Should you visit Dubai or Dubrovnik?
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 Dubrovnik can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.
Which city is cheaper, Dubrovnik or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $198, while the average daily cost in Dubrovnik is $89. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Dubai and Dubrovnik in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $272 in Dubai For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $92 in Dubrovnik For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about $45 per day in Dubai for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Dubrovnik food costs typically run travelers around $30 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Dubai $45
Dubrovnik $30
Typical Food prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Romantic Dhow Creek Dinner Cruise With Live Shows and International Buffet:
$17
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Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$18
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Dubai Deira Cruise with International Buffet Dinner with Live Shows:
$19
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Cruising with Dinner and Live Shows at Dubai Creek:
$20
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Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$20
-
Dhow Dinner Cruise at Dubai Creek (Without Transfers):
$20
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Sail along the Dubai Creek Dhow cruise with a delectable Dinner from AED 60:
$21
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Sightseeing Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$21
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Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai:
$22
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Dhow Cruise Dinner on Dubai Creek:
$22
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Evening Dhow Dinner Cruise in Dubai:
$22
-
Dubai Creek 2-Hour Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$23
Typical Food prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)
$34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Unique Sunset and Dinner Cruise in the Magnificent Traditional Karaka boat:
$96
-
Old Town Food Tour:
$130
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Flavours of Dubrovnik - Food Tour:
$131
-
Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson:
$149
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Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside:
$164
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Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region:
$166
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Dubrovnik Food Tour with Friendly Local Guide:
$167
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E-Bike Tour + Farm To Table Cooking Class:
$184
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Dubrovnik Food Tour by Vidokrug:
$192
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Rural Side of Cooking Class in Local Household:
$281
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Croatian Cooking Class in a Local's Home in Rural Konavle:
$1,753
Local Transportation
Dubai's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $10 per person, per day on transportation in Dubai.
Dubrovnik's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $12 per person, per day on transportation in Dubrovnik.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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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:
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Versace VIP Spa Journey- chauffeur transfer, gourmet food and champagne:
$1,524
-
VIP Desert Safari Package with Stretch Limousine Transfers:
$999
-
BollyWood Parks Family Package With Private Transfer for 1 to 6 people:
$924
-
Ferrari World Trip with Private Transfer:
$868
-
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi with Private Transfer From Dubai for 1 to 6 people:
$808
-
Dubai Wild Wadi Water Park With Private Transfers for 1 to 6 people:
$685
-
2 Hours Buggy Can Am X3 with Transfers for 2 Persons:
$654
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IMG Theme Park Dubai with 2 way Private Transfer for 1 to 5 people:
$654
-
Private Night Vintage Land Rover Desert Safari & Astronomy with Dubai transfers:
$622
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Exclusive Yacht with Private Transfer:
$597
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Overnight Camping in Ras Al Khaimah- transfer from Dubai/Sharjah/Ajman:
$542
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La Perle by Dragone Dubai VIP with Transfers:
$480
Typical Local Transportation prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik
Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private transfer Dubrovnik Hvar with boat:
$2,256
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Private transfer Dubrovnik - Zagreb and explore sights along the way:
$1,680
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Transfer from Dubrovnik to Plitvice Lakes:
$1,173
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Luxury Private Transfer from Dubrovnik/Dubrovnik airport to Sarajevo:
$1,020
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Private Transfer from Dubrovnik to Tuzla Airport (TZL):
$885
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Luxury Private Transfer from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik/Dubrovnik airport:
$846
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Private transfer Dubrovnik - Zadar and explore sights along the way:
$834
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Luxury Private Transfer from Dubrovnik/Dubrovnik airport to Hvar:
$765
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Split Private Transfer From Dubrovnik:
$690
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Dubrovnik - Hvar : Private One-Way Transfer with Mercedes Vehicles:
$639
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Transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Kolašin (Montenegro) ski resorts:
$597
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Private Transfer from Dubrovnik to Plitvice Lakes:
$585
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Dubrovnik?
Prices for flights to both Dubrovnik 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Dubai can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Dubrovnik can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $18 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
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"Glimps of History"-4 Hrs Dubai city tour:
$163
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04 Days Best of Dubai With Desert Safari, Dhow Cruise and City Tour:
$305
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1 Day 2 Tours Combo:
$76
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1 Hour Jet Ski Tour of Dubai Atlantis:
$153
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1 Hour Private 800cc Buggy Tour Good for 2 persons:
$220
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1 Hour Private Jet Ski Tour in Dubai:
$195
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1 hour Mina Seyahi Jetski Tour:
$160
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1.5-Hours Dubai Historic Old Town Walking Tour: Covid-19 safe & PRIVATE tour:
$60
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1001 Adventure Tour:
$71
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12 Hours Dubai Stopover Tour:
$350
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2 Days TRIO-Dubai City Tour with Desert Safari and Full Day Abu Dhabi City Tour.:
$136
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2 Hour Adventure Experience - TEPfactor Dubai:
$55
Typical Entertainment prices in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)
$15
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Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)
$62
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Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)
$53
Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.
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'Up with the Chickens' or "Sunset chasing" Old Town Tour:
$16
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2 hours Elafiti Islands Private Tour by Barracuda 545:
$284
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4 Days Montenegro-Albania-Kosovo Tour from Dubrovnik or Kotor:
$918
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4 days hiking tour Valbona Valley National Park from Dubrovnik:
$762
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4 hours Private Speedboat Tour to Elaphite Islands by RANIERI SUN CRUISER 23:
$477
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4-Hours Dubrovnik Elaphiti Islands & Blue Cave Snorkeling Tour:
$75
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4-Night Three Countries Tour from Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina:
$954
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5 Days Deluxe Cruise from Dubrovnik to Split All Inclusive:
$1,534
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6-Night Independent Tour of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast: Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula and Split:
$952
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7 Days Small-Group Tour from Dubrovnik to Athens via Albania:
$1,757
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8 h Private Speedboat Tour to Elaphite Islands by QUICKSILVER activ 675 open:
$584
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8 hours Dubrovnik Blue Cave Private Tour with boat:
$498
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Dubai, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $18.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Dubrovnik, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $13.
Typical Alcohol prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:
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Sunset Sea Kayaking and Wine Tasting Tour Dubrovnik:
$44
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Wine tasting and visit to Ston- Group Tour:
$60
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Peljesac Peninsula Wine Tour from Dubrovnik:
$61
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Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting:
$63
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FAMOUS LEGENDS OF PELJESAC and KORCULA with WINE TASTING:
$65
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Island of Korcula with Wine Tasting Day Trip from Dubrovnik:
$69
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Korčula tour with wine tasting from Dubrovnik:
$69
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Wine tasting and visit to Ston:
$72
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Wine Tasting Pelješac and a visit to Ston:
$72
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Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik with Train Ride and Wine Tasting:
$75
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Smiley wine tasting on peninsula Peljesac:
$76
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Smiley Hercegovina wine tour:
$77
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Dubrovnik, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Dubrovnik much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik.
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