5 Days 4 Nights Dubai, Sharjah & Abu Dhabi Self-Launched
5 days · Dubai, United Arab Emirates
STM Tours LLC charges £476
No-markup version: ~£198 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the STM Tours "Dubai Classic" — 5 days and 4 nights covering Dubai's icons, a day trip to cultural Sharjah, and the glittering sights of Abu Dhabi. Skip the rigid coach tour and do it on your own schedule using the Dubai Metro, RTA buses, public ferries and budget hotels, hitting all the same headline attractions — Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Creek, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Heritage Village and more — for a fraction of the price.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Dubai & Beach Vibes
Dubai
Fly into Dubai International Airport and take the Metro (Red Line) from Terminal 1 or 3 to your budget hotel in Deira or Bur Dubai (~£1.50). After settling in, spend the afternoon unwinding at one of Dubai's public beaches — JBR Beach by the Marina is easy to reach on the tram. Watch the sun set over the Palm and Dubai Marina skyline, grabbing shawarma and karak chai from a local stall for dinner.
🚌Dubai Metro from DXB to city (~£1.50); tram to JBR
🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Deira/Bur Dubai — approx £25/night
- →Dubai Metro arrival from DXB
- →JBR Beach & Dubai Marina sunset
- →Local shawarma dinner
Dubai City Self-Tour
Dubai
Head to Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and the adjacent Dubai Museum (entry just a few dirhams, housed in the Al Fahidi Fort). Walk along Dubai Creek and take a traditional wooden abra ferry across the water for pennies. Hop the Metro to Mall of the Emirates or Dubai Mall to ride to the top of the Burj Khalifa's 'At the Top' observatory — book your slot online in advance for the cheapest rate. Snap the iconic Burj Al Arab photo from the public beach at Jumeirah, then browse the Madinat Jumeirah souk.
🚌Dubai Metro + abra ferry + taxi (~£8)
🛏Same budget hotel in Deira/Bur Dubai
- →Dubai Museum & Al Fahidi District
- →Abra ride across Dubai Creek
- →Burj Khalifa 'At the Top' observatory
- →Burj Al Arab beach photo stop
- →Madinat Jumeirah souk
Sharjah Culture Day Trip
Sharjah
Take an RTA or local bus from Dubai's Union or Al Ghubaiba station to Sharjah (~1 hr, a few dirhams). Walk the Buhairah Corniche, photograph the King Faisal and Al Noor mosques from outside, then visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. Explore the lively Al Arsah souk and the restored Heritage Museum before browsing Souk Al Markazi for carpets and crafts. Return to Dubai by bus in the evening.
🚌RTA/bus between Dubai and Sharjah (~£3 round trip)
🛏Same budget hotel in Deira/Bur Dubai
- →Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
- →Al Arsah Souk & Heritage Museum
- →Souk Al Markazi
- →Buhairah Corniche & mosque photo stops
Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque & City Sights
Abu Dhabi
Join the many day-trippers catching an RTA/coach bus or book a cheap shared transfer from Dubai to Abu Dhabi (~£6-8). Visit the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (free, but dress modestly — abayas are available at the entrance). It's a private, partially-guided setup: combos like GetYourGuide's Abu Dhabi city tour bundle mosque, Heritage Village, Emirates Palace photo stops and the Dates Market into one day. See the Presidential Palace from afar and drive out to Saadiyat and Yas Island on your own before returning to Dubai.
🚌Bus/shared transfer Dubai–Abu Dhabi return (~£14)
🛏Same budget hotel in Deira/Bur Dubai
- →Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- →Heritage Village
- →Emirates Palace & Presidential Palace drive-bys
- →Dates Market
- →Yas Island sightseeing
Departure Day
Dubai
Enjoy a final breakfast before checking out. If you have time, browse the Gold and Spice souks in Deira for last-minute souvenirs, then ride the Metro back to Dubai International Airport for your departure transfer (~£1.50).
🚌Dubai Metro to DXB (~£1.50)
🛏None (checkout)
- →Deira Gold & Spice souks
- →Metro to airport
Self-launched vs. STM Tours LLC
| This itinerary (self-launched) | STM Tours LLC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£198 | £476 |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £278 per person (58%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more STM Tours LLC-style trips? Check them out here.~£198
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 5 Days 4 Nights Dubai, Sharjah & Abu Dhabi Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £198 per person for 5 days in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with STM Tours LLC?+
Yes — STM Tours LLC charges around £476 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £198 — a saving of roughly £278 (58%) per person.
How long is the Dubai, United Arab Emirates trip?+
This itinerary runs 5 days, covering 5 day-by-day stops through Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, backpacker trip through Dubai, United Arab Emirates, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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