The same eight days in Dubai can cost very different amounts for different travellers. It helps to split the budget in two: what you pay before departure and what you spend on the spot. All figures below are approximate — treat them as a guide.
What you pay before departure
The tour price usually covers the biggest costs: flights, hotel and transfers. The exact contents vary from tour to tour, so read the 'Included' and 'Not included' lists on the tour page carefully.
Pay particular attention to the meal plan. A hotel with breakfast noticeably cuts daily spending, while lunch and dinner in town are often cheaper and more interesting than in the hotel.
How the season affects the price
From November to March Dubai has its most comfortable weather and its highest hotel rates, especially over the New Year holidays and during major exhibitions. From May to September it is very hot (above 40 °C), but hotels are considerably cheaper.
April and October are the middle ground: the sea is warm and prices are below peak. If your budget is tight, start by looking at these months.
Daily costs: food and transport
The local currency is the dirham (AED), pegged to the US dollar at about 3.67 dirhams to the dollar. Lunch at a mall food court or a simple café is typically 30–50 dirhams; dinner at a mid-range restaurant is around 80–150 dirhams per person.
The metro and buses are the cheapest way around: you pay with a Nol card and a ride costs a few dirhams. Taxis are convenient, but several rides a day add up quickly.
As a guide, many travellers plan roughly 40–70 dollars per person per day for food and transport. That figure moves either way depending on your habits.
Attractions and excursions
This is the most variable part of the budget. Tickets for the Burj Khalifa observation deck, a desert safari, water parks and theme parks depend on date and time: sunset slots usually cost more, and buying online in advance is often cheaper.
There is also plenty that is free or nearly free: the Dubai Fountain show, public beaches, the old Deira district and its souks, and a crossing of the Creek on a traditional abra boat for a couple of dirhams.
Costs people often forget
Hotels collect a 'Tourism Dirham' fee per room per night on the spot — the amount depends on the hotel's category. Prices carry 5% VAT, and restaurants may add a service charge to the bill.
Add mobile data (a local SIM or eSIM), medical insurance and souvenirs to the list. Check the current entry rules and document requirements with our manager before you fly.
Practical ways to save
Saving does not mean going without; it means seeing the costs coming:
- choose a hotel with breakfast included
- plan one paid attraction a day and give the rest of the time to free sights
- buy tickets online in advance
- cards are accepted almost everywhere, but keep a little cash for the souks and the abra
- keep 10–15% of the budget in reserve for the unexpected
