Dubai is hands down one of the most popular travel destinations in the Middle East; however, taking a solo trip to Dubai may be a bit challenging. You see, Dubai isn’t always promoted as a solo travel destination, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go on your own. You can still enjoy Dubai as a solo traveler, and I’m here to tell you all about pulling it off.

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What’s challenging about taking a solo trip to Dubai?

For starters, Dubai is a very pricey destination, and travel already tends to be more expensive for solo travelers than for those who travel in groups. So, traveling to a luxury destination like Dubai, if you don’t have the budget for it, is definitely challenging.

Another thing is that Dubai mostly revolves around group activities. There’s not much to see as much as there is to experience. We’re talking about activities like going to the beach, partying, eating out, and things of that sort. So, if you have trouble enjoying your own company, we might have an issue.

How to make the best of your solo trip to Dubai?

Don’t fret! Yes, Dubai might not seem like the number 1 solo travel destination or your obvious choice, but it’s definitely doable if it’s on your list. Here’s how!

#1 Try to travel on a budget

As I previously mentioned, Dubai is significantly expensive, so it’s considered more of a luxury destination. Hence, by “traveling on a budget”, I don’t mean traveling on a tight budget – I meant setting a budget limit for yourself.

How to set a budget for your trip? Do some research and decide on a reasonable total amount of money you’re willing to dedicate to your solo trip to Dubai. Then, start allocating your budget to different areas of spending (i.e. flights, accommodation, internal transportation, food, activities, etc.)

How to stick to your budget? That’s the tricky part since you’re traveling to a destination that’s already pricey. The biggest two bulks in any trip’s budget are flights and accommodation. To save on flights, try to book as early as possible and do plenty of research to land the best deals. As for accommodation, the type of lodging, the star rating of a hotel, and the location, all play a major role in setting the price per night. To learn more about how you can save money on your trip, make sure to check out my Dubai money-saving tips.

#2 Look up other travelers and expats

Remember when I told you Dubai is an activity-centric destination and that many of these activities are better enjoyed with some company? Lucky for you, Dubai is also a melting pot of expats and a very popular tourist destination. That means that there are lots of foreigners out there looking to meet other people, just like you.

The easiest two ways to meet other travelers, in my opinion, if you’re not staying in a hostel, are Facebook travel communities and Bumble BFF. But bear in mind that most expats are usually looking for other expats or more long-term friends since they’re new to the city and starting a new life there, so that’s a great option for digital nomads. However, if you’re only visiting and staying there for a few days, you may find other travelers going on vacation like you, but try to start looking before your trip.

For more ideas on how to make friends while traveling alone, check out this read.

DON’T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD AN ESIM!

#3 Focus on experiences

Not all activities in Dubai are group activities. There are plenty of other activities that are perfect for a solo trip to Dubai. For instance, the Emirati travel destination is extremely popular for skydiving. There are also lots of similar bucket-list-worthy activities that you can find on Airbnb Experiences, Tinggly, Viator, or Klook.

Check out my recommendations below:

• Try parasailing in Jumeirah beach
• Try flyboarding
• Join a half-day Hatta tour
• Enjoy aerial views from a helicopter
• Have dinner in the sky
• Go on an Emirati food tour

#4 Learn to enjoy your own company

There’s a fine line between being alone and feeling lonely, and this is one of the most challenging aspects of solo traveling, in general. Many people feel intimidated by the idea just because of their fear of loneliness. So, to really enjoy your solo trip to Dubai, you need to master the art of enjoying your own company, whether you opt for solo or group activities.

Want to know how to beat solo travel boredom? Click here!

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Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!

Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.

SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.

This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.

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You might also like:

• Dubai on a Budget: The 7 Ultimate Money-Saving Tips
• Hatta Tour: From Skyscrapers to Mountains – A Quick Trip From Dubai
• 10+ Tested Safety Tips for Female Solo Travel Newbies

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