Is the United Arab Emirates expensive to visit?
The United Arab Emirates is known as both a well-liked and moderately priced destination. It falls roughly in the middle range for overall travel costs. When compared to the rest of the Middle East, it is a very expensive country. It places in the top 10% of countries in the Middle East for its travel prices. This puts it on par with destinations such as Qatar and Oman.
the United Arab Emirates is not as popular with tourists as other countries, but you'll find a nice selection of destinations at a range of prices. Dubai is one of the most expensive places to visit. However, if you're looking for a cheaper alternative, you can check out Abu Dhabi.
Average daily price of selected cities in the United Arab Emirates, by affordability
City | Average Daily Cost |
---|---|
Dubai | $289 |
Abu Dhabi | $197 |

Dubai
How expensive is the United Arab Emirates?
The average daily spending amount for tourists in the United Arab Emirates tends to be around $286 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for the United Arab Emirates here.
How expensive is a one week trip to the United Arab Emirates?
On average, a one week trip to the United Arab Emirates costs about $2,001 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 one week trip costs $4,002.
How expensive is a two week trip to the United Arab Emirates?
A two week trip to the United Arab Emirates costs about $4,002 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 two week trip costs $8,004.
How expensive is a month long trip to the United Arab Emirates?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one month trip to the United Arab Emirates costs around $8,576 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $17,152.

Abu Dhabi, UAE
Is it expensive to backpack in the United Arab Emirates?
the United Arab Emirates is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 170 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $23 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in the United Arab Emirates here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Dubai. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Dubai has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $23 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Dubai with an average cost of $23 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in the United Arab Emirates.
- $29 for a dorm bed at Grays Hostel in Dubai
Where to find affordable hostels in the United Arab Emirates
City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
---|---|---|
Dubai | 167 | $23 |
Are hotels expensive in the United Arab Emirates?
Hotel prices in the United Arab Emirates are somewhat cheaper compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $72 a night for a room on average. Some cities in the United Arab Emirates are more expensive than others, like Ra's al Khaimah, where hotel prices average $150 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as Sharjah, averaging $47 per night for a hotel room.
Where to find affordable hotels in the United Arab Emirates
City | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|
Ra's al Khaimah | $150 |
Al Ayn | $83 |
Abu Dhabi | $77 |
Dubai | $71 |
Ajman | $69 |
Al Fujairah | $53 |
Sharjah | $47 |

Dubai
How expensive are sightseeing activities in the United Arab Emirates?
Activities and things to do in the United Arab Emirates can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $29 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.
- Dubai Desert Adventure Half-Day Tour: $210
- Flyboard Experience in Dubai : $80
- The Best Jet Ski in Dubai - 90 Minutes Palm Jumeirah Tour: $229
- 24 Karat Gold Jet Ski Adventure with Burj Khalifa View : $167
- Dubai: Photography Tour in Al Fahidi District w/Abra Ride: $45
- Dubai: Morning Quad bike & Safari Adventure , Sandboarding, camel: $70
- 570 cc Quad Bike+Sand Boarding+ Camel Ride- Private Experience: $200
- Dubai City Tour - The History from Riding Camel to Riding Ferrari: $200
Is food expensive in the United Arab Emirates?
Food in the United Arab Emirates can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $86 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Premium Dubai Red Dunes with quadbike, camel ride and VIP Dinner: $98
- Desert Safari Tour with Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner in VIP Camp: $77
- Evening Desert Safari With Free Quad Bike and BBQ Dinner: $111
- Private Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Sand Boarding : $300
- Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $49
- Full-Day Small-Group Red Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner in Dubai: $57
Is transportation expensive in the United Arab Emirates?
Local transportation in the United Arab Emirates can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $16 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Intercity transportation in the United Arab Emirates can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $130 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.
More for the United Arab Emirates
If you're planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates, 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.