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

Should you visit Dubai or Dublin?

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 Dublin 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 beaches, shopping, and museums.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dubai and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Dublin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai. Although Dubai and Dublin are roughly the same size, Dubai has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dubai is more popular for its skiing, food, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dublin is known for its historical sights. Dubai is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa. Dublin is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Dublin Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a city with a few options for winter skiing. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a skiing destination.

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Dublin 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 Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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

Dubai is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Dubai. 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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Dubai or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both Dubai and Dublin.

People head to Dubai just to party. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

The nightlife in Dublin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Is Dubai or Dublin Better for Music?

Dubai is terrific for its live music scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

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.

Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Is Dubai or Dublin Better for Resorts?

Dubai is terrific for its resorts. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Dublin Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Dublin Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Dubai or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Dubai does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Dubai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Dublin?

Dubai is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Dubai or Dublin Better for Families?

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

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.

Dublin is a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Dubai or Dublin Better for Couples?

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

Dublin is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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 Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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 Dublin Better for Students?

Dubai is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Dubai and Dublin 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.

Dublin has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Dubai or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Dublin is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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 Dublin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Dublin?

In either Dubai or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dubai than Dublin because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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 Dublin, many people enjoy the live music and food that this welcoming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Dublin?

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.

Dublin is a fun place to experience. In Dublin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Dubai or Dublin?

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 museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Dublin. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Dublin?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

Dublin 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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Dublin. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Dublin. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Dubai is much warmer than Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Dublin. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dubai or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin 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. Also, most visitors come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Dublin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dublin because of the activities around the city.

In April, Dubai is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Dublin. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Dubai