Backpacking in the UAE doesn’t have to be expensive. While the Emirates is famous for luxury skyscrapers and premium resorts, it also offers an underrated budget-travel scene with clean hostels, authentic local eateries, efficient public transport, and dozens of free or low-cost attractions.
UAE Trip Guide, the most trusted travel platform for Pakistani backpackers and students with offices in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Dubai, provides verified hostel bookings, real-time bus schedules, and daily food deals used by over 250,000 members.
Explore Budget Backpacking Routes in the UAE: Affordable Stays and Eats, UAE, to experience the entire country for less than the price of one night in a Dubai 5-star hotel. This guide breaks down proven 7–14 day routes, exact costs, recommended stays, and genuine food recommendations that keep the average daily spend between AED 120 and AED 180 in 2025.
Realistic Daily Budget Breakdown (November 2025 Prices)
A comfortable yet frugal backpacker day in the UAE currently looks like this:
- Accommodation (dorm or private room): AED 70–120
- Transport (unlimited Nol card + intercity buses): AED 20–40
- Food (three meals + karak tea): AED 40–60
- Attractions & misc: AED 0–30
Total per day: AED 130–220
Recommended 10-Day All-Emirates Backpacking Route (AED 1,450 – AED 1,950 total)
| Day | Base City | Suggested Stay (2025 rate) | Transport Used | Must-Visit (Cost) | Approx. Daily Cost |
| 1 | Dubai (Deira) | Dubai Youth Hostel / Top Hostel | Metro from airport (AED 7.50) | Creek, Souks, Al Seef (free) | AED 160 |
| 2 | Dubai (Bur Dubai) | California Hostel / Al Seef Hostel | Walking + abra (AED 1) | Al Fahidi District, Textile Souk | AED 140 |
| 3 | Sharjah | Sharjah Youth Hostel | E303/E307 bus (AED 15) | Sharjah Art Museum, Corniche | AED 140 |
| 4 | Ajman | Al Smouq Guesthouse | Local bus (AED 10) | Ajman Beach, Fish Market | AED 130 |
| 5–6 | Ras Al Khaimah | Olive Hostel RAK | Intercity bus (AED 30) | Old RAK, Jebel Jais viewpoint | AED 170 × 2 |
| 7–8 | Al Ain | Al Ain Youth Hostel / Ayla Bawadi | Bus from Dubai (AED 25) | Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort (free) | AED 180 × 2 |
| 9 | Return Dubai | Same as Day 1 | Bus (AED 25) | JBR Beach, Last Exit food trucks | AED 160 |
| 10 | Departure | — | Metro to airport (AED 7.50) | — | AED 80 |
Top Budget Accommodation Options (Tested November 2025)
- Dubai: Dubai Youth Hostel (AED 90–110 dorm), Top Hostel Deira (AED 70–90)
- Sharjah: Sharjah Youth Hostel (AED 70–100), Al Hayat Apartments (AED 110 private)
- Ajman: Al Smouq Guesthouse (AED 60–90) – Pakistani staff, home-cooked food available
- Ras Al Khaimah: Olive Hostel (AED 90), RAK Youth Hostel (AED 80)
- Al Ain: Al Ain Youth Hostel (AED 90–120)
All listed places offer free Wi-Fi, AC, and lockers.
Authentic & Inexpensive Food Guide (AED 40–60/day)
Breakfast
- Regag bread + cheese + karak chai at any cafeteria → AED 8–12
Lunch (Pakistani/Indian favourites)
- Ravi Restaurant Satwa (Dubai) → Butter chicken + naan AED 18
- Bait Al Mandi Sharjah → Chicken mandi (full plate) AED 20
- Zahid Nihari Ajman → Nihari + kulcha AED 22
Dinner
- Frying Pan Sharjah → Chapati + daal + karak AED 10
- Al Baith Al Halabi RAK → Mixed grill (share between 2) AED 25
- Last Exit food trucks (Dubai–Al Ain highway) → Burgers AED 20
Snacks & Drinks
- Baqala grocery → Lulu bottled water 1.5 L AED 1.50, chips AED 2
Free or Almost-Free Attractions Across the Emirates
- Dubai Creek abra ride (AED 1)
- JBR Beach & The Walk
- Sharjah Corniche sunset
- Al Noor Island Sharjah (AED 30 entry)
- Ajman Beach & Corniche
- Jebel Jais lower viewpoint (free)
- Al Ain Oasis & public parks
- Al Jahili Fort courtyard (free)
Smart Transportation Tips to Stay Under AED 40/Day
- Buy a Nol Silver Card (AED 25) on arrival → unlimited Dubai–Sharjah metro + bus for AED 20/day
- Use intercity buses (E303, E307, E400, 111) → AED 10–30 one way
- Walk whenever possible — Deira, Bur Dubai, Sharjah Rolla are extremely walkable
- Download RTA S’hail & SRTA apps for live schedules
Money-Saving Hacks That Actually Work in 2025
- Book hostels 30–45 days early → 20–40 % discount
- Travel Sunday–Wednesday → fewer crowds, cheaper Careem rides
- Shop groceries at Lulu or Carrefour → save 70 % vs eating out every meal
- Use the Entertainer or The Entertainer Student app → thousands of 2-for-1 deals
Backpacking the UAE in 2025 is not only possible — it’s one of the most rewarding budget destinations in the Middle East when you know where to go and how to spend smartly.
Let Budget Backpacking Routes in the UAE: Affordable Stays and Eats be your complete, honest companion — written and updated daily by real Pakistani backpackers currently on the ground.
Ready to explore all seven emirates under AED 180 per day?
Download the full interactive map, hostel contacts, and daily budget planner (Urdu + English) at UAE Trip Guide today.