United Arab Emirates

A self-launched 13-day route across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, following the same arc as the guided group tour — Jeddah's UNESCO-listed Al-Balad, the Red Sea islands off Umluj, the Nabatean tombs of Hegra at AlUla, the canyons of Tabuk, Riyadh's Diriyah and museums, then a hop to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Instead of a coach and guide, you'll use Saudia/flynas domestic flights, the Haramain high-speed train, intercity buses, the Dubai Metro and self-booked day tours. Costs are rough per-person estimates for a solo traveller in shared/budget accommodation; Saudi Arabia is not cheap, so this remains a mid-range trip rather than a backpacker bargain.

Travel Crew

~£3,180

A self-launched 3-day Dubai itinerary covering the same highlights as the Oman Day Tours package: a Dubai Creek dhow dinner cruise, a full city tour (Jumeirah Mosque, Burj Al Arab, Al Bastakiya, Dubai Museum, souks), and an overnight desert safari with camel riding, henna, falconry and a BBQ dinner under the stars. Everything is bookable independently via GetYourGuide, Klook or direct — accommodation is left flexible so you can pick a budget hotel or hostel rather than the operator's group hotel. Costs are approximate per person in GBP.

Travel Crew

~£216

A self-launched version of the STM Tours "Dubai Classic" — 5 days and 4 nights covering Dubai's icons, a day trip to cultural Sharjah, and the glittering sights of Abu Dhabi. Skip the rigid coach tour and do it on your own schedule using the Dubai Metro, RTA buses, public ferries and budget hotels, hitting all the same headline attractions — Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Creek, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Heritage Village and more — for a fraction of the price.

Travel Crew

~£198

This self-launched version of the classic Dubai and India Golden Triangle route covers the same iconic highlights — Burj Khalifa, desert safari, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Jaipur's palaces — but cuts out the operator markup by booking accommodation, transport, and activities independently. Fly into Dubai, spend four nights exploring the city and desert, then hop on a budget flight to Delhi and work your way through the Golden Triangle by train and road. Estimated cost is roughly £820–£950 per person (excluding international flights), compared to ~£1,620 per person with Holidays At.

Travel Crew

~£890

Skip the luxury group tour price tag and do this epic Istanbul-to-Dubai route on your own terms. You'll explore Istanbul's iconic landmarks, fly to the Aegean coast for Ephesus and Pamukkale, drift through the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia, then jet across to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for desert adventures, mangroves, waterparks and Ferrari World. All the same unmissable experiences — self-booked, self-launched, and at a fraction of the cost. Costs below are estimated per person and are approximate.

Travel Crew

~£980

A self-launched version of the classic Dubai-to-Bali journey — swap the guided group tour for independent exploration and save hundreds. Spend 4 nights soaking up Dubai's glittering skyline, souks and desert vibes before flying to Ubud, Bali for jungle treks, a volcanic sunrise hike up Mount Batur, rice terrace walks and beach days in Sanur and Uluwatu. All activities are bookable directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook, and local transport is covered by buses, shared taxis and Grab. Costs are estimated per person and are approximate.

Travel Crew

~£960