Should you visit Dubai or Eilat?
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 Eilat 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.
Eilat
Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.
Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.
Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.
Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Which city is cheaper, Eilat 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 Eilat is $132. 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 Eilat 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 $176 in Eilat 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.
Eilat food costs typically run travelers around $33 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
Eilat $33
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
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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
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Dubai Creek 2-Hour Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$23
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.
Eilat'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 Eilat.
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
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Airport Taxi
$12
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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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airport transfers/arival and departures:
$28
-
Zipline Experience in Dubai Marina with Private transfers:
$286
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Wild Wadi tickets with Sharing Transfers:
$87
-
Wild Wadi Without Transfer:
$92
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Wild Wadi Waterpark Experience with Private Transfers:
$150
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Wild Wadi Water Park with Transfer:
$100
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Wild Wadi Water Park in Dubai With 2 way Transfer:
$125
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Wild Wadi Water Park Dubai on Sharing Transfer:
$72
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Wild Wadi Tickets with Transfers:
$110
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Wild Wadi Dubai water park Entrance with Optional Private transfers in Dubai:
$66
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Wheelchair Accessible Airport Transfer in Dubai:
$107
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Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi with Private Transfer From Dubai for 1 to 6 people:
$808
Typical Local Transportation prices in Eilat
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat
Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer to Eilat from Ben Gurion Airport:
$700
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Private transfer from Taba border to Sharm el Sheikh:
$160
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PrivateTransfer fromTaba Border to Sharm El Sheikh ( Group of (1- 4 ):
$125
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Private Transfer Airport Ramon to Taba Border:
$60
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Private Departure Transfer from Eilat City to Eilat ETM Airport:
$50
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Private Transfer Airport Ramon to Eilat:
$45
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Ultra - Eilat Private Airport Transfer from Eilat City Centre to Ramon Airport:
$8.71
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Eilat?
Prices for flights to both Eilat 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 Eilat can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 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
Tours and Activities in Eilat
For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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02 Days with 01 overnight Petra and Wadi Rum Tour from Eilat Border:
$587
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03 Days - 02 Nights Petra & Wadi Rum Tour from Eilat Border:
$630
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1-Day Cairo Tour from Eilat:
$253
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2 Day Small Group Cairo Tour from Eilat:
$370
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2 Day in Petra include overnight in Petra tour from Eilat:
$250
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2 day tour to Petra from Eilat:
$299
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3 Day Petra And Wadi Rum Tour from Eilat:
$280
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3 Day Tour to Petra and Cairo:
$584
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Daily tour to Jerusalem from Eilat:
$89
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Day Tour to Petra from Eilat:
$199
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Dead Sea & Masada at Sunrise Tour from Eilat:
$82
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Dead Sea Shuttle Tour from Eilat:
$49
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.
Typically, people visiting Eilat spend on average $25 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typical Alcohol prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Eilat, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Eilat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Eilat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Eilat 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 Eilat.
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