Dubai-City
Dubai Cityscape Image Credit: Anas Thacharpadikkal/Gulf News

Dubai: Dubai may be on a mission to make it the best city to live in by 2040, but most would contend that it already is because of the convenience it offers to all its citizens, residents and tourists. With several options to choose from, getting a roof over your head isn’t much of a hassle. Here’s a guide to the rental options available to you when you are in town for Expo 2020 Dubai. What are the living spaces for rent near the Expo 2020 venue?

What are the residential areas near the Expo 2020 venue?

First, for convenience sake, here’s a look at areas close to the site so you can rent within easy reach.

  • Dubai Investments Park
  • Dubai South
  • Al Furjan
  • Jebel Ali
  • Dubai Motor City
  • Dubai Production City
  • Dubai Sports City

What are the websites or apps I can use to book a short-term rental?

Registered under Decree No. (41) of 2013 Regulating the Activity of Leasing out Holiday Homes in the Emirate of Dubai, there are multiple options of rentals for tourists visiting Dubai. Some of them are listed below –

For Homestays

OYO

Oyo has been one of the most trusted options for vacationers for quite some time now. Known for its affordable rates and tempting deals, this place is every tourist’s necessity.

How do I book a homestay on Oyo?

  • Visit the Oyo website.
  • Enter your destination, check-in and check-out dates, and number of guests.
  • Filter your search by opting for ‘Oyo Home’.
  • Choose your preferred homestay from the available listings.
  • Enter your details and type in the pass code sent to your registered mobile number.
  • Complete your booking by either paying at the hotel/room or pay online via debit or credit card.
  • A confirmation of the same will be sent to you via email.

How do I cancel my booking on Oyo?

  • Cancel your booking via the Oyo website or mobile app.
  • You can also email mybookings@oyorooms.com to cancel your booking.
  • A refund will be initiated and credited within 14 days.

Check out these budget-friendly listings near the Expo 2020 venue –

1. Homestay: Damac Celestia

Location: Dubai South

Cost: Dh400 per night

2. Homestay: Elite Homes

Location: Dubai Sports City

Cost: Dh500 per night

3. Homestay: Diamond Views

Location: B Block, Diamond Views 1, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai

Cost: Dh600 per night

4. Homestay: Pantheon Homes

Location: Road 2 district 13, Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai

Cost: Dh400 per night

5. Homestay: 1 Bedroom Apartment

Location: Qasr Sabah 3, Production City, Dubai

Cost: Dh852 per night

6. Homestay: 1 Bedroom Apartment

Location: Tamcom, Dubai Investments Park-1 (Near Almaya Supermarket)

Cost: Dh852 per night

For Apartments and Villas

AirBnB

Booking-AirBnB
Image used for illustrative purposes only Image Credit: Pexels

Don’t want to spend the nights at pricey hotels? AirBnB is just the thing for you. Not only can you relax in a homely setting, but its affordable rates are quite the catch. Whether its monthly or daily rentals, you will find the perfect setting for you in a jiffy.

The AirBnB app is also available on the AppStore (for iOS) and Play Store (for Android) on your mobile. You can confirm your interest for any of the listings by contacting the host via messages on the AirBnB website.

How do I book a place on AirBnB?

  • Register yourself or Sign-in on the AirBnB website.
  • Complete your profile by providing a valid government ID card and upload a profile picture.
  • Select your check-in and check-out dates, location and number of guests to get the accurate price.
  • Click on Search.
  • Choose what listing suits you best (travel options, distance to the Expo venue, groceries, etc.)
  • Read your reviews, descriptions, house rules, amenities, and the cancellation policy for each place before confirming your booking.
  • In case you have any questions, contact your host.

While booking your place, look out for these –

  • Instant Booking – for hosts who don’t want to approve each reservation, the booking page will directly take you to the payment page.
  • Request to book – Hosts will have to approve each reservation within 24 hours. Only after approval will your booking be confirmed. Once your request has been accepted, you can pay for your booking in full.
  • Pre-approvals and Special booking – If you contact your host to enquire about the listing before making a reservation, the host may respond by inviting you to make a reservation with either a pre-approval or special offer. A pre-approval is an invitation to finish booking for the dates and number of guests you noted in your message. A special offer gives the host the opportunity to provide special pricing, dates, and other reservation details before you book.

How do I cancel my booking on AirBnB?

  • Go to ‘Trips’ and select the trip you want to cancel.
  • Tap ‘Show more trip plans’, then tap ‘Show details’.
  • Tap ‘Change or cancel’.
  • Tap ‘Cancel reservation’.

AirBnB at Dubai Investments Park

1. AirBnB: Room in a serviced apartment

Facilities: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 2.5 shared baths

Cost: Dh165 per night

2. AirBnB: Private room in DIP near Expo 2020

Facilities: 3 guests · 1 bedroom · 3 beds · 1 bath

Cost: Dh202 per night

3. AirBnB: Shared room (for women only)

Facilities: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 4 beds, 1.5 shared baths

Cost: Dh36 per night

4. AirBnB: Private room in DIP

Facilities: 3 guests, 1 bedroom, 2 beds, 1 bath

Cost: Dh217 per night

5. AirBnB: Home Away Holiday Home in DIP

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 2 beds, 1 bath

Cost: Dh207 per night

6. AirBnB: Villa for rent in DIP

Facilities: 10 guests, 5 bedrooms, 5 beds, 6.5 baths

Cost: Dh2,660 per night

AirBnB at Dubai South

1. AirBnB: Studio Apartment near DWC Airport

Facilities: 2 guests, Studio, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh153 per night

2. AirBnB: Apartment in Dubai South

Facilities: 2 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh231 per night

3. AirBnB: Apartment in Dubai South

Facilities: 4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 2 beds, 2 baths

Cost: Dh333 per night

4. AirBnB: Studio Apartment in Dubai South

Facilities: 3 guests, Studio, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh225 per night

5. AirBnB: Condominium at Dubai South

Facilities: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh230 per night

6. AirBnB: Condominium at Dubai South near Expo 2020

Facilities: 4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 3 beds, 2.5 baths

Cost: Dh444 per night

7. AirBnB: Apartment in Dubai South

Facilities: 2 guests, Studio, 1 bed, 1 baths

Cost: Dh300 per night

8. AirBnB: Service Apartment at Dubai South

Facilities: 2 guests, Studio, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh184 per night

AirBnB at Al Furjan

1. AirBnB: Studio Apartment

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh259 per night

2. AirBnB: Condominium at Al Furjan

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh335 per night

3. AirBnB: Studio Apartment at Al Furjan

Facilities: 2 guests, Studio, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh486 per night

4. AirBnB: Studio Apartment

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh259 per night

5. AirBnB: Apartment at Al Furjan

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 2 bath

Cost: Dh315 per night

6. AirBnB: Studio Apartment

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh259 per night

7. AirBnB: Apartment at Al Furjan

Facilities: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh385 per night

8. AirBnB: Private Room in Apartment at Al Furjan

Facilities: 1 guest, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh90 per night

9. AirBnB: Apartment at Al Furjan

Facilities: 4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 3 beds, 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh320 per night

10. AirBnB: Fully furnished apartment at Al Furjan

Facilities: 4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 2 beds, 2 baths

Cost: Dh435 per night

AirBnB at Jebel Ali

1. AirBnB: Studio Apartment with a Poolside view at Discovery Gardens

Facilities: 5 guests, Studio, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh130 per night

2. AirBnB: Room for women at The Gardens

Facilities: 1 guest, 1 bedroom, 1 shared bath

Cost: Dh150 per night

3. AirBnB: Apartment in Discovery Gardens

Facilities: 3 guests, 1 bedroom, 2 beds, 1 bath

Cost: Dh288 per night

4. AirBnB: Studio Apartment at Discovery Gardens

Facilities: 2 guests, Studio, 2 beds, 1 bath

Cost: Dh209 per night

5. AirBnB: 1 BHK Apartment at Discovery Gardens

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh360 per night

6. AirBnB: Private Condominium at Discovery Gardens

Facilities: 3 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh250 per night

7. AirBnB: Hotel Apartment at Discovery Gardens

Facilities: 3 guests, 1 bedroom, 2 beds, 1 bath

Cost: Dh287 per night

8. AirBnB: Studio Apartment for sharing at Discovery Gardens

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 shared bath

Cost: Dh79 per night

AirBnB at Dubai Motor City

1. AirBnB: Condominium with a view

Facilities: 4 guests, Studio, 4 beds, 2 baths

Cost: Dh6,000 per night

2. AirBnB: Fully furnished apartment

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh315 per night

3. AirBnB: Entire apartment for stay at Motor City

Facilities: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 2 beds, 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh661 per night

4. AirBnB: Private room in an apartment at Motor City

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 private bath

Cost: Dh125 per night

5. AirBnB: Private Room in a Hotel Apartment

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1 private bath

Cost: Dh143 per night

6. AirBnB: Serenity Villa at Dubai Motor City

Facilities: 6 guests, 3 bedrooms, 3 beds, 3 baths

Cost: Dh1,519 per night

AirBnB at Dubai Production City

1. AirBnB: Condominium with a view

Facilities: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 2 beds, 2 baths

Cost: Dh214per night

2. AirBnB: Apartment at Dubai Production City

Facilities: 2 guests, Studio, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh165 per night

3. AirBnB: Studio apartment with a lakeside view at Dubai Production City

Facilities: 3 guests, Studio, 2 beds, 1 bath

Cost: Dh156 per night

AirBnB at Dubai Sports City

1. AirBnB: Studio Apartment at Dubai Sports City

Facilities: 3 guests, Studio, 1 bed, 1 bath

Cost: Dh181 per night

2. AirBnB: Condominium at Dubai Sports City

Facilities: 4 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh233 per night

3. AirBnB: Apartment at Dubai Sports City

Facilities: 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh221 per night

4. AirBnB: 2-bedroom apartment at Dubai Sports City

Facilities: 4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 2 beds, 2 baths

Cost: Dh268 per night

5. AirBnB: Apartment at Dubai Sports City hosted by Deluxe Homes

Facilities: 3 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 bed, 1.5 baths

Cost: Dh312 per night

6. AirBnB: Private studio apartment at Dubai Sports City

Facilities: 2 guests, Studio, 1 baths

Cost: Dh200 per night

7. AirBnB: Private studio apartment at Dubai Sports City

Facilities: 6 guests, 2 bedrooms, 2 beds, 1 bath

Cost: Dh362 per night

For Hotels

Hotel-Housekeeping
Image used for illustrative purposes only Image Credit: Pexels

Choose from the cheapest options now and stay closer to the Expo 2020 venue.

Booking.com

Through this website, you can easily avail your living options while on a budget. Spread across the Dubai region, you will be able to access rentals that have facilities nearby such as Metro Stations, bus stops and so on.

How do I book a hotel on booking.com?

  • Register or Sign-in at the Booking.com website.
  • Enter your location, check-in and check-out dates, and add the number of guests.
  • Click on ‘Search’.
  • Scroll through your preferred listings, read their reviews, descriptions, amenities, etc. and click on ‘See availability’.
  • Click on ‘Reserve’ and choose your preference by clicking on ‘I’ll Reserve’.
  • Enter your details and click on ‘Check booking’.
  • Enter your final details i.e. phone number, preferred payment (at the property or now), preferred mode of payment (debit or credit card).
  • Complete your booking, and a confirmation email of your reservation will be sent to you.

How do I cancel my booking on Booking.com?

All cancellations, no-show fees, etc. are applicable as per the cancellation policy of the trip provider/host.

Hotels near the Expo 2020 venue

Filter out your preferences and choose what suits you the best from these listings below –

1. Hotel: Staybridge Suites Dubai Al Maktoum Airport

Location: Dubai South

Cost: Dh650 per night

2. Hotel: Premiere Inn

Location: Dubai Investments Park

Cost: Dh143 per night

3. Hotel: Aloft

Location: Dubai South

Cost: Dh199 per night

4. Hotel: Oaks Hotel

Location: Ibn Battuta Gate, Jebel Ali

Cost: Dh259 per night

5. Hotel: Park Inn by Radisson

Location: Dubai Motor City

Cost: Dh239 per night

6. Hotel: Oaks

Location: Ibn Battuta Gate, Jebel Ali

Cost: Dh259 per night

7. Hotel: Occidental

Location: Dubai Production City

Cost: Dh165 per night

7. Hotel: Palazzo Versace Dubai

Location: Jaddaf Waterfront, Bur Dubai

Cost: Dh1,550 per night

Expedia

Expedia has been a go-to place for travellers for quite some time now especially because of its deals and packages.

How do I book a hotel on Expedia?

  • Register or Sign-in at the Expedia website.
  • Enter your location, check-in and check-out dates, and add the number of guests.
  • Click on ‘Search’.
  • Scroll through your preferred listings, read their reviews, descriptions, amenities, etc. and click on ‘Reserve’.
  • Enter your details.
  • Make your payment via debit or credit card, PayPal, monthly payments or click-to-pay.
  • Complete your booking, and a confirmation email of your reservation will be sent to you

How do I cancel my booking on Expedia?

  1. If you booked within the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel and get a refund.
  2. If you booked more than 24 hours ago, your airline, hotel, car rental company, or activity provider might charge a fee that will be passed on to you.

If you’re planning a trip for Expo 2020 Dubai, here’re some options for you to choose from –

1. Hotel: Premiere Inn

Location: Dubai Investments Park

Cost: Dh113 per night

2. Hotel: The Manor by JA

Location: Al Furjan

Cost: Dh128 per night

3. Hotel: Premiere Inn

Location: Ibn Battuta Mall, Jebel Ali

Cost: Dh124 per night

4. Hotel: Park Inn by Radisson

Location: Dubai Motor City

Cost: Dh179 per night

5. Hotel: Aloft

Location: Dubai Production City

Cost: Dh179 per night

Hotels.com

Ever stayed in a hotel that overlooked a beach or had a stellar window view? Book away at hotels.com to get the view of your dreams. There are a variety of options to choose from near Expo 2020.

How do I book a hotel on Hotels.com?

  • Register or Sign-in at the Hotels.com website.
  • Enter your location, check-in and check-out dates, and add the number of guests.
  • Click on ‘Search’.
  • Scroll through your preferred listings, read their reviews, descriptions, amenities, etc. and click on ‘Book now’.
  • Click on ‘Reserve’ once you select your listing.
  • Filter your options by selecting ‘Free cancellation’ option and select your preferred listing.
  • Make your payment online or at the hotel.
  • If you are paying online, type in your details and pay via debit or credit card.
  • If you are paying at the hotel, type in your details to complete your booking, and pay later.

How do I cancel my booking on Hotels.com?

  • Most hotel and vacation rental bookings can be cancelled without penalty before the hotel or vacation rental's cancellation deadline.
  • When you cancel your hotel or vacation rental booking, you will receive a refund, depending on the terms and conditions of your booking.

Keep an eye out for all these hotels near the Expo 2020 venue –

1. Hotel: Fortune Park Hotel

Location: Dubai Investments Park

Cost: Dh194 per night

2. Hotel: Aloft

Location: Dubai South

Cost: Dh165 per night

3. Hotel: easyHotel Dubai

Location: Jebel Ali

Cost: Dh143 per night

4. Hotel: Park Inn by Radisson

Location: Dubai Motor City

Cost: Dh263 per night

5. Hotel: Aloft Me’aisam

Location: Dubai Production City

Cost: Dh214 per night

6. Hotel: Treppan Hotel & Suites by Fakhruddin

Location: Dubai Sports City

Cost: Dh170 per night

Agoda

Here’s another website to choose from and get a good deal on. With several inexpensive options to choose from, you can stay at places that suit you best without compromising on quality.

How do I book a hotel on Agoda?

  • Register or Sign-in at the Agoda website.
  • Enter your location, check-in and check-out dates, and add the number of guests.
  • Click on ‘Search’.
  • Scroll through your preferred listings, read their reviews, descriptions, amenities, etc. and select your preferred listing.
  • Click on ‘View this deal’ and click ‘Reserve’.
  • Enter your details on the ‘customer information page’.
  • Enter your details.
  • Make your payment via debit or credit card or PayPal.
  • Click on ‘Book now’ to complete your booking.
  • A confirmation email of your reservation will be sent to you.

How do I cancel my booking on Agoda?

  • Cancellation depends on the provider’s policy and will be different for each booking depending on the property, period of stay, room type, promotion, etc.
  • Refunds will only be initiated if the cancellation meets the trip provider’s criteria.

Check out these affordable listings near the Expo 2020 venue –

1. Hotel: Fortune Hotel

Location: Dubai Investments Park

Cost: Dh119 per night

2. Hotel: Rove at The Park

Location: Jebel Ali

Cost: Dh178 per night

3. Hotel: Park Inn by Radisson

Location: Dubai Motor City

Cost: Dh239 per night

4. Hotel: Occidental

Location: Dubai Production City

Cost: Dh148 per night

What are the documents I need to rent on a monthly/daily basis?

You will need a valid government-issued ID card. This can be a passport or driver’s licence as well. You may need to show this to your host for verification at the rental on arrival.

Can I live at a holiday rental if I am on a tourist visa?

Yes.

I am a resident of the UAE, how can I rent a place for a short duration in Dubai?

Residents have the same options as tourists to choose from. However, tourists can’t rent out places for a month. Residents can avail an apartment or a room, depending on their choice, and pay rent on a monthly basis.

Can I sublet my apartment to a friend travelling in for the Expo?

Subletting in the UAE is legal, as long as you have an approval from your landlord stating the same. In case this clause hasn’t been mentioned in your contract prior to your request, then you will need to obtain a written approval from your landlord before you sublet. Failure to meet these terms will result in your landlord demanding an eviction.

The lists are as per websites at the time of publishing and are subject to change.