Dubai is an ideal place to start a trip overseas as a couple, whether you’re from Pakistan, India, the UK, or the USA. It offers a unique taste of traditional Arab culture, a highly-developed, Western-influenced atmosphere, making Dubai an unforgettable and truly spectacular destination for a couple. The cost of a trip to Dubai for a couple can vary considerably depending on the type of trip you are interested in taking. Technically speaking, it is impossible to provide an accurate answer to the question, “How Much is a Trip to Dubai Cost for a Couple,” as the cost is determined by a number of factors, such as when you go to Dubai, where you live, the price of the airfare and the hotel you stay in, as well as what activities you intend to engage in during your stay.
So I’ve decided to write a complete guide to answer this question. My aim in this guide is to help you understand some of the factors that will impact the cost of your Dubai trip.
Firstly, I would like to emphasize that I have divided this Dubai trip cost guide into accommodation, transportation, activities, and food costs so that you can get an idea of what your trip will cost. Although trips to Dubai have a reputation for being too expensive, the following breakdown is based on the assumption that you are visiting Dubai as a couple with a standard budget for the following:
A standard couple
One week trip, including two travel days, with 6 nights in Dubai
Travel during high seasons (Oct to March – Exclude New Years Days)
Travelers that are not comfortable exploring on their own and are looking to book a package tours on sharing based.
Table of Contents
How Much Does Visa Cost?
Even though this is not a requirement if you are from a European, Tier 1 English speaking country, or a country that is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In contrast, tourists from undeveloped countries (India, Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines, African countries, etc) must obtain a UAE pre-approval visa. The cost of your visa may vary depending on the length of your trip and the travel agency you use, ranging from AED 300 (14 days) to AED 1400 (90 days).
Check Dubai Tickets Price
In my opinion, this is the first thing that would require a lot of research on your part. It is a good idea to check the prices of tickets with your favorite airlines and see how much it costs to fly to Dubai with them. Since the temperature in Dubai is somewhat hot from April to until August, the price of Dubai tickets tends to be cheap during these months, since fewer tourists tend to visit Dubai during these months. Additionally, tickets may be very expensive during December, January, and February due to the holiday season and the Dubai shopping festival that takes place during those months.
How Much Does Accommodation Cost in Dubai?
Despite the fact that hotels in Dubai can be a bit pricey, there are a few hotels offering good deals for tourists. The average cost of a 3-star hotel in Bur Dubai for two people, with breakfast included is 415 AED (US$110). Here is a list of some of the best Cheap Hotels in Dubai with Breakfast that you can check out.
| Hotels | Star | Avg Cost | Address |
| Sun and Sands | 3 | $35 | 37th Street, Al Rigga Road, Clock Tower, Deira, |
| Golden Star Hotel- | 3 | $35 | 50 Al Khor St, near Gold Souk, Deira |
| Al Khoory Executive | 3 | $47 | Al Wasl Road, Al Badaa، Opp Irani Hospital |
| Citymax Bur Dubai | 3 | $50 | Mankhool & Kuwait Street, Bur Dubai |
| Majestic Hotel Tower | 4 | $70 | Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai |
| Atana Hotel | 4 | $65 | Barsha Heights, Hessa Street, Al Thanyah 1 |
| Grand Millennium Hotel Tecom | 5 | $100 | Barsha Heights – Dubai |
Do Research on SightseeingAs you can imagine, this is a very time-consuming activity since Dubai is a kind of city bursting with countless things to see and do. It is very likely that you won’t have much time if you are on vacation. To avoid disappointment and get a clear answer to the question “How Much is a Trip to Dubai Cost for a Couple,” make sure you book every tour in advance from a reputable Dubai local tour operator. The following are some of the tours and places you must visit with expected prices, helping you plan your budget for your Dubai adventure as a couple.
Note: Every tour operator has different price and quality of service. I always use Discover Desert Safari Tourism and mentioned prices I got from them.
- Burj Khalifa (Official ticket Cost is AED 155 ($42) in non-prime hours.
- Dubai Mall (No ticket required)
- Dubai Miracle Garden ( $11 per ticket)
- Evening Desert Safari Dubai (AED 125 & $35 ) Read my trip experience here.
- Wild Wadi (Offical price is AED 260 but you can get AED 25 per head discount Discover Desert Safari tourism)
- Dubai City Tour (AED 110 & $31)
- Dhow Cruise Creek ( AED 85 $24)
- Dhow Cruise Marina ( AED 120 $33 )
- Dubai Dolphin Show ( AED 85 $24 )
- Big Bus Tours (Classic ticket $63
- Dubai creek water taxi (AED 1)
- Gold Souq (No ticket need)
- IMG world Park admission (Offical $67 get in $55 from tour operator )
- Helicopter Tour 12 minutes ( Official Aed 595/person but get Aed 55/person from the tour operator)
Tip: You should get quotes from other operators and compare prices and services. Don’t go for price only. Must read their reviews before booking.
Cost of Transportation in Dubai?
When planning your “Trip to Dubai Cost for Couple,” it’s essential to consider transportation expenses. Dubai’s public transport system is one of the cheapest in the UAE. Taxi rates start from AED 4 per kilometer, with a minimum fare of AED 12. Renting a car for six hours with a driver starts at AED 450. However, the best and most cost-effective way to explore Dubai is by taking the Dubai metro, with stations conveniently located throughout the city. To use the metro, you must obtain an NOL card, available at Dubai airport, making it a budget-friendly option for couples exploring Dubai.
| Ticket Type | 1 Zone or <3km 2 zones | 2 Zones | 3+ Zones |
| Standard Adult Ticket (Red) | 4 dirhams | 6 dirhams | 8.50 dirhams |
| Pre-paid Standard Adult Ticket (Silver Nol) | 3 dirhams | 5 dirhams | 7.50 dirhams |
| Concessionary (Blue Nol Card) | 1.50 dirhams | 2.50 dirhams | 3.75 dirhams |
| Gold Class (Red Ticket) | 8 dirhams | 12 dirhams | 17 dirhams |
| Gold Class Pre-Paid | 6 dirhams | 10 dirhams | 15 dirhams |
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- Pro tip: Get a daily pass in AED 25 which allows you to use Dubai metro and RTA buses for unlimited times till 12:00 of midnight.
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How Much Does Food Cost in Dubai?
A number of factors should be taken into account as you plan your “Trip to Dubai Cost for Couple,” including its multicultural and multi-national nature. The city is known as a very diverse destination. Only 15% of the population of Dubai is a resident of the city, whereas approximately 85% of the people live in other nations, including Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Africa and so on. This diversity means you’ll have many culinary choices.
For instance, at Ravi Restaurant, one of the most famous Pakistani restaurants in the city, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast for AED 20. A cup of tea or soft drink costs over AED 1. Lunch costs in restaurants may vary, ranging from AED 30 to 250, depending on your preferences and the restaurant’s location.
Food is quite affordable, especially Pakistani, Indian, and Lebanese cuisine (don’t miss the Pakistani Chicken Biryani). Keep in mind that hotel restaurants can be expensive, so it’s advisable to explore other dining options to save money during your couple’s trip to Dubai.
Things You Should Know Before Visit Dubai?
- The official language is Arabic, but almost everyone can speak English in Dubai.
- The official currency is AED (Known as Dihram) and as of the time of writing this guide $1 equal to 3.67 AED.
- Dubai airport has three different terminals ( terminal 1, terminal 1 and terminal 3).
- Kissing in public is strictly not allowed.
- Don’t visit Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan if you are non-muslim.
