Is Dubai expensive to visit?
Dubai is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $289. If we compare it to the rest of the Middle East, it is a very expensive place to visit. It ranks in the top 10% of cities in the Middle East for its travel prices. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Abu Dhabi and Doha.
Dubai
How expensive is Dubai?
For a trip to Dubai, travelers spend on average $289 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Dubai here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Dubai?
On average, a weekend trip to Dubai costs about $866 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,732.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Dubai?
A one week trip to Dubai costs about $2,021 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $4,041.
Dubai
Is it expensive to backpack in Dubai?
With more than 170 hostels in the area, Dubai is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $23 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Dubai here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $0, but the most expensive can be more than $55 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Dubai.
- $33 for a dorm bed at Torch 77 - by Saffron House
- $29 for a dorm bed at Grays Hostel
- $18 for a dorm bed at Papaya Backpackers
Are hotels expensive in Dubai?
When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Dubai, we find them to be very economical in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $71. The area boasts about 130 five-star hotels with an average rate of $161 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $78 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $60 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Dubai
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 130 | $161 |
| 4 stars | 163 | $64 |
| 3 stars | 95 | $78 |
| 2 stars | 28 | $60 |
| 1 star | 25 | $107 |
| No rating | 11 | $75 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Dubai?
In Dubai, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $19 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $29.
- 1 hour Jetski Tour - Burj Al Arab and Royal Atlantis: $165
- Dubai Desert Visit With/Without Dune Drive Private tour 4-5 hours: $229
- Jet Ski Tour in Dubai duration 1H Burj al Arab and Atlantis palm: $140
- 120 MINUTES Dubai Private Self-Drive SeaKart Jet Ski Boat Tour : $258
- Desert Safari Adventure Dubai: $66
- Old and Modern Dubai FullDay Private Tour with Blue Mosque Visit: $299
- Desert Quad Safari Tour with Sandboarding and Picturestopps: $111
- Jet-ski | Dubai Marina Tour - 2H: $288
Is food expensive in Dubai?
In Dubai, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $96 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $86.
- Desert Tour by ATV OR Buggy Self-drive, BBQ Dinner and Camel Ride: $50
- Desert Safari Dubai With High Speed Dune Buggy And Dinner in 5 Star Camp: $153
- Dubai Desert Safari with Dinner, Camel Ride & Dune Bashing: $60
- Dubai Evening Desert Safari With Quad Bike and BBQ Dinner : $98
- Premium Dubai Red Dunes with quadbike, camel ride and VIP Dinner: $98
- Vip Dubai Desert Safari with Camel Riding,BBQ Dinner : $28
Is transportation expensive in Dubai?
Exploring local transportation in Dubai shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $13 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $16. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Dubai
If you're planning a trip to Dubai, UAE, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.