Location Transport

budget hotels in the UAE - are there any?

I'm a great believer in doing things cheap. I'm used to spending between no more than 30 USD on a place to sleep per night. I know the UAE is not cheap, but would it be possible to find a place to stay in this range? Taking into account that am female travelling alone and thus cannot stay at whatever places male migrant workers from India or Pakistan hang out? I'm looking at doing a stopover between flights. I'll most likely fly either via Bahrain, Sharjah or Dubai. Since the stopover is my own choice I have to pay for the hotel, thus I would be grateful for any hints. Also, how is public transport? I know it is not that good, but is it possible to get around without a car? Do I need to take a taxi to get from A to B? Are there shared taxis and minibuses? How are the prices compared to say India, Iran or Egypt?

Public Comments

1. $30 per night - no way. You will not find anything for that prices in Dubai that is remotely safe. Dubai does have the widest variety of hotels, but not for less than $100 / AED370 would you be able to find something remotely safe, secure and clean to sleep in. And Sharjah is definitely the last choice for a place to fly into. I don't know alot of the 'cheaper' hotels, but I have had people stay at the Quality Inn on Rigga Street, a single woman, and though she was a little uncomfortable, she did not feel unsafe. However, she did stay inside at night and did not answer the door unless she was expecting someone (she had alot of visitors offering 'services'). There are buses in Dubai, and they are very inexpensive, and pretty safe. Less than $1 per trip and you can get around quite well. Prices in Dubai and Bahrain for taxis are probably double or triple those of Iran, India, or Egypt.
2. For US$30, not likely... $100 - $150 is the minimum, at best. The best deal I know of are either the Palm Hotel or Holiday Inn Select in Jebel Ali at Dhs 400 - 600/ per night. That area is VERY safe and near shopping / things to do, if a bit far from Dubai airport (30 - 45 minutes by taxi). Those are the safest. If you transit Sharjah, not a lot around there (airport), though the hotels are cheaper. Taxis are cheap... use them. Busses are infrequent, and unless you know the area, difficult to use except the ones between cities (eg... Dubai to AUH).
3. The only Youth Hostel is Dubai: http://www.uaeyha.com/ Costs 30-50 USD. max stay is 2 weeks. This is if money matters. Dubai is very safe in general. Staying at this accomodation would require you to take cabs or rent a car for around 40 USD /day. There are buses, but quite irregular, I wouldnt rely on them. Or you can use a closeby hotel's free shuttle bus to a mall. then walk or cab from there.