For the average couple visiting Dubai, we recommend taking 7,836 AED spending money for 7 days. That is approximately:

£1,575
€1,735
$2,130

depending on your country of residence.

Average Daily Travel Costs in Dubai

You should plan to spend around AED 729 ($198) per day during your trip to Dubai. This estimate is based on the expenses of previous travelers.

Average Daily Expenses

Expense	Average Cost
Meals	AED 164 ($45)
Local Transportation	AED 38 ($10)

How Much Money Should I Bring to Dubai?

The average cost of a 7-day trip to Dubai:

Traveler Type	Average Cost
Solo Traveler	$1,498
Couple	$2,690
Family of 4	$5,044

Accommodation Costs

Hotels: $35 – $107 per night
Average hotel: $46 per night
Vacation rentals: $210 – $530 per night

How Much Money Do You Need Per Day in Dubai?

Average estimated daily budget:

AED 729 ($198) per person

This includes:

Food
Local transportation
Entertainment
Accommodation

Is Dubai Expensive?

In general, prices in Dubai are comparable to other major cities worldwide.

Things That Can Be Expensive

Luxury hotels
Fine dining
Tourist attractions
Desert safaris
Shopping malls

Budget-Friendly Options

Dubai also offers:

Affordable hotels
Cheap local restaurants
Public transport
Free attractions

How Much Money Do I Need for 7 Days in Dubai?

According to research:

7,836 AED total
Around 1,120 AED per day for a couple

How Many Days in Dubai Is Enough?

A stay of about 5 days is considered ideal to enjoy Dubai comfortably and visit major attractions.

Can I Use Cash in Dubai?

Yes, cash is widely accepted in Dubai.

However:

Debit and credit cards are preferred
Currency exchange rates at hotels are usually worse
UAE currency is AED (Dirham)

Is 10,000 AED Enough in Dubai?

10,000 AED ≈ 2,735 USD

This may be enough for short stays or moderate living expenses, but Dubai can become expensive depending on lifestyle.

Is Dubai Cheaper Than London?

Yes.

The cost of living in Dubai is approximately 30% cheaper than London.

Is Food Expensive in Dubai?

Dubai has food options for every budget.

Average Restaurant Prices

Item	Average Price
Mid-range meal	AED 100–150
Shawarma	AED 7
Smoothie	AED 20
Coffee cake	AED 24
Lemon mint tea	AED 16

Is Gucci Cheaper in Dubai?

Luxury brands such as Gucci can sometimes be slightly cheaper in Dubai compared to the US or Europe due to tax advantages.

Can You Use USD in Dubai?

Yes, many places accept USD, but paying in AED is usually more convenient and gives better exchange rates.

Dubai Travel Cost Breakdown

Average Vacation Cost for Two People (1 Week)

Category	Average Cost
Hotel	AED 998 per night
Food	AED 164 per day
Transportation	AED 38 per day
Entertainment	AED 56 per day
Water	AED 3.62 per day
Alcohol	AED 66 per day

Estimated Total

AED 10,202 ($2,778) for two travelers

Accommodation Budget in Dubai

Type	Average Price
Hostel / Budget Hotel	AED 499
Double Room	AED 998

Budget Hotels

Ramee Rose Hotel
Centro Barsha
Four Points by Downtown Dubai

Mid-Range Hotels

Steigenberger Hotel
Grand Plaza Mövenpick
Rove Downtown

Luxury Hotels

Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach
W Dubai
Address Downtown

Transportation Budget in Dubai

Dubai has:

Metro
Buses
Trams
Taxis

Average Costs

Transport Type	Price
Public transport daily average	AED 38
Metro ride	AED 4
Taxi	Approx. 75 cents/minute

Nol Card

A prepaid card used for:

Metro
Buses
Water buses
Parking
Taxis

Food Budget in Dubai

Average daily food cost:

AED 164 per day

Popular Foods

Shawarma
Falafel
Arabic BBQ
Camel meat dishes
Al Harees
Al Majboos

Entertainment Budget in Dubai

Average entertainment expenses:

AED 56 per day

Popular attractions include:

Burj Khalifa
Dubai Fountain
Desert Safari
Dubai Marina Cruise
Dubai Aquarium
Global Village
Dubai Frame

Alcohol Budget in Dubai

Average alcohol spending:

AED 66 per day

Alcohol is only available in licensed venues such as:

Hotels
Bars
Nightclubs
Restaurants

Water Budget

Average bottled water spending:

AED 3.62 per day

Public drinking water in Dubai is considered safe.

Dubai on a Budget

It is possible to travel Dubai on a budget if you:

Use public transport
Stay in budget hotels
Eat local food
Book activities in advance
Avoid luxury shopping

Things to Know Before Visiting Dubai

Important Tips

Dubai follows strict laws and regulations
Public displays of affection are discouraged
Dress modestly
Avoid disrespectful behavior
Carry prescriptions for medicines

Best Areas in Dubai

Area	Known For
Jumeirah	Beaches
Downtown Dubai	Burj Khalifa & Dubai Mall
Dubai Marina	Nightlife & Cruises
Deira	Traditional souks & street food

Popular Activities in Dubai

Desert Safari
Sandboarding
Skydiving
Dune Bashing
Shopping
Marina Cruises
Water Parks
Ski Dubai

Dubai Trip Cost Estimate

Expense	Estimated Cost
Airfare	$900
Accommodation	$750
Transportation	$240
Attractions	$400
Food & Drinks	$360
Miscellaneous	$200

Total Estimated Cost

US $2,850

Cheapest Time to Visit Dubai

The cheapest months are usually:

January to March
Late August to December
Early November is often the cheapest period

Luxury Dubai Trip Costs

Luxury Solo Traveler

$1,947 – $9,409

Luxury Couple

$3,612 – $12,140

Can You Visit Dubai on a Budget?