How Much Does Dubai Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Dubai is a city of distinct financial contrasts where futuristic luxury meets traditional markets. While it has a reputation for being an expensive playground, budget travelers can navigate the city for as little as $73 / AED 269 per day, whereas those seeking high-end opulence can easily exceed $2,307 / AED 8,473 per day. Costs are heavily influenced by the neighborhood; staying in Deira or Al Barsha offers significantly more value than the beachfront resorts of Palm Jumeirah. Unique expenses include the Tourist Dirham fee and high taxes on alcohol, which are balanced by low-cost public transport and affordable street food in the older districts. Understanding these price tiers is essential for managing a budget in this sprawling desert metropolis.
Is Dubai expensive to visit?
Dubai accommodates a wide range of budgets, with daily costs typically falling between $73 / AED 269 and $2,307 / AED 8,473 depending on whether travelers choose local street eats or five-star desert safaris.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Dubai
$73
per person /day
$339
per person /day
$2,307
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $220 | $1,018 | $6,921 |
| 5-Day Trip | $366 | $1,696 | $11,533 |
| 7-Day Trip | $513 | $2,375 | $16,147 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% buffer to cover the Tourist Dirham fee of up to $5.43 / AED 20 per night and the 10% service charge common in upscale restaurants. Additionally, the taxi peak hour surcharge of ~$1.35 / AED 4.97 can increase daily transport costs during heavy traffic periods.
How Does It Compare?
See how Dubai stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Dubai
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget Meal (Shawarma & Juice) Street food in Al Satwa or Deira can cost as little as ~$2.71 / AED 9.94 for a single shawarma. | $9.5 AED 35 |
| Mid-range Dinner (3-course for two) Expect to pay ~$94 / AED 346 for a full dinner for two including service charges. | $95 AED 349 |
| Pint of Draught Beer (Hotel Bar) Alcohol is only served in licensed hotels and clubs. Happy hour deals save ~$4.71–$7.06 / AED 17–AED 26. | $15 AED 55 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Adult Silver Card - More than 2 Zones This covers long trips, such as from the Airport to Dubai Marina. Gold Class costs ~$4.07 / AED 15. | $2.04 AED 7.48 |
| Official Dubai Airport Taxi Starting Fare The meter then runs at ~$0.6 / AED 2.2 per km. Official ranks are found at all terminals. | $6.78 AED 25 |
| Standard City Taxi Starting Fare (Day) Minimum fare for any taxi trip in Dubai is ~$3.26 / AED 12. | $3.26 AED 12 |
| Traditional Abra Crossing (Dubai Creek) The cheapest and most scenic way to cross between Deira and Bur Dubai (approx. $0.27 / AED 0.99). | $0.27 AED 0.99 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget Hostel Dorm Bed (Deira/Al Barsha) Prices for a bed in a shared dorm room. Booking in advance saves ~$5.89–$12 / AED 22–AED 43. | $31 AED 115 |
| Mid-range Hotel (Dubai Marina/Downtown) Rates include 5% VAT but usually exclude the ~$4.07 / AED 15 per night Tourist Dirham fee. | $176 AED 648 |
| Luxury Suite at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Includes 24-hour butler service and access to the private beach club. | $1,696 AED 6,230 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Burj Khalifa At the Top SKY (Level 148) This is the highest standard adult access. Standard Level 124 access is ~$48–$67 / AED 177–AED 246. | $150 AED 551 |
| Museum of the Future General Admission Tickets often sell out 2–3 weeks in advance; book early online to save ~$108 / AED 398 on priority entry. | $46 AED 168 |
| Global Village Seasonal Entry (Value Ticket) Weekday tickets (Sun–Thu) are slightly cheaper at ~$6.78 / AED 25. | $8.14 AED 30 |
| Heritage Desert Safari (Platinum Heritage) Includes transport in a vintage Land Rover and a traditional 4-course dinner (~$215 / AED 791). | $216 AED 792 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Etisalat Visitor Line (14 Days Unlimited) Price excludes 5% VAT. 10GB plans are available for ~$26 / AED 94. | $82 AED 303 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Dubai ranges from quick shawarmas and juice for approximately $9.5 / AED 35 in areas like Al Satwa to elaborate three-course mid-range dinners costing around $95 / AED 349 for two. Alcohol is a major expense, with a single pint of draught beer at a licensed hotel bar averaging $15 / AED 55, making happy hours a vital strategy for budget-conscious travelers.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Ravi Restaurant
$8.14–$16 / AED 30–AED 60Al Satwa · Local chain
The Chicken Peshawari and Garlic Naan are iconic and cost less than ~$12 / AED 45 together.
Al Mallah
$3.26–$12 / AED 12–AED 45Al Satwa · Street food area
Grab a shawarma and a fresh mango juice for about ~$8.12 / AED 30.
Al Ustad Special Kabab
$9.5–$19 / AED 35–AED 70Bur Dubai · Local chain
This historical spot is packed with celebrity photos; expect to pay ~$11 / AED 40 for a massive platter.
Bu Qtair
$14–$33 / AED 50–AED 120Jumeirah · Street market
No menu; just pick your fish. Standing in line saves ~$5.89 / AED 22 compared to table service.
Zaroob
$11–$24 / AED 40–AED 90Sheikh Zayed Road · Local chain
Great for late-night Levantine food; a full breakfast tray is about ~$16 / AED 60.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The most cost-effective way to traverse the city is the Dubai Metro, where long-distance trips across more than two zones cost only $2.04 / AED 7.48 with a Silver Card. For a more traditional experience, crossing the Dubai Creek on an abra costs just $0.27 / AED 0.99, while city taxis remain accessible with a starting daytime fare of $3.26 / AED 12.
Accommodation Overview
Mid-range travelers can expect to pay roughly $176 / AED 648 for a hotel in areas like Dubai Marina or Downtown, though budget hostel dorms are available for $31 / AED 115. For those looking to splurge, a luxury suite at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah costs approximately $1,696 / AED 6,230 per night, which includes private beach access and butler service.
Accommodation Budget in Dubai
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a Silver Nol Card for the metro rather than using the Red ticket to ensure the lowest fare of $2.04 / AED 7.48 for long journeys.
- 2 Visit Global Village on a weekday (Sunday–Thursday) to pay the 'Value Ticket' price of $8.14 / AED 30 instead of the weekend rate.
- 3 Book tickets for the Museum of the Future online 2–3 weeks in advance to pay the standard $46 / AED 168 fee and avoid priority entry premiums of up to ~$108 / AED 398.
- 4 Eat at Ravi Restaurant in Al Satwa or Al Ustad Special Kabab in Bur Dubai where large meals are far cheaper than the $95 / AED 349 average for mid-range dining.
- 5 Take advantage of 'Ladies' Night' deals, typically held on Tuesdays, where many licensed venues offer free drinks or discounted menus.
- 6 Use 'Dubai Can' water refill stations located throughout major malls and parks to save on the cost of bottled water.
- 7 Explore the heritage district of Al Seef for a free walk instead of paying for high-priced observation decks for views of the Creek.
- 8 Use a 10GB data plan for $26 / AED 94 instead of the $82 / AED 303 unlimited visitor line if the stay is less than two weeks.
- 9 Shop for gold and spices in the traditional souks of Deira, but always negotiate at least 25–30% off the initial quoted price.
- 10 Look for 'Happy Hour' windows in hotel bars to save roughly $4.71–$7.06 / AED 17–AED 26 on a pint of beer that otherwise costs $15 / AED 55.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
+40-60%
Jun, Jul, Aug
-30-50%
Apr, May, Oct
Summer (Jun–Aug) is extremely hot (over 45°C/113°F) but offers luxury hotels for as low as ~$135 / AED 497. Peak season (Nov–Mar) has perfect 25°C (77°F) weather but requires booking 3 months ahead.
Events to Watch
- ● New Year's Eve: +200% hotels Downtown
- ● Dubai Shopping Festival (Jan): High occupancy
- ● COP/Major Summits: Prices spike 3x
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Watching the Dubai Fountain show outside the Dubai Mall every evening.
- 2 Exploring the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood to see traditional wind-tower architecture.
- 3 Walking through the Gold and Spice Souks in Deira.
- 4 Viewing flamingos at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
- 5 Relaxing at Umm Suqeim Beach (Sunset Beach) for the best free view of the Burj Al Arab.
- 6 Strolling along the 7km Dubai Marina Promenade.
- 7 Visiting the Riverland Dubai district at Dubai Parks and Resorts.
- 8 Exploring the Al Seef heritage area along the Dubai Creek.
- 9 Watching the IMAGINE light and water show at Dubai Festival City Mall.
- 10 Browsing the art galleries at Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz.
- 11 Walking through the JBR Open Beach and The Walk area.
- 12 Visiting the Coffee Museum in Al Fahidi (free entry to certain exhibition rooms).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Afternoon Tea at Sahn Eddar (Burj Al Arab)
It is the only way to enter the iconic hotel without staying there and includes 7 courses of premium tea and snacks.
Dinner in the Sky Dubai
Dine while suspended 50 meters in the air over Dubai Marina for a truly unique view.
Balloon Adventures Sunrise Hot Air Balloon
The only flight that includes a drone show and breakfast in a royal desert retreat (~$366 / AED 1,344).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Dubai
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Dubai and what they cost
Abu Dhabi (Louvre & Grand Mosque)
$14 / AED 50 by Intercity Bus (E100/E101)
$17 / AED 63
$60 / AED 219
Al Ain (Garden City)
$11 / AED 40 by Intercity Bus (E201)
Free
$49 / AED 179
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)
1 $ ≈ 3.67 AED
No
Everywhere including taxis, street kiosks, and souk vendors. Cash is only useful for tipping or very small street snacks.
10–15% is standard in restaurants if not already included. For taxis, round up to the nearest ~$1.35–$2.71 / AED 4.97–AED 9.94. Porters usually receive ~$2.71 / AED 9.94.
ATMs are plentiful in malls and metro stations. Use bank-affiliated ATMs (ADCB, Emirates NBD) to avoid extra fees of ~$4.71–$8.24 / AED 17–AED 30.
Essential in the Gold and Spice Souks. Aim for 30–50% off the first quoted price. Malls have fixed prices.
Connectivity
eSIM: $12–$29 for 5GB–10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $26 / AED 95 at the airport for a 10GB plan.
WiFi: Excellent in malls, cafés, and all public transport stations.
The free 1GB tourist eSIM given at immigration is great for the first 24 hours; then top it up or buy an Airalo eSIM for ~$18 / AED 65.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Dubai.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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