Prices in Dubai (UAE) - 2021: food, accommodation, excursions

How much will the city cost, where half of the iconic places have the status of "the most ... in the world"? The tallest building, the most progressive metro, the largest shopping center. Yes, prices in Dubai cannot be low by default (although prices for tours to Dubai claim the opposite).

We went to the "capital of luxury and wealth No. 1" for the third time, and, I must say, it turned out acceptable. I would describe the United Arab Emirates as follows: not budgetary, but with the proper approach - not hellishly expensive. We tell and prove!

Dubai is open for Russians. You can get there, as before, in two ways: Independently - from Moscow, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Grozny (see flights on Aviasales and hotels on RoomGuru) Tour - although they have risen in price (see tours on Travelata)

When is it cheaper to travel? Season in Dubai

The most juice is to go to Dubai in November and December (until the 25th):

• The sea is still warm, 23-24 degrees
• There are almost no people, they think that the water is cold, and you can't swim
• The weather is excellent, not getting burnt, outside about + 25 ° С ... + 28 ° С
• The price of the tours is super. So, we flew to Dubai for 33,000 rubles from Kazan

It is not recommended to rest in January and February, because the winds are such that even the top of the Burj Khalifa sways back and forth. But in fact, everything is better, in 2014, in February, we flew to the UAE for the first time - and it was warm, we even swam.

In March, April and May - the season, so you can safely go. Air temperature from + 25 ° С to + 35 ° С. True, in May it gets to + 40 ° C.

In summer and early September - no, no, and again no. Tolerate the heat from + 40 ° С to + 60 ° С for the sake of the dubious assumption that prices in Dubai fall in the off-season ... not worth it. Another "unfavorable" period for travel is Ramadan. Many establishments (not only cafes, but also water parks, shops) are closed until the evening, eating / drinking on the street is very discouraged. In 2021, Ramadan lasts from ...

Dubai Marina promenade (great for evening walks) and Al Mamzar Beach (entry cost AED 5)

Prices for tours to Dubai in 2021

You can find out prices directly from major tour operators, and with a flight from a suitable city, on online aggregators:

• Travelata
• Level.Travel
• Onlinetours

They display everything that is on the right numbers, compare where it is more profitable, and suggest cheap dates.

So, the cost of a package vacation:

✓ The most common tour with a flight for 10 days to Dubai - from 65,000 rubles for two. For 7 days - from 60 thousand. Slightly more budgetary vouchers in the winter - from 60 and 55 thousand, respectively

✓ Typically Turkish vacation in Dubai - not leaving the sea and with full service - "bites": prices for all-inclusive tours start from 170,000 rubles per week (1 line)

✓ Family trip (2 adults with a child) - from 80,000 rubles for 7 days

About entering the UAE in 2021.
You must have with you:
- a certificate in English about a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours (the time is counted from the moment of the test!),
- downloaded to the phone application "covid-19 dxb"
- and insurance covering covid treatment - such policies are available on cherehapa.ru.

At the airport, take the free test again and wait for the results at your hotel.

Anex tour meets us at Dubai airport - we flew on a charter flight Azur Air

Airfare to Dubai

Good news! A visa to Dubai is not needed - it was canceled. Upon arrival at the airport, you will simply be stamped (and it's free).

For those who like to travel on their own, here is an example of prices for tickets to Dubai (so far, airlines fly only from 4 cities in Russia):

• From Moscow - 35,000 rubles round trip for one
• On a flight from Kazan - from 55,000 rubles per person (nightmare)
• From Grozny - from 55,000 rubles round trip for one
• From Yekaterinburg - from 60,000 rubles

These are the sad sums, we are waiting for the full resumption of flights!

Accommodation in Dubai: hotel prices

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Al Barsha on our 4th trip to Dubai

Lodging, like tickets, is a significant part of the cost in the city. When calculating the amount of air + hotel, there is a risk to think that the voucher is not bad :)

All inexpensive hotels in Dubai are concentrated in the Deira area and boast a maximum of 3 stars, more often one or two. And decent options in the center literally scoff at the wallet. Who cares, prices for the famous sail hotel in Dubai start at $ 1200 per room per night!

• Top 6 tourist destinations in Dubai

Neither the amount of the reservation nor the price of the tour is included mandatory tourist tax... It is paid locally and is formed from the star rating of the hotel - from 7 to 20 dirhams per night.

Hotel prices in Dubai: comparison table

We go from the metro to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah shopping center (next to it you can take good photos with the Burj Al Arab hotel) - Dubai Marina embankment

10 good Dubai hotels

• 3 * Citymax Hotel Bur Dubai - a city hotel from a well-known budget chain
  Tour: from 75,000 rubles
• Golden Sands Hotel Apartments - a complex of apart-hotels in the Bur Dubai area, most often settled in the 3rd building
  Tour: from 75,000 rubles
• 3 * Ibis Dubai Al Rigga - a solid "troika", just 6 metro stops from Burj Khalifa
  Tour: from 70,000 rubles
• 4 * Flora Grand - a hotel with a swimming pool and a jacuzzi on the roof; the price is low because it is located in Deira, "in the backyard"
  Tour: from 77,000 rubles
• 4 * Hilton Dubai The Walk - excellent location next to Dubai Marina, impeccable service. Suitable for families with children, there is a supermarket in the yard, but the cost is awful. Suddenly who will "go"? :)
  Tour: from 150,000 rubles
• 3 * Landmark Plaza Baniyas - a good and inexpensive hotel in Dubai near the metro
  Tour: from 70,000 rubles
• 4 * DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach - front line apart-hotel with a private beach
  Tour: from 170,000 rubles
• 5 * Address Dubai Marina - stylish rooms overlooking Dubai Marina
  Tour: from 155,000 rubles
• 5 * Atlantis The Palm (Atlantis) - I'm not afraid of this word, a chic hotel on the Palm with a water park and an aquarium in the wall
  Tour: from 240,000 rubles
• 5 * Burj Al Arab Jumeirah - the most famous sail-shaped hotel
  Tour: from 750,000 rubles O_O

Let me remind you that if you are an independent tourist, look at hotels on Booking (your own search engine) or RoomGuru (aggregator, i.e. it monitors both Booking and 10+ systems).

Food Prices in Dubai - 2021

The local currency is the dirham. The exchange rate of the dirham to the ruble: 1 AED = 20 rubles.

The order of prices in Dubai for food (in catering establishments) is approximately as follows:

• Shawarma - 6-10 AED
• Rice with chicken at “Ali's” - 20-30 AED
• Combo lunch at McDonald's - 25 AED
• Take-out cappuccino, 0.3 - 15-20 AED
• Pizza in a cafe (for two) - 60-70 AED
• Seafood (mix of several reptiles) - 90-100 AED
• Friday Brunch (buffet) - 150-300 AED
• Dinner in a luxury European restaurant with a good view - 500-700 AED for two (with alcohol)
• Dinner in a pretentious local restaurant - 300-500 AED

Our lunch at Urban Restaurant - McGettigan's Cafe next to Souk Madinat Jumeirah
If you, like us, are not ready to pay ≈ 720 rubles for two cups of coffee, consider the Entertainer rescue app. It costs about 9,000 rubles, but in our Telegram channel @howtrip we told how we bought it 9 times less (hashtag #howtrip_dubai).

Where to eat in Dubai? And what to try?

Alas, I will not give universal recommendations, like "here it will be tasty and cheap," because Dubai is never cheap... But I will share the places I found in three trips that I’m definitely not ashamed to show my friends 🙂

Attention! I will list the names and the approximate direction of the cuisine, and you can admire the photos of dishes and food prices in this article.

✓ Urban - seafood

✓ Golden fork - also seafood, hyper-tourist restaurant

✓ Al ustadi special kabab - a popular local establishment serving mainly lamb, chicken and rice

✓ Papa jones - nothing exotic, a pizzeria that exists in Russia; nevertheless, it's okay to have a bite to eat

✓ Magnolia Bakery - coffee shop and pastry shop, cheesecakes, cupcakes

✓ Caffe nero - great coffee

✓ Five guys - fast food in Dubai Mall overlooking the Singing Fountains. Higher than ↓

✓ Well, but urgently and inexpensively you can eat in the "great and terrible" - in McDonald's... Found in every shopping center

The Double B coffee house known to many - prices for the menu from McGettigan's cafe
What are we trying from local-traditional?

• Manakish is melted cheese in pita bread. This cake is often served with the main course.
• Shawarma! No comment, really. P.s .: to be honest, Moscow tastes better, as for me
• Nuts and dates - they are just bombing here
• Falafel - chickpea balls
• Of course the meat is lamb kebab

Urban menu and final check from one restaurant for 66 AED

Food Prices in Dubai - 2021

For large-scale and not-so-great purchases, the Carrefour store is ideal - it seems like a French one, but there are many places abroad. Large supermarket, reasonable price tag. I mean, it’s not bullied, as in the shops of Pakistanis, but it’s not comparable to the Moscow one either - food is still more expensive.

Food prices in Dubai in stores - 2021:

• Beef, 1 kg - 30 AED;
• Chicken, 1 kg - 16-20 AED;
• Eggs, 6 pcs. - 4 AED;
• Slicing cheese, 150 gr - 10 AED;
• Mango, 1 kg - 20 AED;
• Watermelon, 1 kg - 5 AED;
• Cucumbers, 1 kg - 12 AED;
• Tomatoes, 1 kg - 7 AED;
• Milk, 1 l - 6-8 AED;
• Bread - 5-7 AED;
• Ritter Sport chocolate - 9 AED;
• Water, 1.5 L - 1 AED.

Alcohol not to be found in Dubai, seriously. Alkomarkets exist, but you won't be able to buy anything without a special license (and only local “visitors” have it). It's easier to focus on bars, restaurants and clubs where the sale of alcohol is allowed - I'd recommend the cool Level 43 Sky Lounge terrace bar.

Supermarket Carrefour in Dubai - prices will NOT pleasantly surprise you 🙂

Beaches in Dubai

The beaches in the city are divided into public - free, but there are exceptions, and private at hotels.

By the way, the best beach in the emirate is just public. So even a budget vacation in Dubai, when the price of the ticket is nowhere lower, and the hotel is 8 km from the coast, you can "save" an excellent beach experience :)

Our video about the beaches of Dubai

Examples of city beaches:

➢ La mer - the same beach number 1. Completely free, with dressing rooms, showers, toilets, with a modern and stylish promenade and a walking area

➢ Al mamzar - three beaches, united by a large park area. Very pale in front of La Mer, especially the entrance - 5 AED per person

➢ Jumeirah Public Beach - is located next to the hotel "Parus" and therefore is popular with tourists

➢ Marina Beach - located in the eponymous area of ​​Dubai Marina. There is a developed infrastructure, but, as a rule, there are too many people and not the cleanest water

➢ Kite beach - where surfers also live

Prices on public beaches in Dubai

La Mer beach - in our opinion the best free beach in Dubai (there are few people in the off-season)

How much are excursions in Dubai in 2021?

1) One of the must-try excursions in the Emirates is a jeep safari in the desert. Locals claim that they have completely different deserts than in Egypt! Difference in sand color and tactile feel. So, it is necessary to check. The price for an evening safari and dinner with a show program in the desert is on average $ 45-60 per person.

We took a safari excursion (loved it) and a mosque in Abu Dhabi, went here on a last trip to the UAE

2) It is interesting to go to Abu Dhabi - see the city, go to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and visit the Ferrari Museum. The price depends on what kind of places you want to see, from the tour operator, usually around $ 100 per person. But, again, such a tour can be taken online >> for less money - only $ 70.
3) Do not forget about the overview of Dubai itself! The best option if you need to quickly, capaciously and do not really want to walk. Always check Sputnik, the site really helps out - the sightseeing tour comes out at $ 35.

4) Popular and such excursions in Dubai as Arab boat cruises with dinner. In 2021, prices are set from $ 55. The views are amazing, if you are ready to go all the way along the river with your mouth open with delight - this is here.

Burj Khalifa Ticket

The ascent to Burj Khalifa, of course, is worth making. Here is our report with details and photos.

The ticket price is fixed - 141 AED (2900 rubles). They buy online, but the most profitable is GetYourGuide. a service charge of AED 5 is added on the main site. Plus, a combo offer is also available there - a tower, an aquarium and an underwater zoo for 206 AED (4200 rubles).

Upstairs, it simply takes your breath away - the huge skyscrapers seem very small, and the world itself around is like a dollhouse. It is especially beautiful to watch at sunset (and more expensive). The price of Burj Khalifa is measured not in money, but in the value of the emotions received!

We advise you to take a walk along Bin Rashid Boulevard (someone says that this is the main pedestrian street in Dubai) - what you should definitely see here are cool installations, Dubai Opera and a view without people on the Burj Khalifa

Where to go in Dubai? Entertainment

There is a lot of entertainment in the Emirates. This country is like Disneyland, especially if you have a decent amount of money with you.

• Helicopter flight over the city
• Here a bunch of water parksbut the largest and most interesting is Aquaventure (340 AED) on the bulk island of Palma.
• You've probably heard about Singing Fountains? They are located next to the Dubai Mall, you can visit them free of charge, every day from 18:00
• A theme park is perfect for a trip with children. Legoland (275 AED), made in the spirit of the famous Lego!
  Tickets >>
• It is interesting to take a walk in the magic park Zabeel park... There is entertainment for children, there are places for barbecues, greenery and nature around. Great place to stay
• Hop-on hop-off bus Dubai (270 AED) - such red bus sightseeing tours in Dubai. In 1 day you can have time to see the main attractions
  Tickets >>
• Or maybe you missed the snow and mountains? No problem at all, welcome to Ski dubai ride a tubing, sleigh, bobsleigh, etc. Price for the whole day with a set of clothes - from 230 AED

For such a night view, you should go to the 43 Level bar (this is next to the metro station)

Night clubs

Are you surprised? Despite the tough politics in the country, tourists are allowed a lot. For example, going to nightclubs. The parties there are truly "hot".

The entrance is paid - on average 50-150 AED. Drink a glass of a saw or an alcoholic cocktail - 20-30 AED.

Some of the clubs in Dubai:

➢ Red Square - entry price 150 AED

➢ White Dubai - on the roof of the hotel. Admission is free, the price for a cocktail is around 100 AED. Girls enter strictly in heels

➢ Zero Gravity is both a club and a beach. You can swim in the morning and dance in the evening (but not in swimsuits!). Entrance - 150 AED, of which 50 AED - deposit

➢ Mix is ​​a huge club that can accommodate 2000 people on dance floors. Cost about 50 AED

➢ Zinc Nightclub - with free admission for girls and couples

Transport

You can get around in Dubai by bus, metro (solar-powered, by the way!) Or taxi.

✓ Bus price around 2 AED

✓ There are two options to ride the subway - in the mortal carriage or in the first gold carriage. The trick of the gold car is that you watch the ride the way the driver sees it. The cost of a regular trip depends on the distance of the trip - from 5 to 15 AED. A couple of dirhams are more profitable with a Nol Card

✓ Taxi prices in Dubai are high - 5 AED for landing, 2 AED for each km; minimum trip amount - 12 AED (250 rubles)

We took a lot of taxi rides, but if you are with a family or a large company, it is worth renting a car.

Car rental in Dubai

Car rental is convenient. So there will be an opportunity to travel to distant emirates and not depend on anyone at all.

Prices in Dubai in 2021 for car rental start at $ 25 per day. You can view and evaluate on:

• RentalCars
• AutoEurope
• EconomyBookings

Never take a car without insurance. The cost of a liter of gasoline is around 2 AED. Please note that you need an international driving license to rent!

Shopping in Dubai

This country is definitely made for shopping! What is only Dubai Mall with its immense and in 3 days area. It is full of shopping centers, including outlets, where it is profitable to buy branded clothing.

For example, Dubai Outlet Mall, which is considered a mid-price outlet, or The Outlet Village, a high-price segment. It is unlikely that you will find "European" sales here, prices will be definitely higher. However, it is still cheaper than in standard official stores.

In general, quality clothing is sold in Dubai in local markets. Keep all valuables with you there, there is a possibility of theft. You can see jewelry, but they are clearly not cheap here.

The idea of ​​buying a piece of equipment is a good option. For example, an iPhone Xs in Dubai costs 14-15 thousand rubles cheaper; airpods - 1,500 rubles.

Shopping in Dubai is a tricky thing, if you don't plan, you still want to buy something, so take all the savings that you do not mind :)

Well, what about the Dubai Mall (view inside and the artificial bay with famous singing fountains)

What can you bring from the UAE? Duty Free

First, I would like to indicate what to bring here: alcohol. Take with you or buy at Duty Free upon arrival in the Emirates. It is not a fact that it will be possible to buy an intoxicating drink somewhere else.

Take home with you camel milk products - cheese, milk or cottage cheese (keep in mind the shelf life), oriental sweets - Turkish delight, sherbet, halva and biscuits with dates (20 AED). Of course, spices for every taste.

I don't know whether to advise taking a carpet - only if you are sure that you will take it away ☺

Duty Free in Dubai is huge and with the highest sales in the world. From here you can bring whatever you like: watches, cosmetics, jewelry, hookahs and small souvenirs.

Bottom line: how much money to take to Dubai (UAE)?

It depends on what to start from. After all, you can take as a basis the prices for an all-inclusive vacation in Dubai - in 2021 from 130,000 rubles per week for two. A modest tour for 50,000 rubles with breakfast is also possible. Or a self-tour: tickets and the cheapest hotel that will come out in the same 45-50 thousand (from Moscow).

Basic costs for 7 days for twoapplicable to all tourists:

Total in place: 1173 AED ($ 320) + $ 150 = $ 470 or $ 67 per day.

Our experience for comparison: in general, the prices for vacations in Dubai are reasonable. We spent 52,000 rubles in 4 days: this is a tour for 2 people from Kazan, 1 excursion, lunches / dinners, small gifts home and many kilometers by taxi. If you calculate the amount "with you", then it turned out that Dubai for two comes out at $ 70 per day.