Should you visit Dubai or Taipei?
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 Taipei can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Taipei?
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.
Taipei
Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.
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 Cultural Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan.
Which place is cheaper, Taipei or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Taipei is $193. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dubai and Taipei in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Taipei? 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.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here:
Dubai Hotel Prices and
Taipei Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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:
-
Yellow Boat Tour Dubai With Transfer Option:
$90
-
Yellow Boat Ride in Dubai with Private Transfers:
$110
-
Wild Wadi Adventure Waterpark Tickets With Transfers Option:
$93
-
Visit AYA Universe Light and Sound Park in Dubai with Transfer:
$65
-
View at The Palm Jumeirah Dubai Tickets With Optional Transfers:
$50
-
VR Park Dubai Ticket with Transfer:
$86
-
UAE Private Inter Hotel Transfer: Premium Service with Luggage:
$55
-
Try Scuba Diving & snorkeling in Fujairah with Transfer:
$167
-
Toyota Previa Private Airport Transfer To OR From Dubai Airport:
$80
-
Top of Burj Khalifa & Sky Views Dubai Tour with Transfers:
$184
-
Ticket to Dubai Frame With Private Transfers:
$84
-
Ticket for 3D World Selfie Museum in Dubai With Transfer:
$130
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
-
Easycard
$2.01
-
Easycard
$9.29
-
Train
$1.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Bruns 9 seater, charter tour, business transfer, airport transfer, round-the-island charter tour:
$299
-
Private Transfer from Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE to Hualien Port:
$275
-
Private Transfer from Taipei city hotels to Hualien Cruise Port:
$275
-
Private Transfer from Taoyuan airport to Sunmoonlake:
$168
-
Keelung(Taipei) Cruise Port to Taipei-Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$162
-
Taipei Departure Private Transfer with Guide TPE Airport:
$150
-
Taipei Arrival Private Transfer with Guide: Airport to Hotel:
$150
-
Private Transfer from Taipei Taoyuan Airport to Taichung Port:
$145
-
Luxury Chartered Private Transfer Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City:
$140
-
Luxury Chartered Private Transfer from Taipei to Taoyuan Airport:
$139
-
Taiwan Airport Private Transfer:
$119
-
Taoyuan airport to Yilan Private Transfer:
$105
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Taipei?
Prices for flights to both Taipei 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 $96
Taipei $27
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Dubai Red Dune Safari 4X4 Pickup Camel ride and BBQ Dinner:
$4.95
-
Dubai VIP desert safari with Dinner camel ride shows 4x4 pickup:
$14
-
Dune Bashing Red Dunes 4x4 Pick & Drop Shows Dinner Camel:
$15
-
VIP Red Dune Safari with Pick/Drop BBQ Dinner Quad bike optional:
$15
-
Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner:
$15
-
Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner:
$16
-
Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Al Seef:
$16
-
Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Creek with pickup drop option:
$16
-
VIP Evening Desert Safari, Camel Ride, BBQ & Dinner Shows:
$16
-
Dubai Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Live Entertainment Shows:
$16
-
Self Drive Dubai Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner Camel Ride & Shows:
$16
-
Dubai Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner:
$17
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
EasyCard
$15
-
Lunch at The Can
$6.81
-
EasyCard
$31
-
Lunch
$2.94
-
Lunch
$1.86
-
Dinner
$6.19
-
Lunch
$3.56
-
Lunch
$4.64
-
Louisa coffee
$2.94
-
Lunch
$5.88
-
Lunch
$3.56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Food Tours w/ Top 10 Taiwan Food (Breakfast/Dinner):
$45
-
Taipei Food Tour Taiwan Traditional Breakfast and Market and Tea:
$45
-
Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included):
$45
-
Disappearing Flavors of Taiwan Food Tour with 12+ Tasters:
$50
-
Street Food & Hidden Eats Night Market Food Tour:
$55
-
Taipei Hidden Eats, Market & Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings:
$55
-
Your First Day Food Tour with Locals & 12+ Tastings:
$57
-
Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class):
$65
-
Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class):
$77
-
Taiwanese Breakfast Cooking Class in Taipei:
$79
-
Iconic Food Tour: Local Street Food, Drinks & Sites:
$82
-
Traditional Old School Taiwanese Food Tour:
$85
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
-
“Dubai City Tour – Old & Modern Highlights with Hotel Pickup.:
$209
-
"Explore Dubai's Highlights: 6-Hour Guided City Tour:
$41
-
(Private) Abu Dhabi Sightseeing Tour from Dubai:
$195
-
1 HR - Dubai Marina Luxury Yacht Tour:
$20
-
1 Hour Burj Khalifa Ticket with Cafe Treat:
$67
-
1 Hour Kayaking Experience in Dubai Ticket:
$43
-
1 Hour Private 800cc Buggy Tour Good for 2 persons:
$223
-
1 Hour Private Luxury Yacht Experience in Dubai:
$97
-
1 Hour Private Videography Tour of Aya Universe in Dubai:
$215
-
1 hour Dubai Marina Riviera Leisure Cruise:
$111
-
1-Hour Dune Buggy Self-Drive, Camel Ride & Sandboarding Adventure:
$150
-
1-Hour KTM 450CC Dirt bike Desert Adventure Tours in Dubai:
$154
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
101 Skyline 460 Observatory Ticket | Taipei:
$124
-
2 days Yeliou (or Pingxi sky lantern) & Sun Moon Lake tour (Taichung city end):
$200
-
2-Hour Private Dadaocheng Walking Tour:
$35
-
2-Hour Private Ximending Area Walking Tour:
$35
-
2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - S.Y.S. Memorial Hall & 44 South Village:
$58
-
2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple:
$55
-
2-hr Ningxia Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide:
$35
-
3-hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Songshan distric & taste lotus hot pot:
$77
-
3.5 hours Taipei City Tour (morning or afternoon ):
$44
-
4 Days Private Tour Taipei, Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake & Taichung:
$1,079
-
4 Hour Afternoon Cycling City Tour North with Snack:
$83
-
9 Hour Northeast Coast Bay View Tour in Yilan:
$61
Alcohol
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
-
Pub Crawl Private Events & Birthdays:
$126
Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:
-
Taipei Authentic Night Sober-Friendly Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes):
$27
-
Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery:
$150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Taipei, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Taipei much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Taipei 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 Taipei would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taipei 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 Taipei.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Taipei Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Taipei?
Taipei has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Taipei, 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.
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