7 Days in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Burj Khalifa at sunset, Atlantis Aquaventure, a desert safari with camels and dune bashing, and three days on Yas Island for Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld. A week of winter sun that lands exactly in Aussie summer school holidays — with kids-stay-free hotel deals and direct Emirates flights from Sydney.
Plan to save
Your weekly savings target
A$469 / week
to save before you go · A$12,650 total · 27 weeks until you leave
Estimates in AUD. No signup required to see your number.
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Your stop-by-stop itinerary
2 stops across 7 nights. Each one chosen so you experience a different side of Dubai & Abu Dhabi.
Stop
01
Dubai
4 nightsFly into Dubai (DXB) from Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane on Emirates direct (14h nonstop) or Qantas codeshare. Airport Metro Red Line (AED 8 per adult, kids AED 4) reaches Downtown and Dubai Marina in 30-45 min. Taxi to Downtown is AED 80-120.
Highlights
- Burj Khalifa At The Top — book a sunset slot 2-3 weeks ahead; Levels 124+125 at AED 175/adult, under-4s free
- Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark — 105 slides, shark lagoon, free for hotel guests (paid day pass AED 299/adult for non-guests)
- Desert safari with camel ride + dune bashing + BBQ dinner + traditional dance (AED 200-300/pp shared)
- Dubai Mall + Dubai Fountain show (free, every 30 min from 6 pm) + Aquarium + Underwater Zoo
- Old Dubai: abra crossing Dubai Creek (AED 1/pp) + Gold Souk + Spice Souk + Al Fahidi Historical District
- Dubai Frame — panoramic photo op linking old and new Dubai (AED 50/adult)
Local tips
- Check kids-stay-and-eat-free deals at Hilton, Marriott, and Address properties — many run the promo through winter and it knocks AED 1,500-2,500 off a 4-night stay for a family of 4.
- Buy a 7-day Nol card (AED 50/adult) on arrival. Dubai Metro + tram covers most tourist areas and saves the AED 100-150/day a family burns on taxis between Downtown, Marina, and the Mall.
- Book Burj Khalifa sunset slots the moment you know your Dubai dates — they sell out 2-3 weeks ahead. The AED 375/adult SKY deck (Level 148) is worth it for the sunset slot; skip it at non-sunset times.
Suggested stay4-star family hotel in JBR, Downtown or Dubai Marina
Stop
02
Abu Dhabi
3 nightsPrivate transfer van Dubai → Abu Dhabi (AED 350-450, 1.5 hrs door to door, recommended with kids and luggage). Public E100/E101 bus from Ibn Battuta Metro to Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station is AED 25/pp if travelling light. Return by private taxi to DXB departure (~AED 400).
Highlights
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi — Formula Rossa (world's fastest coaster), under-8 zones, combo tickets AED 345/adult
- Yas Waterworld — Liwa Loop, Bandit Bomber rollercoaster, kids' area. AED 295/adult
- Warner Bros. World OR SeaWorld Abu Dhabi (pick 1 of the remaining 2 Yas parks)
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — free entry, dress code enforced (abayas/thobes available free at entrance), visit before 11 am to beat the crowds
- Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island — Islamic art, Gauguin, da Vinci's Salvator Mundi (AED 63/adult, free under 18)
- Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace — stunning interior and gardens (AED 65/adult, AED 30/kid)
Local tips
- Check the Yas Island Kids Go Free promo at yasisland.com — two under-12s stay AND enter all Yas theme parks free with two paying adults. Valid through October 2026. This is the single biggest cost-saver on this template — AED 2,000-3,000 back.
- Grand Mosque visit: dress code is strict (long sleeves + long pants/skirts + women's hair covered). They provide abayas free at the entrance, but your kids need their own long sleeves and pants — pack ahead.
- Fly out of DXB not AUH on return — DXB has far more SYD/MEL/BNE connections. Private transfer Yas Island → DXB is AED 400-500 and takes 90 minutes; budget 4 hours total to terminal.
Suggested stay4-star family hotel on Yas Island (Hilton, Yas Plaza, Radisson Blu)
Real cost estimates · calibrated 2026, not glossy estimates
What it costs
All-in for a family of 4.
Here’s what Dubai & Abu Dhabi costs across the four components SaveToRoam tracks. Flights are shoulder-season ex-Australia; travel insurance and personal extras vary.
| Component | Family of 4 |
|---|---|
Flights Return economy flights ex-AU (mid-shoulder estimate) AED 4,250 per person | AED 17,000 |
Accommodation 2 stops | AED 6,350 |
Activities & local transport Activities & local transport (estimated) AED 1,475 per person | AED 5,900 |
Daily food & local transit 7 nights × family of 4 | AED 3,864 |
Trip total Insurance & personal extras separate | AED 33,114 ~A$12,914 |
What it covers
The ~A$12,650 estimate is all-in for a family of 4 — accommodation across 2 stops, shoulder-season flights from Australia, activities and local transport, and daily food. Travel insurance and personal extras vary, so we keep them separate.
What you get
When you use this template, SaveToRoam creates your trip with all 2 stops, every cost component pre-loaded, and a personalised savings plan with a weekly target. You choose your dates — we handle the maths.
Fully customisable
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