Several powerful arguments can be made in defense of Dubai as the most notable tourist destination in
contemporary times. In fact, this city is chosen to host the prestigious Expo 2020 – a global cause championing human advancement via ‘opportunity, mobility, and sustainability.’ As of 2017, Dubai is one of the few rarest places on earth with zero crime rate and absolute personal income tax exemption for all inhabitants.
According to the CIA World Fact Book, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is poised on shifting their economic strategy from the rigid oil trade dependence to a more fluid source of revenue such as tourism and private service. Dubai pretty much represents that national vision that is gradually materializing by virtue of the efforts tendered by its ‘globalized population.’
The Best Time to Visit
Knowing when to visit pretty much makes every personal endeavor for a frugal Dubai vacation cost count. One of the most recommended dates for sightseeing falls on mid-November to early December. Apart from the festive New Year atmosphere, early January is the best time to go shopping – where one can enjoy as much as 75% discount on all commercial items.
Considering these points for a smarter Dubai trip cost, one may opt to schedule a 2-week vacation (about $1,556 overall spending) on these following dates:
- November 30 to December 14, 2017
- December 30, 2017 to January 13, 2018
You may book round trip flights for these schedules at Air Fare Watchdog. One can gain a better insight by examining the reviews posted by the previous customers.
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Flight Costs
The usual average cost to go to Dubai could vary greatly in terms of which airport a traveler would depart. 4 out of 5 airports in the United States are worth considering in terms of getting the best chance of cheaper tickets. These prices may change in time depending on the availability of the tickets.
The specific information for ticket costs and flight details for the November 30 to December 14, 2017 schedule via New York, via Los Angeles, via Chicago, and via Washington were retrieved on August 29, 2017. The same goes for the ticket costs and flight details for the December 30, 2017 to January 13, 2018 schedule from these airports:
| Ticket Schedules | via New York | via Los Angeles | via Chicago | via Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 30 to December 14 | from $596 | from $702 | from $605 | from $576 |
| December 30 to January 13 | from $661 | from $751 | from $656 | from $627 |
Accommodations
Apart from knowing the average cost to go to Dubai, consumers must also be meticulously aware of the average cost to stay in Dubai. Fortunately, it is possible to cut down the budget for the 2-week lodging without sacrificing a relative sense of luxury and comfort. One thing every traveler must take note is that it somehow takes a maximum of 2 calendar days for some arrivals to complete from any area in the United States flying to Dubai. Hence, the 2-week stay requires a two-day allowance for those who wish to book in advance.
All of these hotels for the December 2 to 14 schedule are rated 3-stars, each one with free WIFI access and several good bistros nearby. Please remember that details may change in time, especially given that these hotels are extremely in demand. This data was retrieved on August 29, 2017
| 12-night stay | Property name | Ratings | No. of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| $640 | Dubai Palm Hotel | 6.2 | 1,222 |
| $650 | Nihal Hotel | 6.0 | 758 |
| $653 | Palm Beach Hotel | 6.2 | 1,138 |
| $653 | California Hotel | 5.5 | 259 |
| $655 | Citimax Hotel Bur Dubai | 7.3 | 6,903 |
| $689 | Naif View Hotel | 7.6 | 816 |
| $702 | Claridge Hotel | 6.3 | 749 |
If one is seeking cheap apartments also during these specific dates, it is possible to pay one can rent an apartment unit that already has air conditioning, kitchen, TV, and WIFI access. It pays to take note that these units also have a swimming pool in the suite vicinity. Airbnb features up to 9 rentals at a low cost starting from $35 per night.
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All of these hotels for the January 1 to 13 schedule are rated 2-stars, each one with several good bistros nearby. Please remember that details may change in time, especially given that these hotels are extremely in demand. This data was retrieved on August 29, 2017
| 12-night stay | Property name | Ratings | No. of reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| $520 | Tara Hotel | 6.5 | 279 |
| $599 | Al Ahrar Hotel | 4.9 | 48 |
| $621 | Queens Hotel | 5.3 | 177 |
| $640 | San Marco Hotel | 6.4 | 226 |
In a similar way, Airbnb also features alternative accommodations that start at $25 per night for the lowest price. One may be able to catch them as soon as possible before it is booked soon.
Smart Consumer Guide
Another important area of adjusting the Dubai vacation cost is the daily spending on needs and wants.After all, this particular sphere of travel budget touches on the very essence of why travelers would visit a foreign country in the first place. In this particular regard, prospective travelers must come up with smart choices in terms of dining, entertainment, and shopping.
It is possible for a single person to buy 2-week’s worth of food for less than $350. Considering the value of the American dollar to Emirati dirham, consumers can always enjoy a lucrative bargain by integrating themselves into the standard lifestyle of the locals – hence, buying at the same store with them. A specific tip can be derived by referring to the following top 7 markets suggested by The Gulf News:
- Union Coop
- Carrefour
- Geant Hypermarket
- Safest Way
- Organic Foods & Café
- Lulu Hypermarket
- Emirates Cooperative Society
When it comes to tasting the fine local cuisine, it is also possible to book a table in any good restaurant for less than $30. OpenTable has around 34 restaurants in its listings available for both December and January schedules. Take note of the following areas in Dubai and the establishments one can consider within their respective districts, especially if one is temporarily residing in these locations during their visit:
- Dubai Financial Center: 9 bistros
- Jumeirah: 11 bistros
- Festival City: 9 bistros
- Dubai Creek: 1 bistro
In the neighboring countries of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and other states within the Gulf region that strictly abides by the Islamic law, drinking any liquor is a punishable offense. But contrary to popular perception about predominantly-Muslim countries, Dubai does not observe the same stringent sanctions when it comes to alcohol consumption. After all, only 17% of the population in Dubai are Emiratis (and none of them intolerant of other religious views given the spirit of globalization this city embraces). It pays to know that Dubai has a number of recommended establishments for tourists who want to experience the best bargain spending on limited time slots.
| Establishment name | Address | Happy hour schedule |
|---|---|---|
| The Observatory | Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel, 04 319 400 | 5:00 to 10:00 PM (Saturday to Tuesday) 5:00 to 8:00 PM (Wednesday to Friday) |
| FAI | The Palace – The Old Town, Downtown Dubai, 04 888 3444 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM (Everyday) |
| Cabana | The Address Dubai Mall, 04 888 3444 | 5:00 to 8:00 PM (Everyday) |
| Centimetro | Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, 04 366 6730 | 6:00 to 11:30 PM (Everyday) |
| Aquaria | Dubai Marina Yacht Club, 04 362 7900 | 6:00 to 8:00 PM (Everyday) |
| Icon Bar & Lounge | Radisson Blu, Media City, Dubai, 04 366 9111 | 5:00 to 8:00 PM (Saturday to Thursday) 4:00 to 7:00 PM (Friday) |
Souvenir Guide
Nothing quite puts the hardest challenge in keeping Dubai trip prices down than considering how much is too much for splurging on luxury goods to bring home. While the impression about Dubai being an expensive shopping destination stands, there are ways to go around the oversimplified notions of outsiders. Hence, it is possible to acquire a number of original, high-class, and reasonably priced souvenirs that only (arguably) Dubai sells best.
| Item | Cost | Where to shop? |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai dates | $10 to $68 per kg. | • Deira Food Market • Supermarket |
| Dubai spices | $3 to $7 per pack | • Supermarkets • Spice souks |
| Camel milk chocolate | $12 to $45 | • Duty-free shops • Al Nassma kiosks • Camelicious camel farm |
| Arabic coffee (including the pot) | $34 per kg. (plus $5 for the pot) | • Dubai Coffee Museum • Major supermarkets • Local souks |
| Item | Cost | Where to shop? |
|---|---|---|
| Persian carpets and rugs | from $100 | • National Iranian Carpets • Persian Carpet House • Bur Dubai Souk |
| Arabic attars (perfume) | $5 | • Deira perfume souk • Mall & airport perfume shops |
| Oudh (fragrance oil) | $250 to $10,000 | • Deira perfume souk • Mall perfume shops |
| Bakhoor (incense) | $25 to $150 | • Local spice souks |
| Shawls | $70 (pashmina) or $8 (viscose) | • Pashmina House • Karama Market • Textile Souk |
| Gold jewelry | $30 per gram | • Gold and Diamond Park • Dubai Gold Souk • Joyalukkas outlets |
| Hookah pipe & shisha | $13 to $100 | • Carrefour Hypermarket • Smoker’s Center outlets • Local souks |
Travel Guide
If there is one last smart thing to do in order to make the most out of the upcoming holidays in Dubai, any prospective traveler should have spent some time reading a travel guide. The Lonely Planet Dubai & Abu Dhabi by Andrea Schulte Peevers and Jenny Walker offers comprehensive insights and up-to-date information about two of UAE’s most tourist-friendly cities. This guide is available at Amazon via Kindle and in a paperback version.