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

Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Dubai or Kuala Lumpur?

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 Kuala Lumpur 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.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.

Which city is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur is $49. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dubai and Kuala Lumpur in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $136
    Kuala Lumpur $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $272
    Kuala Lumpur $60

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $10
    Kuala Lumpur $5.17
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:

  • airport transfers/arival and departures: $28
  • Zipline Experience in Dubai Marina with Private transfers: $286
  • Wild Wadi tickets with Sharing Transfers: $87
  • Wild Wadi Without Transfer: $92
  • Wild Wadi Waterpark Experience with Private Transfers: $150
  • Wild Wadi Water Park with Transfer: $100
  • Wild Wadi Water Park in Dubai With 2 way Transfer: $125
  • Wild Wadi Water Park Dubai on Sharing Transfer: $72
  • Wild Wadi Tickets with Transfers: $110
  • Wild Wadi Dubai water park Entrance with Optional Private transfers in Dubai: $66
  • Wheelchair Accessible Airport Transfer in Dubai: $107
  • Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi with Private Transfer From Dubai for 1 to 6 people: $808

Typical Local Transportation prices in Kuala Lumpur

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.41
  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $0.73
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $3.41
  • Taxi From Airport
    $20
  • Bus from Airport
    $1.82
  • Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam
    $2.73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur

Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Hired And Drive - Transfer: $730
  • KLIA Group Perway Private Transfer with VIP Meet and Greet: $375
  • Private Land Transfer from KL Hotels and KLIA to Taman Negara: $361
  • Private Transfer to Singapore with sightseeing in Putra Mosque and Malacca: $353
  • Land Transfer from Kuala Lumpur to Redang Island (Merang Jetty): $348
  • Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Transfer [Car]: $335
  • Kuala Lumpur To Singapore Transfer: $309
  • Kuala Lumpur City Hotel to Penang Island (One Way Private Transfer): $290
  • Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan Transfer [Car]: $289
  • KUL Hotel to Singapore(One Way Transfer): $270
  • Cameron Highlands One Way Transfer: $259
  • Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Car Transfer: $259

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Kuala Lumpur?

Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $45
    Kuala Lumpur $10
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
    $6.53
  • Smoothie
    $5.44
  • 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:

  • Romantic Dhow Creek Dinner Cruise With Live Shows and International Buffet: $17
  • Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
  • Dubai Deira Cruise with International Buffet Dinner with Live Shows: $19
  • Cruising with Dinner and Live Shows at Dubai Creek: $20
  • Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $20
  • Dhow Dinner Cruise at Dubai Creek (Without Transfers): $20
  • Sail along the Dubai Creek Dhow cruise with a delectable Dinner from AED 60: $21
  • Sightseeing Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $21
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai: $22
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner on Dubai Creek: $22
  • Evening Dhow Dinner Cruise in Dubai: $22
  • Dubai Creek 2-Hour Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $23

Typical Food prices in Kuala Lumpur

For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner at Ding Tai Fung
    $9.09
  • Roti Bread
    $0.23
  • Food Court Lunch
    $3.27
  • Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)
    $4.88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur

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

  • Amazing Local Food Tour in Kuala Lumpur: $29
  • Discover the Best Local Food Tour by Night in Kuala Lumpur: $39
  • Malaysian Ramadhan Buffet Dinner Cultural Show - nearby KLCC: $40
  • Small group epic food tour! Immerse yourself in the local culture too!: $44
  • Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur: $45
  • Market Visit & Garden-to-Table Cooking Class: $47
  • Yummy Yummy Street Food Tour - Kuala Lumpur By Night (Guided With Transport): $53
  • Old Markets & Beyond: Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $55
  • Cultural Night Tour with Dinner: $55
  • Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $59
  • Chef-Designed Small-Group Food Tour: $60
  • Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Kuala Lumpur Private Street Food Tour: $61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $15
    Kuala Lumpur $12
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.

  • "Glimps of History"-4 Hrs Dubai city tour: $163
  • 04 Days Best of Dubai With Desert Safari, Dhow Cruise and City Tour: $305
  • 1 Day 2 Tours Combo: $76
  • 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour of Dubai Atlantis: $153
  • 1 Hour Private 800cc Buggy Tour Good for 2 persons: $220
  • 1 Hour Private Jet Ski Tour in Dubai: $195
  • 1 hour Mina Seyahi Jetski Tour: $160
  • 1.5-Hours Dubai Historic Old Town Walking Tour: Covid-19 safe & PRIVATE tour: $60
  • 1001 Adventure Tour: $71
  • 12 Hours Dubai Stopover Tour: $350
  • 12-Minute Dubai Helicopter Tour: $176
  • 2 Days TRIO-Dubai City Tour with Desert Safari and Full Day Abu Dhabi City Tour.: $136

Typical Entertainment prices in Kuala Lumpur

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • KL Tower Admission (for Two)
    $10
  • Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve
    $1.14

Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur

For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • "Port Weld"+ Orang Utan Island + Eagle Feeding + Charcoal Factory (Private Tour): $234
  • "Waterfall In The Rainforest" Templer Park, Batu Caves & Natural Hotspring Tour: $46
  • (Base On Per Vehicle Price) KL Private City Tour: $123
  • 11 Hours Nostalgic Urban Car Tour to Sekinchan from Kuala Lumpur: $195
  • 11 Hours Nostalgic Urban Van Tour to Sekinchan from Kuala Lumpur: $56
  • 11 Top Attractions: Guided Kuala Lumpur City Tour: $45
  • 11 Top Attractions: Kuala Lumpur City Tour: $21
  • 12 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Flexible Full Day & Night Van Tour: $65
  • 12 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Ultimate Full Day & Night Car Tour: $193
  • 13 Attractions Half-Day Kuala Lumpur City Tour - SIC: $10
  • 13 Attractions Half-day Kuala Lumpur City Tour - Sic: $10
  • 13 Attractions: Kuala Lumpur Half-Day City Tour: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $18
    Kuala Lumpur $5.38
Typical Alcohol prices in Dubai

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


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Typical Alcohol prices in Kuala Lumpur

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $10

About these numbers

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

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Athens vs. Dubai
Athens vs. Kuala Lumpur
Dubai vs. Cairo
Dubai vs. Saint Petersburg
Dubai vs. Moscow
Dubai vs. Istanbul
Dubai vs. Kathmandu
Dubai vs. Ho Chi Minh City
Dubai vs. Bangkok
Dubai vs. Shanghai
Dubai vs. Beijing
Dubai vs. Hong Kong
Dubai vs. Seoul
Dubai vs. Tokyo
Dubai vs. Singapore
Dubai vs. Sydney
Dubai vs. Lisbon
Dubai vs. Marrakech
Dubai vs. Casablanca
Dubai vs. London
Dubai vs. Edinburgh
Dubai vs. Amsterdam
Dubai vs. Munich
Dubai vs. Berlin
Dubai vs. Paris
Dubai vs. Prague
Dubai vs. Madrid
Dubai vs. Barcelona
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Dubai vs. Kuala Lumpur Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.