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

Should you visit Dubai or Alexandria?

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 Alexandria can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dubai or Alexandria?

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.

Alexandria

There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.

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 Luxury Tours to Egypt, and The Best Budget Tours to Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Alexandria or Dubai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $17. 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 Alexandria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Alexandria $7.99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Alexandria $16
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Alexandria

Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Alexandria? 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 Alexandria


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 Alexandria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Alexandria $2.49
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:

  • 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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

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


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • Private transfer from Alexandria to Luxor: $255
  • From Private Transfer to Luxor: $250
  • Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $242
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $75
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo : $73
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Port to Cairo Int Airport (CAI): $70
  • Private One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $68
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo/Giza Hotels or Cairo./Giza to Alexandr: $65
  • Private Transfer around El Nouzha Airport (ALY) in Alexandria: $63
  • Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $52
  • Private Transfer From Alexandria City To Cairo Airport: $40
  • Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Alexandria?

Prices for flights to both Alexandria 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 $56
    Alexandria $6.46
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:

  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $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
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Creek with pickup & drop off: $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alexandria.

  • Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
  • Alexandria Food Tour: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Alexandria $3.50
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.

  • Tourist eSIM/SIM Card with Data and Minutes: $2.46
  • 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: $7.19
  • Small-Group Premium Old Town, Souk, & Abra Boat Tour: $7.90
  • Old Dubai, Walking Tour, Souk Shopping, and Abra Ride: $8.85
  • Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
  • Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • 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
  • Dubai Fountain Show Boat Lake Ride or Bridge Walk Tickets options: $11

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Day Tour to Alamein and Alexandria: $169
  • Tour to The Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria: $16
  • 10-Hour Historical Pyramids Tour from Alexandria Port: $130
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $174
  • 2 Day Tour Visit the Top Attractions of Alexandria City: $155
  • 8 Days Ultra Luxury Cairo, Alexandria & Nile cruise: $4,190
  • Alamein full day tour from Alexandria: $95
  • Alexandria : Rosetta Day Tour from Alexandria: $117
  • Alexandria : Tour to WadiElNatroun Monastery from Alexandria: $135
  • Alexandria By Night Private Free Walking Tours & Horse Carriage Ride: $60
  • Alexandria City Tour from Cairo Full Day: $111
  • Alexandria Day Tour from Alexandria: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Alexandria $1.35
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: $66
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
  • Pub Crawl Private, Birthdays & Corporate Events: $110


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Alexandria, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Alexandria is in Africa, 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 Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Alexandria.

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


Which is Bigger, Dubai or Alexandria?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Alexandria, 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 Dubai or Alexandria?

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 Dubai or Alexandria in the Summer?

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

Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season. Dubai usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Alexandria. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is a little warmer than Alexandria in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Alexandria fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dubai 35°C (95°F) 
    Alexandria 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Dubai or Alexandria in the Autumn?

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

In October, Dubai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Alexandria. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In the autumn, Dubai is a little warmer than Alexandria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Alexandria averages at about 22°C (72°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dubai 29°C (84°F) 
    Alexandria 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Dubai or Alexandria in the Winter?

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

January to March is the rainy season in Dubai. Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Alexandria. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Alexandria receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In January, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Alexandria. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Alexandria fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dubai 19°C (66°F) 
    Alexandria 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Dubai or Alexandria in the Spring?

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

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

Dubai is a little warmer than Alexandria in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Alexandria fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dubai 26°C (79°F) 
    Alexandria 19°C (66°F)

Typical Weather for Alexandria and Dubai

Dubai Alexandria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jun 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Sep 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in)