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

Should you visit Dubai or Glasgow?

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 Glasgow 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a high energy, friendly, and cultural 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 Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Glasgow?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubai than Glasgow. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dubai is very popular for its skiing, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Glasgow attracts visitors for its historical sights. Dubai is more touristy than Glasgow and is known for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa. Glasgow is famous for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for Skiing?

Dubai is adequate for skiing. However, Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is not a skiing destination.

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Glasgow 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 Glasgow can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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

Dubai is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Glasgow is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for Music?

Dubai and Glasgow are both destinations where visitors can find terrific live music.

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.

Glasgow is a world class music destination. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for Resorts?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is not a beach destination.

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Dubai does not have a historic old town.

Glasgow has an old town worth visiting. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Dubai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Glasgow?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for Families?

Dubai is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Glasgow 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.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Dubai or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Glasgow is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

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 Glasgow Better for Students?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow 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 Glasgow. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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

Glasgow is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Glasgow offers a very effecient public transportation network. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Is Dubai or Glasgow a more walkable city?

Glasgow is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Glasgow is a very walkable destination. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored 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 Glasgow Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Glasgow?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dubai and Glasgow. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dubai than in Glasgow. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Glasgow.

Families should spend more time in Dubai than Glasgow. 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 Glasgow. 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 Glasgow than Dubai 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 Glasgow.

One day in Dubai or Glasgow?

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 Glasgow, many people enjoy the live music and food that this historic 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 Glasgow?

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 Glasgow. 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 Glasgow?

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.

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

A week in Dubai or Glasgow?

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 museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Glasgow. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Glasgow?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow in the Summer?

Both Glasgow 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 Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is much warmer than Glasgow in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Glasgow fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.

Should I visit Dubai or Glasgow in the Autumn?

Both Glasgow 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Glasgow in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Glasgow averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Glasgow. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Glasgow in the Winter?

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

Glasgow can be very cold during winter. In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Glasgow in the Spring?

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

Dubai is much warmer than Glasgow in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Glasgow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Glasgow. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Dubai