Hop-on hop-off open-top bus tour (Big Bus Dubai)
from AED 176.28
City tours in Dubai
City tours range from a 90-minute heritage walk in Al Fahidi to a full-day trip to Abu Dhabi. Some drive you between sights with a guide, one lets you ride an open-top bus at your own pace, and others are on foot through the old souks. The choice comes down to how much time you have and how you like to travel.
At a glance
- Prices
- From AED 1 to AED 2,095, across 15 tours listed here. City Tours price guide
- Price range
- From AED 120 to AED 425 per adult among the tours listed
- Typical duration
- 90 minutes (walking tour) to about 8 hours (Abu Dhabi day trip)
- Hotel pickup
- Included on the OceanAir half-day tour and Abu Dhabi day trip; the bus and walking tours start from fixed points
- Old Dubai
- Four of the five tours include Al Fahidi, the souks or an abra ride on Dubai Creek
We don’t sell tickets or tours. Prices and details come from the operators’ and venues’ own websites, with the date we checked them. How we work
Filters
Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai (OceanAir)
from AED 250
Expo City Dubai VIP guided tour
from AED 330
Dubai Water Canal heritage abra cruise (RTA)
from AED 25
Dubai Creek traditional abra ride (RTA)
from AED 1
Dubai city sightseeing tour (Suncity Tourism)
from AED 149
City tours compared (prices checked on the operators' websites, 29 September 2026)
| Tour | How you travel | Duration | Time of day | From (adult) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Fahidi heritage walk (Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding) | On foot with a cultural presenter | 90 minutes | Morning, 5 days a week | AED 120 |
| Half-day city tour with abra ride (OceanAir) | Vehicle with guide, plus walking and abra | 4–5 hours | Flexible | AED 170 |
| Hop-on hop-off bus (Big Bus) | Open-top bus, audio guide | 24 hours to 5 days; 1 h 30 min per loop | 10:00–17:00 | AED 176.28 (24-hour full price) |
| Abu Dhabi day trip (OceanAir) | Vehicle with guide | About 8 hours | Morning or afternoon | AED 250 |
| Souks and creekside food walk (Frying Pan Adventures) | On foot, food tastings, abra | About 3.5 hours | Evening | AED 425 |
What to expect
Most city tours mix modern Dubai with the older districts around Dubai Creek. The OceanAir half-day tour picks you up at your hotel, stops for photos at Jumeirah Beach and the Museum of the Future, then walks through Al Fahidi and the Gold and Spice Souks before an abra ride across the Creek. The Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour covers two routes: the Red Route through Downtown, Bur Dubai and Deira, and the Blue Route to Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Atlantis The Palm.
How to choose
- Short on time: the half-day tour covers the main sights in 4–5 hours with transport arranged for you.
- You like to set your own pace: Big Bus tickets last 24 hours, 48 hours or 5 days, and the longer ones include entry to The Lost World Aquarium and, on the 5-day ticket, Dubai Frame. The Blue Route runs only every two hours, so plan around it.
- You want to understand local customs: the Al Fahidi heritage walk starts with coffee and dates and an open Q&A with a cultural presenter, and ends at the Diwan Mosque.
- You travel for food: the souk food walk has four tasting stops in Deira and Bur Dubai. The minimum age is 8 and it never runs on Saturdays.
- You want to see the capital: the Abu Dhabi day trip includes entry to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Founder's Memorial. Lunch is not included.
What to wear and bring
Several tours visit mosques. For the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, women need long, loose clothing that covers arms, legs and hair, and men must cover shoulders and knees; shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed, and OceanAir says no clothes are lent to men. Dress modestly for the Al Fahidi walk too, as it ends at a mosque. Wear comfortable shoes: the food walk covers about 3.4 km. Bring earphones with a 3.5 mm jack for the food walk's audio system. On the open top deck of the bus, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen help. Large bags and luggage are not allowed on the OceanAir tours.
Practical tips
The walking tours start and end at fixed points, so take the metro: Al Ras station for the food walk start, and the walk ends near Al Fahidi station. The OceanAir half-day tour, the Abu Dhabi trip and the food walk are listed as not suitable for wheelchair users; Big Bus says most of its buses are wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a city tour in Dubai cost?
Among the tours listed here, prices run from AED 120 per adult for the Al Fahidi heritage walk to AED 425 per person for the shared souk food walk, checked on 29 September 2026.
Which city tour includes hotel pickup?
The OceanAir half-day city tour and the OceanAir Abu Dhabi day trip both include pickup and drop-off. The bus and walking tours start from fixed points.
How long does the Big Bus loop take?
About 1 hour 30 minutes on either the Red or the Blue Route, not counting time you spend off the bus.
What should I wear for a mosque visit?
For the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, women need loose clothing covering arms, legs and hair, and men must cover shoulders and knees. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.