Which place is cheaper, Dubai or Tehran?
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 Tehran or Dubai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Tehran and Dubai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Tehran or Dubai?
Tehran
The capital of Iran, Tehran is a cosmopolitan city with great museums, art galleries, parks, restaurants, and more. It is located in the northernmost part of Central Iran at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range. Some of the most popular attractions include the Treasury of the National Jewels, Golestan Palace, and the Tajrish Bazaar.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates.
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Tehran Prices
Iran PricesDubai Prices
UAE Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTehran $2.72Dubai $289
The average daily cost (per person) in Tehran is $2.72, while the average daily cost in Dubai is $289. 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 Tehran and Dubai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTehran $1.91Dubai $170
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTehran $3.82Dubai $340
Compare Hotels in Tehran and Dubai
Looking for a hotel in Tehran or Dubai? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tehran $0.01Dubai $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:
- Private Dubai Shopping Tour with Transfer: $300
- Private Transfer to/from Dubai Airport for Up to 6 People: $300
- Jet Car Ride for 2 Pax with Optional Transfer: $299
- The Dubai Mall Tour with Private Transfers: $299
- Fujairah Dam Tour with Private Transfers: $299
- 4 Seater Jet Car Adventure in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $280
- Real Madrid World Dubai Admission Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $280
- Dubai Dune Buggy Safari - Private Transfer: $280
- Private Full Day Abu Dhabi City Tour with Transfer: $265
- Dubai Miracle Garden and Ski Dubai Tickets with Private Transfer: $260
- Burj Khalifa Lounge at Levels 152, 153 & 154 + Optional Transfers: $259
- Afternoon High Tea at Atmosphere Burj Khalifa with Transfer: $259
Is it cheaper to fly into Tehran or Dubai?
Prices for flights to both Dubai and Tehran 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 dayTehran $0.75Dubai $96
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:
- 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
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Al Seef: $16
- Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $16
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Creek with pickup drop option: $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
- Dubai Desert Safari with Dune Bashing, Camel Ride and BBQ dinner: $17
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tehran $0.14Dubai $19
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 City Tour – Old & Modern Highlights with Hotel Pickup.: $209
- (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
- 10 Hours Private Abu Dhabi City Tour: $181
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTehran -Dubai $23
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 Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Private Events & Birthdays: $126
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tehran and Dubai, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Tehran much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tehran would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tehran 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 Tehran.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tehran Expensive? and Is Dubai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tehran or Dubai?
Tehran has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Tehran and Dubai, 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.