Is Dubai expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Dubai can be as expensive as you want it to be: luxury hotels, brunches and alcohol cost more than in most European capitals, but the Metro, cafeteria food and many sights are cheap or free. Plan on about AED 380 a day per person on a budget, AED 890 mid-range and AED 2,250 for comfort. Hotels, alcohol and paid attractions take most of the money.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | AED180 | AED360 | AED1,000 |
| Food & drink | AED100 | AED220 | AED550 |
| Sights & tickets | AED80 | AED250 | AED500 |
| Local transport | AED20 | AED60 | AED200 |
| Per person, per day | AED380 | AED890 | AED2,250 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Dubai day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Shawarma wrap in a cafeteria | roughly AED 8–20 |
| Karak chai (spiced milk tea) | about AED 1–3 a cup in a cafeteria |
| Biryani in a simple restaurant | roughly AED 15–35 |
| Abra (water taxi) across Dubai Creek | AED 1 |
| Metro ride with a Nol card | about AED 3–8.5, depending on zones |
| Dubai Frame ticket | about AED 50 |
| At the Top, Burj Khalifa (sunset slot) | roughly AED 170–250 or more |
| Evening desert safari | about AED 150 (group) to AED 500+ (small conservation tour) |
| Mid-range room in Downtown or Dubai Marina | AED 500–900 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost, especially in Downtown, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, and hotels add the Tourism Dirham fee, service charges and VAT. Paid attractions are expensive — the Burj Khalifa, the Museum of the Future, theme parks and desert safaris each cost AED 100–500. Alcohol is only served in licensed venues and is heavily priced, so a few drinks can double a dinner bill. Food itself is cheap if you eat in the cafeterias and South Asian restaurants of Deira, Karama and Satwa.
When it is cheaper
From June to September, hotel prices often fall by half or more, because highs reach 40–43°C. The trade-off is that outdoor sightseeing is limited to early mornings and evenings.
How to spend less
- Use the Metro and a Nol card rather than taxis; the Red Line runs from the airport to Downtown in about 30 minutes.
- Cross the Creek by abra for AED 1 and walk the Spice and Gold Souks for free.
- Watch the Dubai Fountain show from the lake promenade for free instead of paying for a viewing platform.
- Book a daytime Burj Khalifa slot rather than sunset, which costs much more.
- Eat in Deira, Karama and Satwa cafeterias and Indian restaurants; skip hotel restaurants except for a special meal.
- Buy duty-free alcohol on arrival if you plan to drink in your hotel room, where permitted.
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Common questions
Is Dubai expensive for tourists?
Hotels, alcohol and attractions are expensive, but the Metro and cafeteria food are cheap. A budget trip costs about AED 380 a day.
How much does the Burj Khalifa cost?
Daytime tickets are much cheaper than sunset slots, which cost roughly AED 170–250 or more.
Why are drinks so expensive in Dubai?
Alcohol is only sold in licensed venues and is heavily taxed and marked up.