How much does a holiday in Dubai cost? Budget vs luxury – a comparison of expenses

Budget and luxury holidays in Dubai – how much do they cost?

Dubai has been attracting tourists for years with its incredible architecture, luxury hotels and countless attractions. Although it is often associated with wealth, a trip to Dubai does not have to be expensive. With proper planning, you can plan both a luxury holiday and cheaper options in Dubai. The city offers a variety of possibilities – from affordable accommodation and local restaurants to elegant apartments and exquisite meals.

Expensive or cheap in Dubai is a relative concept. Here, wealth and luxury mix with attractions available for every budget. We once wrote about when it is cheapest to go to Dubai. Now let's make a comparison so that everyone can tailor their trip to their budget. What is the cost of a luxury stay in Dubai? Is it possible to go to Dubai on a low budget? Let's take a look at how expenses vary depending on the style of travel you choose.

The cost of a holiday in Dubai in 2025/26 – a comparison of expenses

Let's analyse the detailed expenses for a holiday in Dubai in the budget vs luxury option:

• Flights: budget flights to Dubai can be found from €200-300 return, depending on your departure point. A luxury business class trip can cost up to several thousand euros.
• Accommodation: budget accommodation in Dubai can be found for less than €25 in hostels or for over €25 in hotels per person. Private apartments from Two Continents vary in price depending on the season, but range from €25 to €100 per person, while in luxury hotels you can pay up to €250 per room per night.
• Attractions: Dubai offers many free attractions, such as relaxing on the public JBR Beach, admiring the spectacular Dubai Fountain shows at Burj Khalifa (every 30 minutes between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily) or strolling along the charming Dubai Marina Walk. You can also visit Dubai Creek, where you will find local bazaars such as the Gold Souk and Spice Souk, without incurring high costs. Paid or luxury attractions include admission to the Burj Khalifa observation deck from around €40. An exciting desert safari with a Bedouin dinner costs between €50 and €100. A yacht cruise on the azure waters of the Persian Gulf costs around €25-50. A visit to the Dubai Aquarium costs around €25-30. Amusement parks such as Motiongate Dubai and Legoland cost €65-70, and admission to the Museum of the Future is around €35. Guests of the Atlantis The Royal hotel have free access to the Aquaventure water park.
• Food: For a budget meal, try local restaurants in districts such as Deira or Al Satwa, where you can find Indian, Pakistani or Lebanese cuisine for as little as AED 15-30 (€3.5-8). Street food, such as shawarma or falafel, is also an excellent and inexpensive option for sampling local flavours for just a few dirhams. In addition, shopping in supermarkets, such as Viva Supermarket, is comparable in price to European supermarkets, and some products are even cheaper, e.g. a bottle of water for 1 AED. If you prefer luxury, Dubai has thousands of excellent restaurants serving cuisine from around the world. Lunch in a mid-range restaurant costs between €20 and €30, or between €30 and €50 per person. If you dream of dining in an exclusive restaurant, such as Burj Al Arab, be prepared to spend over €85 per person.
• Transport: you can get around the city on a budget. Dubai has a well-developed public transport network. The metro is modern and economical, with single tickets starting at AED 3. Buses are also a cheap option, and taxis are relatively inexpensive, costing around AED 2.5 per kilometre. Apps such as Careem often offer attractive discounts. The daily cost of using public transport is around €15. A luxury option is to hire a car. Car hire costs from €30 per day, and fuel in Dubai is very cheap, at around €0.5 per litre. Hiring a car costs around €50-70 per day. For luxury options, hotels offer fleets of Rolls-Royces for hire or helicopter transfers.

The average cost of living for tourists in Dubai is not much different from European cities and is even lower than in popular tourist destinations in Western Europe. However, if you want to experience luxury, you can get the best premium products in the world at reasonable prices. The prices of high-end hotels and restaurants in Dubai are on average 2 or 3 times higher together than the budget option, but they guarantee an unforgettable experience for tourists.

How to reduce the cost of a holiday in Dubai? Take advantage of the trip to Dubai option from Two Continents. The travel packages include accommodation in a private apartment, a package of attractions, insurance and the care of a Polish tour guide throughout the trip. Organised trips mean no stress, everything in one place and promotional prices for individual package contents.

Holidays in Dubai with a travel agency vs. independently

There are many ways to spend your holidays. Some people prefer to plan their holidays independently, from accommodation to flights and activities, while others prefer to trust the experience and knowledge of travel agencies and plan their holidays in Dubai through an agency. Which option is better? For budget planning, it will be most advantageous to plan your holiday in Dubai yourself, and for a luxury holiday, it may be cheaper to use a travel agency, but this is not always the case. The best option is to combine independent planning with the services of a trusted travel agency in Dubai, such as Two Continents, where you can purchase accommodation in private apartments and attractions at the best prices, but on your own terms – planning what, where and when you want to visit yourself.

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 – from €41
• Yacht cruise in Dubai – from €22
• Desert Safari in Dubai – from €56
• Dubai Frame – from €12
• Museum of the Future – from €34
• Jet Ski at Burj Al Arab – from €62
• Ain Dubai – from €33
• Atlantis Aquaventure – from €80

Is it worth paying extra for a 5-star hotel in Dubai?

The decision to choose a 5-star hotel in Dubai depends on your preferences and travel style. The standard of hotels in Dubai is very high, and luxury facilities offer comfort, top-notch service and access to unforgettable attractions such as private beaches, swimming pools, spas and entertainment. Such hotels, often located in prestigious areas such as Palm Jumeirah or Downtown Dubai, guarantee predictable costs and maximum relaxation. This is a particularly advantageous option for families with children, due to the numerous amenities and organised activities.

If you like to relax in luxurious surroundings and expect a premium product from your holiday, Dubai is the best place to invest and pay extra for a 5-star hotel. An alternative to traditional hotels are luxury private apartments, such as those in Princess Tower by Two Continents, which offer spaciousness, privacy and full amenities, often with access to hotel facilities such as a gym or swimming pool. What's more, they offer the best views of the city from as high as the 77th floor. Click and book accommodation in Dubai.

How much does a holiday in Dubai cost?

How much does a cheap holiday in Dubai cost? By averaging the prices of luxury and budget stays, you can figure out how much a trip to Dubai costs. Tourists usually go to Dubai for a week, so you may find it useful to know how much a 7-day trip to Dubai costs. As you can see, Dubai is not as expensive as it is made out to be! Dubai holiday hotel and attraction prices – you can find everything on the Two Continents website.

Questions and answers (FAQ):

• What do people spend the most on during their holidays in Dubai?

The biggest expense when travelling to Dubai is usually airfare, which ranges from €170 to €1,000 depending on the season and promotions, as well as accommodation, especially in luxury hotels, and some paid tourist attractions in Dubai.

• How much does a day of holiday in Dubai cost – budget vs luxury?

For the budget option, a week's stay can cost between €700 and €1,200, which works out at around €100-200 per day. The luxury option, on the other hand, costs between €2,500 and €3,000 per week and more, which is over €350-450 per day.

• Is Dubai an expensive holiday destination?

Dubai is known for its glamour and can be expensive, especially during peak tourist seasons and when booking exclusive accommodation and entertainment.