Budget & Costs

The UAE is not a budget travel destination, but it is cheaper than its reputation — if you know where to save. The currency is the UAE Dirham (AED), pegged to the US Dollar (1 USD = 3.67 AED). The Euro rate fluctuates slightly but is around 1 EUR ≈ 4.0 AED.

💰 Budget Travelers (250–400 AED / 60–100 EUR per day)

• Accommodation: Hostel or simple hotel in Deira/Bur Dubai (80–150 AED / 20–37 EUR)
• Food: Shawarma, Indian restaurants in Karama, falafel stands (15–40 AED / 4–10 EUR per meal)
• Transport: Metro + Bus (day pass 22 AED / 5.50 EUR)
• Activities: Creek Abra (1 AED), souks (free), mosques (free), beaches (free)

💰💰 Mid-range (600–1,200 AED / 150–300 EUR per day)

• Accommodation: 4-star hotel or apartment (300–600 AED / 75–150 EUR)
• Food: Good restaurants (80–150 AED / 20–37 EUR per meal)
• Transport: Metro + occasional taxi/Uber
• Activities: Burj Khalifa (from 169 AED / 42 EUR), Desert Safari (from 150 AED / 37 EUR), Dubai Frame (52 AED / 13 EUR)

💰💰💰 Luxury (2,000+ AED / 500+ EUR per day)

• Accommodation: 5-star resort on the Palm or at JBR (800–3,000+ AED / 200–750+ EUR)
• Food: Fine dining (300–800 AED / 75–200 EUR per person)
• Transport: Private chauffeur, limousine, helicopter transfer
• Activities: Burj Khalifa Lounge (Level 152–154, from 750 AED / 187 EUR), yacht charter, helicopter flight

Typical Prices (2026)

Item	AED	EUR
Bottle of water (1.5L, supermarket)	2–3	0.50–0.75
Coffee (Starbucks)	20–25	5–6
Shawarma (street stand)	8–15	2–4
Mid-range restaurant (per person)	80–150	20–37
Metro single ride	4–8.50	1–2
Taxi (5 km)	20–30	5–7.50
Burj Khalifa (Level 124/125)	169	42
Desert Safari (standard)	150–250	37–62
SIM card (tourist, 2 weeks)	100–150	25–37
Alcohol (beer in hotel)	40–70	10–17