Daily costs per person in AED. Dubai is pricier than most destinations, but smart choices keep it surprisingly affordable.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: AED (Dirham) (1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | AED 80–150 | AED 250–500 | AED 800+ | Hostels → 3-star hotels → 5-star resorts |
| Food | AED 50–80 | AED 120–200 | AED 400+ | Street food & cafeterias → casual dining → fine dining |
| Transport | AED 20–40 | AED 60–120 | AED 200+ | Metro & bus → taxi/Careem → private driver |
| Activities | AED 50–100 | AED 150–300 | AED 500+ | Free sites & museums → Burj Khalifa + safari → skydive + yacht |
| Drinks | AED 0–30 | AED 60–120 | AED 200+ | Karak chai → happy hours → rooftop bars |
| Daily Total | AED 200–400 | AED 640–1,240 | AED 2,100+ | $55–110 → $175–340 → $570+ |
Money-saving tips
Free experiences
Dubai Fountain shows, JBR/Kite/Black Palace beaches, Marina Walk, Gold & Spice Souks, Al Fahidi galleries, Alserkal Avenue art district, and the AED 1 Creek abra ride.
Eat like a local
Bur Dubai, Deira, Satwa, and Karama have cafeterias serving full meals for AED 15–35. Shawarma from street stalls: AED 5–10. Karak chai: AED 1–3.
Metro smart
Get a Nol Silver Card (AED 25 incl. AED 19 credit). Fares: AED 3–7.50 per ride. All-day pass: AED 22. No eating or gum on the metro (AED 100–200 fine).
Book online
Burj Khalifa non-peak tickets save AED 70+ vs peak/counter. Desert safaris are 30–50% cheaper through online platforms than hotel concierge.
Happy hours
Drinks at bars cost AED 40–80 normally. Happy hours (1–7pm) drop to AED 25. Use the Guzzler app. Ladies' nights offer free drinks on Tue/Wed/Thu.
Transport
Hala Taxi is cheapest, then Careem, then Uber. Avoid taxis during rush hours (7:30–9:30am, 5–7pm). Airport taxi surcharge is AED 25.
