A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Taipei for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United Arab Emirates, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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.

  • Dubai Prices
    UAE Prices
    Taipei Prices
    Taiwan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Dubai $289
    Taipei $206

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Taipei is $206. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Taipei $155
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Taipei $310
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Taipei

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.

Hotels in Dubai


Hotels in Taipei


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Taipei $11
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:

  • Zipline Experience in Dubai Marina with 1 Way optional Transfers: $228
  • Yellow Boat Tour Dubai with Private Transfers: $95
  • Yellow Boat Tour Dubai With Transfer Option: $90
  • Yellow Boat Ride in Dubai with Private Transfers: $110
  • Xline Dubai Marina Zipline Adventure with Transfers Options: $260
  • Xline Dubai Marina Shared Experience with Private Transfers: $284
  • Xline Dubai Marina Experience with Transfers: $250
  • XLine World Longest Urban Zipline with Transfers Option: $279
  • X Line Ride in Dubai Marina with Optional Private Transfers: $270
  • Wild Wadi Waterpark Dubai Ticket With Private Transfer: $125
  • Wild Wadi - Dubai Theme Water Park Tickets With Transfers Option: $159
  • View at The Palm Jumeirah Dubai Tickets With Optional Transfers: $50

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:


  • Easycard
    $2.15
  • Easycard
    $9.92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei

Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Taipei Arrival Private Transfer: Taiwan Taoyuan (TPE) to Hotel: $55
  • Private Transfer from Taoyuan airport Taiwan to Taipei: $52
  • Taipei City to Taoyuan Airport Private Transfer: $46
  • Jiufen: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $42
  • Keelung: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $42
  • TPE Airport: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $40
  • Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Return Bus Transfer: $9.26

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 $29
Typical Food Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.54
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • Shawarma
    $1.91

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
  • Virtual Online Cooking Class - Cook Your Classic Curry with Chef Gomez: $16
  • Dhow Cruise with Dinner at Dubai Al Seef: $17
  • Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
  • Red Dune Desert Safari with Camel Riding Sand Boarding BBQ Dinner: $18
  • Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
  • Dubai Desert Safari With4x4 Pick/Drop camel ride BBQ dinner shows: $18
  • Desert Safari With Camel Ride and Dinner: $19
  • Vip Red Dune Safari with 4x4 Pick & Drop, Camel Ride, BBQ Dinner: $19
  • Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sandboarding: $19
  • Golden Dune Desert Safari Dubai with Camel Ride & live BBQ Dinner: $19
  • Dubai Red Dune Evening Desert Safari with Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $20

Typical Food Prices in Taipei

For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • EasyCard
    $17
  • Lunch at The Can
    $7.28
  • EasyCard
    $33
  • Lunch
    $3.14
  • Lunch
    $1.98
  • Dinner
    $6.62
  • Lunch
    $3.80
  • Lunch
    $4.96
  • Louisa coffee
    $3.14

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: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included): $45
  • Street Food & Hidden Eats Night Market Food Tour: $55
  • Iconic Food Tour: Local Street Food, Drinks & Sites: $83
  • Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $88
  • Xiao Long Bao, Beef Noodles & Boba Tea Cooking Class in Taipei: $89
  • The Award-Winning Private Food Tour of The 10 Tastings: $90
  • Cooking Class & Market Adventure Historic Dadaocheng: $109

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Taipei $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Visit to the Dubai Museum
    $0.82

Tours and Activities in Dubai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.

  • Abu Dhabi City Tour Sheikh Zayed Mosque & Heritage: $60
  • Abu Dhabi Day Tour with Qasr al Watan: $53
  • Abu Dhabi Sightseeing City Tour including Grand Mosque: $60
  • Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel Ride Tickets: $63
  • Desert Safari, City Tour & Dhow Cruise in Marina Enjoy In Dubai: $110
  • Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with BF : $95
  • Dubai Buggy and Camel Riding Tour: $279
  • Dubai Butterfly Garden Admission Ticket: $42
  • Dubai City Tour Half Day: $45
  • Dubai Desert Safari Tour by 4WD with Options: $62
  • Dubai Mall to JLT Private Transportation Tour.: $250
  • Dubai Motiongate & Legoland Water Park Ticket with Pick and drop: $130

Tours and Activities in Taipei

For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4 Days Private Tour Taipei, Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake & Taichung: $1,079
  • 4-Hour Morning Cycling City Tour (incl. breakfast): $83
  • Discover Taichung Private Day Tour from Taipei: $229
  • From Taipei City: 3-Day Sun Moon Lake & Alishan Private Tour: $1,130
  • From 5-Day Best of Round Taiwan Island Tour: $728
  • From Beitou & Yangmingshan Private Day Tour: $111
  • From Beitou and Yangmingshan National Park Day Tour: $86
  • From Classic and Scenic Taiwan Private 5-Day Tour: $1,800
  • From Leofoo Village Entry Tickets + Round Trip Bus: $33
  • From Nantou and Sun Moon Lake View Day Tour: $90
  • From Pinglin Tea Culture and Maokong Guided Day Tour: $86
  • From Private Scenic Tour to Jiufen, Yehliu & Pingxi: $119

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Taipei $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:

  • JBR Walk Historic Pub Crawl with Guide and Drinks: $29

Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:

  • Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $27
  • Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery: $145


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.