A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amman vs. Dubai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amman or Dubai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Amman and Dubai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Amman or Dubai?

Amman

Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates.


Which place is cheaper, Dubai or Amman?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in Dubai is $289. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Amman and Dubai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amman $49
    Dubai $170
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amman $98
    Dubai $340
Compare Hotels in Amman and Dubai

Looking for a hotel in Amman or Dubai? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Amman


Hotels in Dubai


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Amman Hotel Prices and Dubai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amman $24
    Dubai $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:


  • Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.71
  • RIde to Airport
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman

Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Amman Airport Private Transfer To Petra By Minivan: $250
  • Petra or WadiRum transfer to/from Amman, Airport, Madaba, Deadsea: $240
  • Queen Alia International Airport Transfers To Amman, Petra.: $235
  • Private Transfer From Amman Airport To Petra: $190
  • From Dead Sea and Petra Day Trip with Transfers: $187
  • Amman Private Transfer to Jerusalem: $175
  • Private Transfer from Allenby King Hussein Bridge to Aqaba Airport: $173
  • From Amman Transfer to Petra: $169
  • Private Amman Airport Transfer to Petra, Reliable Shuttle Service: $160
  • Amman Airport to Petra Shuttle, Comfortable & Affordable Transfer: $160
  • Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Araba Border: $153
  • Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Aqaba Airport: $153

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $12
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • Sea Taxi
    $0.54

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai

Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Yellow Boat Tour Dubai With Transfer Option: $90
  • Xline Dubai Marina Zipline Adventure with Transfers Options: $245
  • X Line Ride in Dubai Marina with Optional Private Transfers: $270
  • Wild Wadi Dubai water park Ticket with 1 way transfer in Dubai: $96
  • Wild Wadi - Dubai Theme Water Park Tickets With Transfers Option: $159
  • Top of Burj Khalifa & Sky Views Dubai Tour with Transfers: $185
  • Skip the Line Ticket to Dubai Miracle Garden and Transfer Option: $33
  • Ski Dubai Admission Ticket with Optional Transfer: $66
  • Sharjah hotel to Dubai Airport (DXB) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
  • Sharjah hotel to Dubai Airport (DXB) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
  • Scuba Diving at Jumeirah Dubai with Private Transfers: $167
  • Real Madrid World Park Ticket with Optional Transfer: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Dubai?

Prices for flights to both Dubai and Amman change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Amman $58
    Dubai $96
Typical Food Prices in Amman

For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Pastries
    $4.23
  • Tea
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman

For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Amman by Night Tour with Local Dinner: $35
  • private cooking with local chef: $40
  • Private 2 Hour Cooking Class with the Locals in Amman: $50
  • Guided Food Tour in Downtown: $70
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
  • Women-Led Food Tour Through Amman’s Culinary Scene: $80
  • The Best Culture&Food Tour With Majd The Local Guide: $81
  • Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Amman: $100
  • Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $119
  • Half Day Cooking Class Experience with Amman Panoramic Tour: $127
  • Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience: $140

Typical Food Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.53
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • Shawarma
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dubai Desert Safari with Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $8.75
  • Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $15
  • Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Al Seef: $16
  • Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
  • Vip Red Dune Desert Safari Dubai, Camel Ride, BBQ Dinner, Shows: $18
  • Vip Desert Safari Dubai With BBQ Buffet Dinner: $19
  • VIP RED DUNE SAFARI with Pick/drop,Quad,Camel, BBQ Dinner & Shows: $19
  • Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Deira Creek: $20
  • Evening Desert Safari Dubai with Camel Ride & BBQ dinner: $21
  • Dubai Desert Safari With4x4 Pick/Drop camel ride BBQ dinner shows: $21
  • Dubai Creek Dhow Dinner Cruise with Buffet & Live Entertainment: $21
  • Vip Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ dinner&shows-Pick&Drop(Optional): $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amman $32
    Dubai $19

Tours and Activities in Amman

For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Night Private Overnight Madaba Independent Tour from Amman: $170
  • 1Day Private spiritual Tour to Amman Madaba Baptism site Dead Sea: $100
  • 2 Day Group Tour from Amman to Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba Dead Sea: $250
  • 2 Day Madaba Mount Nebo Mujib Kerak Dana Shobak and Petra Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Mount Nebo Private Guided Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Mount Nebo and Dead Sea Private Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Shobak Castle and Kerak Castle Private Tour: $195
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $185
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Tour: $175
  • 2 Day Petra and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour All Inclusive: $195

Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Visit to the Dubai Museum
    $0.82

Tours and Activities in Dubai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.

  • "Explore Dubai's Highlights: 6-Hour Guided City Tour: $41
  • 1 HR - Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour: $20
  • 1 Hour Private Luxury Yacht Experience in Dubai: $70
  • 1 hour Dubai Marina Riviera Leisure Cruise: $111
  • 1-Hour Jet Ski Tour – Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, & Dubai Skyline: $155
  • 10 Hours Private Abu Dhabi City Tour: $181
  • 12 mins Helicopter Tour & The View at The Palm Observatory Deck: $282
  • 1Hour 2000cc Dune Buggy Adventure: Ultimate Milehah Desert Thrill: $215
  • 2Hrs private Sea escape Cruise, Swim, Tan & Sightsee!: $229
  • 30 Minutes Flyboard Experience in Dubai JBR: $125
  • 30 minutes Private Jet Car Experience with Burj Al Arab View: $259
  • 3000cc,V6 (Automatic) Dune Buggy+Sandboarding - Private Adventure: $295

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amman $14
    Dubai $23

Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $42


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Dubai, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Amman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Amman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Amman and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Amman.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is Dubai Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Amman or Dubai?

Amman has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Dubai, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Amman or Dubai?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Amman or Dubai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Dubai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

June to August in Dubai is the dry season. In July, Amman usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dubai. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Amman is cooler than Dubai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amman in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Dubai averages at about 35°C (95°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Amman 25°C (77°F) 
    Dubai 35°C (95°F)

Should I visit Amman or Dubai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amman as well as Dubai. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.

Amman usually gets more rain in October than Dubai. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Amman is generally cooler than Dubai. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 20°C (68°F), and Dubai fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Amman 20°C (68°F) 
    Dubai 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Amman or Dubai in the Winter?

Both Dubai and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Dubai is January to March. It's quite rainy in Amman. In January, Amman usually receives more rain than Dubai. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Amman is much colder than Dubai in the winter. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Dubai fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Amman 8°C (46°F) 
    Dubai 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Amman or Dubai in the Spring?

Both Dubai and Amman during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round.

June to August is the dry season in Dubai. Amman usually gets more rain in April than Dubai. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Amman is much colder than Dubai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amman in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Dubai averages at about 26°C (79°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Amman 16°C (61°F) 
    Dubai 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Dubai and Amman

Amman Dubai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (46°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 26 mm (1 in) 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)