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How much does it cost to go to Dubai? Budget and money-saving tips
A trip to Dubai can cost anywhere from $1,400 to $4,000+. Learn how to plan your budget and find money-saving tips.
You may already know that a night at the Burj Al Arab can set you back almost $2,000. But were you aware that hostels in Dubai can reach as low as $18 per night? This city of expensive tastes often hides hidden gems at affordable prices. But how much does it cost to go to Dubai?
In our guide, we cover everything from flights and accommodation to street food and shopping to help you plan your budget. Plus, we provide top money-saving tips, like getting an eSIM for Dubai, to sidestep those surprise vacation expenses.
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How much does it cost to go to Dubai in total?
Visiting Dubai can cost at least $1,400 per person per week, if staying in budget hotels, using public transportation methods, and grabbing cheap food. Staying in luxury hotels and going all-in on shopping can increase your weekly budget to over $4,000.
A trip to Dubai for two will increase your weekly costs almost double. For budget travelers, around $2,700 a week will do, while a luxury trip can start at $7,000.
Is Dubai expensive? A cost breakdown
Dubai is known for its opulence and wealth, but this doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay a fortune for a one-week trip.
Let’s give a breakdown of everything you need to consider your trip to Dubai cost.
Flights
On average, a round-trip flight to the Dubai airport costs $700 from JFK or LAX Airport during the off-season, while in Denver, the average cost is $800.
When traveling in peak season, flights can increase to over $1,350, but the final price will depend on your airline.
Travel tip: Traveling during the off-season, from June to August, is a great option to find lower airplane tickets.
Accommodation
The first thing to consider when questioning, “Is Dubai expensive to visit?” are accommodation costs.
Dubai is home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, like the Burj Al Arab, which costs $1,845 per night, or the Atlantis The Royal, which costs $1,210 per night.
However, these hotels are focused on those looking for a luxury trip. Some budget options start at $45 for a 3-star hotel.
Hotel prices at the Rove At The Park or the Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai range from $45 to $86 per night.
If you don’t mind sharing with other people, hostel dorm beds in Dubai start at around $18 per night.
The cheapest accommodation options are often listed on Airbnb. For a basic room on the outskirts of Dubai, you can pay as little as $16. But you can find prices from $26 to $31 closer to the main attractions.
However, if you move to The Palm Jumeirah, the daily price of a luxury condo can be as high as $147.
So, if you’re up for a luxury trip, expect to spend around $13,000 for a week, but you can pay as little as $125 by staying in a hostel for a week.
Transportation
Getting around Dubai is not an issue. There are taxis, trams, metros, and even a water bus to get around the Marina.
It’s best to add at least $100 to your transportation costs for a week for all your transport, but here’s a breakdown of pricing to help you out.
Taxi
Taxis are a somewhat cheap option for moving around Dubai. Apps like Uber or Lyft are available but more expensive than local taxis.
From 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, street taxi fares start at ED 5 (~$1.36 USD), while local mobility apps’ basic fare starts at AED 12 (~$3.27). These taxis charge an additional per-kilometer fee of AED 2.14 (~$0.58).
There are some special taxi services, like female-only or departing from the airport. Their per-kilometer fees may differ from basic taxis.
Metro and tram
Moving around Dubai on the metro and tram lines costs AED 4 to 8.5 (~$1.09 to $2.31) based on the distance.
The Dubai metro and tram lines are the easiest and fastest way to move around the city.
These run every few minutes and cover long distances, but the main issue is the waiting times at ticket booths. However, you can buy a Red NOL Card, which can help avoid the long queues.
Tip: While metro lines cover most of the city, the tram line is more limited. It mainly travels to and from the Dubai Marina, and is a better option for sightseeing.
Water bus
Want to avoid walking on a hot day to meet the Marina? The Dubai Marina Water Bus is the best option to do so.
These buses go through the entire Marina area and, depending on their number of stops, cost AED 3 to 11 (~$0.82 to $2.99).
However, the average waiting time for a ride is 20 minutes, so it might not be the best option if you’re on a short trip.
Bus
Dubai has a fleet of over 1,500 buses, covering 119 internal lines, 35 lines connecting with metro and tram stations, and 12 intercity lines for day trips.
To get on a bus, you’ll need a Red NOL Card, as cash payments aren’t allowed.
On average, each bus trip costs AED 3 (~$0.82), but this can increase based on the distance traveled.
Tours and activities
Visiting Dubai’s major attractions is something worth adding to your Dubai vacation cost.
Can’t stay in the Burj Al Arab? You can take a guided tour for AED 249 (~$67.80) or the Golden Experience for AED 469 (~$127.69).
Want to visit the Dubai Red Dunes? Half-day tours start at $35, and full-day tours start at $81. These usually include some extras, like food, stargazing, or drinks, based on the time you plan them.
Perhaps you want to visit the waterpark with the most waterslides in the world. The Atlantis Aquaventure, a Guinness World Record holder, has prices ranging from AED 365-599 (~$100-160).
Visiting Dubai’s Old Town is free, but you can also take guided tours ranging from $11 to $30.
Really, your budget for tours and accommodation will depend, as it’s you who chooses what to do in Dubai. However, taking at least $500 for a one-week trip is advisable.
Shopping
Something you can’t forget about when planning your Dubai vacation cost is the shopping.
Dubai is home to some of the biggest malls in the world, like the Dubai Mall with over 1,200 stores, where luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Zara, Gucci, and Burberry are found.
Despite appearances, Dubai isn’t all high-fashion and designer clothes. You can find more affordable clothing, accessories, toys, and souvenirs to keep costs down.
For example, one of the best things to buy in Dubai is Kunafa Chocolate. Pricing ranges from AED 15 (~$4.08) for a single chocolate to over AED 250 (~$68.08) for a mixed chocolate box, or you could take Medjool, Ajwa, and Khudri dates varieties, ranging from AED 10 to 30 (~$2.72 to $8.17).
If there’s room in your luggage, a Persian rug is a great gift, but some cheaper options cost AED 590 (~$160.63), or you could go for local embroidered shoes for AED 90 (~$24.50).
But the question remains: How much does it cost to go to Dubai for shopping? You choose the budget. Anywhere from $500 for a small budget to over $2,000 to take a suitcase full of clothes and souvenirs back home from your one-week trip should do.
Food and drinks
Let’s talk about food and drinks in Dubai. Is it expensive to eat out?
If you head to Downtown Dubai or Palm Jumeirah, you’ll find expensive restaurants like MOLI, OKKU, and Maiden Shanghai, where you can easily spend over $100 per person.
However, budget travelers have various options. When visiting local malls, you’ll find options ranging from $5 to $10 per meal in fast-food restaurants.
But if you want to save even more money, try the Dubai street food. You can find famous options like Shake Shack, Yalla Momos, or Raju Omlet, or try a shawarma or falafel from a street vendor.
Planning a night out? Depending on your location, a beer can cost anywhere from $8 to $12 in a bar, and cocktails can cost anywhere from $12 to over $20.
Like the dress rules in Dubai, drinking is limited to licensed bars and restaurants, so keep this in mind.
Depending on where you’re eating, you can spend anywhere from $100 to $200 for a week to over $500. And you’ll need around $100 to $200 for partying.
Tip: Check if your restaurant bill includes the service fee, which is, on average, 10%. If not, adding 10% to your final bill is common.
How to save money in Dubai
Traveling to Dubai can be expensive, especially if you’re on a shoestring budget. Here are some money-saving tips you can use on your trip:
- Plan free activities: Attending the Dubai Fountain shows, walking around the Old Town, spending a day on the beach, and searching for impressive buildings like the Burj Khalifa are all free activities and will help you save some money.
- Don’t use data roaming: Data roaming in Dubai is expensive, as you can easily spend over $100 on pay-as-you-go rates. It’s better to pick one of the best eSIMs for Dubai to avoid extra expenses.
- Travel during the off-season: Catching cheaper flights and hotels is always a great option. Sometimes, you can save half the price of a flight ticket and around 10-20% on hotels.
- Book in advance: Early booking flights, tours, and hotels two to three months earlier is a great way to find better deals.
Explore Dubai and reduce costs with Holafly
Visiting Dubai can be pretty expensive, even when traveling solo. Having options to save money can make your trip unforgettable, especially regarding mobile data.
When visiting Dubai, you’ll need mobile data for entry tickets, recharging your NOL Card, or using Google Maps. But even with the free Dubai SIM card, you might fall short.
The Holafly eSIM for Dubai gives you unlimited data for up to 90 days. You also get up to 500 MB of data sharing, 24/7 customer support in different languages, and up to 5G connectivity.
But what about expats or digital nomads in Dubai? Our Holafly Connect subscription is a better option to use.
For $64.90, you get access to an unlimited monthly data plan, which includes the following features:
- Unlimited data sharing to your devices
- 24/7 customer support in different languages
- Unlimited monthly renewal
- Coverage in 170+ countries
Plan your budget to visit Dubai and stay connected in every adventure using an eSIM with unlimited data from Holafly.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
