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

Should you visit Dubai or Nagoya?

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 Nagoya 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a often overlooked, under-the-radar, and under-rated city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Nagoya: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Nagoya?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Dubai than Nagoya. While Nagoya is larger than Dubai, Dubai has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Dubai is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Nagoya attracts visitors for its food. Dubai is more touristy than Nagoya and is known for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa. Nagoya is famous for its local cuisine, historic shrines, and long running shipping industry.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Nagoya?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Nagoya Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Nagoya 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.

Nagoya is not a skiing destination.

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Nagoya 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 Nagoya can be an interesting and educational experience. There are shrines, temples, and other interesting sights in the city. Atsuta Jingu is an important Shinto shrine. Nagoya Castle is another interesting place to visit. If you're willing to head out of the city center a bit, the Meiji-mura Village Museum is an open air museum that has interesting Japanese architecture. There are also interesting museums in town such as the Nagoya City Art Museums and the Toyota Techno and Toyota Automobile Museums.

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

Nagoya is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nagoya has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a strong food culture that's referred to as Nagoya meshi. It's a popular destination for foodies to Japan, even though the city itself is often overlooked by tourists. The city's food uses a lot of local vegetables and its influenced by several international flavors. Important ingredients in the dishes include unagi (freshwater eel), Nagoya cochin (chicken), tamari (soy sauce), and mame miso.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Dubai makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Dubai or Nagoya Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Dubai is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Nagoya is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are many bars around town, many of which have an international theme. Later in the evening, many people head out to a nightclubs, most of which are concentrated in either Sakae and Shin-sakae.

Is Dubai or Nagoya Better for Music?

Dubai is very popular for its music scene. However, Nagoya is not a live music destination.

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.

Nagoya is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Nagoya Better for Resorts?

Dubai is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Nagoya is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Dubai is a great choice. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Nagoya is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Nagoya Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nagoya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Dubai has a few good snorkeling spots. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Nagoya is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Nagoya Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a popular place for the beach. However, Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Dubai is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Nagoya is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Nagoya?

Dubai is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Nagoya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find everything from large shopping malls to street markets and local vendors. Many people head to Nagoya Station for shopping, but Osu Shotengai is another interesting shopping area in the city's old town.

Is Dubai or Nagoya Better for Families?

Nagoya is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Nagoya is one of the most popular family destinations. There are a large number of attractions for families in the area. This city is where you'll find Legoland Japan, which is one of the most popular activities to do with kids. The city also has the Sea Life Aquarium, which is located in the Legoland Hotel. Next to Legoland you'll find the SCMaglev and Railway Park. Another great activity is a visit to the Nagoya Public Aquarium, which is one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. There are dolphins, orcas, and many different ecosystems to explore. Nearby is the Sea Train Land amusement park.

Dubai is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Dubai or Nagoya Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Nagoya 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.

Nagoya is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting the Nagoya Castle or checking out the dolphin and orca shows at the Nagoya Public Aquarium. Noritake Garden is a nice place to explore. There are also many coffee shops in town as well as museums and temples.

Is Dubai or Nagoya Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Nagoya is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a limited number of hostels in town, so they fill up quickly. You should make reservations well in advance if budget is a priority.

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 Nagoya Better for Students?

Dubai is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagoya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Nagoya is popular with students. Nagoya University has been working to grow its international population. This is a fun and dynamic city that makes a great place to study.

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

Nagoya 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.

Nagoya offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city has both a subway and public buses. The main bus stations are at Nagoya Station and Sakae Station and there are six subway lines 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 Nagoya a more walkable city?

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

Nagoya is a very walkable destination. The downtown area, where you'll find many of the sights, is walkable. The distances vary, but many sights can be reached 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 Nagoya Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nagoya or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Nagoya?

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

Families should spend more time in Nagoya than Dubai. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nagoya, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dubai than Nagoya. 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.

One day in Dubai or Nagoya?

Dubai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Nagoya, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this under-rated big city offers. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Nagoya?

Dubai is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagoya. 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 Nagoya?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nagoya is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Nagoya. Lots of people come for the food. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Nagoya?

Dubai is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and shopping around the under-rated big city of Nagoya. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Luxury Tours to Japan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Japan.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Nagoya?

Nagoya has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Nagoya, 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 Nagoya?

Nagoya 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 Nagoya in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Nagoya. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nagoya because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Dubai this time of the year. Dubai is a little warmer than Nagoya in the summer. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Nagoya fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Nagoya receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dubai usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 213 mm (8.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Should I visit Dubai or Nagoya in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Nagoya. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Nagoya this time of year.

In the autumn, Dubai is much warmer than Nagoya. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dubai in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Nagoya averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Nagoya. Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Nagoya. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Nagoya in the Winter?

Both Nagoya and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Nagoya for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagoya. In January, Dubai is generally much warmer than Nagoya. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 19°C (66°F), and Nagoya fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Nagoya. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Dubai is January to March.

Should I visit Dubai or Nagoya in the Spring?

Both Nagoya and Dubai during the spring 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 Nagoya in the spring for the activities around the city.

Dubai is much warmer than Nagoya in the spring. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Nagoya fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Nagoya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Nagoya. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nagoya receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Dubai.

Typical Weather for Nagoya and Dubai