How Much Does a Dubai Trip Cost? Your 2025 Budget Cheat‑Sheet

If you’re daydreaming about Dubai’s skyline, beach clubs, and desert safaris, the first question is always the same – how much cash do you need? Forget vague guesses; we’ll break down real numbers for food, transport, accommodation, and fun, so you can walk into the city with confidence.

Daily Essentials: Food, Transport, and Small Extras

For a solo traveler, breakfast at a local café runs about 30 AED ($8). Lunch at a mid‑range restaurant is roughly 50 AED ($14), and dinner at a nicer spot can hit 120 AED ($33). If you eat street‑food or grab a quick bite, you’ll spend far less – think 20‑30 AED per meal.

Public transport is cheap and reliable. A Nol card fare on the metro or bus averages 5 AED ($1.40) per ride. Taxis start at 12 AED and add around 2 AED per kilometer. A typical day of hopping around downtown and the beach will cost you about 30 AED ($8) if you stick to the metro, or 80‑100 AED ($22‑$27) with occasional taxis.

Accommodation: From Budget Hostels to Luxury Resorts

Dubai’s room rates vary wildly. A bed in a shared hostel costs 80‑120 AED ($22‑$33) per night. Mid‑range 3‑star hotels sit around 250‑350 AED ($68‑$95) nightly, while 5‑star beachfront resorts start at 800 AED ($217) and can soar past 2,000 AED ($540) for premium suites.

To keep the budget realistic, many travelers opt for a 4‑star hotel at 450‑600 AED ($122‑$163) per night. This gives you a comfy bed, a pool, and often a free shuttle to major malls.

Activities That Shape Your Wallet

Burj Khalifa’s “At The Top” ticket costs 159 AED ($43) for the 124th‑floor entry, and 379 AED ($103) if you go up to the 148th floor. Desert safaris range from 150 AED for a basic dune‑bashing tour to 350 AED ($95) for a dinner‑included experience.

Shopping is optional but can balloon quickly. A visit to the Gold Souk might tempt you with small trinkets for 20‑50 AED, while a high‑end mall run could easily add a few hundred dollars.

7‑Day Sample Budget

Here’s a quick snapshot for a mid‑range traveler:

• Accommodation (5 nights @ 500 AED): 2,500 AED
• Food (3 meals @ 70 AED avg): 1,470 AED
• Transport (Nol card + occasional taxi): 300 AED
• Activities (Burj Khalifa, desert safari, museum): 800 AED
• Misc (tips, souvenirs, occasional coffee): 400 AED

Total for 7 days: about 5,470 AED ($1,480). Adjust up or down by swapping a 5‑star resort for a hostel, or by cutting a pricey activity.

Money‑Saving Hacks

Pay with a credit card that has no foreign‑transaction fees – you’ll save up to 3% on each purchase. Use the Dubai Metro for most city hops; it’s fast and under 5 AED per ride. Book accommodations early, especially during off‑peak months like May‑September, when prices drop 15‑25%.

Lastly, carry a small amount of cash (200‑300 AED) for markets or small vendors who prefer cash, but rely on cards for bigger bills to avoid exchange‑rate surprises.

Now you have a clear picture of how much a Dubai trip really costs in 2025. Use these numbers to plan, tweak, and enjoy a stress‑free, unforgettable holiday.