Dubai prices 2026: how much a week really costs and where to save
Real numbers for hotels, food, transport, and activities, plus tax-refund tips and how to bargain at the souks.
The short version
In December 2026 a couple spends between 25 000 AED for a week in a 4-star with tours, and 80 000+ AED for a 5-star resort on Palm Jumeirah. The spread is huge and depends on two things: the neighbourhood you stay in and how you eat.
Hotels, per night
- Hostel bed in Deira: 80–120 AED
- 3-star in Bur Dubai: 250–400 AED
- 4-star in JBR or Marina: 500–900 AED
- 5-star in Downtown with Burj Khalifa view: 1 200–3 500 AED
- Resort on Palm Jumeirah, all-inclusive: 2 500–6 000 AED
December is peak, 30–50 % above the yearly average. June and August see the same hotels drop 30–50 % below it.
Food
- Breakfast at a corner cafe: 20–40 AED
- Shawarma, falafel, manakish: 15–25 AED
- Mall business lunch: 50–80 AED
- Mid-range dinner: 150–250 AED per person
- Fine dining (Nobu, Zuma, COYA): 600–1 200 AED per person
Alcohol is only sold in licensed venues, glass of wine 60–90 AED, cocktail 80–120 AED.
Transport
- Dubai Metro single ride: 3–7.5 AED
- Nol Silver weekly card: about 70 AED
- Careem from Marina to Downtown: 40–60 AED
- DXB airport to Downtown: 60–80 AED
- Economy car rental: 100–180 AED per day plus insurance
- Fuel: 3 AED per litre
Activities
- Burj Khalifa At The Top, 124-125th floor: 169 AED
- Burj Khalifa SKY 148th floor: 379 AED
- Group desert safari: 180–260 AED
- Private SUV desert safari: 1 200–2 200 AED
- Marina yacht, 2 hours for 8 people: from 800 AED
- Atlantis Aquaventure: 369 AED
- Museum of the Future: 145 AED
Tip: for At The Top and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, pick the sunset slot in advance. It costs the same and the view is several times better.
Shopping and tax refund
In Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, luxury prices roughly match London or Milan, no native discount. At Dubai Outlet Mall, 30–70 % off last-season brands. In Gold Souk, gold is sold by weight plus an 8–15 % making fee — negotiate.
VAT is 5 % and already in the sticker. Tourists can refund via Planet Tax Refund at the airport, minimum 250 AED per receipt, you actually get back about 4.3 %.
Tipping
Not mandatory but expected. In restaurants 10–15 %, round up taxi fares, hotel porter 10–20 AED.
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