Travel Budget for Dubai Visit Dubai on a Budget or Travel in Style

Dubai, Dubayy, United Arab Emirates

How much does it cost to travel to Dubai?

You should plan to spend around $248 (AED911) per day on your vacation in Dubai. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $56 (AED204) on meals
  • $13 (AED47) on local transportation
  • $340 (AED1,247) on hotels

A one week trip to Dubai for two people costs, on average, $3,473 (AED12,753). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $248
    AED911
  • One Week Per person
    $1,736
    AED6,377
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $3,473
    AED12,753
  • One Month Per person
    $7,441
    AED27,328
  • One Week For a couple
    $3,473
    AED12,753
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $6,945
    AED25,506
  • One Month For a couple
    $14,883
    AED54,656
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Dubai cost?

A one week trip to Dubai usually costs around $1,736 (AED6,377) for one person and $3,473 (AED12,753) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Dubai on average costs around $3,473 (AED12,753) for one person and $6,945 (AED25,506) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Dubai will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Dubai on average costs around $7,441 (AED27,328) for one person and $14,883 (AED54,656) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Dubai has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Dubai expensive to visit?

Prices in Dubai are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within the Middle East, Dubai is a very expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in the Middle East for its travel costs. There are only a few cities as expensive as Dubai in the region, such as Doha.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Dubai Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Dubai?

The average Dubai trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Dubai travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) AED1,247 ($340)
Local Transportation 1 AED47 ($13)
Food 2 AED204 ($56)
Entertainment 1 AED70 ($19)
Tips and Handouts 1 AED4 - 12 ($1 - 3)
Alcohol 2 AED41 - 124 ($11 - 34)
Accommodation Budget in Dubai
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Dubai is $170 (AED624). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Dubai is $340 (AED1,247). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $170
    AED624
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $340
    AED1,247

Hotel Prices in Dubai

Looking for a hotel in Dubai? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Dubai based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $71. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Dubai
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Dubai is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $13 (AED47) per person, per day, on local transportation in Dubai.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $13
    AED47

Recommended Services


Flights to Dubai
How much does it cost to go to Dubai? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Dubai
The price of renting a car in Dubai will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.


What did other people spend on Transportation in Dubai?

Typical prices for Transportation in Dubai are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Dubai, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Taxi Ride
    AED45
  • Airport Taxi
    AED46
  • Sea Taxi
    AED2.00


Food Budget in Dubai
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Dubai can vary, the average cost of food in Dubai is $56 (AED204) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Dubai should cost around $22 (AED82) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Dubai is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $56
    AED204

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food in Dubai?

Typical prices for Food in Dubai are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Dubai, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • French bread
    AED3.50
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    AED38
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    AED16
  • Coffee & Cake
    AED24
  • Smoothie
    AED20
  • Shawarma
    AED7.00


Entertainment Budget in Dubai
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Dubai typically cost an average of $19 (AED70) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $19
    AED70

The Go City Dubai Pass offers great discounts on attractions in Dubai. With the Go City Explorer pass, you can choose to visit specific sights and attractions at a discount. Or, you can visit as many included attractions as you like with a multi-day All-Inclusive Pass. The average visitor saves 30% off of the regular admission prices.


Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Dubai?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Dubai are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Dubai, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Visit to the Dubai Museum
    AED3.00


Tips and Handouts Budget in Dubai
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Dubai is $2.21 (AED8.13) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Dubai is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $2.21
    AED8.13



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Alcohol Budget in Dubai
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $23 (AED83) on alcoholic beverages in Dubai per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $23
    AED83

Recommended

What did other people spend on Alcohol in Dubai?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Dubai are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Dubai, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • A Couple Drinks
    AED92


Water Budget in Dubai
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $1.23 (AED4.52) on bottled water in Dubai per day. The public water in Dubai is considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $1.23
    AED4.52


Dubai On a Budget
Dubai Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.

Remember to do your research. While Dubai is more modern and progressive than most of the Middle East, it is still an Islamic nation with strict laws unlike the West. They follow strict sharia laws so be sure to be very respectful. For example, do not eat in public during Ramadan, avoid criticizing the ruling family, and refrain from public displays of affection. Even losing your temper can land you in jail for a month.
Sights
This massive and beautiful city is never lacking in sightseeing. You'll want to start your trip with a trip to the Dubai Museum. Here you'll learn about the social history of the Emirates and discover an appreciation for the deep culture and heritage of the city. As you browse the museum you'll see the al-Fahidi Fort and the quick transition the city has made from a small pearling town to a bustling metropolis.

Another stunning view is standing in front of the Jumeirah Mosque. It's the largest mosque in the city and one of the few that is open to non-Muslim visitors. In order to promote a better understanding of Islam, the Jumeirah Mosque offers special, educational tours for non-Muslims. Go back alter that evening for a spectacular view of the mosque lit up at night.

If you're not afraid of heights, take a trip to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa. At 828 meters and 160 floors, that makes this the tallest structure in the world. If you want the opportunity to see the view on the observation deck on the 124th floor, be sure to reserve your tickets well in advance.

For a relaxing, but fascinating show, visit the Dubai Fountain. The world's largest dancing fountain gives several shows a day to the sounds of classical and Arabic music.

For a true look into how the better half lives, travel over to see the Palm Islands. These three artificial islands are the largest in the world. Located just off the coast of Dubai, these islands are designed in the shape of palm leaves.

With so much to see and do, Dubai has a little bit of everything for everyone. For more information, check out this terrific guide to things to do in Dubai.

The area experiences a sub-tropical climate. It gets very hot and humid especially during the summer months. And keep in mind, their weekend runs from Thursday to Saturday. With the warm weather, you should probably read up on the best time to visit Dubai.
Neighborhoods
Dubai is divided into 11 districts, and some areas are more attractive to tourists than others. The Jumeirah district is the main destination for beach lovers. The beach is close by and easily accessible in this district.

Downtown Dubai is located in the center of "New Dubai," and includes the world's largest mall, the Dubai Fountain and the tallest building in the world - the Burj Khalifa. The Dubai Marina is the home to numerous restaurants, homes and is where most of the Westerners will stay.

Activities
Think of an activity you'd like to try, and Dubai can make it happen. One of the most popular activities is known as Dune Bashing - a form of off-roading on sand dunes. Many places will rent 4x4 safari Jeeps, sand boards, quad bikes and dune buggies so you can feel the thrill of this amazing outdoor activity.

If you're in Dubai between late November and late February, you'll want to be sure to take a trip to the Global Village. This annual gathering of countries around the world is a makeshift flea market where you can pick up souvenirs from all over the world. Each country has its own pavilion with replicas of their most famous landmarks, and because this is Dubai, there is typically a raffle with prizes like cars and gold bars.

And just because Dubai is in the desert doesn't mean you can't enjoy your favorite winter sports. Inside the Mall of the Emirates is a national skiing center, complete with real snow. They provide all the equipment you'll need to enjoy skiing and snowboarding.

With all of these activities, as well as the cultural differences, you might be wondering what to bring and what you should wear (especially if you're a woman). Here's a great packing list for Dubai and an overview of what to wear.
Food and Dining
Because the tourism industry is so diverse, you can find almost any dish you're looking for in Dubai. The most common meals you'll find all over the place are the Shawarma and the Falafel. The Shawarma is the Arabic equivalent to a burger – the meat is cooked on a skewer, then cut into thin strips and placed in pita bread with vegetables and dressing.

Transportation
While Dubai has a very reliable and strong public transit system - including a metro system, Dubai trams and buses – much of the city still relies heavily on their own cars. You'll most likely end up taking taxis most places.

No matter what mode of transportation you use, you'll want to invest in a Nol Card. This prepaid debit card can be used to pay for metro trams, buses, waterbuses, paid parking and taxis. They are available at metro stations and most major bus stations.
Related
Read more about where to stay in Dubai and the best hotels here.

Looking for a hostel in Delhi or Goa? Heading to Kathmandu or want a party in Tel Aviv?

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.