Dubai Travel Money Guide: How to Budget Your 2025 Trip

If you’re planning a Dubai adventure, the first question is usually “how much cash do I need?” The good news is that you can control your spend with a clear budget. Below you’ll get real numbers, simple tips for using cash or cards, and a quick daily cost breakdown so you aren’t surprised at the end of the day.

Cash vs Card: What Works Best

Most visitors use a mix of cash (AED) and cards. Credit cards are accepted in hotels, malls, and upscale restaurants, but small stalls, taxis, and market vendors often prefer cash. Grab a few hundred AED when you land – enough for a cab, tip, and a snack. Then use your card for bigger bills. Watch out for foreign‑transaction fees; a no‑fee card saves you up to 3% on each purchase.

Daily Costs Breakdown

Here’s a typical day for a solo traveler in 2025:

• Breakfast: AED 30–50 at a café.
• Transport: AED 25 for a metro ride or a short Uber trip.
• Lunch: AED 60–100 for a mid‑range restaurant.
• Attraction: AED 100–150 for a museum or desert tour.
• Dinner & drinks: AED 120–200 depending on the venue.
• Tips & misc: AED 30–50.

Add everything up and you’ll spend around AED 400–650 per day. Adjust up or down based on luxury choices or staying in budget hostels.

For a 7‑day trip, many travelers budget AED 3,000–4,500. That covers meals, transport, a couple of tours, and a little shopping. If you plan on splurging at high‑end hotels or fancy shows, bump the budget to AED 7,000‑8,000.

When you exchange money, compare rates at banks versus airport kiosks. Airports usually give a worse rate, so plan to convert a small amount there and then head to a bank or a reputable exchange shop downtown for the rest.

ATM fees are another hidden cost. Some banks charge AED 15 per withdrawal, while others waive it if you use a partner network. Pull out a larger amount (e.g., AED 500) to avoid multiple fees.

Don’t forget the tourist tax. Dubai adds a 7% “tourism fee” on hotel bills, automatically charged to your card. It’s not a surprise if you know it ahead of time.

Saving tricks are simple: use the metro for most trips, eat where locals eat (street food can be as cheap as AED 10), and book tours online in advance for discounts. Many attractions offer “early‑bird” tickets that shave off 20%.

Lastly, keep a small emergency stash – about AED 200 – in case a card gets declined or you need a quick ride. Store it in a secure part of your bag, not in the same pocket as your passport.

With these numbers and tips, you’ll know exactly how much money to bring, how to split cash and card, and where you can trim costs without hurting the experience. Happy budgeting and enjoy your Dubai trip!