Planning a trip to Dubai can seem daunting when you start to think about the costs involved. With flight, accommodation, food, transportation, activities and other expenses, the costs can quickly add up. However, with some preparation and research, you can plan an amazing Dubai trip without breaking the bank.
Flight Costs
For most travelers, the flight will be one of the biggest expenses for your Dubai trip. The cost of your flight will depend on a few factors:
- Where you are flying from – Flights from North America, Europe, Australia etc. will be much more expensive than flights from regional hubs like India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar etc.
- Time of year – Flights tend to be most expensive during peak seasons like holidays and summer vacations. Visiting during shoulder seasons in spring or fall can save you money.
- How far in advance you book – Booking 6-12 months in advance will generally get you the cheapest fares.
- Airline and route – Budget airlines like FlyDubai often have cheaper flights to Dubai than full service carriers.
As a general estimate, flight costs for a trip to Dubai often fall in these ranges:
Origin | Estimated Roundtrip Flight Cost |
---|---|
North America (USA, Canada) | $800 – $1500 |
Europe | $500 – $1000 |
Australia/New Zealand | $1000 – $2000 |
Southeast Asia | $300 – $700 |
Middle East | $150 – $400 |
South Asia (India, Pakistan) | $100 – $300 |
As you can see, travelers coming from closer regional hubs tend to get much cheaper flight prices than long haul travelers coming from continents like North America, Europe, and Australia. No matter where you are traveling from, look for deals on budget airlines and try to fly during shoulder seasons for the best fares.
Accommodation Costs
After your flight, accommodation will likely be your next biggest trip expense in Dubai. Hotel rates can vary tremendously based on location, quality, time of visit and more. Some general tips for saving on accommodation:
- Avoid peak seasons like New Years, holidays, big events etc. when hotel rates surge.
- Look for apartments on rental sites like Airbnb to get more space and amenities for your money.
- Stay outside of more expensive central areas like Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah, and look at places like Deira which have cheaper hotels.
- opt for mid-range 3 & 4 star hotels instead of luxury 5 star resorts to save money.
Here are some sample average accommodation costs per night in Dubai:
Area | Budget Hotel | Mid-range Hotel | Luxury Hotel |
---|---|---|---|
Downtown Dubai | $100 | $200 | $500+ |
Jumeirah | $80 | $150 | $400+ |
Deira | $50 | $100 | $300+ |
Bur Dubai | $70 | $120 | $350+ |
For a one week trip, a mid-range hotel in Deira or Bur Dubai can keep your total accommodation costs under $500-600 for a comfortable stay. Splurging on luxury Downtown or Jumeirah hotels could be $1500+ for the week.
Food Costs
Dining out in Dubai can also get expensive if you’re not careful. Here are some tips for saving on food:
- Stay at hotels with free breakfast to cover morning meals
- Eat lunch at more casual restaurants and food stalls for cheaper prices
- Grab quick, cheap street eats like shawarma, falafel, hummus
- Cook some meals yourself if you have access to a kitchen
- Shop for groceries at Carrefour or Choithrams supermarkets
- Avoid expensive hotel restaurants and upscale eateries
Budget about $15-25 per day on meals if you stick to casual spots and street food for a daily average of $150-200 on food for a week’s trip.
Transportation Costs
Fortunately, getting around Dubai is relatively affordable. Here are some typical transportation costs:
- Metro – Ticket prices start at 3 AED ($0.75 USD) for a single ride, with day passes available. The metro can get you to most major sights.
- Bus – Local buses start at 2 AED ($0.50 USD). Often slower than the metro but useful for some areas.
- Taxis – Very affordable, with rates starting around 5 AED ($1.25 USD) for short everyday trips. Even long taxi rides across town tend to cost $10-15 USD.
- Rideshares – Uber and Careem offer cost-effective rides, often cheaper than regular taxis.
- Renting a car – Rates for basic cars tend to be around $25-40 USD per day.
Budget $50-75 for transportation costs in total for a standard weeklong trip depending on how much you use taxis/rideshares vs public transportation.
Activities and Sightseeing
The costs for activities, attractions, and entertainment vary widely in Dubai. Here are some typical prices:
- Burj Khalifa Observation Deck – ~$40 USD per person
- Dubai Aquarium – ~$20 USD
- Walking tours – Free to $50 per person
- Dhow cruise – $50+ per person for dinner cruise
- Desert safari – $50-80 per person
- Water parks – $50+ for admission
- Museum admission – $5-15 per museum
Budget $300-500 per week for a moderate level of sightseeing and activities for one or two people. You can spend a lot more on things like hot air balloon rides, luxury desert tours, theme parks, etc.
Shopping Costs
From massive malls to traditional souks, Dubai is a shopper’s paradise. Prices for goods tend to be tax-free, making many items like electronics, beauty products, gold, spices, carpets, etc. great buys. Make sure to budget extra if you plan on bringing back souvenirs or splurging on Dubai’s famous gold and jewelry.
Misc/Unexpected Costs
It’s always smart to budget a little extra for any miscellaneous or unexpected costs that may come up on your trip like:
- Visa fees – Some nationalities need to purchase visas
- Exchanging currency – There are some fees to exchange money to local currency
- Bottled water – In the desert heat you’ll drink lots of water
- Tips – Though not required, tips are customary for good service
- Souvenirs – You’ll likely find some things you want to bring home
Add an extra $100 or so to your total budget to cover these miscellaneous expenses and costs that can pop up.
Conclusion
While the costs can seem daunting when tallied up, it’s possible to plan an amazing Dubai vacation on nearly any budget when you follow money-saving tips on things like flights, hotels, food, transportation and more.
For a one week trip for two people, you can reasonably plan for costs in this range:
- Flights: $1000 ($500 per person)
- Hotel: $600 ($300 per person)
- Food: $300 ($150 per person)
- Transportation: $100
- Activities: $400
- Misc expenses: $200
That brings a reasonable total trip budget for two people to around $2600, or $1300 per person for a week in Dubai including flights. You can reduce this further by staying in budget hotels, eating cheap street food, using public transport, and skipping expensive attractions and activities.
With some smart planning, Dubai can be an affordable destination and offer tremendous value. Do your research ahead of time on deals for flights and hotels during the shoulder seasons. Be smart about food and transportation costs when you are there. And most importantly, build an itinerary that focuses on the free and cheap sights and activities that you truly want to do. Enjoy this amazing destination!