Dubai is a dazzling emirate on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, renowned for its ultramodern skyline, luxury shopping, and world-record-breaking landmarks. From the iconic Burj Khalifa piercing the clouds to pristine beaches along the Arabian Gulf, Dubai seamlessly blends Bedouin heritage with 21st-century ambition. It is one of the world's most visited cities, attracting tens of millions of tourists each year with its unrivalled mix of culture, adventure, and opulence.
Local currency: UAE Dirham (AED).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Dubai.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $25-35 (dorm bed)
- Budget
- $45-70 (budget hotel room)
- Midrange
- $100-180 (3-4 star hotel)
- Luxury
- $350-2000+ (5-star hotel)
Food
- Street
- $3-6 (shawarma, falafel wrap)
- Local
- $8-15 (casual Indian/Lebanese restaurant)
- Midrange
- $25-45 (per person at sit-down restaurant)
- Fine
- $80-300+ (fine dining, Michelin experience)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.55-1.10 (per bus journey)
- Taxi
- $4-15 (typical city ride)
- Airport
- $15-25 (metro/taxi to city centre)
- Daytrip
- $30-80 (guided day trip)
Activities
- Museum
- $0.82-14 (Dubai Museum to Dubai Frame)
- Sites
- $25-41 (Burj Khalifa At the Top, Museum of the Future)
- Tour
- $60-100 (desert safari)
- Excursion
- $15-55 (day trip with transport)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Dubai costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$525 for 7 days
Midrange traveller
$1,400 for 7 days
Luxury traveller
$4,550+ for 7 days
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Visit the Burj Khalifa at dawn (8:30 AM first slot) for the cheapest online tickets
Use the metro everywhere possible — the Nol Card is cheap and covers most tourist areas
Eat lunch at top restaurants instead of dinner for 40-50% savings on the same food
Buy a Dubai Pass for bundled entry to multiple attractions at discounted rates
Visit in summer (June-August) for drastically reduced hotel rates — just expect extreme heat
Shop for groceries at Carrefour or Lulu Hypermarket rather than hotel minibar and convenience stores
Take the metro airport link (AED 22) instead of a taxi (AED 70-100) from the airport
Book desert safaris through smaller local operators rather than hotel concierge for better prices
Visit Miracle Garden and Global Village on weekdays to avoid premium weekend pricing
Look for weekday lunch specials at hotel restaurants — often 50% cheaper than dinner menus
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Dubai Fountain Show
The world's largest choreographed fountain performs every 30 min after 6 PM along Burj Khalifa Lake
JBR Beach (The Walk)
Free public beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence with promenade, street performers, and dining
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood
Wander the 19th-century heritage district of wind-tower houses at no cost
Dubai Creek Waterfront
Stroll the historic Creek waterfront in Bur Dubai and Deira, watching dhow traffic
Kite Beach
Free public beach popular for kitesurfing, beach football, and outdoor fitness equipment
Alserkal Avenue
Explore Dubai's premier arts district with free gallery visits in Al Quoz warehouses
Jumeirah Mosque Exterior
One of Dubai's most photographed buildings, best seen illuminated at night
Dubai Marina Walk
Free 3.5 km promenade around the marina with street entertainment and outdoor dining
La Mer Beach
Free public beach with street art, outdoor cinema, and dining strip in Jumeirah
Sunset at Jumeirah Public Beach
Watch the sunset over the Burj Al Arab from the free Jumeirah public beach
Global Village (Evening Atmosphere)
Entry is only $5.50 and the cultural pavilions offer free entertainment outside the rides
Souk Browsing
Browse the Gold Souk and Spice Souk in Deira — entry is free and the experience is priceless