The United Arab Emirates is an amazing destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have and amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.
How much does it cost to travel to the United Arab Emirates?
You should plan to spend around $286 (AED1,050) per day on your vacation in the United Arab Emirates. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $86 (AED316) on meals
- $16 (AED60) on local transportation
- $320 (AED1,176) on hotels
A one week trip to the United Arab Emirates for two people costs, on average, $4,002 (AED14,700). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
-
One Week
Per person
$2,001
AED7,350
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$4,002
AED14,700
-
One Month
Per person
$8,576
AED31,500
-
One Week
For a couple
$4,002
AED14,700
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$8,004
AED29,400
-
One Month
For a couple
$17,152
AED63,000
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to the United Arab Emirates cost?
A one week trip to the United Arab Emirates usually costs around $2,001 (AED7,350) for one person and $4,002 (AED14,700) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to the United Arab Emirates on average costs around $4,002 (AED14,700) for one person and $8,004 (AED29,400) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in the United Arab Emirates will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to the United Arab Emirates on average costs around $8,576 (AED31,500) for one person and $17,152 (AED63,000) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is the United Arab Emirates expensive to visit?
The United Arab Emirates is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates is very expensive compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in the Middle East for its travel costs. There are only a few countries as expensive or more expensive than the United Arab Emirates in the region.
The United Arab Emirates offers diverse attractions and accommodation to suit all types of travelers, whether you're on a tight budget or looking for luxury. For those on a budget, hostels in Dubai are available, but there are also luxury hotels for affluent visitors, and plenty of mid-range hotels for families and couples.
Sure, the United Arab Emirates can cost a lot, but with smart choices like eating at less expensive restaurants and enjoying free activities, you can stretch your budget further.
On average, budget travelers spend $114 (AED417) per person per day, mid-range travelers spend $286 (AED1,050) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $750 (AED2,754) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to the United Arab Emirates.
For more details, see Is the United Arab Emirates Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to the United Arab Emirates?
The average United Arab Emirates trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these United Arab Emirates travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to the United Arab Emirates cost?
the United Arab Emirates on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$61
(AED225)
|
$160
(AED588)
|
$433
(AED1,592)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$5.95
(AED22)
|
$16
(AED60)
|
$49
(AED181)
|
|
Food 2
|
$34
(AED127)
|
$86
(AED316)
|
$211
(AED774)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$11
(AED39)
|
$29
(AED107)
|
$87
(AED318)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$4-12
(AED15-45)
|
$10-29
(AED36-107)
|
$21-62
(AED75-226)
|
Dubai
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to have realistic expectations for your travel budget. While many people assume they can travel to the United Arab Emirates without spending much money, the reality is that most people are not comfortable traveling on an extremely low "shoestring" budget. Consider what you really enjoy doing when you are on vacation and how you've traveled in the past. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you like to experience all of the activities, museums, and sights? Is dining out at delicious restaurants important to you? Your answers to these questions will affect your overall travel budget and itinerary.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
Many travelers hear that exploring the United Arab Emirates can be done for $114 a day, but if you want to keep some comforts, expect to pay a lot more.
Backpackers might find a way to travel around on that tight budget, but that usually means dorm stays in hostels, eating at budget-friendly restaurants or fast food places, using public transport or walking, and focusing on free attractions.
Fortunately, the United Arab Emirates has a significant number of hostels, especially in Dubai. While food is a big draw for everyone visiting the United Arab Emirates, budget travelers often rely on street food or cooking in their hostels, so they may not get to fully experience the local cuisine due to their budget.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. Most visitors to the United Arab Emirates will want to visit the major attractions, sights, and landmarks. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $286 per person, per day.
There are a wide range of hotels and vacation rentals in the United Arab Emirates. If you're traveling with others, you'll share your hotel with a partner, friend, or your children, so costs will be split accordingly, saving money. In places like Dubai, which are particularly family-friendly, you'll find hotels and restaurants that cater to kids. Also, in Dubai, Rove Downtown Dubai is a good kid-friendly option, and in Dubai, Media One Hotel Dubai is also terrific. You'll find more hotels that cater to families and couples in our hotel guide for the United Arab Emirates here.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If your dream trip includes all the bells and whistles, be ready for a cost of about $750 per day. Opting for upscale hotels, fine dining at renowned eateries, splurging on unique experiences, and having private drivers will place you in the luxury travel range. You can rub shoulders with other luxury travelers in places like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Another option would be to splurge on a multi-day high-end tour that takes care of everything for you, such as Oman Luxury Tour - offered by Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd.
Accommodation Budget in the United Arab Emirates
the United Arab Emirates has a surprising range of hotel prices. During peak season, everything gets more expensive, so visit in the off-season for better deals. There's also a big gap between budget and luxury options, but booking early helps keep costs down.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in the United Arab Emirates for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $320 (AED1,176). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $160 (AED588) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in the United Arab Emirates? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Dubai
Dubai is a large city that is one of the more popular destinations in the United Arab Emirates. During the peak winter months hotels can fill up early, so plan to book well in advance. In Dubai, the average hotel price is $71 in the low season and $132 in the busy season. On average, four star hotels will cost $64 to $120. If you stay in a hostel, you can expect to pay around $23 for a dorm bed. For hotels, a few of the best options here include Dusit D2 Kenz Hotel Dubai for $40 and Media One Hotel Dubai starting at $71. If you're looking to explore for a while, make sure to secure a comfortable accommodation in a great location, as many travelers stay for up to seven days.
Local Transportation Budget in the United Arab Emirates
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $16 (AED60) per person, per day, on local transportation in the United Arab Emirates. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in the United Arab Emirates is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$16
AED60
the United Arab Emirates has limited options for public transportation unless you're visiting places like the biggest cities. You should plan to hire a driver or have a prearranged form of transportation available, such as a tour. However, this may cut into your overall trip budget.
In busy Dubai, it's much simpler to avoid cars such as taxis or rideshares, given the heavy traffic and congestion. Instead, consider using public transportation or walking to get around and keep your costs down.
Typical prices for transit in the United Arab Emirates are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the overall transportation costs in the United Arab Emirates. Keep in mind that your individual costs will vary based on your method of transit, as hired cars such as taxis are generally much more expensive than public transportation.
-
Taxi to Airport
AED50
-
Sea Taxi
AED2.00
-
Airport Taxi
AED46
-
Taxi Ride
AED45
-
Car Rental
AED115
Food Budget in the United Arab Emirates
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in the United Arab Emirates can vary significantly, the average cost of food in the United Arab Emirates is $86 (AED316) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$86
AED316
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in the United Arab Emirates is around $86 (AED316) per person, with previous travelers spending from $34 to $211. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in the United Arab Emirates are as follows:
- Breakfast: $15 to $26
- Lunch: $13 to $43
- Dinner: $30 to $69
- Coffee: $8
- Fast Food or Street Food: $14
In cities like Dubai, and to a lesser extent, Abu Dhabi, you can find restaurants that serve any number of western cuisines. The large expat community throughout the country means that the cuisine takes on a multicultural flare. Rice is a common stable. It is often well seasoned and served with a meat such as lamb on top. Most of the high end restaurants are found in hotels, but if you eat elsewhere you will find that most food options are quite affordable.
Al Harees: This is a popular dish that is made with whipped wheat and meat. It is usually prepared for special occasions such as Ramadan or during weddings.
Al Majboos: This is a delicious and filling dish that is made with meat and rice. The meat is prepared with a range of spices and vegetables. It is then served, layered with rice and saffron.
Al Madrooba: This is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made from salt-cured fish. This fish is cleaned and prepared with a light flower. It is then served with ghee on top.
Known worldwide for its outstanding cuisine, the United Arab Emirates is a hugely popular food destination. The food alone draws many visitors. Some of the top cities for food enthusiasts are Dubai.
Dubai
If you're a traveling foodie, you'll enjoy your time in Dubai. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.
When dining with children, make sure to find restaurants that offer a childrens' menu. This can save you a considerable amount, as those meals are usually much cheaper. Also, remember that some restaurants might not list the kids' options, so it's a good idea to ask your waiter.
While numerous hotels include breakfast in the overall cost, some might add it as an additional fee. The quality and pricing of breakfast can fluctuate based on the hotel. Knowing this information in advance can guide your decision on whether to indulge in a hotel buffet or opt for a cheaper bakery or café nearby.
Consider taking a water bottle with you instead of purchasing drinks all the time. It's also an eco-friendly choice.
When arranging for a tour, be sure to confirm which meals are included ahead of time. There may be some meals you'll need to pay for yourself, which could add to your overall costs.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in the United Arab Emirates. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Evening Dubai Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Camel Ride for $84 details
- Private Evening Thriller Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner for $275 details
- Premium Dubai Red Dunes with quadbike, camel ride and VIP Dinner for $98 details
- Desert Safari Dubai With High Speed Dune Buggy And Dinner in 5 Star Camp for $181 details
Food and meal prices in the United Arab Emirates, based on real travelers' reported expenses, are shown below. These typical costs can give you a sense of the overall price range for meals. However, your individual expenses might be different depending on your dining habits, restaurant choices, and specific orders.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in the United Arab Emirates
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in the United Arab Emirates typically cost an average of $29 (AED107) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$29
AED107
The United Arab Emirates is an extremely popular travel destination, and offers many visitors a chance to check off many places on their bucket list. Some of the most popular destinations in the United Arab Emirates include Dubai.
Dubai
Dubai is a cosmopolitan and modern city in the UAE with luxury resorts and high-reaching skyscrapers. It's an ultramodern city with a vibrant nightlife scene and many manmade wonders. It's a desert city with luxury shopping malls and unique adventures that tourists can experience.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore the United Arab Emirates. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Flyboard Experience in Dubai for $80 details
- Private Half Day City Tour in Dubai for $223 details
- Small-Group Tour: Falcon 2—Dubai Falconry Safari for $199 details
- Dubai Desert Visit With/Without Dune Drive Private tour 4-5 hours for $269 details
A few typical prices for sights, activities, and entry fees in the United Arab Emirates are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers to provide you with an idea how much you might need to spend. Your individual costs will vary based on which activities you do, which attractions or museums you visit, and how often you participate in free or low-cost activities.
Nightlife Budget in the United Arab Emirates
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $19 (AED71) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in the United Arab Emirates per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$19
AED71
The United Arab Emirates is an extremely popular destination for nightlife, and visitors come from around the world to experience the epic nightlife scene. Some of the best nighlife destinations include Dubai.
Dubai
If partying is a priority while you're traveling, then you'll want to visit Dubai. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.
While nightlife is often a major part of the experience, cutting back on drinks can help save a lot of money.
Tasting tours and nightlife activities are very popular in the United Arab Emirates. A few of the favorites from previous visitors include:
- Pub Crawl Dubai: Nightlife Tours for $66 details
- Dubai: Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour for $65 details
Typical prices for alcohol and nightlife in the United Arab Emirates are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the drink prices in the United Arab Emirates. However, your individual costs will vary based on your travel style, how often you drink alcoholic beverages, and how much you order. Keep in mind that if you want to save money on your trip, cutting out alcohol can make one of the biggest impacts on your travel budget.
Travel Costs Last Updated: Oct 30, 2024
Traveling in the United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation made up of seven emirates on the Arabian peninsula. The seven emirates include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Quwain, Ra's al Khaymah, and Fujairah. Abu Dhabi is the largest, but Dubai is the most well known and frequently visited.
The United Arab Emirates is a very modern country immersed in culture and history. The infrastructure in the country if very good, but perhaps a little overcrowded. Imports from the west are readily available in shops. It's a very clean and modern country to visit, and many people enjoy seeing this pristine side of the Middle East, while others see it as little more than a "Disney World" style experience. Part of the appeal in visiting the UAE is to see the extreme and impressive luxury resorts that are popping up in areas like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. To simply visit these resorts is a very unique experience. The two most famous resorts are the sail shaped Burj al-Arab in Dubai, and the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have large expat communities, so you will find many different European and Indian restaurants and brands for sale. There are many large shopping malls and supermarkets where you can find anything you might be looking for. There are also many western chains around including KFC, McDonalds and even Ikea. English is widely spoken, particularly in the tourism industry, so you should have very little trouble communicating. Alcohol is available in most hotels, bars, and restaurants. There is a law that requires a license to purchase alcohol, but this law is often overlooked. The license is a statement that the individual is a non-Muslim.
A trip to the UAE really offers a glimpse into a world where cultures are colliding. Conservatism meets modernism and technology is integrated with traditional values. It's a fascinating place to visit, particularly if you can take the time to get outside of the major cities and see what else the country has to offer.
At A Glance
- The weekend here is on Friday and Saturday. Many businessmen work a half day on Thursdays, but they do often work the entire day on Saturday. Businesses are closed on Friday mornings, but many open in the afternoon after services and by the evening you will find many people out and about socializing.
- During Ramadan the schedule changes dramatically. Restaurants are closed during daylight hours and most offices and shops close down in the afternoon. The fast is broken after the sunset during a meal that is referred to as iftar. Some businesses open back up between the hours of 8:00PM and midnight.
- Dubai has a major international airport and many connecting flights to Africa or Asia have a layover in this city. A great way to conveniently explore the city is to extend your layover to several days. This allows you time to see what you want to see, but you don't have to buy an additional plane ticket to reach the area.
- Public transportation is challenging in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The systems are not well established and you will likely end up taking taxis to most places. Prices are cheap however. You can expect to pay about US$2.00 to most places within the city. An additional US$3 may be added to the total during evening hours after 10:00 PM. If you plan to travel between cities, renting a car is a popular option. Rental cars cost slightly less than you would expect to pay in the United States.
- The beaches in the area are quite impressive and worth a visit. The water is strikingly blue and very clean. Recent construction has made the water somewhat more cloudy, but it is still a very beautiful place to visit and not to be missed while you're in the area. There is also some excellent snorkeling and diving in the Indian Ocean. The water is very warm and clear. The beaches can range from very touristy to almost isolated, even near Dubai. Wearing a bathing suit in public is not recommended so your best option if you plan to swim or sunbath is to pay for access to a private beach near a hotel.
Related:
Looking for a hostel in Delhi or Goa? Heading to Kathmandu or want a party in Tel Aviv?
Top Tourist Attractions
Fujairah: This city is located about two hours by car from Dubai. It's a midsized town that is surrounded by beautiful countryside. There's a fort overlooking the town that is 300 years old. If you make the trip to the area, make sure you take time to explore the surrounding hills.
Liwa Oasis: This area offers some of the largest sand dunes in the world. It's located to the south of Abu Dhabi and there are several small villages that are clustered together in the area.
Hatta: Stop off at the Hatta Pools, where you can see deep canyons that have been carved out by rushing floodwater. Swimming in a bathing suit in public is not advised. Instead, consider buying a one day pass to a hotel where you can swim in privacy.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.