Most visitors need roughly AED 250 to 400 per person per day in Dubai on a budget, AED 700 to 1,200 mid-range, and AED 2,000 or more for a luxury trip, excluding flights and visas. These are SheikhWays estimates based on typical prices in September 2026, not fixed rates. Hotels are the biggest variable: the same room can cost twice as much in January as in July.
This page is about totals. For ways to bring those totals down, read our Dubai budget travel tips, and for deciding which paid sights are worth it, see what is worth paying for in Dubai.
Daily cost of Dubai at three budget levels
Figures are per person per day, assuming two people share a double room. Solo travellers should roughly double the accommodation line.
| Daily cost per person | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (half a double room) | AED 100 to 175 | AED 300 to 500 | AED 1,000+ |
| Food and drink | AED 60 to 100 | AED 200 to 350 | AED 500+ |
| Local transport | AED 15 to 30 (Metro, bus, abra) | AED 50 to 100 (Metro plus taxis) | AED 200+ (taxis, private car) |
| Sightseeing (averaged over the trip) | AED 50 to 90 | AED 150 to 250 | AED 300+ |
| Estimated daily total | AED 250 to 400 | AED 700 to 1,200 | AED 2,000+ |
| Approx. in USD | USD 70 to 110 | USD 190 to 330 | USD 545+ |
USD conversions use the dirham's peg of about AED 3.67 to USD 1. All figures are estimates; check live hotel and attraction prices for your dates.
Budget: about AED 250 to 400 a day
A hostel bed or a simple hotel in Deira, Bur Dubai or Al Karama, meals at cafeterias and neighbourhood restaurants, the Metro and buses, and mostly free sights such as the Dubai Fountain, public beaches and the souks. One modest paid ticket every day or two, such as Dubai Frame (AED 50 adult). The shoestring version of this, with hostels and food under AED 30 a meal, is covered in our Dubai backpacking guide.
Mid-range: about AED 700 to 1,200 a day
A 3 or 4-star hotel in Downtown, Business Bay, Al Barsha or the Marina, sit-down restaurant meals, a mix of Metro and taxis, and one headline paid attraction most days, such as At the Top, Burj Khalifa, a desert safari or a theme park. An occasional drink in a licensed venue fits here, but alcohol raises the food line quickly.
Luxury: AED 2,000 or more a day
A 5-star resort on the beach or Palm Jumeirah, hotel dining and brunches, taxis or a private driver, and premium experiences such as higher-floor observation deck tickets, private tours or yacht charters. There is no real ceiling at this level.
Estimated totals for 3, 5 and 7 days
| Trip length | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | AED 750 to 1,200 | AED 2,100 to 3,600 | AED 6,000+ |
| 5 days | AED 1,250 to 2,000 | AED 3,500 to 6,000 | AED 10,000+ |
| 7 days | AED 1,750 to 2,800 | AED 4,900 to 8,400 | AED 14,000+ |
These totals multiply the daily ranges above and exclude flights, visa, insurance and shopping. Add a buffer of around 10 to 15% for extras.
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Get a budget estimateWhat the main costs are based on
Transport (verified fares)
- Dubai Metro, Silver class: AED 3 (one zone), AED 5 (two zones), AED 7.50 (three or more zones), per trip, paid by Nol card (RTA, as of September 2026).
- Silver Nol card: AED 25, including AED 19 travel credit. Details are in our Nol card guide.
- Abra across Dubai Creek: AED 1, cash.
- RTA intercity bus to Abu Dhabi or Hatta: AED 25 one way.
Attractions (sample prices)
- Dubai Frame: AED 50 adult.
- Global Village (in season): around AED 25 to 30 depending on the day.
- At the Top, Burj Khalifa: priced by time slot, with sunset slots costing much more than morning ones; check the official site.
- Free: Dubai Fountain, JBR and Kite Beach, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Deira souks.
Accommodation and food (estimates)
Hotel and restaurant figures in the tables are SheikhWays estimates, not quoted rates. Hotels also add a Tourism Dirham fee per room per night, and many add service charges, so compare final prices. Rates are usually lowest in summer (June to August) and highest from December to February.
Costs outside the daily budget
- Visa: free visa on arrival for some passports, pre-arranged visas with fees for others. Check Dubai visa requirements for your nationality.
- Flights: vary widely by origin and season.
- Travel insurance: strongly advised, as healthcare for visitors is costly. Several governments currently advise extra caution for travel to the UAE, so check your government's latest advice and your policy's cover.
- Overstaying: the UAE charges AED 50 per day for overstays, so budget to leave on time.
To see how these costs fit into real days, follow our budget Dubai itinerary.
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Ask a questionFrequently asked questions
How much money do I need for 5 days in Dubai?
Using our estimates, about AED 1,250 to 2,000 per person on a budget, AED 3,500 to 6,000 mid-range and AED 10,000 or more for luxury, excluding flights and visa. Your actual total depends on your hotel, season and which paid attractions you choose.
How much is AED in US dollars?
The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar at about AED 3.67 to USD 1, so AED 100 is roughly USD 27. Card and exchange-house rates add a margin on top.
Do these budgets include flights and visas?
No. The daily figures cover accommodation, food, local transport and sightseeing in Dubai only. Visa requirements and fees depend on your passport, so check the official rules for your nationality before budgeting.
Is a budget couple cheaper per person?
Usually, yes. A double room shared by two roughly halves the biggest cost, while food, transport and tickets stay per person. A couple on a budget can often spend less per person than a solo traveller in the same hotel.
How much cash should I carry in Dubai?
Cards are widely accepted, so a small amount is enough for abras (AED 1, cash), small eateries and souk stalls. Many travellers keep a few hundred dirhams in cash and pay for everything else by card.
What extra costs do people forget?
The Tourism Dirham fee hotels add per room per night, service charges, alcohol, airport transfers, and tickets priced higher at peak or sunset slots. Add a buffer of around 10 to 15% to any estimate.