Which city is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 is a modern, glamorous, and opulent city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
Kuala Lumpur is a modern, welcoming, and friendly 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 museums, nightlife, and food.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of museums and attractions in both Kuala Lumpur 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.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Kuala Lumpur that are not to be missed. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.
Foodies will find both Dubai and Kuala Lumpur both to be unique destinations.
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.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Kuala Lumpur is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.
If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find comparable options between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.
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.
Kuala Lumpur offers plenty to do in the evening. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.
If you're looking to go shopping, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur both offer plenty of spots.
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.
Kuala Lumpur is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.
You'll find kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Kuala Lumpur.
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.
Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly place to visit. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.
Both Dubai and Kuala Lumpur are good 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.
Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place to visit for couples. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.
For students, both Dubai and Kuala Lumpur are fairly comparable places to visit.
Students come from all over the world to visit Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.
Kuala Lumpur is a great destination for students. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.
Kuala Lumpur has better public transit to get you around.
With a huge network, the transit system in Kuala Lumpur can get you around easily. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.
Dubai has a few public transit options. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.
Kuala Lumpur is more walkable than Dubai.
Kuala Lumpur is a very walkable destination. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.
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.
In either Dubai or Kuala Lumpur, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dubai than Kuala Lumpur because of the overall number of sights and activities.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Dubai is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Kuala Lumpur is 1-5 days.
Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
In Kuala Lumpur, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this colorful big city offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.
Dubai is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. 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.
Each neighborhood in Dubai has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Kuala Lumpur is a fun place to experience. In Kuala Lumpur, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this big city destination offers. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Dubai is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. It's also a relaxing resort destination. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
You'll find food and shopping around the colorful big city of Kuala Lumpur. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
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.
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Kuala Lumpur? 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.
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Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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.
Both destinations experience a tropical climate with warm weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
June to August in Dubai is the dry season. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. In the summer, Dubai is a little warmer than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubai in July are around 35°C (95°F), and Kuala Lumpur is about 28°C (82°F).
The autumn brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Kuala Lumpur. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Kuala Lumpur. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Dubai is generally around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Temperatures in Dubai average around 29°C (84°F), and Kuala Lumpur stays around 27°C (81°F).
Both Kuala Lumpur and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
The rainy season in Dubai is January to March. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Dubai is cooler than Kuala Lumpur in the winter. The temperature in Dubai is usually 19°C (66°F) in January, and Kuala Lumpur stays around 27°C (81°F).
Both Kuala Lumpur and Dubai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
June to August is the dry season in Dubai. Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Kuala Lumpur. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Dubai is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubai in April are around 26°C (79°F), and Kuala Lumpur is about 28°C (82°F).
Dubai | Kuala Lumpur | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) |
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