A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Atami for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Dubai or Atami?

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

Dubai

Dubai is a glamorous, opulent, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Atami

Atami is a authentic, overlooked, and nostalgic town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dubai and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Atami?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubai. Although Dubai and Atami are both popular with visitors, Dubai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dubai is more touristy than Atami and is known for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa. Atami is popular for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atami and Dubai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Atami is not a skiing destination.

Dubai is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Atami is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Atami?

Dubai is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dubai. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Atami. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Dubai or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dubai is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Dubai has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Dubai is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Atami has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Music?

Dubai is renowned for its live music scene. However, Atami is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Dubai. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Atami is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Resorts?

Dubai is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Atami is not a resort destination.

Dubai is a world class resort vacation destination. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Atami is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a city with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Atami is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Beaches?

Dubai and Atami are good choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Dubai to enjoy the beach. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Atami has a beach worth visiting. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Atami?

Dubai is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Dubai draws large crowds to its stores. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Families?

Dubai is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Dubai is very family-friendly. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Atami. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Atami are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Atami is a nice destination for couples. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Atami is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Atami is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Students?

Dubai is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Atami is not popular with students.

Dubai is a very popular city for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Atami is not popular with students.

Is Dubai or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dubai and Atami both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Dubai or Atami a more walkable city?

Atami is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Atami is a somewhat walkable town. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubai Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dubai or Atami to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dubai than Atami because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 1-2 days is enough time in Atami.

Families should spend more time in Dubai than Atami. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dubai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dubai than Atami. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dubai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubai than Atami if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dubai.

One day in Dubai or Atami?

Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Atami, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this overlooked destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dubai or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atami. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Atami?

Dubai is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Atami is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Atami. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Atami?

Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic destination of Atami. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Atami?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Atami, 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 Atami?

Atami has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Atami in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Atami in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Atami receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Atami. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Atami. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the shopping scene during these months.

Dubai is much warmer than Atami in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Atami. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Atami. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Atami in the Winter?

Both Atami and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Atami because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Atami averages at about 5°C (42°F).

In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Atami. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Dubai is January to March.

Should I visit Dubai or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Dubai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In April, Dubai is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Atami. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Dubai.

Typical Weather for Atami and Dubai