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

Should you visit Dubai or Pittsburgh?

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 Pittsburgh 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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a under-rated, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubai and Pittsburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Pittsburgh?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubai than Pittsburgh. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dubai is more touristy than Pittsburgh and is known for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also well known for Burj Khalifa. Pittsburgh is famous for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood".

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Pittsburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh Better for Skiing?

Dubai is adequate for skiing. However, Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh is not a skiing destination.

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh can be an interesting and educational experience. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

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

Dubai is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Pittsburgh offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Dubai is a world class party destination. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

Pittsburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh Better for Music?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh Better for Resorts?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Pittsburgh is not a resort destination.

Dubai offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Pittsburgh is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Pittsburgh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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

Pittsburgh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Pittsburgh is not a beach destination.

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.

Pittsburgh is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Pittsburgh?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Pittsburgh is a great destination for shopping. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh Better for Families?

Dubai is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Pittsburgh is a family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh Better for Couples?

Dubai is a nice place to visit for couples. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for romance.

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.

Pittsburgh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh Better for Students?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Pittsburgh 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.

Pittsburgh is not popular with students.

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

Dubai and Pittsburgh both offer nice 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.

Pittsburgh has a few public transit options. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

Is Dubai or Pittsburgh a more walkable city?

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

Pittsburgh is a somewhat walkable city. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around 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 Pittsburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pittsburgh or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Pittsburgh?

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

Families should spend more time in Dubai than Pittsburgh. 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 Dubai than Pittsburgh. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubai than Pittsburgh 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 Dubai.

One day in Dubai or Pittsburgh?

When visiting Dubai, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Pittsburgh, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this under-rated destination offers. 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 Pittsburgh?

When visiting Dubai, people usually allow for lots of time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

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

Dubai, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

A week in Dubai or Pittsburgh?

Dubai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the industrial destination of Pittsburgh. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Pittsburgh?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pittsburgh. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Pittsburgh, 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.