Dubai City Tour, Half Day Sightseeing
Tour highlights
- Old Dubai and new Dubai in one morning, back by early afternoon
- Abra ride across Dubai Creek, the fare is included
- Burj Al Arab photo stop from the Jumeirah beach side
- Jumeirah Mosque, the most photographed mosque in the city
- Palm Jumeirah and a photo stop at Atlantis The Palm
- Dubai Marina skyline
- Gold Souk and Spice Souk in Deira
- Dubai Frame, standing between the two halves of the city
About this experience
Half a day across old and new Dubai, with hotel pickup, built so that the two halves of the city make sense against each other. You start modern: a photo stop at the Burj Al Arab on its own island, the Jumeirah Mosque from the outside, and the Dubai Frame. Then it changes. An abra across Dubai Creek for one dirham on a wooden boat that has run the same crossing for decades, and the Spice and Gold Souks on the Deira side, which are working markets rather than displays. That contrast, forty years apart in twenty minutes on the water, is the reason to do this tour rather than take taxis to the same places. Pickup is between 08:30 and 09:30, four to five hours door to door. Bottled water and the abra fare are included. Burj Khalifa entry is not; we can add it when you book. For everything else worth a morning in Dubai, start with our main guide.
Build the rest of your itinerary with our first-time visitor guide to Dubai.
Dubai City Tour price
AED 100 per person, per person in aed, taxes and fees included. Taxes and fees are included and the price is confirmed with you before anything is charged.
| Price | AED 100 per person (Per person in AED, taxes and fees included) |
|---|---|
| Standard rate | AED 210 per person. AED 100 is the current offer price. |
| Duration | 4-5 hours |
| Included in the price | Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Dubai, 08:30 to 09:30 out and back by about 14:15. Air-conditioned SUV. English speaking driver-guide. Abra fare across Dubai Creek. Bottled water. All eight sightseeing stops listed above |
| Not included | Burj Khalifa entry ticket, this tour passes Downtown but does not go up. Meals and personal shopping. Tips for the driver and guide (optional) |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation up to 24h before pickup. |
Your day, hour by hour
- 108:30 to 09:30 · Hotel pickup
Your driver collects you from any hotel or residence in Dubai and the morning starts on the coast.
- 210:00 · Jumeirah Mosque · photo stop
One of the few mosques in Dubai built in the Fatimid style and the most photographed in the city. We stop outside for photographs; this tour does not go in. On site: about 15 minutes.
- 310:30 · Burj Al Arab · photo stop
The sail-shaped hotel on its own artificial island, from the Jumeirah beach side, which is the view the postcards use. On site: about 20 minutes.
- 411:05 · Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis · photo stop
We drive out along the trunk of the Palm, past the villas on the fronds, to a photo stop at Atlantis The Palm at the top. On site: about 20 minutes.
- 511:45 · Dubai Marina · photo stop
The towers around the marina from the walk, one of the densest skylines anywhere and a complete change from the beach road. On site: about 15 minutes.
- 612:20 · Dubai Creek and abra ride
Across the creek on an abra, the little wooden boat the city has used for generations. The fare is included. This is where old Dubai starts. On site: about 25 minutes.
- 713:05 · Gold Souk and Spice Souk
Through the covered lanes of Deira: the gold souk with its windows of chains and bangles, then the spice souk, saffron, dried lemon and frankincense. On site: about 30 minutes.
- 813:50 · Dubai Frame · photo stop
The gold picture frame standing between the old city and the new, which is the whole idea of this half day in one building. On site: about 15 minutes.
- 914:15 · Drop off
Back at your hotel by early afternoon, with the rest of the day free.
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Dubai, 08:30 to 09:30 out and back by about 14:15
- Air-conditioned SUV
- English speaking driver-guide
- Abra fare across Dubai Creek
- Bottled water
- All eight sightseeing stops listed above
Not included
- Burj Khalifa entry ticket, this tour passes Downtown but does not go up
- Meals and personal shopping
- Tips for the driver and guide (optional)
Before you go
- Pickup 08:30-09:30 from your hotel. We confirm your exact time the day before.
- Allow 4-5 hours from pickup to drop-off.
- Not included: Burj Khalifa entry, Meals, Tips. We can price any of those before you book.
- Free cancellation up to 24h before pickup.
- Bring the booking reference we send you. A screenshot on your phone is fine.
Pickup 08:30-09:30 from your hotel.
Free cancellation up to 24h before pickup.
We are a Dubai tour operator. We plan the itinerary, reserve your entry and arrange your transfers, and your booking stays with us from your first message to pickup day. Each attraction is run by its own venue team, who welcome you on arrival.
Prices shown in AED, with taxes and fees included.
Confirm now, pay later
Our team will contact soon.
IRHA TOURISM L.L.C · Licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism · Trade licence 1165750
Frequently asked questions
Who am I booking with?
Irha Tourism, a tour operator licensed by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (trade licence 1165750). We plan your itinerary, reserve your entry and arrange your transfers, and we stay reachable on WhatsApp throughout. The attraction itself is run by its own venue team, who host you on the day.
Is the price I see the price I pay?
Yes. Prices are per person in AED and include applicable taxes and fees. Before anything is charged, our team confirms your final total with you on WhatsApp, so there are no surprises at the gate.
What is included in the AED 100?
Dubai City Tour, Half Day Sightseeing is AED 100 per person. Included: hotel pickup and drop, driver-guide, bottled water and abra fare. Prices are per person in AED with taxes and fees included.
What is not included?
The AED 100 Dubai City Tour, Half Day Sightseeing price does not include burj Khalifa entry, meals or tips. If you want any of those added, just tell us on WhatsApp when you book and we will price it for you before you pay.
How long does it take?
Dubai City Tour, Half Day Sightseeing runs 4 to 5 hours door to door, with pickup from your hotel between 08:30 and 09:30.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup 08:30-09:30 from your hotel. We confirm your exact time with you the day before, because it depends on where you are staying.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Cancellation of Dubai City Tour, Half Day Sightseeing is free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Do I need to bring any documents?
No. You do not need to bring a passport, an Emirates ID or anything else for this tour. If a particular booking does need a document for any reason, we will ask you for it when we confirm, so there is nothing to arrange in advance.
How long is the Dubai half day city tour?
About four to five hours door to door. Pickup is between 08:30 and 09:30 from any Dubai hotel and you are back by around 14:15, so the rest of the day is yours. If you want a full day that also covers Downtown and Dubai Mall, ask us about the private full day instead.
Do we go inside the Jumeirah Mosque or up the Burj Khalifa?
No. Both are photo stops on this tour. The Jumeirah Mosque is seen from outside, and the Burj Khalifa entry ticket is not included. We can add a Burj Khalifa ticket to your booking if you want to go up, just tell us on WhatsApp when you book.
What is an abra, and is the fare included?
An abra is the small wooden boat that crosses Dubai Creek between Deira and Bur Dubai. People have used them to get to work here for generations and they still run all day. The fare is included in your AED 100.
Ras Al Khaimah City Tour, Full Day AED 600 per tour
A private full day in the northern emirate. Al Hamra Village, Al Marjan Island, the hilltop Al Dhayah Fort, the Mohammad Bin Salem Mosque, the National Museum in the old fort, and the Old Souk. Pickup and drop off at your Dubai hotel.
- Water free
- Private SUV
- Experienced driver
Confirm now, pay later