Three days in Dubai on a mid-range budget typically costs about AED 1,000 to 1,400 per person for tickets, food and local transport, before your hotel and flights. The fixed costs are small and predictable (Metro fares of AED 3 to 7.50, an AED 1 abra, AED 35 for Al Shindagha Museum); the big variables are your Burj Khalifa time slot, your desert safari operator and where you eat. Below, each day is priced line by line, with the tickets worth booking before you fly. Prices were checked in September 2026 and change often, so confirm them on the official sites before you travel.
The plan follows the same one-area-a-day route as our classic Dubai 3-day itinerary: Downtown on day 1, Old Dubai and the Creek on day 2, the coast and an evening desert safari on day 3. This page adds the money side.
Figures are per adult. Fixed prices (Metro, abra, museum and observation deck tickets) come from the operators' published rates in September 2026. Meals and taxis are planning allowances for a mid-range traveller eating one sit-down meal and one casual meal a day, not quoted prices. Hotels are left out of the daily totals because rates swing heavily by season and area.
Before you go: several governments currently advise extra caution for travel to the UAE, including a US State Department Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" advisory. Check your own government's advice and your travel insurance cover before booking.
Day 1 is the most expensive day for tickets. In September 2026, standard At the Top tickets were listed from about AED 170 per adult for off-peak slots, with late-afternoon and sunset slots priced noticeably higher. Walk-up tickets usually cost more than booking online. Our Burj Khalifa ticket guide compares the levels.
Day 1 estimate: about AED 370 to 500 per person, including the nol card.
This is the cheapest day. Al Shindagha Museum charges AED 35 for adults, AED 20 for ages 5 to 24 and nothing for under-5s, and it is open 10am to 8pm with last entry at 7pm. The abra fare is AED 1 per person each way; nol cards are not accepted on the traditional boats, so carry coins. If you swap Al Seef for a dinner cruise, see our Dubai Creek dhow cruise page and budget that separately. More on the area in our Old Dubai and Bur Dubai guide.
Day 2 estimate: about AED 180 to 250 per person, including Metro fares.
The coast is not on the Metro, so allow for two or three metered taxi rides. Safari prices vary widely by operator, group size and extras, so compare what is included (dune driving time, pickup area, dinner, drinks, camel ride) rather than the headline price. Our desert safari guide compares evening, morning and overnight options.
Day 3 estimate: about AED 400 to 650 per person, most of it the safari.
| Item | Per person | Price status |
|---|---|---|
| Silver nol card and Metro fares | AED 25 card, then AED 3 / 5 / 7.50 per trip | Published RTA fares |
| Abra crossings | AED 1 each way | Published RTA fare |
| Burj Khalifa At the Top | From about AED 170 off-peak | Official site, Sep 2026 |
| Al Shindagha Museum | AED 35 (adult) | Official ticketing, Sep 2026 |
| Evening desert safari | Varies widely | Compare operators |
| Taxis (day 3 mainly) | Metered | Depends on hotel location |
| Food, 3 days | Allow AED 450 to 650 | Planning allowance |
| Total, excluding hotel | About AED 1,000 to 1,400 | Estimate |
For a cheaper version with free and low-cost swaps, see our Dubai budget travel guide. Hotels are extra: rates in Downtown are usually higher than in Bur Dubai or Deira, and prices peak from December to February.
Save on the Metro: one nol card per person, and top it up rather than buying single tickets. Eating or drinking on the Metro can bring an AED 100 fine. Full fare zones are in our Dubai Metro tickets guide.
| Booking | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Burj Khalifa At the Top | As soon as dates are fixed | Timed slots; sunset sells out first and costs more |
| Evening desert safari | A few days ahead | Pickup areas and camp quality differ by operator |
| Hotel near a Metro station | Early for December to February | Saves taxi fares on days 1 and 2 |
| Visa (if needed for your passport) | Before booking flights | Rules depend on nationality: see our UAE tourist visa guide |
No booking needed: Al Fahidi, the abra, the souks, Kite Beach and the Dubai Fountain. The Museum of the Future was temporarily closed as of September 2026, so do not pay for it in advance.
On a mid-range budget, allow about AED 1,000 to 1,400 per person for attraction tickets, food, Metro and taxis over three days, plus your hotel and flights. The Burj Khalifa ticket and an evening desert safari make up most of that.
At the Top tickets are priced by time slot. In September 2026, standard Level 124 and 125 tickets were listed from about AED 170 per adult off-peak, with sunset slots costing more. Book online in advance.
A Silver nol card costs AED 25, including AED 19 of credit. Each journey then costs AED 3, AED 5 or AED 7.50 depending on how many zones you cross.
Book your Burj Khalifa time slot and your desert safari before you arrive, and a hotel near a Metro station early if you travel between December and February. The souks, the abra, Al Fahidi and the Dubai Fountain need no booking.
No. The Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort has been closed since 2021. The plan uses Al Shindagha Museum instead, which costs AED 35 for adults.
Hotel rates are usually lowest in the hot months from June to September and highest from December to February. If you go in summer, use our heat-proof plan and keep outdoor stops to early morning and evening.
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