The Dubai Pass is a tourist card that includes entry to popular sites and attractions in Dubai, including the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and the Desert Safari. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Dubai Pass in a review and show whether the Dubai Pass or the Dubai Explorer Pass is a good choice for you.
Dubai is a perfect combination of tradition and modernity, which is unseen in the world. It is considered a luxury and shopping destination where people spend on average more than $500 a day. You’ll find the best attractions and shopping malls here.
You can get an idea of the entrance fee and what to visit in Dubai in a separate article.
Dubai was the fourth most visited city in the world in 2019 after Bangkok, London and Paris. It’s a place where everyone will find their own thing.
One way to save money in Dubai is with a tourist card. These have been designed in partnership with Sights, Attractions and Experiences to save on entrance fees and make exploring and travelling in Dubai easier.
There are two tourist cards to choose from, which we’ll take a closer look at now.
How to save in Dubai: DUBAI PASS
The Dubai Pass (or Dubai All-Inclusive Pass) is a contactless card that gives you Free entry to over 45 attractions, museums and tours in Dubai . You can buy a card for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 days.
What are the benefits of the Go Dubai Pass?
Free entry to more than 45 attractions, museums and excursions. Perhaps the biggest attraction is the entrance to the At the Top viewpoint of the world’s tallest building , the Burj Khalifa. In Dubai, you shouldn’t miss a desert safari, a 4×4 ride on the dunes, a boat trip or a visit to one of the world’s largest aquariums. Other fun activities include Legoland theme and water park, Bolywood theme park and Aquaventure water park.
The Dubai Pass can be purchased for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 days. You can choose any days during the 14 days. For example, if you buy a card for 3 days and activate it on Tuesday, one day will be deducted. The remaining 2 days can then be used up at any time during the next 13 days as you see fit. By activating (i.e. scanning at the entrance), only 1 day is always deducted and you choose which days you want to use the card. Valid for calendar days.
You have 2 years to activate your card, so if you plan to visit Dubai, it’s best to buy your card as soon as possible. We all know it, how the price of admission increases every year.
Free sightseeing bus tour of Dubai (red route – list of places and stops ). It makes 10 stops at some of the city’s main attractions. It starts at the Burj Khalifa and from there goes towards Old Dubai to the Deira district with its famous gold and spice souks. Buses run between 10:00-18:00. The ride includes an audio guide in 12 languages.
Free cancellation within 90 days. If you change your mind within 3 months, you will be refunded without giving a reason.
Interactive guide to download as an app to the phone. The link will arrive in your email after purchase. The guide includes maps, sightseeing information and information that is useful when travelling around Dubai.
How does the card work?
You can buy a card for a pre-selected number of days on the retailer’s official website. The Dubai Pass is available for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 days . It is valid for calendar days, so you need to think in advance whether it is worth activating your card late in the afternoon or on another day. Regardless of whether you activate your card at 10:00 am or 4:00 pm, it is always counted as one day.
After purchase, you will receive a confirmation with further information. You can download the Go City app (you will also get a link in your email), which you can then use to prove your identity when entering the attraction, or you can use it to enter the attraction. print the card. I recommend a combination of both, in case your cell phone goes dead.
Show your card at the entrance and you can go in. Some places require advance booking, but you can find all the information directly in the app. This applies in particular to desert safaris or boat trips, where you can send a booking by email, Whatsapp or call. All contact details are described for the activity.
What attractions and excursions are included in the Dubai Pass?
The Dubai Pass includes access to more than 45 attractions and excursions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi:
- At the Top View at Burj Khalifa (169 AED)
- One day sightseeing bus ride (290 AED)
- Aquaventure Water Park (360 AED)
- Skiing at Ski Dubai including equipment (263 AED)
- Quad biking in the desert (315 AED)
- Desert safari and BBQ dinner (289 AED)
- Dinner on board at Dubai Marina (210 AED)
- Hollywood-themed Motiongate theme park (330 AED)
- Lost Chambers Aquarium (115 AED)
- Dubai Mall Aquarium and Underground Zoo (120 AED)
- Legoland theme park (330 AED)
- Legoland Water Park (330 AED)
- …and many more (The complete list of attractions can be found here)
Moving on to the most important thing…
What is the price of the Dubai Pass?
The prices vary depending on how many days you buy the card for – there are 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 days.
The prices are as follows:
- 2 days – adult AED 1 149, child AED 999
- 3 days – adult 1 469 AED, child 1 199 AED
- 4 days – adult 1 749 AED, child 1 349 AED
- 5 days – adult 1 999 AED, child 1 449 AED
- 5 days – adult 2 349 AED, child 1 599 AED
Note: The reduced rate applies to children aged 3-12 years.
How to save in Dubai: DUBAI EXPLORER PASS
Dubai Explorer Pass is a contactless card that gives you Free entry to more than 45 attractions and excursions . Unlike the Dubai Pass, in this case you buy the number of attractions you want to visit. You then have 60 days from activation to visit them.
What are the benefits of the Go Dubai Explorer Pass?
Free admission to 3, 4, 5 or 7 attractions out of the 45+ attractions and experiences in Dubai. These are almost identical to the Dubai Pass. There is also access to the Burj Khalifa, Aquaventure water park, Legoland (amusement and water park), boat cruises (some with the option of dinner), kayaking, desert safaris including quad biking and more.
A free one-day ride on the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus (red line – see list of locations), which takes you past the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, through Old Dubai to the popular Souk area of Deira.
The card is activated by entering the first monument and is valid for the following 60 days.
Free cancellation within 90 days , so you get a refund within 3 months without giving any reason.
You have 2 years to activate the Dubai Explorer Pass , so you can enjoy Dubai in 2 years at current prices.
Interactive guide to download as an app to the phone. Included are all the necessary information about each place and maps of the city.
How does the card work?
You choose which attractions you want to visit and accordingly choose your Dubai Explorer Pass . Choose from 3, 4, 5 or 7 attractions from a package of over 45 attractions, experiences and tours in the city.
Both the Dubai Pass and the Dubai Explorer Pass can only be booked online. This is an advantage because you can have your card paid for in no time with a confirmation in your email. Then download the Go City app with your card. You can also print a paper copy.
You don’t have to go anywhere and all the instructions will be delivered to your email.
Activate your card by presenting it at the gate of the first attraction. Then you can go straight in.
Please note: Some locations require reservations in advance. (e.g. safaris, as you will be picked up in advance by car). Find out more here or in the Go City app after you purchase your card. Just call or email or Whatsapp.
What attractions are included in the Dubai Explorer Pass?
The Dubai Explorer Pass gives you access to more than 45 places in Dubai or Abu Dhabi:
- At the Top View at Burj Khalifa (169 AED)
- Evening sightseeing bus ride (195 AED)
- One day sightseeing bus ride (290 AED)
- Aquaventure 360 AED Water Park
- Skiing at Ski Dubai including equipment (263 AED)
- Quad biking in the desert (315 AED)
- Desert safari and BBQ dinner (289 AED)
- Dinner on board at Dubai Marina (210 AED)
- Hollywood-themed Motiongate theme park (330 AED)
- Lost Chambers Aquarium (115 AED)
- Dubai Mall Aquarium and Underground Zoo (120 AED)
- Legoland theme park (330 AED)
- …and many more (The complete list of attractions can be found here)
What is the price of the Dubai Explorer Pass?
Prices for the Dubai Explorer Pass vary depending on how many attractions you choose – there are 3, 4, 5 or 7 attractions on offer, which you have 60 days to visit.
The prices are as follows:
- 3 attractions – adult AED 669, child AED 549
- 4 attractions – adult 839 AED, child 689 AED
- 5 attractions – adult 1 019 AED, child 849 AED
- 7 attractions – adult 1 369 AED, child 1 119 AED
Note: The reduced rate applies to children aged 3-12 years.
More tips on how to save in Dubai
- It is generally recommended to buy tickets in advance in Dubai. Not only are they sometimes significantly cheaper, but you don’t have to wait in line for tickets. Just show your ticket on your mobile phone on the spot. If necessary, tickets can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance.
- Tickets for the Burj Khalifa observation deck are AED 73 more expensive at sunset between 16:00-18:00. Visit the Burj Khalifa before or in the evening, when the city lights up beautifully.
- With a combined ticket to Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall Aquarium, you’ll save nearly AED 50.
- You can also experience spectacular views from the Sky Views with a glass sky walkway at 219.5 metres and the ticket is half the price of the Burj Khalifa. Or you can buy discounted tickets for both places.
- Paying in a traditional abra boat is a great and inexpensive experience that will only cost you about 1 dirham.
- Dubai’s public beaches are clean with perfectly white sand and crystal clear water. In addition, beaches like Kite and JBR provide a variety of services that make you hardly even remember you’re not on a private beach.
More information about Dubai
DUBAI: Get inspired by the 40 best things to do in Dubai (including information on entrance fees, opening times and a map).
We have created a separate guide for visiting Burj Khalifa (entrance fees, opening hours, how to get there, attractions)
DUBAI: Find practical information and tips in our Dubai travel guide. In the next article we share some interesting facts about Dubai.
Dubai Pass Article Summary: How to Save in Dubai
You buy a Dubai Pass online for a pre-selected number of days, download the app (or print the card in pdf) and show it at the entrance. An alternative is the Dubai Explorer Pass, where you choose the number of attractions you want to visit.
You can buy your card online at the official website of the retailer . Then download it to your mobile phone via the GO City app or print a paper copy.
The price varies depending on which type of card you choose – by number of days or by number of attractions.
