Dubai on a budget

misscomickat

Hello everyone. I'm going to be staying in Dubai for a month for work. I've bought my flight, which will be reimbursed by the company (hopefully sooner rather than later), plus have an apartment and travel to and from the company with a driver included.

It looks like my main expense is going to be food/groceries. I would like to keep costs down, and I'll also be working hard on a project, so plan to mostly make my own food and maybe go out to eat on Fridays, which are off.

Just after any advice really. What's the best way of getting hold of money there? Will my British debit card work? I'm always wary of being charged when I use it overseas.

jimbo6977

Steer clear of the infamous brunches.

misscomickat

I've heard about those. Might go on my last day, once I've been paid

duchy

Depends what British debit card you have. I'd be charged if I used mine but my husband has a Nat West fee based current account with free insurances, breakdown cover etc and his has zero foreign transaction charges.
You could get a Halifax Clarity card and pay it off at the end of your month there.

bhjm

misscomickat wrote: »

Hello everyone. I'm going to be staying in Dubai for a month for work. I've bought my flight, which will be reimbursed by the company (hopefully sooner rather than later), plus have an apartment and travel to and from the company with a driver included.

It looks like my main expense is going to be food/groceries. I would like to keep costs down, and I'll also be working hard on a project, so plan to mostly make my own food and maybe go out to eat on Fridays, which are off.

Just after any advice really. What's the best way of getting hold of money there? Will my British debit card work? I'm always wary of being charged when I use it overseas.

if you like to drink - get alcohol from Ajman or from Umm Al Quain - Barracuda. Like half the price from dubai
grocery shooping - as even the small grocery stores (Baqala = Arabic for grocery) have the same prices as the big chains - don`t worry to much. If you wanna save money, go to Lulus, or Carrefour,
Partying, Night outs and Brunches are the typical Budget Killer, as everything else (commute & accommodation) is provided.
PS: don`t get lured into a Etisalat or DU contract, just take a Sim Card only - Pay as you go. Thats fine.

bhjm

misscomickat wrote: »

Just after any advice really. What's the best way of getting hold of money there? Will my British debit card work? I'm always wary of being charged when I use it overseas.

weither your debit card work or not, try to avoid if possible. As UAE is one of the countries where you pay basically everything with a CC except for the Tea for 1 Dirham

Get a separate Card, or better two cards, just for this occasion and try to keep it separate from your main account to reduce the risk of fraud.

And don`t get a Taxi for everything, depending on where you live, the metro will be a good choise.(except your company will accomodate you in Al Ghadeer)

misscomickat

Hmm. I haven't got a credit card. Maybe I've got one in a drawer somewhere, will have to have a look.

Doshwaster

misscomickat wrote: »

Hmm. I haven't got a credit card. Maybe I've got one in a drawer somewhere, will have to have a look.

If you are going to be travelling abroad for work then I would have thought that a credit card would be essential. Why pay for anything out of your own pocket when you can put it on credit then (hopefully) have the expenses paid back before the bill is due.

Even better if you have a cashback or rewards card.

koalakoala

You can eat very cheaply in the food courts

Luke1066

jimbo6977 wrote: »

Steer clear of the infamous brunches.

Why? Dubai brunches are great fun and a good way to meet people.

cubegame

You're away from home on work and still expected to pay for your food?

You need to spend time looking for a new job rather than posting on forums asking how to budget in Dubai.