Quick answer: Dubai runs about EUR 140 per day mid-range - noticeably less if you eat local and walk. Cheapest window: November-March - warm and sunny without the extreme heat; June-August regularly exceeds 40 C and life moves indoors.
What things actually cost
| metro ride with Nol card | 1.50 EUR |
| shawarma | 3 EUR |
| karak chai | 0.50 EUR |
| Burj Khalifa standard ticket | 45 EUR |
| abra creek crossing | 0.25 EUR |
| desert safari tour | 60 EUR |
Eat well for little
- Shawarma from a Deira or Satwa counterabout 3 EUR
- Pakistani grill at Ravi Restaurant in Satwa, a local institution - full meal for about 8 EUR
- Karak chai from a roadside cafeteriaabout 0.50 EUR
- Emirati breakfast (balaleet, chebab) at Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi - about 12 EUR
- Grilled kebabs at Al Ustad Special Kabab near Al Fahidi metro - about 9 EUR
Money mistakes to avoid
- Trying to walk between sights that look close on the mapblocks are huge and sidewalks vanish; use the metro or taxis
- Not pre-booking Burj Khalifa ticketswalk-up sunset slots sell out and cost far more
- Ignoring local normspublic drunkenness and aggressive PDA can cause real trouble; drink only in licensed venues
- Visiting in July or August expecting beach weather45 C afternoons make outdoor plans miserable
Transport without the tourist tax
The metro red line runs from the airport to Downtown and the Marina for about 1.50-2 EUR with a Nol card. The metro plus occasional metered taxis (start about 3 EUR) covers almost everything; driving is easy but parking downtown is not.
Planning the full trip? Start with the 4-day Dubai itinerary.