Is Dubai Expensive to Visit? Real Travel Costs

For all its opulent hotels and spectacular resorts, it’s easy to assume that heading to Dubai at any time of year is likely to bend your bank account. But, is Dubai expensive to visit on average? That all depends on what you do, where you go, and what your tastes are like!

In this guide, we take you through the absolute essentials of budgeting for a trip to Dubai, so you’re clearer on how much you can expect to spend before and during your visit. You don’t have to visit the Burj Al Arab and spend thousands a day on luxuries, but at the same time, it’s nice to treat yourself. Here’s what you need to know.

What is the total cost of a trip to Dubai?

In USD, you’re likely to spend at least $1,500 per person when budgeting a trip to Dubai for a week. If you’re aiming for the full luxury experience, however, these costs are likely to be much higher, extending into the thousands.

Crucially, there are lots of different factors that affect how much you pay per trip. If you’re worried about breaking the bank on a UAE trip, consider budgeting for all of the following:

• Flights
• Accommodation
• Transportation
• Tours and Activities
• Shopping Experiences
• Food and Drink

And, that’s all without considering the costs of facilities such as mobile internet. WiFi hotspots out here aren’t always free, and they’re not considered super-safe, no matter where you go in the world. 

So, to start saving yourself hassle and money before you even get to Dubai, we always recommend paying for and loading up an eSIM for the UAE. That way, you won’t have to worry about facing a huge bill when you come back home.

Breaking down the costs of visiting Dubai

With the above cost factors briefly mentioned above, let’s actually dive into some of the data. Here’s what we’ve found during our budgeting research (which is also based on our own personal experiences travelling in the UAE and visiting Dubai).

Important tip! Keep in mind that cost factors will always vary depending on where you are visiting Dubai from. For complete transparency, we’re basing our costs below on travel from the USA, and assuming you will be calculating costs with USD as your currency.

Flight prices to Dubai

The average flight prices from the US to Dubai are likely to cost anywhere between $450 and $1,400 per person, depending on if you choose direct or indirect flights, and if you opt for budget or economy class. 

The season you travel to Dubai, too, is likely to affect how much you pay. Try to travel off-season, i.e., between June and September, for lower prices. The reason why it’s “low season” at this time is because the heat can become unbearable for many people!

Accommodation costs in Dubai

According to Budget Your Trip, you’re likely to spend between $72 and $134 per night in a hotel across the UAE, which will naturally apply to accommodation costs in Dubai, too. Lots of people visiting Dubai, however, may be dazzled by some of the most luxurious hotel suites around, which can cost you in excess of $1,800 a night!

Try and look for Airbnb options in Dubai for cheaper rates, or when using services like Skyscanner or Kayak, look for accommodation partners tied in with flights. If luxury hotel stays really aren’t high on your travel agenda, then you can cut down some serious costs when visiting the UAE in general!

Transportation costs in Dubai

Getting around Dubai on foot is one thing, but given the heat out here, you’d be forgiven for wanting to take a cab or public transport. Here’s what you need to know.

Taxi fares in Dubai

According to Time Out Dubai, you’re likely to spend at least Dhs2.14, or $0.58 USD per km on average when travelling by taxi in Dubai. Keep in mind that inflation is on the rise, and that these rates will vary depending on the firm you travel with, and where you’re going to.

And, of course, you might prefer to use Uber, which can result in higher fees but with extra convenience.

Metro and tram costs

Dubai Metro Rails price tram costs based on a zoning system, meaning that depending on the class you’re travelling in and how far you’re going, you can expect to pay Dhs4.00 to Dhs15.00, or $1.09 to $4.10, for a ticket. Again, inflation and exchange rates can and will vary.

Water bus prices

On average, you are likely to spend up to Dhs5.00, or $1.36, depending on where you travel from and to on the water bus in Dubai. It’s one of the most economical ways to travel here, and certainly beats walking in the heat across the marina area!

Bus fares

Bus costs, again, do vary wildly depending on where you’re travelling to - and there are more than 100 lines across Dubai. Expect to pay around $0.80 to $1.00 per trip, but as always, plan ahead.

Costs of tours and activities in Dubai

We’d be here a long time listing all of the things you can do in Dubai along with average costs, so here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most popular activities and budget-friendly options for when you travel:

• Exploring Kite Beach (and other beach areas): Free
• Browsing Souks and Shops: Free
• Watching Fountain Shows: Free every evening
• Guided Tours: $30 - $40 on average
• Dune Excursions: From $81 per day, guided
• Waterparks: Between $150 - $200 on average

Shopping expenses in Dubai

Shopping in Dubai really comes down to how much you are willing to spend! With hundreds of boutique stores at the Dubai Mall, there’s lots of choice. Having consulted the SIMOVO team, we’d probably recommend you reserve around $600-$700 if you’re keen to grab some souvenirs but don’t want to go overboard across a week.

Food and drink prices in Dubai

Dubai tends to be one of the more expensive regions in the UAE for food, but you can expect to pay $12-$15 for fast food, and $30-$40 for a good meal while working to a budget.

That said, if you really want to go all out on luxury drinks and dining, be sure to keep $150-$200 per restaurant trip aside.

Ways to save money while traveling in Dubai

Let’s wrap things up with a few different ways you can keep your budget healthy while visiting Dubai, based on our own personal experiences:

• If you can travel by bus or water bus rather than taxi, do so!
• If you can’t afford to stay at the most luxurious hotels, take tours of them instead.
• Always make sure you have an eSIM ready to go before you travel.
• Shop around for the best accommodation and flight prices through different search engines.
• Try and visit during off-season (i.e., the summer) for low costs, but be prepared for the heat!
• Choose local restaurants and drink tap water wherever possible.
• Window shop as much as possible - you don’t have to buy it all!

Explore Dubai while staying connected with Simovo

Is Dubai expensive to visit? Not necessarily. And, it’s even cheaper when you load up mobile data ahead of time with a SIMOVO eSIM. Be sure to pay for your data before you go and don’t worry about coming home to huge bills!