A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Phuket for Nightlife, Resorts, Beaches, and Food

Should you visit Dubai or Phuket?

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

Dubai

Dubai is a glamorous, opulent, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Phuket

Phuket is a energetic, party-hard, and stunning resort island. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Dubai and Phuket: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Phuket?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai than Phuket, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dubai is more popular for its skiing, museums, food, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Phuket is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Phuket is more touristy than Dubai and is popular for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Dubai is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Phuket?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Phuket Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a city with a few options for winter skiing. However, Phuket is not a skiing destination.

Dubai is a fun local destination for snow skiers. 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.

Phuket is not a skiing destination.

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

Dubai is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dubai can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dubai is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Dubai. 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.

Phuket is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Is Dubai or Phuket Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both Dubai and Phuket.

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.

The nightlife in Phuket is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

Is Dubai or Phuket Better for Music?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Phuket is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Dubai The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Phuket is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Phuket Better for Resorts?

Luxury resorts are fairly comparable in Dubai and Phuket.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Dubai is a perfect choice. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Phuket offers an unforgettable resort vacation. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Is Dubai or Phuket Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is a great resort island for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Phuket. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Dubai has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Is Dubai or Phuket Better for Beaches?

Phuket is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Phuket is a very popular vacation destination. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Dubai has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Phuket?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Dubai make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Is Dubai or Phuket Better for Families?

Dubai is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Dubai is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Phuket offers lots of family activities. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

Is Dubai or Phuket Better for Couples?

Phuket is a great resort island for couples. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Phuket is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Dubai is a nice destination for couples. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Is Dubai or Phuket Better for Students?

Dubai is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Phuket is not popular with students.

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

Phuket is not popular with students.

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

Dubai and Phuket both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Phuket has a few public transit options. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is Dubai or Phuket a more walkable city?

Phuket is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable resort island. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored 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 Phuket Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phuket or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Phuket?

Both Dubai and Phuket have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Dubai has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Dubai than Phuket. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Phuket than Dubai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Phuket that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Phuket than Dubai if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Phuket.

One day in Dubai or Phuket?

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 Phuket, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this activity-filled destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort island 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 Phuket?

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 Phuket. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Phuket?

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.

Phuket is a fun place to experience. In Phuket, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Dubai or Phuket?

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.

In Phuket, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this stunning destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Phuket?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Phuket, 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 Phuket?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Dubai or Phuket in the Summer?

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

Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Phuket. Dubai usually gets less rain in July than Phuket. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Phuket. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Phuket fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Phuket in the Autumn?

Both Phuket and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Phuket is December to March. The rainy season in Phuket is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. In October, Dubai usually receives less rain than Phuket. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Dubai is around the same temperature as Phuket in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Phuket fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Phuket in the Winter?

Both Phuket 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round.

January to March is the rainy season in Dubai. December to March is the dry season in Phuket. Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Phuket. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Dubai is cooler than Phuket. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Phuket averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Dubai or Phuket in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Phuket. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

June to August in Dubai is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Dubai usually receives less rain than Phuket. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Phuket receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In April, Dubai is generally cooler than Phuket. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Phuket fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Phuket and Dubai