Are you dreaming of a great vacation but do not have much money to spend? Or maybe money is not an issue and you want to experience a vacation that is one in a lifetime? Dubai is becoming more and more popular for travellers every year. Why? Because no matter if you are travelling on a budget with a back pack or wanting to unwind in luxury and peace, there are plenty of things to see and do. We took the time to breakdown what a weeks holiday in Dubai will cost on a budget and then similarly if luxury was the goal. What did we find? Read on to discover.
Budget and luxury holidays in Dubai how much do they cost?
For many years, Dubai has been known to attract visitors with its futuristic architecture, luxury hotels, and seemingly endless attractions. Although Dubai is synonymous with money, it does not have to be an expensive vacation. With a little planning, you can find time in Dubai for both a luxury holiday and lower-priced alternatives. The city offers so much opportunity – from cheap hotels and inexpensive restaurants to upscale apartments and fine dining.
In Dubai, the terms expensive and cheap are relative. Wealth and luxury blend together, with attractions available for every budget. We once wrote about when the cheapest time to go to Dubai is – now let’s dig deeper and make some comparisons so that everyone can adjust up their travel style to match their budget. What’s the price of a luxury stay in Dubai? Can you even go to Dubai on a budget? Let’s check out the variation of costs depending on your travel style.
The cost of a holiday in Dubai in 2025/26 – a comparison of expenses
Let is break down the cost maybe for a holiday in Dubai in both a budget and luxury ways:
Flights: Budget flights, depending on where you are flying from, can cost anywhere between €200-300 return. For a luxury experience in business class, flights can be in the several thousand euro range.
Accommodation: Budget accommodation can vary depending on preferences. Hostels can cost under €25 a night and hotels are €25+. Private Apartments constructed by Two Continents can cost anywhere between €25 – €100, depending on the season. While luxury accommodation can cost up to €250 purely for a room.
Attractions: Dubai has plentiful attractions for free it is easy to relax at the public JBR beach, enjoy an impressive show of the Dubai Fountain outside of the Burj Khalifa (which runs every 30 minutes between 6-11 PM, daily), or walk along the picturesqueDubai Marina Walk. Further aflield, you can check out Dubai Creek, which has local markets, including the Gold Souk and Spice Souk, at a very limited cost to you.
In the case of paid or luxury experiences, access to Burj Khalifa’s observation deck is approximately €40, and an exhilarating desert safari with a Bedouin dinner, approximately €50-100. If you’d prefer a yacht excursion into the beautiful and clear waters of the Persian Gulf, your trip should cost under €25-50. A visit to the Dubai Aquarium will also cost you approximately €25-30. For amusement parks such as Motiongate Dubai or Legoland, expect approximately €65-70, and the Museum of the Future is around €35. However, guests of the Atlantis The Royal hotel get free entrance to theAquaventure water park.
Information About Outside in Dubia
Food: For frugal dining experience, local restaurants in districts such as Deira and Al Satwa serve Indian, Pakistani or Lebanese cuisine for approximately AED 15-30 (€3.5-8). Street food is also a great and cheap way to enjoy the local flavors. You may find items like shawarma or falafel for only a few dirhams. Furthermore, you go to the supermarket for groceries – such as Viva Supermarket you will find similar prices compared to grocery stores in Europe.
Some things are even cheaper – such as a bottle of water costing 1 AED. If you want to splurge you can find thousands of gourmet restaurants in Dubai, serving cuisine from all over the world. Lunch in a mid-range dining establishment will run you between €20 and €30, or €30 and €50 per person. If you have always dreamed about eating at an exclusive restaurant – such as Burj Al Arab – prepare to pay over €85 per person.
Transportation: you can get around cheaply in the city. Dubai has a good public transport network. The metro is modern and cheap, with single tickets starting at AED 3. Buses are also a cheap option and taxis are relatively cheap, at around AED 2.5 per kilometre. Uber and Careem often have great offers. Your total daily spend on public transport will be around €15. You can also hire a car as a luxury option. Car hire costs from €30 per day, and fuel in Dubai is also very cheap at around €0.5 per litre. Overall, hiring a car will cost around €50-70 per day. Hotels also offer some luxury options, such as a fleet of Rolls-Royces, and helicopter transfers.
What is the Best Way to Enjoy a Holiday
The cost of living for tourists in Dubai is on par with that of European cities and is even cheaper than other famous tourist locations in Western Europe. However, if you want to indulge in luxury, you can get the best premium products in the world at reasonable prices. Simply put, the average prices of high-end hotels and restaurants in Dubai are about 2 or 3 times higher together than the budget option, but tourists will never forget their Dubai experience.
What is the best way to lower the cost of a holiday in Dubai? Take advantage of the option of a trip to Dubai from Two Continents. Travel packages include accommodation in a private apartment, a package of attractions, insurance, and care from a Polish tour leader, and assistance for the entire trip. Organised trips mean no stress, everything in one place, and promotional prices for the items on the package.
Holidays in Dubai with a travel agency vs. independently
There are countless ways to enjoy your holiday. Some people prefer to organize their holidays independently, from flight & accommodation to activities, while others feel more comfortable using a travel agency, and organizing their holiday in Dubai.
Which is the better option? If you are looking at planning your holiday in Dubai and want to save a budget, it will be most beneficial to plan yourself, while if you are looking at the holiday of a lifetime and looking at luxury, it might be cheaper to do through a travel agency, every case is different. The best case seems to plan everything independently and still combine your activities and accommodation through a trusted and reliable travel agency in Dubai, such as Two Continents, where you can choose to purchase your accommodation in private apartments and attractions at the best prices and plan your visit to each in your own terms, deciding what where and when you visit.
How much do the basic attractions in Dubai cost?
To determine your holiday budget, you need to know the prices of attractions on site. Let’s take a look at the prices of basic attractions in Dubai:
124th floor of Burj Khalifa
Yacht cruise in Dubai
Desert Safari in Dubai
Dubai Frame
Museum of the Future
Jet Ski at Burj Al Arab
Atlantis Aquaventure
Is it worth paying extra for a 5-star hotel in Dubai?
Your preference and type of trip will dictate whether or not to select a 5-star hotel in Dubai. The standard of hotels in Dubai is very high, and luxury facilities deliver comfortable and excellent service with access to memorable attractions such as a private beach, swimming pools, spas, and entertainment. Luxury hotels will generally be located in prestigious areas such as Palm Jumeirah or Downtown Dubai, which guarantees price predictability and the epitome of relaxation. This is a very advantageous choice for families to make with children, and, there are many amenities and organized activities available for children and families.
If you enjoy unwinding in a luxury environment and want a high-end experience while on holiday, then Dubai is the right place for extra money in a five-star hotel. Luxury private apartments, such as the ones in Princess Tower by TickYourList, are a suitable alternative to hotels. These apartments generally provide space, privacy, and all amenities you require while offering hotel amenities such as a gym and swimming pool. Additionally, they have the best views of the city, and yours may be as high as the 77th floor. Click here to book accommodation in Dubai.
How much does a holiday in Dubai cost?
What is the cost of a cheap holiday in Dubai? The cost of a trip to Dubai can be computed by taking an average of the price for luxury and budget accommodation. Typically, travelers spend a week visiting Dubai, so it’s helpful to find out how much a 7-day trip will cost. So as you can see, Dubai is not the expensive place it is often made out to be! Prices of Dubai holiday hotels and attractions – all can be seen on the TickYourList site.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How much does a budget holiday in Dubai cost?
A budget holiday in Dubai can cost around AED 400–700 per day (~USD 110–190), covering mid-range hotels, public transport, and local meals.
2. How much should I expect to spend on a luxury holiday in Dubai?
A luxury stay can range from AED 2,000–4,000 per day (~USD 550–1,100), including 5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours, and premium experiences.
3. Is Dubai affordable for budget travelers?
Yes! With affordable hotels, metro access, and local dining spots, Dubai can be surprisingly budget-friendly if you plan wisely.
4. What are the top luxury experiences in Dubai?
Luxury travelers often enjoy Burj Khalifa sky lounges, private yacht rides, fine dining at Atlantis The Palm, and desert safaris with VIP packages.
5. What’s the best time to plan a holiday in Dubai?
The ideal time to visit is November to March, when the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
