Travel budget in the United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates: calculate your travel budget

United Arab Emirates: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in the United Arab Emirates for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 57 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 13 per person
  • $ 9.1 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1409* (4648 AED)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 113 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 38 per person
  • $ 14 per person
  • $ 14 per person

Total budget:

$ 3375* (11130 AED)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 123 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 67 per person
  • $ 21 per person
  • $ 28 per person

Total budget:

$ 4910* (16198 AED)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in the United Arab Emirates in 2023

Cost of living: United Arab Emirates VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in the United Arab Emirates in 2023 is 9% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Cost of living in the United Arab Emirates by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in the United Arab Emirates compared to the national average.

Cities /United Arab Emirates View Details
Dubai 4% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Dubai
Abu Dhabi 4% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Abu Dhabi
Sharjah 11% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Sharjah
Ajman 32% lessTravel budget and cost of living in Ajman



Local prices in the United Arab Emirates by expense type

United Arab Emirates: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in the United Arab Emirates costs 6% less than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 9.1/person
($ 4.1 to $ 20)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 32/person
($ 13 to $ 72)

29% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 9.1/person
($ 7.3 to $ 10.6)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Local beer
Local beer
$ 12 for 500ml
($ 6.6 to $ 17)

79% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.7
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 7.3 for 330ml
($ 2.2 to $ 20)

94% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 5.6/cup
($ 3 to $ 8.2)

7% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 1.2/can
($ 0.7 to $ 2.9)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.6
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.7/bottle
($ 0.4 to $ 2.3)

67% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

United Arab Emirates: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in the United Arab Emirates costs 20% less than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 93/night
($ 73 to $ 126)

26% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 126
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 121/night
($ 96 to $ 155)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 147
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 106/night
($ 69 to $ 202)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 211
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 140/night
($ 94 to $ 260)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 316
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 286/night
($ 162 to $ 531)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 684
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 61/month
($ 53 to $ 70)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 131
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 152/month
($ 106 to $ 267)

27% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 208
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 165/month
($ 97 to $ 318)

14% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 193
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 322/month
($ 183 to $ 550)

26% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 257
Family room
Family room
$ 348/month
($ 213 to $ 610)

76% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 199

United Arab Emirates: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in the United Arab Emirates costs 38% less than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 2.2/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 3.6)

87% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 1.6/500g
($ 1 to $ 3)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 2.6/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 6.1)

44% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.7
Eggs
Eggs
$ 3.3/12 eggs
($ 1.8 to $ 5.5)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Chicken
Chicken
$ 8.5/kg
($ 3.6 to $ 16)

37% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 2.4/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 3.3)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.5
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.6/kg
($ 1 to $ 2.4)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 3)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.1
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.7
($ 0.5 to $ 1.2)

71% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

United Arab Emirates: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in the United Arab Emirates costs 28% less than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 2.3/ticket
($ 0.6 to $ 4.9)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1/km
($ 0.6 to $ 2.4)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.3)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 3.6
($ 2.2 to $ 5.9)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Car hire
Car hire
$ 16/24hrs
($ 6 to $ 93)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

United Arab Emirates: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in the United Arab Emirates is 32% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 14/ticket
($ 10.6 to $ 18)

0% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 35/hr
($ 16 to $ 57)

65% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

United Arab Emirates: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in the United Arab Emirates is essentially the same as in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 6.7/pack
($ 6.1 to $ 8.5)

33% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10.1
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 63
($ 17 to $ 122)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 61
($ 22 to $ 96)

32% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 46

Plane ticket budget

London → Dubai
London → Dubai
London → Dubai
$ 433
(fair price: $ 396)
Manchester → Dubai
Manchester → Dubai
Manchester → Dubai
$ 543
(fair price: $ 484)
Dublin → Dubai
Dublin → Dubai
Dublin → Dubai
$ 544
(fair price: $ 446)
New York City → Dubai
New York City → Dubai
New York City → Dubai
$ 944
(fair price: $ 777)
London → Abu Dhabi
London → Abu Dhabi
London → Abu Dhabi
$ 428
(fair price: $ 278)
Sydney → Dubai
Sydney → Dubai
Sydney → Dubai
$ 1462
(fair price: $ 1254)


About the information on the cost of living in the United Arab Emirates

The information about the cost of living in the United Arab Emirates shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Easyvoyage and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in the United Arab Emirates updated on 30-05-2023.

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