Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dubai or Islamabad?
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 Islamabad can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Islamabad?
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.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $248Islamabad $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $42. 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 Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Islamabad $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Islamabad? 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.
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 and Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Islamabad $7.68
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:
- Burj Khalifa: Skip-the-Line Entry, Gourmet Meal, & Transfer: $799
- From Private Van Transfer in Maybach: $735
- Dubai Parasailing Tour With Private Transfers: $300
- Guided Abu Dhabi City Tour Private Transfer: $300
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with 4X4 Transfers: $299
- Jet Car Ride for 2 Pax with Optional Transfer: $299
- The Dubai Mall Tour with Private Transfers : $299
- Afternoon Tea at Sahn Eddar in Burj al Arab with Transfers: $299
- Helicopter City Tour Dubai With Private Transfers: $296
- Helicopter City Tour Dubai With Private Transfers : $286
- Abu Dhabi City Tour with Yas Island 2 Park Access with Transfers: $285
- 4 Seater Jet Car Adventure in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $280
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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
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Food Meals for one dayDubai $56Islamabad $15
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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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
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Deira Creek: $15
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Creek: $15
- Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $16
- Cruising With Dinner And Live Shows At Dubai Creek: $18
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet: $18
- Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $19
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner Deira Creek: $19
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Creek with pickup & drop off: $19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Islamabad $9.48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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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.
- 30-Minutes Jet Ski Burj Al Arab Tour of Dubai: $125
- Abu Dhabi Private Tour with Ferrari World Entry Ticket: $98
- Abu Dhabi Private tour with professional drive : $289
- Burj Khalifa At the Top & Sky Views Ticket: $167
- Burj Khalifa Observation deck Dubai Admission Ticket : $71
- Burj Khalifa Tour - Top Sky Ticket 124, 125 & 148 Floor Level Access : $165
- DXB Tour and Aquaventure water park & lost Chambers PRIVATE tour: $215
- Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with BF : $95
- Dubai Autodrome Experience: $84
- Dubai City Tour : Half Day: $45
- Dubai City Tour Half Day: $45
- Dubai Combo: Dubai Frame with Global Village Admission Tickets: $70
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $98
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
- Full Day Private Tour Top 10 Wonders of Islamabad: $195
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Islamabad $2.88
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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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
- Pub Crawl Private, Birthdays & Corporate Events: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Islamabad, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Islamabad 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Islamabad?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Islamabad, 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 Islamabad?
Islamabad 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 Islamabad in the Summer?
Both Islamabad and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.
Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. In the summer, Dubai is around the same temperature as Islamabad. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubai in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Islamabad averages at about 32°C (90°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubai 35°C (95°F)Islamabad 32°C (90°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Islamabad in the Autumn?
Both Islamabad 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.
In October, Dubai is generally around the same temperature as Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 29°C (84°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Islamabad. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubai 29°C (84°F)Islamabad 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Islamabad in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Islamabad. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round.
Dubai is a little warmer than Islamabad in the winter. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Islamabad fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Islamabad. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubai 19°C (66°F)Islamabad 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Islamabad in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Islamabad. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Dubai is around the same temperature as Islamabad. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubai in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Islamabad averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Islamabad. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubai 26°C (79°F)Islamabad 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Islamabad and Dubai
| Dubai | Islamabad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.