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

Should you visit Dubai or Agra?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Agra can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dubai or Agra?

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.

Agra

In the north of India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Agra. This land is home to great tales of emperors and majestic temples. It is the home to a magnificent past and the greatest symbol of love known to man, the Taj Mahal.

While this incredible structure is the main draw to this area, there is much more to see. Once the capital of the Mughal Empire, Agra can claim three different UNESCO World Heritage sites - the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikiri.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Agra or Dubai?

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 Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Agra is $49. 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 Dubai and Agra in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Agra $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Agra $28
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Agra

Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Agra? 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 Dubai


Hotels in Agra


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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Agra Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Agra $9.09
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:

  • Guided Abu Dhabi City Tour Private Transfer: $300
  • Jet Car Ride for 2 Pax with Optional Transfer: $299
  • Fujairah Dam Tour with Private Transfers: $299
  • Dubai Helicopter 12-Minute Scenic Flight with Transfer Option: $290
  • Dubai Dune Buggy Safari - Private Transfer: $280
  • Dubai Iconic Helicopter Ride 12 Minutes with Private Transfers: $275
  • Dubai City Tour + Burj Khalifa 148 Floor (Prime) with Transfer: $267
  • Private Full Day Abu Dhabi City Tour with Transfer: $265
  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Fujairah Tour with Private Transfers: $260
  • Dubai Dune Buggy Tours with Private Transfers: $260
  • Dubai Dune Buggy Selfdrive & Private transfer: $260
  • Afternoon High Tea at Atmosphere Burj Khalifa with Transfer: $259

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Agra

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


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $0.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Agra

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

  • Private transfer Agra to Varnashi: $246
  • One-Way Transfers Agra to Delhi with Bird Park & fatehpur visits: $194
  • Private Transfer : Agra to Varanasi by Car: $180
  • Private Transfer- Agra city to Delhi via Mathura: $169
  • Private transfer from Agra to Varanasi by Car: $161
  • Private Transfer From Agra To Udaipur: $160
  • Private One Way Transfer From Agra To Udaipur: $150
  • Transfer from Agra or Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri & Stepwell: $140
  • Agra Half-Day City Tour and Transfer to Delhi: $136
  • Private Transfer Agra to Varanasi by Car: $130
  • Agra to Delhi airport transfer by air-conditioned car: $130
  • Private Transfer To Jaipur From Agra Via Fatehpur Sikri And Abhaneri: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Agra?

Prices for flights to both Agra and Dubai 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
    Dubai $96
    Agra $24
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
    $6.54
  • 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 Private Red Dunes Safari With Quad Biking, Dinner and Shows: $2.95
  • Dubai Desert Safari Tour Hotel Transfer, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $4.90
  • Dubai Desert Safari - Free Pick&Drop Red Dunes Live Shows Dinner: $4.90
  • Royal Desert Adventure with BBQ dinner: $5.00
  • VIP Desert Safari Dubai with Quad Bike, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $5.40
  • Desert Safari,Premium sofa,Quad Bike,CamelRide,BBQ Dinner,Shows: $6.16
  • Dubai Red Dune Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $6.65
  • VIP Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari 4x4, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner: $7.00
  • Red dune Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & optional Quad bike: $7.45
  • VIP Desert Safari Camel Ride Live Shows & BBQ Dinner with pick up: $7.81
  • VIP Red Dune Safari Dubai,Pick/Drop,Camel Ride, Quad & BBQ Dinner: $8.00
  • Dubai 6 Hour Red Dune Desert Safari With Buffet Dinner: $8.10

Typical Food Prices in Agra

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


  • Breakfast for Two
    $1.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Agra

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

  • Agra Cooking Classes (Pick up and Drop available): $18
  • Dine In Indian, home cooked food Agra Food tour My Magic Kitchen: $19
  • Agra Heritage Walk with Food Tour: $20
  • Agra's best cooking classes: $27
  • Watch Bollywood Movie with Dinner in Agra: $35
  • Cooking Demonstration + Meals and interaction Workshop: $38
  • Indian Home Visit Cooking Demo: $38
  • Story of Spices- A Food Tour of Agra: $40
  • Dinner at Agra with local Indian family: $40
  • Indian Cooking Class and Dine with a Local Family in Agra: $40
  • Agra Food Tour - A walking buffet: $43
  • Henna application session with dinner: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Agra $17
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.

  • "Discover Abu Dhabi: A Captivating 6-Hour Guided Tour": $69
  • (Private) Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour from Dubai: $195
  • 05 Hours Dubai Night City Tour: $61
  • 1 Day Dubai City Tour: $80
  • 1 HR - Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour: $20
  • 1 Hour Kayaking Experience in Dubai Ticket: $43
  • 1 Hour Private 800cc Buggy Tour Good for 2 persons: $223
  • 1 Hour Private Videography Tour of Aya Universe in Dubai: $215
  • 1 Hour Shared Desert Horse Riding Experience: $50
  • 1 hour Jetski Tour - Burj Al Arab Tour: $165
  • 1-Hour KTM 450CC Dirt bike Desert Adventure Tours in Dubai: $154
  • 1-Hour Kayaking Experience in Dubai: $47

Typical Entertainment Prices in Agra

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


  • Entry to the Red Fort for Two
    $6.32
  • Taj Mahal for Two
    $16

Tours and Activities in Agra

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

  • "Taj Mahal Ticket & Guide: $14
  • 1 Day Agra and 1 Day Jaipur Private Tour from Agra: $202
  • 1 Day Private Tour of Agra - Taj Mahal & More: $35
  • 1 Day Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Agra with Fatehpur Sikri: $90
  • 11-Hour Agra Day Tour : Sunrise and Sunset of Taj Mahal: $59
  • 2 Day Golden Triangle Private Tour From Agra: $206
  • 2 Day Vrindavan Temples and Myths Tour with a Local Guide: $54
  • 2 Day: Jaipur Tour from Agra with 5 Star Hotel & Drop at Delhi: $216
  • 2 Days Jaipur City Tour from Agra: $85
  • 2 Days Taj Mahal Agra Tour with Fatehpur Sikri From Delhi: $151
  • 2 Days Taj Mahal Private Tour and Hidden Gems: $49
  • 2 Days: Private Agra City Tour: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Agra $8.48
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: $38
  • Pub Crawl Private Events & Birthdays: $126


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Agra, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Agra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Agra is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Agra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Agra 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 Agra.

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


Which is Bigger, Dubai or Agra?

Agra has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Agra, 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.