How Much Does a Week in Dubai Cost? The Realistic Budget

Dubai carries a reputation as an eye-wateringly expensive destination. Reality is more nuanced: some things are pricey (alcohol, high-floor restaurants with a view), others surprisingly affordable (taxis, local food, the metro). Here are the orders of magnitude we give our guests — in dirhams (AED); count roughly AED 3.67 to the dollar.

Accommodation: the line that moves the most

For a well-located one-bedroom apartment, think broadly AED 500-900 per night in season (October-April) depending on the district, more over the festive weeks, and noticeably less in summer. A family two-bedroom runs AED 800-1,500 depending on standard and view. These ranges move with demand: exact, dated prices are on the calendars of our apartments.

Eating: from AED 15 to 500 a meal, your call

• Indian, Lebanese, Pakistani eateries: an excellent meal for AED 15-35. The residents' real secret.
• Mall or neighbourhood restaurant: AED 60-120 per person.
• A table with a view, or Friday brunch: AED 250-500 and beyond. Save it for one occasion.
• Groceries: cooking in the apartment brings breakfast down to a few dirhams — the structural advantage of an apartment over a hotel.

Getting around: the good surprise

• Metro: clean, punctual, air-conditioned; a few dirhams per ride with a Nol card.
• Taxi / Careem: Downtown to Business Bay typically costs AED 15-30; Downtown to the Marina, AED 45-70 depending on traffic. No need to rent a car for a city trip.

Activities: pick your battles

The top of the Burj Khalifa, the waterparks or a desert drive are booked online, often cheaper than at the counter. A lot of the best of Dubai is free: the Dubai Mall fountains in the evening, the canal promenade in Business Bay, the public beaches, the souks and the 1-dirham abra across the creek.

Three levers that lower the bill

• Shift by a week: November or March deliver December's weather for noticeably less.
• Take an apartment with a kitchen instead of two hotel rooms: on lodging plus meals, the gap adds up to thousands of dirhams over a week, especially as a family (see our family guide).
• Book direct: on our apartments, booking direct costs 10% less than the same week through the platforms — we explain why in this article.