Which place is cheaper, Ankara or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dubai or Ankara?
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 Ankara can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Ankara?
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.
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
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 Budget Tours to Turkey, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $248Ankara $115
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Ankara is $115. 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 Ankara in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Ankara $56
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Ankara $112
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Ankara
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Ankara? 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Ankara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Ankara $37
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:
- Dubai Frame & La Perle Dragon Dubai (Bronze) With Transfer: $210
- Dubai Private Transfer to The Outlet Village: $92
- Ekart Zabeel Dubai With Transfer: $150
- Global Village Dubai With Private transfer: $85
- Inside Burj Al Arab Tour with Gold Cappuccino and Transfer: $190
- Wild Wadi Water Park with Round-Trip Transfers: $170
- 1 Day 1 Park (Motiongate or Legoland) with Private Transfer: $185
- 12 Minute Helicopter Ride in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $255
- 17 Minute Helicopter Dubai Tour with Transfers: $265
- 2 Dives for Certified Divers in Fujairah with lunch & transfer: $167
- 2 Hour View at The Palm Ticket and One Way Monorail with Transfer: $65
- 3D World Selfie Museum Dubai Ticket with a Private Transfer: $65
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
-
Metro Ride$0.04
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Ankara - Cappadocia Private Transfer (Mercedes Vito): $370
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $110
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $110
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $77
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $72
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $63
- Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $60
- Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Ankara?
Prices for flights to both Ankara 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 dayDubai $56Ankara $32
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:
- DINNER +PARTY + CITY of old city Dubai : $6.00
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
- Dhow Cruise Dubai Creek Dinner with Sharing Transfer : $18
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner - Creek: $20
- Dubai Evening Desert safari & BBQ Dinner-Centralized pickup: $24
- Dubai Best Dhow Cruise Dinner Buffet (Multi Cusine): $25
- Dubai Best Dhow Cruise Dinner Canal Ocenan Queen: $25
- Dhow Cruise Dinner on Dubai Creek: $26
- Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $26
- Dubai Desert Safari with Quad Bike, BBQ Dinner & Shows: $26
- Extreme Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Show & BBQ Dinner: $27
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
-
A Quick Lunch$0.35
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Ankara $34
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.
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.59
- Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
- Dubai Fountain Walk Bridge Ticket: $9.49
- Dubai Fountain Bridge Walk Tickets : $11
- Desert Safari Self Drive Tour: $12
- AL Shindagha Museum Admission Tickets: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
- Dubai Fountain Show Boat Lake Ride or Bridge Walk Tickets: $13
- Snapshot Tour of Dubai includes photo stop at Atlantis & Madinath Jumeirah: $15
- Dubai Frame Ticket: $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Underground City$0.25
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour: $49
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
- Ankara Private Walking Tour: $272
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $221
- Private Tour with a Local: $38
- Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $33
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
- Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
- Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
- Konya and Cappdocia Tour (3 Days-2 Nights): $447
- Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist Tour Guide : $280
- Private Tour: Ankara Sightseeing: $235
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Ankara $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
-
A Couple Drinks$25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Ankara, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Ankara is in Europe, 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 Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara 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 Ankara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Ankara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Ankara?
Ankara has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Ankara, 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.
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.