A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Guilin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dubai or Guilin?

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 Guilin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dubai or Guilin?

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.

Guilin

Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Dubai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dubai and Guilin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Guilin $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Guilin

Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Guilin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Dubai


Hotels in Guilin


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dubai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Guilin $5.76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:


  • 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:

  • Banana Boat Ride Dubai With Transfer: $190
  • Burj Al Arab Tour - Gold Cappuccino With Private Transfers: $147
  • Dubai Frame & La Perle Dragon Dubai (Bronze) With Transfer: $210
  • Dubai Maktoum DWC to Al Ain Private Limo-Van Transfer: $67
  • Dubai Private Transfer to The Outlet Village: $92
  • Jet Ski Adventure in Dubai with Optional Transfers: $109
  • 1 Day 1 Park (Motiongate or Legoland) with Private Transfer: $185
  • 1-Hour Quad Biking Tour with Transfer from Dubai: $61
  • 12 Minute Helicopter Ride in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $255
  • 2 Dives for Certified Divers in Fujairah with lunch & transfer: $167
  • 2 Hour View at The Palm Ticket and One Way Monorail with Transfer: $65
  • 20 Minute Jet Car Ride Near Burj Al Arab with Optional Transfers: $230

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $2.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Fenghuang and stops at Longji rice terraces area: $267
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Chengyang Dong Village: $197
  • Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhaoxing and stops at Longji terraces: $168
  • Private Transfer from Yangshuo/Guilin to Sanjiang and stops Longji Rice Terraces: $160
  • Private Transfer: Guilin Airport to Yangshuo Hotel: $115
  • Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Airport to Hotel Roundtrip: $99
  • Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $92
  • Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Xingping hotel: $64
  • Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $57
  • Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Guilin?

Prices for flights to both Guilin 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dubai $56
    Guilin $22
Typical Food Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.54
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • Shawarma
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
  • Dubai:Desert Safari BBQ dinner, Dune bashing,Camel&Sandboarding: $14
  • Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
  • Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $14
  • 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
  • Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
  • Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
  • Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
  • Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
  • Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet: $18
  • Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $19
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Creek: $19

Typical Food Prices in Guilin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Guilin:


  • Fresh Coconut Drink
    $1.38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guilin.

  • Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62
  • Full-Day Li-River with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room and Yangshuo Cooking Tour: $286

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Guilin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Visit to the Dubai Museum
    $0.82

Tours and Activities in Dubai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.

  • Tourist eSIM/SIM Card with Data and Minutes: $2.49
  • Dubai Guided Old Town Tour, Abra Boat, Gold & Spice Souk: $4.63
  • Ticket to Muséum of the futuré: $5.30
  • Global Village Entry Ticket: $6.13
  • Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.34
  • 4G Data Roaming eSIM Card for Tourists: $7.22
  • Small-Group Premium Old Town, Souk, & Abra Boat Tour: $7.62
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Souks, Abra Ride & Snacks: $8.00
  • Old Walking tour with Boat ride, Souks and Museums: $8.17
  • Old Dubai, Walking Tour, Souk Shopping, and Abra Ride: $8.85
  • Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
  • Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00

Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin

Here are a few typical costs in Guilin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Caves
    $17

Tours and Activities in Guilin

Here are a few actual costs in Guilin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Day Self-Guided Guilin Tour with 4 Star Boat, Yangshuo and Longji Terraces : $200
  • Full-Day Guilin Li-River Cruise with 4 star boat and Reed Flute Cave Tour: $262
  • Full-Day Yangshuo Sunrise and Li-River cruise with the 4 Star Boat Private Tour: $272
  • Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour with the Ping'an and Dazhai Village: $209
  • 1 Day Guilin to Yangshuo with top scenery & culture private tour : $79
  • 1 Day Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo with Private Guide & Driver: $219
  • 1 Day Private Tour: Li River Cruise from Guilin & Yangshuo Biking: $169
  • 1 Day Relaxing Li River Cruise Private Tour with the 4 Star Luxury Boat VIP Room: $251
  • 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Cycling and Yulong bamboo boat Private Tour: $94
  • 1 Day Yangshuo Countryside Hiking along the Yulong river Private Tour: $103
  • 1 Day Yangshuo private Day Tour with the Scooter: $105
  • 1 day Guilin Li River Cruise and Yangshuo Countryside with Scooter Private Tour: $204

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Guilin $5.72
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $66
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67


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

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


Which is Bigger, Dubai or Guilin?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Guilin. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Guilin, 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 Guilin?

Guilin 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 Guilin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Guilin. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. In the summer, Dubai is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubai in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).

It's quite rainy in Guilin. Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Guilin. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dubai 35°C (95°F) 
    Guilin 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Dubai or Guilin in the Autumn?

Both Guilin and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.

In October, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 29°C (84°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Guilin. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dubai 29°C (84°F) 
    Guilin 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Dubai or Guilin in the Winter?

Both Guilin 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.

Dubai is much warmer than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Guilin. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dubai 19°C (66°F) 
    Guilin 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Dubai or Guilin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Guilin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round.

In the spring, Dubai is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubai in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Guilin receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Guilin. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dubai 26°C (79°F) 
    Guilin 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Guilin and Dubai

Dubai Guilin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in)
Jun 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in)
Jul 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)