Dubai is one of the cities on everyone’s travel bucket list. Dubai offers attractions to suit all kinds of travelers; whether you are a culture and art enthusiast or an adventure junkie, there are many options to choose from. While Dubai is a great place to travel with friends or couples, it is also a perfect family holiday destination. However, the one thing that keeps everyone away from traveling to Dubai is the budget. With so much luxury around, it is obvious to think that Dubai is an expensive city. And it surely is! But this does not mean a person with a limited budget cannot visit this city. So, let us answer some questions to help you get an insight into the factors to consider while planning the budget for your Dubai trip.
1. What is the Average Cost of a Trip to Dubai?
The overall cost of your Dubai holiday will depend on a lot of factors. The season you want to travel, your accommodation, your food choices, and so on will impact your budget.
2. What Time of the Year You Plan to Visit Dubai
Like every holiday destination, the time of year you plan to travel will affect your budget. Right from air tickets to hotel accommodations, the prices vary according to the season. The summer months, between June and September, are the hottest but also the cheapest. However, sightseeing can get difficult during this time, especially during the daytime due to the scorching heat. The best time to travel to Dubai would be from November to April when the climate is much more pleasant. However, it would also be expensive to visit because of the holidays and the Dubai Shopping Festival, particularly in December and January. Booking your flights and hotel rooms well in advance will be beneficial.
3. What is the Cost of Air Tickets and Visas for Dubai
The first thing to consider while planning a holiday is the airfare. Flight tickets during December can cost approximately AED 1500, while during the off-season, they would cost between AED 900 and 1000. There would be slight variations in the cost of tickets during the weekends. So, do your research well before you book your tickets. Check out various travel websites and airlines to compare the prices before booking the tickets to get the best deals. Another thing you may have to spend money on is a UAE or Dubai visa. Unless you are a citizen of a country that does not require a visa to enter the UAE, you must pay a fee to get one. The cost of a UAE visa depends on the type of visa you need. The price would differ for a single-entry, a multiple-entry, a 14-day, a 30-day, and a 90-day visa. On average, the UAE visa fee can range from AED 350 to AED 3000.
4. What is the average cost of Accommodation in Dubai
Dubai is home to several luxurious hotels, including the seven-star hotel, Burj Al Arab. While staying at these hotels would cost you a lot, these are not your only options. In fact, there are several low and mid-range hotels in Dubai. Most of these hotels are not very expensive and provide good facilities. A night at one of the budget hotels in Dubai can cost between AED 150 and AED 270, while a mid-range hotel can cost between AED 350 and AED 500. If you want to stay in luxury, you will need a budget between AED 700 and AED 900. However, Dubai’s luxurious hotels like the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Atlantis the Palm, etc. can cost between AED 1000 and AED 1500. If you want to save money on accommodation as well as other expenditures, you can book an Airbnb.
5. How Much does Public Transportation Cost in Dubai
Public transportation in Dubai is good as well as economical. If you are looking to save money by opting for budgeted or mid-range accommodation, it is likely that you will find yourself staying far from the main city. However, you do not need to worry as it is easy to travel within the city. You can easily find a taxi to travel to any place within the city, with a minimum charge of AED 10. Then there are local buses that would cost between AED 1.80 and AED 6.50, depending on the route. The best mode of transportation in Dubai is the metro. All the major attractions of the city are easily accessible by metro. There are two lines: the green line and the red line. A single journey can cost between AED 2 and AED 7, and by possessing an NOL card, you do not have to wait in queue every time you want to travel in the metro. Apart from these, there is the monorail, and the abra (water taxi). Furthermore, walking around the city is not only a great way to save money, but it is also one of the best ways to go sightseeing.
6.What are the Food and Beverage Costs in Dubai?
You may be on a tight holiday budget, but it is not possible to starve yourself to save money. On the other hand, in Dubai, it would be difficult to ignore your appetite, where a gourmet experience awaits you. Dubai is a city where you will find every cuisine available in the world. Apart from the scrumptious Arabic cuisine, you will find cuisines from India, China, Pakistan, Asia, America, Europe, etc. across the city.
While numerous restaurants focus on fine dining, there are several cafes and small restaurants where you would be able to have a delicious meal at reasonable rates. A meal at a budget restaurant can cost you between AED 20 and AED 40, while at a mid-range restaurant, it will cost between AED 100 and AED 150. However, if you want a luxurious dining experience, get ready to splurge between AED 400 and AED 500.
Most hotels offer complimentary breakfast, but if yours does not, grabbing a snack and coffee at a nearby cafe would be less expensive than breakfast at your hotel. You can also save money by having a local delicacy like shawarma for lunch or dinner, which is inexpensive (AED 5), filling, and delicious. If you stay in an Airbnb or an apartment, you can cook most of your meals and save money.
7. What will be the average costs spent on Sightseeing and Entry Tickets to Attractions
When visiting Dubai, you will definitely want to go sightseeing, which will cost you money. There are several things that you can do and places you can see for free in the city. However, some of the major attractions like visiting the observation deck of Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Miracle Garden, the Dubai Frame, a desert safari, a dhow cruise, etc, will cost money.
The price of the tickets to the Burj Khalifa would depend on the level (124th or 148th) as well as the time you want to visit the place (the tickets during sunset are expensive). The price for these tickets can be anywhere between AED 100 and AED 525. Dubai Museum is surely the cheapest at AED 3, Dubai Dolphinarium costs AED 100 and Ski Dubai costs AED 250. Desert Safari can cost between AED 150 and AED 650, while a dhow cruise with dinner will cost between AED 150 and AED 300. However, booking a tour package from tour companies like Imonholidays or Rayna Tours is one way to save money. They provide several Dubai tour packages to suit different budgets. Some of these companies also offer special deals and discounts.
8. How Much does it Cost to fly from India to Dubai?
The minimum cost of going on a holiday to Dubai from India can be around Rs. 75,000, i.e. AED 3900 per person. This includes staying at a mid-range hotel, eating at reasonable restaurants, traveling by bus or metro, obtaining a visa (Indians need to get a visa before they leave for UAE or Dubai), and sightseeing. However, this does not include how much you will spend on shopping at the city’s malls or souks. If you travel alone, you can reduce the cost by booking cheap air tickets and accommodation.
9. How Much does a Vacation to Dubai from the USA Cost?
Traveling to Dubai from the USA would only differ in the cost of the air tickets. The rest would depend on how much money you want to spend. There is no limit to the maximum amount you can spend in this splendid city. However, one thing you have to worry about when traveling from the USA to Dubai is getting a UAE visa. Citizens of the USA and people with a USA resident visa are granted a visa on arrival in the UAE.
How much you want to spend will answer the question, “How much money do I need to go to Dubai.” With proper research and careful planning, you can create a suitable budget for your Dubai trip and enjoy the Arabic experience and hospitality in the best way possible.