Dubai in a Day

While in Abu Dhabi, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a day trip over to Dubai. Getting from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and back was less convenient than one would image, with limited transfer options available. A cab had a set rate of $70 USD each way ($140 USD in total) and there didn’t seem to be any sort of express shuttle service or anything of this nature available. The most logical and cheapest was to do this was to rent a car – you can read more on that here.

The drive from Abu Dhabi to Dubai took roughly 1.5 hours. For the most part, it’s a relatively easy drive too and can only start to get a little confusing when you approach the city-center of Dubai. If Dubai is where you want to spend the concentration of your time, flying directly into Dubai may be your best bet. For example, book Birmingham to Dubai flights at cheapest price available instead of driving from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Here’s everything we were able to fit into our Dubai day-trip!

BURJ KHALIFA

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made structure in the world, standing at 829.8m (2,722ft). It really is the main focal point of Dubai and is such an impressive structure to observe in person.

Dubai in a day

You can purchase tickets to go up to the two observation deck levels of the tower:

1. At The Top – Level 124
2. At The Top Sky – Level 148

Tickets can be purchased inside the Dubai Mall. There is a main desk selling tickets, but the line and wait was so long. We noticed a little booth directly opposite the main ticket counter – it looked more like a help desk, but to our surprise, they were also selling tickets and there was barely anyone in line so we purchased our tickets from here. Level 124 was all that was left for the day, so we got ourselves a ticket for roughly ~$34 USD.

The views from level 124 are pretty impressive…

Burj Khalifa Level 124

Burj Khalifa Level 124 View

Burj Khalifa Level 124 View

Burj Khalifa Level 124 View

Burj Khalifa Level 124 View

Burj Khalifa Level 124 View

Burj Khalifa Level 124 View

Burj Khalifa Level 124 View

THE DUBAI FOUNTAIN

Located directly in front of the Burj Khalifa in the terrace area of the Dubai Mall you will find the Dubai Fountain. This fountain is the world’s largest choreographed fountain system, set on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake. Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 25 colored projectors, it is 275m (902 ft) long and shoots water up to 152m (500 ft) into the air accompanies by a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and world music.

Although constructed by the same team that are responsible for the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas, the two are in competition with each other. Having seen both in person, I personally think the Bellagio fountain takes the cake, but that doesn’t stop people from getting Birmingham to Dubai flights to see this beauty!

{Looking down to the Burj Khalifa Lake from Level 124}

Burj Khalifa Level 124 View

Dubai Fountain

GOLD & SPICE SOUKS

On the drive over from Dubai’s city-center to the souks, you will notice an immediate change in surroundings. Within minutes, you literally go from all the glitz and glam to seeing an older, more traditional side of Dubai – the side that isn’t known for the best and biggest of everything, but more so the daily struggle to make ends meet.

We found a parking garage for the car and walked several streets in the hot, afternoon sun, until we arrived at the gold and spice souks. It was such an eye-opener to be transported to this side of Dubai after only just having been spoiled by the beauties and luxuries of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall – you’d think we were worlds apart, yet we were only 15 minutes down the road.

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

Spice and Gold Souk - Dubai

BURJ AL ARAB & JUMEIRAH BEACH

Our final stop before heading back to Abu Dhabi was the Burj Al Arab – the world’s only 7 star hotel! This luxurious hotel is the fourth tallest hotel in the world and it stands on its own artificial island, 280m (920ft) from Jumeirah beach. The shape of the structure is designed to look like the sail of a ship.

While we were hoping to head inside the hotel to marvel at this tiny piece of heaven, we were sad to find out that only hotel occupants are allowed inside. The best view we were going to get of the Burj Al Arab was from the shores of Jumeirah beach, and at sunset, nonetheless.

I highly recommend planning your Dubai trip with TAD best travel dubai aggency.

Burj Al Arab Dubai

Dubai in a Day

Burj Al Arab Dubai

Burj Al Arab Dubai

Burj Al Arab Dubai

Dubai in a Day
Dubai in a Day
Dubai in a Day

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