Half Day Dubai City Tour - Sharing Transfer
- 5 hours and 30 minutes
- Instant confirmation
- Hotel pickup
- Guided tour in English
- Dubai
About this experience
A half day that covers both halves of Dubai - the ruling city and the trading town it grew out of - with hotel pickup and a shared air-conditioned coach. The route opens with photo stops at Zabeel Palace, the residence of the ruling family, and the Dubai Frame, the enormous gilded rectangle in Zabeel Park that deliberately places old Dubai in one view and new Dubai in the other. From there it crosses into Al Fahidi, the Bastakiya quarter, where you go inside one of the restored coral-and-gypsum courtyard houses and see the wind towers that cooled them before electricity. An abra - the wooden ferry that has crossed Dubai Creek for generations - takes the group over to Deira for the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk, and the tour also stops at the Islamic Art Centre. It finishes on the coast with a photo stop at the Burj Al Arab and free time at The Pointe, looking across the water at Atlantis. Wear comfortable shoes and dress modestly for the souks.
What’s included
- Hotel pick-up in Dubai by shared air-conditioned coach, with drop-off at your hotel or The Dubai Mall
- Photo stops at Zabeel Palace, the Dubai Frame, the Burj Al Arab and The Pointe, facing Atlantis The Palm
- Visit to Bastakiya and one of its restored courtyard houses
- Abra ride across Dubai Creek
- Visits to the Spice Souk and Gold Souk
- Visit to the Islamic Art Centre
Not included
- Tips and gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Entry tickets to the Dubai Frame and other attractions - these are photo stops
- Lunch, food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses and shopping
Cancellation policy
This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.
Non-refundable (all sales final)
Itinerary
- 1
Zabeel Palace and the Dubai Frame
After hotel pickup there are information and photo stops at Zabeel Palace, the residence of Dubai's ruling family, and at the Dubai Frame in Zabeel Park - a gilded rectangle 150 metres tall, positioned so that the old city fills the view on one side and the new city on the other.
- 2
Bastakiya, the abra crossing and the souks
In Al Fahidi - the Bastakiya quarter - you go inside one of the restored coral-and-gypsum courtyard houses and see the wind towers that cooled them before electricity. An abra, the wooden ferry that has crossed Dubai Creek for generations, carries the group over to Deira for the Spice Souk, heavy with saffron and frankincense, and the Gold Souk.
- 3
Islamic Art Centre, Burj Al Arab and The Pointe
The tour stops at the Islamic Art Centre, then returns to the coast for a photo stop facing the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab. It finishes at The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah, a waterfront promenade looking straight across at Atlantis The Palm, before drop-off at your hotel or at Dubai Mall.
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours and 30 minutes
- How you meet
- Hotel pickup
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Cancellation policy
- This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Guide
- Guided tour in English
- Start times
- 08:00
Know before you go
- This is a shared tour with hotel pickup, so the collection time is a window rather than a fixed minute - be ready in the lobby from the start of it, as the coach follows a route around several hotels and cannot wait. Confirm your pickup time on the day. There is a fair amount of walking, including in Bastakiya and the souks, so wear comfortable closed shoes. Dress modestly for the old town and the souks: shoulders and knees covered is the courteous standard and avoids unwanted attention. Bring cash in small notes for the souks, where bargaining is expected and cards are not always taken. The abra crossing is a short step down into an open wooden boat, which is worth knowing for anyone with limited mobility. Bring water, a hat and sunglasses; several stops are outdoors.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Frequently asked questions
How long does this experience last?
It lasts 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Can I cancel this booking?
This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.
Is this experience guided, and in what language?
Guided tour in English
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes — hotel pickup is included.
Still have a question?
Message our team on WhatsApp — we can help with dates, group bookings and anything else before you book.
