How much does a trip to Dubai cost?
Faraway Worlds
If you’re planning on travelling to Dubai, you’re probably wondering how much you need to budget for your trip. While your travel costs will depend on your travel style, generally speaking Dubai is best for travellers with some spending money.
Accommodation costs are generally affordable and food and drinks are relatively expensive. Many of Dubai’s best attractions are very affordable or even free and, while some activities could set you back a fair amount, there’s plenty to do at lower price points too.
How much should I budget for a trip to Dubai?
A reasonable budget for two for a weekend in Dubai is around AED 2,900. This assumes you’ll be spending two nights and three days in the city.
The above cost is based on staying in good, mid-range accommodation and going to a mix of restaurants and cafes for meals. It makes allowances for a couple of sightseeing activities, but doesn’t take into account expensive activities like adventure sports or private tours.
How much does accommodation cost?
You can expect to spend between AED 350-AED 700 a night, per couple, on accommodation in Dubai. This will get you a private room with your own bathroom in a 3-4-star hotel or apartment rental.
See latest hotel deals in DubaiHostels are, of course, cheaper, but a private room with a shared bathroom will still cost around AED 300 per night. A bed in a dorm room also averages around AED 110 per night, per person, although there are definitely cheaper options out there.
See the highest rated hostels in DubaiHow much should I budget for food and drinks in Dubai?
Budget to spend around AED 1,250 for two for a weekend in Dubai. This assumes you’re eating out and drinking some alcohol.
If you enjoy eating out, you can expect to pay around AED 335 for a nice dinner for two, including an alcoholic drink. A meal at a pub is likely to be around AED 220 for two, with cheaper meals available (especially for lunch) for around AED 45 each. You can buy a beer from a bar for around AED 55 and you can expect to pay around AED 24 for a cappuccino from a local café.
While eating out in Dubai isn't necessarily cheap, alcohol is particularly expensive. Alcohol is generally only available at restaurants, hotels and bars catering to tourists and cannot be bought at the supermarket. If you want to reduce your costs in Dubai, drinking less is a good way to do it.
How much does it cost to get around Dubai?
Getting around Dubai is easiest with a taxi. Transport costs fluctuate depending how much you travel, but budgeting around AED 200 for two is a good starting point. This should allow you to take taxis to get around. If you’re planning on doing any tours or using hop-on hop-off buses, you’ll need to up your budget a bit.
What should I expect to spend on activities?
A lot of the best things to do in Dubai are free. However, there definitely are some attractions that cost money – entry fees to a museum or an art gallery are usually around AED 40 - AED 150 per person. If you want to do organised day trips or join smaller tour groups to learn more about some of the sites, budget around AED 250 per activity per person.
There is a lot to do in Dubai and there's a wide range in the cost of activities in Dubai, depending on what you what they are. For example, visiting the Dubai Museum costs around AED 3, whereas going up the Burj Kalifa is around AED 150. Desert safaris also have a wide range, depending on which how long the trip is and what you'll be doing.
In summary
Dubai is a beautiful destination to visit and although it’s not cheap, it’s definitely possible to travel there for less. Cooking your own meals, carefully selecting accommodation or limiting meals out will definitely help you to reduce your travel costs. And, if you're wanting to treat yourself, there are many luxury options available.
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Last Updated 4 June 2022
