Dubai Travel Budget
How much does it cost to visit Dubai, United Arab Emirates? Plan your budget with our interactive calculator.
Estimated Total for 7 Days
د.إ4,200
Travel Style
Midrange
Destination
Travel Style
Compare by Travel Style
See how your 7-day trip budget varies across backpacker, midrange, and comfortable travel styles.
Largest Expense
Accommodation
45% of total budget
Price Level
Expensive
Compared to global average
Local Currency
AED
Symbol: د.إ
Where Your Money Goes
Understanding your spending helps you travel smarter and stretch your budget further
Daily vs Total Cost
Switch between daily and total views to understand your spending
د.إ4,200
Total for 7 days
Accommodation
د.إ1,890
for 7 days
Food & Dining
د.إ924
for 7 days
Transport
د.إ504
for 7 days
Activities
د.إ672
for 7 days
Other
د.إ210
for 7 days
Planning Tip
Book accommodations early and compare prices across platforms. Mid-week stays often offer better rates than weekend arrivals, and flexibility with dates can save you up to 25%.
A Day in Dubai
See exactly what a real day costs, with insider tips for each expense
A Budget Day in Dubai
Total: د.إ17.5
Breakfast at Pakistani or Indian cafeteria
Bur Dubai has amazing cheap eats
Abra water taxi across Dubai Creek
Traditional wooden boat, incredible value
Gold and Spice Souks exploration (free)
Wander, haggle, smell the spices
Shawarma lunch in Deira
Al Mallah or any busy spot
Dubai Mall and fountain show (free)
The show happens every 30 mins at night
Dinner at Ravi Restaurant
Legendary Pakistani food since 1978
Metro travel
Clean, air-conditioned, efficient
Daily Total
7 activities
From Someone's Journal
Dubai on a budget is absolutely possible—you just need to know where the locals eat. Breakfast was paratha and chai at a Pakistani cafeteria for less than a fancy coffee back home. Crossed Dubai Creek on an abra—a wooden boat that's been shuttling people for centuries, surrounded by dhows and skyscrapers. The souks were overwhelming: mountains of gold, saffron by the kilo, frankincense smoke. Watched the fountains dance beneath the Burj Khalifa. Spent €17 total and saw two Dubais—the ancient and the impossible.
Memory Prompts for Dubai
Reflect on your spending with these thoughtful prompts - perfect for your travel journal
How did Dubai's extremes—wealth, architecture, weather—shape your experience?
City of contrasts
Describe your best meal in old Dubai vs. the modern towers.
Food contrasts
What surprised you about the cost of living in Dubai?
Budget reality
How did you find authentic experiences amid the mega-malls and luxury?
Cultural discovery
Free Things to Do in Dubai
Stretch your budget further with free attractions and insider money-saving tips
Dubai Fountain Show
Free water and light shows every 30 minutes from 6pm outside Dubai Mall.
Gold and Spice Souks
Wander the traditional markets in Deira. Looking is free.
Dubai Marina Walk
Stroll the waterfront promenade with skyscrapers and yachts.
JBR Beach
Free public beach with facilities. Avoid expensive beach clubs.
Al Fahidi Historical District
Explore old Dubai with traditional wind-tower architecture.
Kite Beach
Popular beach with Burj Al Arab views and kite surfers.
Dubai Creek Abra
Traditional boat ride across the creek costs just 1 AED.
Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk
Walk along the crescent with Atlantis views.
Mall of the Emirates
Watch ski slopes from the window (skiing costs extra).
The Dubai Mall
World's largest mall with aquarium, dinosaur, and waterfall inside.
Practical Tips for Dubai
Getting Around
Metro Nol card with silver category covers most needs. Day pass is 22 AED. Taxis are cheap for groups.
Where to Stay
Deira and Bur Dubai have hotels from 150-300 AED/night. Marina and Downtown cost 2-3x more.
Cheap Eats
Shawarma stalls cost 8-15 AED. Pakistani/Indian cafeterias in Deira serve huge meals for 20-30 AED.
Tipping Guide
10% is standard at restaurants. Tip hotel porters 5-10 AED. Taxi drivers appreciate rounding up.
Best Value Season
June-August offers lowest rates. December-February is peak season with premium pricing.
Watch Out For
Dubai is very safe. Beware of overpriced desert safaris and unofficial tour operators.
Pro tip: Combine free activities with paid attractions for a balanced, budget-friendly itinerary
Neighborhood Guide for Dubai
Find the perfect area to stay based on your budget and travel style
Downtown Dubai
Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the fountains. The iconic modern Dubai experience.
Best For
Dubai Marina
Waterfront district with skyscrapers, marina walk, and JBR beach access.
Best For
Deira
Old Dubai with traditional souks, authentic Middle Eastern restaurants, and budget hotels.
Best For
Bur Dubai
Historic area with Creek views, museums, and a mix of budget and mid-range stays.
Best For
JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence)
Beach resort area with The Walk promenade, restaurants, and beach clubs.
Best For
Palm Jumeirah
Iconic palm island with luxury resorts, Atlantis, and exclusive beach clubs.
Best For
Location Tip
Consider staying in "moderate" neighborhoods for the best balance of cost and convenience. They often have better local restaurants, easier transport links, and more authentic experiences than the most central tourist areas—while still being safe and well-connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about traveling to Dubai on a budget
A 7-day trip to Dubai costs approximately د.إ4,200 for a midrange travel style. This breaks down to about د.إ600 per day, covering accommodation, food, local transportation, activities, and miscellaneous expenses.
Daily budgets in Dubai vary by travel style: Budget/Backpacker travelers spend around د.إ250/day, Mid-range travelers spend د.إ600/day, and Comfortable travelers spend د.إ1,500/day. These estimates include accommodation, meals, local transport, and activities.
Dubai is considered a relatively expensive destination for tourists. With mid-range daily costs of د.إ600, it requires careful planning to stay within budget compared to other popular destinations. The largest expense is typically accommodation (45% of budget).
Food typically accounts for about 22% of your daily budget in Dubai. For a midrange experience, expect to spend around د.إ132 per day on meals. Shawarma stalls cost 8-15 AED. Pakistani/Indian cafeterias in Deira serve huge meals for 20-30 AED.
Dubai uses the AED (د.إ). We recommend exchanging some cash before arrival for small purchases, though credit cards are widely accepted in most establishments. ATMs are readily available throughout the city, but check with your bank about international transaction fees.
Accommodation in Dubai is the largest expense, typically representing 45% of your budget. For 7 days with a midrange travel style, expect to spend approximately د.إ1,890 total. Deira and Bur Dubai have hotels from 150-300 AED/night. Marina and Downtown cost 2-3x more.
Top money-saving tips for Dubai: Visit during summer, Use the Metro, Eat at food courts. These strategies can significantly reduce your daily costs.
Yes! Dubai has many free attractions including: Dubai Fountain Show, Gold and Spice Souks, Dubai Marina Walk, JBR Beach, and more. These free activities can help you stretch your budget significantly.
Local transportation typically accounts for 12% of your budget in Dubai. Metro Nol card with silver category covers most needs. Day pass is 22 AED. Taxis are cheap for groups. Budget around د.إ72 per day for transport.
10% is standard at restaurants. Tip hotel porters 5-10 AED. Taxi drivers appreciate rounding up.
June-August offers lowest rates. December-February is peak season with premium pricing.
Dubai is very safe. Beware of overpriced desert safaris and unofficial tour operators.
Data Source
Budget and cost of living data sourced from Numbeo. Prices are estimates based on crowdsourced data and may vary
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Your 7-Day Budget
د.إ4,200
د.إ600 per day
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