalifa, the desert safari and the Palm, and our long weekend guide puts that at ₹65,000 to ₹95,000 for two people including flights.
Is Dubai cheaper in summer?
Yes. Our Bangalore international trips guide notes that Dubai prices run 30 to 40% lower from June to August. The trade-off is the heat, so plan indoor attractions for the day and the desert or the Creek for the evening.
Can Curate Your Vacation plan a Dubai trip from Coimbatore?
Yes. Our Coimbatore office at P N Pudur (9994042247) and our Bangalore office (9945534012) both plan Dubai trips, with flights, hotels, the tourist visa and experiences quoted for your dates.
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