What budget to go to Dubai?
The city is often referred to as the city of the future, with its cloud-touching skyscrapers and surreal artificial attractions such as world-shaped islands.
While it's undeniable that Dubai can be an expensive city to visit, you might be surprised to discover what the cost of a trip to Dubai is like.
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Budget in Dubai: article summary
How much does air travel cost?
Although Dubai has one of the busiest airports in the world, it's still relatively expensive to get there. I estimated a flight from Paris at around €550.
One thing to note: Dubai is the hub of Emirates. If you travel with Emirates, you can get a free stopover in the city. In other words, if you're traveling anywhere with Emirates services, it could be good value for you of make a first stopover in Dubai for a few days.
How much does accommodation cost?
As in any other city, hotel prices in Dubai can vary considerably. They have many luxurious hotel properties, including the 7-star Burj Al Arab and a few other affordable options. On average, I'd recommend €150 per night, but there are also cheaper hotels.
Traditionally, when choosing a hotel, many people focus on location, but this is not always the case. I don't think it's as important in Dubai.. The reason I say this is that the city is quite spread out, so there's no central location. That said, the downtown Dubai and the marina are the most popular spots.
Some areas to consider with reasonably priced hotels include Business BayDubai Internet City and Al Barsha. Cheaper accommodation can be found in older areas such as Deïra. Honestly, it takes about 20 minutes by car to get just about anywhere in Dubai. It can then be to choose price over comfort.
Take local transport
Dubai's main mode of public transport is the metro, which has two lines. The red line runs above ground, mainly parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road and runs to the airport. The green line is underground and passes through Al Karama, Al Raffa, Al Rigga and Al Qusais.
Visit Dubai Metro does not accept cash tickets, so you need to buy a rechargeable Nol card. As a tourist, I advise you to buy the red card. The amount you pay is based on the number of zones you travel in. One zone is 4 dirhams (€1.10), two zones 6 dirhams (€1.68) and 3 or more zones will cost you 8.50 dirhams (€2.40).
The Marina district is served by a streetcar that is not directly connected to the metro. Trips cost 4 dirhams. There's also a monorail serving the Palm Jumeirah which will cost you 10 dirhams (€2.80) one-way or 15 dirhams (€4.20) round-trip. Dubai also has many public buses.
Despite the many public transport options, it will probably be easier for tourists to use a cab or Uber. Generally speaking, cab fares in Dubai are around 75 cents a minute. Don't forget that it usually takes no more than 20 to 25 minutes to get anywhere in Dubai. Yes, it would be cheaper to take public transport, but despite the network, it takes a long time and you'll have to do a lot of walking.
What's the budget for attractions in Dubai?
Although Dubai has free tourist attractions such as the beach and the Dubai Fountains show, you'll probably spend a lot of money on the attractions. One of the things to do is to ride the Burj Khalifathe world's tallest building. For €40You have access to levels 124 and 125. At the top, the Burj Khalifa SKY ticket costs €103 and gives you access to floor 148. If you wish to access the world's highest lounge and levels 152, 153 and 154, it will cost you €168. Simply opt for the cheapest option, but note that you need to buy your ticket in advance, as this is a timed entry.
Many people also decide to take a desert safari and a guided tour of Abu Dhabi. Both tours will cost you about €40 to €70 each. Personally, I think the trip to Abu Dhabi is well worth it if you have the time, but note that these tours won't fit all the attractions. The desert tour can be quite fun if you've never been to a desert before.
Budget for food and drink
Dubai offers every possible international cuisine. Almost every major chain in the world has a location in Dubai. In one day, you can eat at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele from Italy, Tim Horton from Canada, Shake Shack from the USA, Paul from France and Din Tai Fung from Taiwan.
You can literally get any kind of kitchen you want, but generally speaking, food prices are about 30 % more expensive compared to what these same chains would cost you in their country of origin. You'll have to budget your meals!
One thing I should mention is that tips are not common in Dubai. Most tourists will simply leave around 10 dirhams, whatever the cost of the meal.
Adapting your budget to unforeseen expenses
Dubai is famous for its shopping malls. You can't visit the city without visiting a mall. As a result, it's pretty easy to spend money. During your visit, allow around €200 for random expenses. The best shopping center in town is the Dubai Mall. The Mall of the Emirates is also cool, as it houses the skiing in Dubai.
How much you spend is entirely up to you, but note that shopping in Dubai is not cheap.
Can you visit Dubai on a budget?
Dubai on a budget is possible, depending on what you're prepared to sacrifice. There are plenty of budget hotels in Deïra and Sharjah. You can also use public transport instead of cabs. It's easy to find cheap food, but don't expect anything out of the ordinary. It's hard to save money on attractions, as the best sites usually have an entrance fee.
For your visit to Dubai, you'll need to prepare a substantial budget depending on what you want to do. Of course, it's always possible to save on certain things, but I'd advise you to get organized to enjoy the city to the full.
What to do in Dubai in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
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