Dubai Travel Budget: Complete Price Guide 2025

Your ultimate Dubai travel budget price guide with real costs, proven money-saving strategies, and detailed breakdowns for experiencing Dubai on AED 300-3000 per day. From budget backpacking to luxury experiences.

Updated: January 202515 min read

Dubai Travel Budget Price Guide: Daily Cost Overview

AED 300-500

Budget Travel

Hostels, Local Food, Public Transport

AED 500-1000

Mid-Range Travel

3-Star Hotels, Restaurants, Mix Transport

AED 1000-3000+

Luxury Travel

5-Star Hotels, Fine Dining, VIP Experiences

This comprehensive Dubai travel budget price guide reveals exactly how to experience Dubai affordably. Whether you're planning a budget weekend or a luxury week, our Dubai trip planner helps you maximize experiences while managing costs in this incredible city.

Dubai Travel Budget Categories: Complete Price Guide

Budget Travel

AED 300-500

$80-135 per day

Budget Travel

Includes:

HostelsStreet foodPublic metroFree beaches

Typical Costs:

✓Dorm beds AED 80-150
✓Shawarma AED 10-20
✓Metro day pass AED 22
✓Free attractions

Mid-Range Travel

AED 500-1000

$135-270 per day

Mid-Range Travel

Includes:

3-star hotelsLocal restaurantsMix transportPaid attractions

Typical Costs:

✓Hotels AED 250-450
✓Meals AED 50-100
✓Taxis + Metro
✓Burj Khalifa AED 149

Luxury Travel

AED 1000-3000+

$270-800+ per day

Luxury Travel

Includes:

5-star hotelsFine diningPrivate carsVIP experiences

Typical Costs:

✓Luxury hotels AED 800+
✓Fine dining AED 300+
✓Private drivers
✓Helicopter tours

Detailed Price Breakdown: Dubai Travel Costs

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Accommodation Prices in Dubai

Budget Options

Hostel dorm:AED 80-150

Budget hotel:AED 200-350

Hotel apartment:AED 250-400

Airbnb (private):AED 300-500

Mid-Range Options

3-star hotel:AED 350-600

4-star hotel:AED 500-900

Serviced apartment:AED 450-750

Airbnb (luxury):AED 600-1000

Luxury Options

5-star hotel:AED 800-2000

Burj Al Arab:AED 5000+

Atlantis:AED 1500-3000

Luxury villa:AED 2000-5000+

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Food & Dining Costs in Dubai

Budget-Friendly Meals

Shawarma:AED 10-20

Local cafeteria:AED 15-30

Food court meal:AED 25-40

Supermarket meal:AED 20-35

Street food:AED 15-25

Restaurant Dining

Casual restaurant:AED 50-100

Mid-range dining:AED 100-200

Fine dining:AED 300-600

Friday brunch:AED 200-500

Burj Khalifa dining:AED 400-800

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Transportation Costs in Dubai

Public Transport

Metro single trip:AED 3-8

Metro day pass:AED 22

Bus single trip:AED 2-5

Nol Card (rechargeable):AED 25 (incl. credit)

Taxis & Private

Taxi base fare:AED 12

Taxi per km:AED 1.96

Uber/Careem (10km):AED 30-50

Airport taxi to city:AED 50-80

Money-Saving Strategies for Dubai Travel

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Accommodation Savings

✓Book hotels 2-3 months in advance for 30-40% savings
✓Stay in Deira or Bur Dubai for budget options
✓Avoid peak season (Nov-Mar) for better rates
✓Use hotel apartments for longer stays
✓Check for free breakfast inclusions

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Transportation Savings

✓Use Dubai Metro - cheapest way to travel (AED 3-8)
✓Get a Nol Card for 20% discount on transport
✓Avoid taxis during peak hours
✓Walk in areas like Dubai Marina and JBR
✓Use RTA buses for long distances (AED 2-5)

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Food & Dining Savings

✓Eat at local cafeterias in Deira and Karama
✓Try Friday brunches for all-you-can-eat deals
✓Shop at Carrefour and Lulu for groceries
✓Lunch menus are 40% cheaper than dinner
✓Food courts in malls offer budget meals

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Attractions Savings

✓Visit free beaches: JBR, Kite Beach, La Mer
✓Explore Old Dubai: Al Fahidi, Gold Souk (free)
✓Book attraction tickets online for discounts
✓Use Dubai Pass for multiple attractions
✓Visit during Dubai Summer Surprises for deals

Weekly Budget Plans: Dubai Travel Price Guide

Budget Week

Backpacker

AED 2,100-3,500

$570-950

Weekly Breakdown:

accommodation:AED 560-1,050 (hostels/budget hotels)

food:AED 700-1,400 (local food)

transport:AED 150-300 (metro/bus)

activities:AED 300-750 (mix free/paid)

Best for:

Old DubaiPublic beachesDubai MallSpice Souk

Mid-Range Week

Comfortable

AED 3,500-7,000

$950-1,900

Weekly Breakdown:

accommodation:AED 1,750-3,150 (3-star hotels)

food:AED 1,050-2,100 (restaurants)

transport:AED 350-700 (metro + taxis)

activities:AED 700-1,400 (attractions)

Best for:

Burj KhalifaDesert safariDubai MarinaAtlantis

Luxury Week

Premium

AED 7,000-21,000+

$1,900-5,700+

Weekly Breakdown:

accommodation:AED 5,600-14,000 (5-star hotels)

food:AED 2,100-4,200 (fine dining)

transport:AED 700-1,400 (private cars)

activities:AED 1,400-2,800 (VIP experiences)

Best for:

Burj Al ArabPrivate yachtHelicopter tourMichelin dining

Top Dubai Attractions & Prices

Burj Khalifa

AED 149-370

Dubai Mall

FREE

Free entry

Dubai Fountain

FREE

Free

Gold Souk

FREE

Free

JBR Beach

FREE

Free

Al Fahidi Historical District

FREE

Free

Desert Safari

AED 150-300

Dubai Frame

AED 50

Museum of the Future

AED 145

Dubai Marina Walk

FREE

Free

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