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

Should you visit Dubai or Atlanta?

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

Dubai

Dubai is a opulent, modern, and glamorous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a diverse, sprawling, and suburban city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Atlanta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubai than Atlanta. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dubai is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Atlanta attracts visitors for its museums. Dubai is more touristy than Atlanta and is known for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa. Atlanta is famous for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Atlanta Better for Skiing?

Dubai is adequate for skiing. However, Atlanta is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Dubai for snow skiing. 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.

Atlanta is not a skiing destination.

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

Atlanta is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Atlanta has many famous sights for visitors. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dubai can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Foodies will find both Dubai and Atlanta both to be excellent destinations.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Atlanta makes for a great culinary experience. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

Is Dubai or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Dubai is a must-see party destination. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Atlanta offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Is Dubai or Atlanta Better for Music?

Dubai is terrific for its music scene. However, Atlanta is not a live music destination.

Dubai has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Atlanta is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Atlanta Better for Resorts?

Dubai is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Atlanta is not a resort destination.

Dubai offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Atlanta is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Atlanta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Atlanta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Dubai has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Atlanta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Atlanta Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Dubai has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Atlanta?

If you're looking to go shopping, Dubai and Atlanta both offer plenty of terrific spots.

Many people travel to Dubai specifically to go shopping. 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.

Atlanta is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Is Dubai or Atlanta Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Atlanta.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. 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.

Atlanta is a very family-friendly place to visit. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Is Dubai or Atlanta Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Atlanta are nice 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.

Atlanta is a nice destination for couples. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Dubai or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Atlanta is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

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 Atlanta Better for Students?

Dubai is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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

Students come from all over to stay in Atlanta. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

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

Dubai is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Dubai or Atlanta a more walkable city?

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

Atlanta is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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 Atlanta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Dubai or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dubai due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Atlanta.

Families should spend more time in Dubai than Atlanta. 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 Atlanta. 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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Atlanta, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural big city offers. 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.

A weekend in Dubai or Atlanta?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atlanta. 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 Atlanta?

Dubai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dubai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Dubai or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

You'll find food and shopping around the sprawling big city of Atlanta. 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 Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Atlanta?

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

Atlanta 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 Atlanta in the Summer?

Both Atlanta and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Atlanta for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is a little warmer than Atlanta in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Atlanta fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.

Should I visit Dubai or Atlanta in the Autumn?

Both Atlanta and Dubai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Atlanta in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Atlanta. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Atlanta averages at about 66°F (19°C).

Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Atlanta. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Atlanta in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Atlanta. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, most visitors come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the winter. Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Atlanta in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Atlanta. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the activities around the city.

Dubai is a little warmer than Atlanta in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Atlanta fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Atlanta. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Dubai