Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dubai or Xi'an?
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 Xi'an can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Xi'an?
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.
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
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 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Dubai Prices
UAE PricesXi'an Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $289Xi'an $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $112. 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 Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Xi'an $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Xi'an $130
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Dubai or Xi'an? 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 Xi'an Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Xi'an $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1 Hour Marina Yacht Tour with Optional Transfer: $45
- 1-Hour Quad Biking Tour with Transfer from Dubai: $140
- 2 Dives for Certified Divers in Fujairah with transfer: $167
- 3-Hour Ice Skating Experience in Dubai with optional Transfer: $69
- A Guided Tour To Quranic Park and Jumeirah Mosque With Transfer: $95
- A Japanese Business Lunch Experience in Dubai with Transfer: $119
- AYA Universe Dubai Ticket with Transfer option: $33
- AYA Universe Dubai with Transfer Option: $42
- AYA Universe Experience with Private Transfers: $73
- AYA Universe Light and Sound Park in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $63
- AYA Universe and Dubai Frame Tour with Private Transfer: $155
- Abu Dhabi City Tour transfer from Dubai Shared Bus: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- Xi'an: 5-Day Guided Tour with Meals and Transfers: $574
- Xi'an Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 40 pax: $300
- Xian Terracotta Warriors and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $254
- Xian Highlights Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $245
- From Xian: Terracotta Army and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $245
- Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $229
- Xi'an Layover: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum With Airport Transfer: $229
- Xian Private Day Tour with Airport Transfer: Terracotta Warriors and City Wall: $225
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour with Airport Transfer: $216
- Xian Terracotta Warriors Museum Tour with Airport Transfer: $214
- Xi'an Layover: City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda With Airport Transfer: $209
- Xian City Wall and Big Wild Goose Pagoda Tour With Airport Transfer: $206
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an 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
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Food Meals for one dayDubai $96Xi'an $23
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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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:
- Evening Desert Safari With BBQ dinner & live shows: $5.55
- VIP Red Sand Safari,Pick/Drop,Camel Ride,Quad Bike& Dinner: $6.42
- Premium Desert Safari with Camel Ride, Sandboard Dinner with BBQ: $6.78
- Dubai Desert Safari - Free Pick&Drop Red Dunes Live Shows Dinner: $6.78
- VIP Desert Safari, Quad Bike 30 Minutes ,Camel Ride, Dinner,Shows: $6.78
- Dubai Desert Safari Tour Hotel Transfer, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $6.78
- VIP Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari 4x4, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner: $8.75
- Dubai Desert Safari With4x4 Pick/Drop camel ride BBQ dinner shows: $8.89
- Premium Desert Safari, Pick/Drop, Camel Ride, Quad bike & Dinner: $8.96
- Budget-Friendly Evening Desert Safari + BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $8.99
- Desert Safari,Premium sofa,Quad Bike,CamelRide,BBQ Dinner,Shows: $9.21
- Vip Red Dune Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Dinner & Shows: $9.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Xi’an：City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
- Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
- Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
- Tang Dynasty Royal Show Optinal Dinner With Round-trip Transfers: $38
- Skip The Line Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Or Dinner With Transfer: $39
- Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with Private transfer: $55
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket with Optional Dinner: $57
- Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
- Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Xi'an $38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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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.
- Dubai's Hidden Gems: Self Guided City Tour: $1.12
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Dubai: $5.72
- Dubai Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.84
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Dubai Walking Tour 1h00 and 9 audio reviews: $7.26
- Miracle Garden and Global Village Entrance Ticket: $9.77
- Maze Mirror Inside Creek Park Entry Ticket: $9.77
- Private Evening Desert Safari Dubai Tour: $10
- DUBAI MARINA Jet Ski Adventure: $10
- Dubai Butterfly Garden Ticket Deals: $10
- 60 Min Burj Khalifa Tour in Wooden Boat: $11
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- #1 Bestselling Private Terracotta Army Tours + Customized Xian Tours: $108
- 1 Day Beijing to Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Tour by Air: $779
- 1 Day Xian City Highlights Private Tour: $148
- 1 Day Xian Group Tour: Terracotta Warriors & City Wall: $196
- 1 day Adventure Tour of Mount Hua in Xi'an: $85
- 1-Day Private Tour: Mount Huashan With the Lunch from Xi'an: $190
- 1-Day Xi'an City Highlights and Hanyangling Museum Private Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum and Banpo Neolithic Village Museum Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Terracotta Warriors,Wild Goose Pagoda and Banpo Village Museum Tour: $100
- 1-Day Xi'an Tour with Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum and City Wall: $100
- 2 Days Xi'an City Tour: $292
- 2 Days Xian Small Group Tour: Terracotta Army, Hanyangling: $228
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Xi'an $7.82
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Xi'an, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Xi'an 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 Xi'an would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xi'an 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 Xi'an.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Xi'an?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai and Xi'an, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.