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

Should you visit Dubai or Dallas?

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 Dallas 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Dallas?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubai. Although Dubai and Dallas are both popular with visitors, Dubai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dubai is more touristy than Dallas and is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Dallas Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a moderate city for snow skiing. However, Dallas 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.

Dallas is not a skiing destination.

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Dallas and Dubai.

Many visitors head to Dubai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dallas can be an interesting and educational experience. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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

Foodies will find both Dubai and Dallas both to be very good 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, Dallas makes for a great culinary experience. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is Dubai or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Dallas has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is Dubai or Dallas Better for Music?

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

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Dubai The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Dallas is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Dallas Better for Resorts?

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

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Dubai is a perfect choice. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Dallas is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Dallas Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dallas is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Dallas is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Dallas Better for Beaches?

Dubai is very good for the beache. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

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.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Dallas?

Dubai is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Dubai make it a world-class shopping destination. 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 explore the shopping areas in Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Dubai or Dallas Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Dallas.

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.

Dallas is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is Dubai or Dallas Better for Couples?

Dallas is a great city for couples. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Dallas is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

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

Is Dubai or Dallas Better for Students?

Dubai is renowned for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.

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

Dubai and Dallas 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.

Dallas has a few public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Dubai or Dallas a more walkable city?

Dubai and Dallas are decent when it comes to walkability.

Dubai is generally not a very walkable city. 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.

Dallas is generally not very walkable. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Dubai or Dallas. 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 Dallas.

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

Dubai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Dallas, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this upscale destination 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 Dallas?

Dubai is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Dubai or Dallas?

Dubai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the active destination of Dallas. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

Dallas 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 Dallas in the Summer?

Both Dallas and Dubai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Dallas. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Dallas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, many travelers come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Dubai is a little warmer than Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Dallas. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dubai or Dallas in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Dallas. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C).

Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Dallas. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year. January to March in Dubai is the rainy season.

Should I visit Dubai or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Dallas. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Dubai