Top 10 Cheapest Countries to Visit From Dubai

The tall structures and large shopping complexes of Dubai are a thing of beauty – no doubt about that. But when you’re a permanent resident there, seeing them almost every day can make your life a bit mundane, repetitive and somewhat boring too.

So, it’s natural to want to get relief from their city’s skyscrapers, traffic, and environment. What if we could introduce you to places that you can travel to, on a considerate budget? 

The first option that comes to mind is none other than the Middle Eastern nation of Azerbaijan. It serves as an enticing budget-friendly destination because it combines Eastern and Western influences through its short flight distance.

More importantly, if you’re keen on traveling, you should start your international journeys by obtaining essential documentation ahead of their departure date. And if you’re willing to visit Azerbaijan, you can obtain an ASAN Visa through our website visaforazerbaijan.org.uk. It’s a simple process and your ticket to stepping foot into the picturesque Caucasian country.

Let us list some of the most affordable travel locations that deliver valuable experiences at prices significantly lower than the average Dubai residence costs.

Top Cheap Countries to Visit from Dubai

Azerbaijan – The Land of Fire

Positioned between Europe and Asia, this Caucasian territory delivers valuable holiday experiences at budget-friendly costs to Dubai residents. One-way flights between Dubai and Azerbaijan cost less than 1,000 AED and the trip duration is under three hours which makes it an affordable travel destination. Their currency, manat, provides excellent exchange rates for UAE dirham holders which results in much cheaper daily costs than those found in Dubai.

The capital city Baku presents a captivating scene through its UNESCO-protected Old City (Icherisheher) and its space-age attractions of Flame Towers and Heydar Aliyev Center. 

People traveling on a budget can book affordable lodgings beginning at 150 AED nightly along with traditional food including a qutab (stuffed flatbreads) or plov (rice pilaf) starting at 30 AED. 

Furthermore, you can experience priceless mountain views by hiking across the Caucasus Mountains for free and enjoy Naftalan’s petroleum spas for a fraction of Dubai spa costs.

People living in the UAE can easily understand and complete the visa procedures required to visit this fascinating destination. Our website enables simple application processes to obtain travel authorizations without complicated procedures.

Read also: Azerbaijan Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Georgia – Alpine Beauty on a Budget

The Caucasian nation Azerbaijan shares a border with Georgia, which provides travelers from Dubai with exceptional value because of its distinct cultural background. People utilizing direct flights at competitive fares will discover extraordinary financial potential in this region where costs remain 70% below Dubai rates. 

The historic core of Tbilisi along with its hot sulfur baths and medieval fortress welcomes visitors to stroll freely and visitors can appreciate wine tours that would be absurdly expensive in the UAE.

Family-operated guesthouses charge at least 120 AED for nightly stays while serving traditional homemade breakfast as an addition to their standard service which includes khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and traditional local food. 

Nature lovers can enjoy endless outdoor activities throughout the Caucasus mountain range, which include hiking to the Kazbegi Gergeti Trinity Church and visiting unreachable Svaneti villages.

Nepal – Himalayan Adventures Without the Himalayan Price

Dubai residents who want to experience rugged natural scenery will find outstanding value in traveling to Nepal. Despite the slightly longer flight time (approximately 4 hours), the exceptional affordability upon arrival more than compensates. 

Accommodation rates in Kathmandu and Pokhara start at 70 AED per night, and local dining costs around 10 AED – which results in a considerable increase in your travel budget in comparison to UAE expenses.

Moving forward, people who want to trek through Nepal can enjoy world-class paths at prices that offer surprisingly good value. This is because hiking packages in Annapurna include guide services, permits and basic lodgings for seven days starting from 1,500 AED. 

Lastly, you can also enjoy numerous cultural activities within ancient temples and medieval plazas that cost less than 20 AED.

Sri Lanka – Island Paradise on a Shoestring

Traveling to Sri Lanka from Dubai is budget-friendly. You will find this island country offers excellent tropical vacation opportunities on a reasonable budget. For instance, you can book direct flights for under 1,200 AED round-trip that require a 4.5-hour journey. 

As far as accommodation goes, guesthouses located near sandy beaches in Sri Lanka begin at 100 AED for each night.

The food is amazing, too. You can get authentic rice and curry meals for 15 AED or less.

Sri Lanka welcomes visitors to explore its variety of attractions, such as the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress, colonial Galle, misty tea plantations, and wildlife-rich national parks at budget-friendly rates. 

The good thing about Sri Lanka is its affordable transport. You can take a train through stunning mountain scenery for as low as 5 AED. This ride gives travelers priceless views that luxury tourists would pay top dollar for if it’s some other country.

Thailand – Southeast Asian Value Champion

If you’re a budget-conscious Dubai resident, make Thailand your regular destination because it offers outstanding value. On the downside, you need to bear the longer flight duration of roughly 6 hours. 

Tourists can obtain lodge accommodations in Bangkok or Phuket starting at 120 AED per night, and street food markets offer meals for people under 10 AED.

Many visitors enjoy Thai culture and luxury at reasonable prices because spa packages in this country can be purchased for a quarter of the cost they would be in Dubai and the numerous cultural sights range from glittering temples to floating markets. 

Don’t miss the hill town of Chiang Mai. It shines as an appealing destination since its boutique guesthouses start at 80 AED alongside affordable cooking courses and ethical elephant interactions that suit modest budgets.

Cheapest European Countries to Visit from Dubai

Turkey – Where Europe Meets Asia Affordably

Dubai’s parent nation Turkey bridges European countries at affordable Middle Eastern prices because it exists across two continents. The flight duration between Dubai and Istanbul is almost 4 hours and 10 minutes if you’re traveling directly. However, most airlines offer prices under 1,500 AED for round-trip tickets during their competitive bidding periods.

The impressive landmarks such as Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul welcome visitors through free admission while residents can find nightly accommodations starting at 180 AED in quaint neighborhoods. 

Beyond Cappadocia’s unusual rock formations and turquoise waterfronts exists a world of affordable luxury experiences throughout Turkey – so don’t miss that. 

Turkish cuisine is praise-worthy! One can enjoy kebab meals and mezes for 25 AED in authentic local restaurants.

Albania – Europe’s Undiscovered Bargain

Albania stands as the hidden budget haven of Europe which delivers Mediterranean coasts and mountainous villages at prices that surpass European norms. You can reach this Balkan nation through Istanbul or other hubs using Dubai as a stopover – which maintains round-trip airfare under 2,000 AED and the on-site experiences exceed those rates in value.

The Albanian coastline has Riviera-standard beaches, modest crowds and good prices too. You can find beachfront hotels for 150 AED and delicious seafood for less than 35 AED. 

The mountain-sculpted interior of this country maintains old stone villages that have frozen while offering prices that would pay for only one meal at a luxury restaurant in Dubai.

Destinations Under 5 Hours From Dubai

India – Subcontinental Splendors on a Shoestring

Travelers seeking budget-friendly trips will find India to be the most accessible Indian subcontinent location because airline competition offers flights from Dubai for less than 25-300 AED round-trip and flight duration is 3.5 hours to Mumbai and beyond. Tourists visiting India can easily access all points from Rajasthan’s fortresses to Kerala’s backwaters because of the nation’s vast range of destinations and reasonable costs.

The budget-friendly mid-range lodging options in India start at 40 AED per night and meals in local eateries hardly go over 6 AED. 

Visitors can enjoy cultural attractions in India that maintain a free admission policy at all temples. They can also discover the iconic Taj Mahal for 46 AED, which provides extraordinary value in experiencing this great architectural masterpiece.

Armenia – Caucasian Heritage Without the Crowds

The Caucasian destination of Armenia provides affordable travel options to Dubai residents who want to experience ancient Christian heritage and stunning mountains within its borders. Tourists who use different connecting airports can acquire round-trip flights for as low as  1,200 AED.

The capital city of Yerevan blends Soviet-era architecture with local cafes and provides services at 70% of Dubai’s prices. 

Hotels in Armenia begin at 130 AED for one night, and Armenian dining features lavash bread and kebabs as its main dish, which are all under 25 AED. 

The country’s ancient monasteries perched dramatically on mountainsides or nestled in deep canyons provide spiritual and photographic opportunities that come without entrance fees in many cases.

Seasonal Cheap Destinations

Jordan – Desert Wonders in Winter

While Jordan maintains moderate affordability year-round, its desert landscapes become particularly budget-friendly during winter months when tourism ebbs. Direct flights from Dubai take just 3 hours and can dip below 1,200 AED round-trip during promotional periods.

The ancient Nabataean city of Petra ranks among the world’s most spectacular archaeological sites, and while its 240 AED entrance fee initially seems steep, multi-day passes reduce the daily cost considerably for this bucket-list experience. Beyond Petra, otherworldly Wadi Rum offers desert camping experiences for 180 AED, including meals and guided excursions, while the Dead Sea provides unique floating experiences for free if you access public beaches rather than resort facilities.

December visitors benefit from pleasant temperatures for exploring without the premium pricing of the spring peak season, making Jordan particularly attractive for winter escapes from Dubai.

Unique Travel Experiences

Each of our budget destinations offers distinctive experiences impossible to find elsewhere. Azerbaijan’s mud volcanoes and eternal flames present natural phenomena rarely seen outside documentary films. Nepal delivers the world’s most dramatic mountain scenery accessible to ordinary travelers rather than elite mountaineers. 

Albania’s concrete bunkers – remnants of a paranoid communist past, now repurposed as cafes and museums provide historical insights unavailable elsewhere.

These unique experiences often come with minimal price tags. In Azerbaijan, visiting the bubbling mud volcanoes of Gobustan costs less than a coffee in a Dubai mall. Sri Lanka’s temple-watching elephants gather naturally at certain water holes, creating wildlife spectacles that cost nothing beyond transport to witness. 

Even Turkey’s extraordinary hot air balloon experiences over Cappadocia, while not cheap in absolute terms (around 730 AED), cost half what comparable experiences command in other global destinations.

Practical Travel Tips

To maximize affordability when traveling from Dubai:

1. Time your bookings strategically: Use incognito browser windows when searching for flights, and aim to book international tickets approximately 2-3 months before departure.
2. Consider shoulder seasons: Visiting Azerbaijan in May or October delivers perfect temperatures without peak-season pricing.
3. Embrace local transportation: In Thailand, tuk-tuks and songthaews cost a fraction of taxis; in Georgia, shared marshrutka minivans connect cities for prices that seem impossibly low.
4. Eat where locals eat: Following office workers at lunchtime in Baku or Kathmandu leads to authentic eateries charging domestic rather than tourist prices.
5. Research visa requirements early: While many destinations offer visa-on-arrival for UAE residents, securing documentation in advance often saves both money and border-crossing time.

Conclusion

Residing in Dubai comes with amazing perks. For starters, it allows people to easily explore various travel destinations throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa without having to spend expensive money. Budget-minded adventurers can reach the Asian treasure of Thailand, the European affordability of Albania, the Himalayan peaks of Nepal, and the Caucasian treasures of Azerbaijan using limited expenses.

If you’re drawn to Azerbaijan’s historical charm and modern development, you need a visa. To make that happen, simply visit our website visaforazerbaijan.org.uk and we’ll process your visa. We’ve created a user-friendly system that lets you focus on the trip-planning process instead of dealing with bureaucratic procedures. 

If you have any further questions regarding Azerbaijan travel, you can contact us at service@visaforazerbaijan.org.uk.