Which place is cheaper, Dubai or Aqaba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aqaba or Dubai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Dubai, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Dubai?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $127Dubai $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $127, while the average daily cost in Dubai is $248. 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 Aqaba and Dubai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Dubai $170
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Dubai $340
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Dubai
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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.
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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Dubai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Dubai $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Amman: Day Trip Petra & Wadi Rum Guided Tour with Transfer: $490
- Sheikh Hussein Crossing Private Transfer to or from Aqaba: $250
- Private Transfer: From Amman City To Wadi Rum: $209
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Airport to Sheikh Hussein Border or vice versa: $193
- Aqaba Or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea, Jordan: $185
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Allenby King Hussein Bridge: $173
- Aqaba King Hussein Airport (AQJ): Transfer to Aqaba hotels: $162
- Private Transfer Aqaba Airport to Amman Queen Alia Airport: $153
- Aqaba Border Yitzhak Rabin Terminal to Petra Private Transfer: $140
- Wadi Araba Border (Eilat) Private Transfer To Petra: $135
- Private Transfer from Wadi Rum to Amman Airport: $133
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Amman Hotels: $133
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Banana Boat Ride Dubai With Transfer: $190
- Dubai Maktoum DWC to Al Ain Private Limo-Van Transfer: $67
- Jet Ski Adventure in Dubai with Optional Transfers: $109
- Wild Wadi Water Park with Round-Trip Transfers: $170
- 1 Day 1 Park (Motiongate or Legoland) with Private Transfer: $185
- 1-Hour Quad Biking Tour with Transfer from Dubai: $61
- 2 Hour View at The Palm Ticket and One Way Monorail with Transfer: $65
- 4 Seater Jet Car Adventure in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $280
- 60 Minute Speed Boat Ride in Dubai with Private Transfer: $229
- A Japanese Business Lunch Experience in Dubai with Transfer: $119
- A visit To Quranic Park & Jumeirah Mosque With Transfer: $120
- AYA Universe Dubai Ticket with Transfer option: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Dubai?
Prices for flights to both Dubai and Aqaba 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
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Food Meals for one dayAqaba $42Dubai $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $63
- 4 hour desert jeep tour with overnight in beduin camp including dinner&breakfast: $85
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $87
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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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:
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
- Ocean Express Dinner Cruise Al-Seef: $14
- Dubai:Desert Safari BBQ dinner, Dune bashing,Camel&Sandboarding: $14
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Deira Creek: $15
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Creek: $15
- Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $16
- Cruising With Dinner And Live Shows At Dubai Creek: $18
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet: $18
- Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $19
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner Deira Creek: $19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Dubai $19
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Day Tour in Jeep Tour with Bedouin Guide: $81
- Discover the Depths: Aqaba's Ultimate private Dive Experience: $54
- 06 Hours Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum : $84
- 2 Days 1 Night in Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $204
- 2 Days private tour Petra, Wadi Rum (overnight) from Amman: $682
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 hours Jeep tour in Wadi Rum with Bedouin guide (incl. bottled water and tea): $100
- 2-Hour Desert Guided Activities Tour in Wadi Rum: $50
- 2-Hour Private Scuba Experience in Aqaba : $48
- 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2-day Hiking Adventure and Jeep Tour from Wadi Rum: $183
- 3 Days Wadi Rum Jebel Burdah Tour: $241
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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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.
- Tourist eSIM/SIM Card with Data and Minutes: $2.48
- Dubai Guided Old Town Tour, Abra Boat, Gold & Spice Souk: $4.63
- Global Village Entry Ticket: $6.13
- 4G Data Roaming eSIM Card for Tourists: $7.18
- Small-Group Premium Old Town, Souk, & Abra Boat Tour: $7.90
- Walking Tour with Gold & Spice Souks & Abra Boat Ride: $8.85
- Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
- Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Dubai Old city tour small group - History and Traditions: $9.53
- Guided Old Town Tour with Souks, Tastings & Boat Tour: $9.67
- Walking Tour, Old Town, Abra, Souks & Street Food: $9.80
- Global Village Tickets : $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Dubai $23
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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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: $66
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
- Pub Crawl Private, Birthdays & Corporate Events: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Dubai, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Aqaba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aqaba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aqaba 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 Aqaba.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Dubai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Dubai?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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 Aqaba or Dubai?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Aqaba or Dubai in the Summer?
Both Dubai and Aqaba during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Aqaba 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. Aqaba usually gets less rain in July than Dubai. Aqaba gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. The heat can be very extreme in Aqaba. In the summer, Aqaba is around the same temperature as Dubai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aqaba in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Dubai averages at about 35°C (95°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAqaba 33°C (91°F)Dubai 35°C (95°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Dubai in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Aqaba and Dubai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Aqaba year-round. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Dubai. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Aqaba is generally cooler than Dubai. Daily temperatures in Aqaba average around 26°C (79°F), and Dubai fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAqaba 26°C (79°F)Dubai 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Dubai in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Aqaba as well as Dubai. Aqaba attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.
January to March in Dubai is the rainy season. Aqaba usually gets less rain in January than Dubai. Aqaba gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Aqaba is cooler than Dubai in the winter. The daily temperature in Aqaba averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Dubai fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAqaba 14°C (57°F)Dubai 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Aqaba or Dubai in the Spring?
Both Dubai and Aqaba are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Aqaba throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Dubai is June to August. In April, Aqaba usually receives less rain than Dubai. Aqaba gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Dubai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Aqaba is around the same temperature as Dubai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aqaba in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Dubai averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAqaba 24°C (75°F)Dubai 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Dubai and Aqaba
| Aqaba | Dubai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.