How much does it cost to visit the UAE, Dubai & Abu Dhabi?

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. That means budgeting for a trip to the United Arab Emirates will depend on where you’re heading to, and what’s on your wishlist when you get there.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two most popular destinations in terms of visitor numbers, and also the most expensive emirates when it comes to living costs. So, we’ve pulled out some average costs for both of these key destinations, covering essentials like flights, accommodation and food and drink.

We’ve also factored in spending money for activities when you get there – whether you’re planning a shopping spree in The Dubai Mall, or heading straight to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Plus, when you’ve worked out how much foreign currency you’ll need to take with you, you can buy your UAE dirhams online before you go.

How much does it cost to visit Dubai?

Dubai tops the list of the most-visited emirate in the UAE, and it draws travellers from around the globe thanks to record-breaking landmarks like the Burj Khalifa – the tallest building on the planet – and The Dubai Mall, the biggest shopping mall in the world. It’s also widely considered to be the most expensive emirate to visit, and we’ve drilled down to some example costs below.

How much are flights to Dubai?

Flight prices from London to Dubai can start from around £191 in January, rising to £321 in August*, although the price you’ll pay will be influenced by lots of factors. 

Prices vary according to your arrival airport, for example. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the most popular and busiest airport in Dubai in terms of passenger numbers and flights, so you’ll often find flights landing here are cheaper than those arriving at Dubai’s smaller, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). 

And, while London offers the most direct flight options to Dubai, you may find prices vary significantly from other UK airports.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Dubai?

The cheapest month to fly from London to Dubai is often January*, which could be down to dynamic pricing strategies as travel demand drops after Christmas.

When is the most expensive time to fly to Dubai?

August can be the most expensive time to fly to Dubai*. It’s peak travel season, so demand is often higher – pushing fares up.

When’s the best time to book a flight to Dubai?

According to travel experts, around 40 days before your trip can be a good time to book a flight to Dubai*. It’s worth monitoring flight prices for several months beforehand though, so you can recognise pricing trends and spot any drops in fares as soon as they happen.

How much is accommodation in Dubai?

On average, you can expect mid-range accommodation to cost around £128 (AED 624) per night in Dubai*. For a week-long trip, that equates to around £896. If you’re staying in budget accommodation, like a hostel, you can expect to pay less – and if you’re splashing out on a stay at one of Dubai’s many luxury hotels, your accommodation bill will be higher. We’ve pulled out some example costs below to give you a better idea*.

Budget accommodation per night/week: £49 (AED 239) / £343 (AED 1,673)

Mid-range accommodation per night/week: £128 (AED 624) / £896 (AED 4,368)

Luxury accommodation per night/week: £345 (AED 1,675) / £2,415 (AED 11,725)

How much is food in Dubai?

Dubai has a thriving foodie scene that spans everything from heritage restaurants in Old Dubai, to Michelin-starred establishments in the heart of the modern city, so you’ve got plenty of choice. If you’re budgeting for food, a mid-range meal could cost you around £73 (AED 353)*. You can find more example food and drinks costs in our guide to the currency in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & the UAE.

Don’t forget about taking spending money for activities in Dubai

Activities in Dubai are about as varied as they get. One of the most popular attractions, for example, is the Burj Khalifa skyscraper – you can take a tour and get incredible views across the whole city from the tower’s multiple observation decks. Tickets start from AED 198 (about £40) for admission to the lower decks. 

For a completely different perspective, a visit to the city’s traditional souks is a must, and you can pick up everything from perfumes and spices to gold jewellery. It’s always worth carrying some cash in the local currency for souk shopping, particularly if you’re buying small souvenirs and trinkets to take home. Having UAE dirhams to hand is also useful for tipping, which is customary in Dubai.

How much does it cost to visit Abu Dhabi?

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and one of the most-visited emirates – second only to Dubai. Average costs at the time of writing came out slightly cheaper than comparative costs to visit Dubai, so we’ve taken a closer look below.

How much are flights to Abu Dhabi?

Flights from London to Abu Dhabi can start from £148 in January, rising to £280 in August*, although flight prices will vary throughout the year. Abu Dhabi International Airport is the emirate’s international flight hub, and the most likely airport you’ll fly into. There are two more airports in Abu Dhabi – Al Bateen Executive Airport and Al Ain International Airport – but these handle charter, domestic and government flights.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Abu Dhabi?

January is often the cheapest time to fly to Abu Dhabi*, just like Dubai. Fares may be lower at this time due to reduced demand after the Christmas travel peak in December.

When is the most expensive time to fly to Abu Dhabi?

At the time of writing, November was the most expensive month to fly to Abu Dhabi*. November to March is generally considered the best time to visit weather-wise, as this season avoids the peak summer heat – which could explain the higher fares in November.

When’s the best time to book a flight to Abu Dhabi?

Around 40 days in advance of your trip is considered a good time to book your flights to Abu Dhabi*, but you may also find good deals on flights much further in advance if you already have travel dates in mind.

How much is accommodation in Abu Dhabi?

Accommodation costs in Abu Dhabi vary, but generally work out cheaper than costs in Dubai. For example, you can expect to pay around £74 (AED 360) per night in mid-range accommodation, compared to £128 (AED 624) per night in Dubai – and we’ve pulled out some more example costs below*.

Budget accommodation per night/week: £30 (AED 147) / £210 (AED 1,029)

Mid-range accommodation per night/week: £74 (AED 360) / £222 (AED 2,520)

Luxury accommodation per night/week: £171 (AED 830) / £1,197 (AED 5,810)

How much is food in Abu Dhabi?

Food prices in Abu Dhabi will vary according to where you’re eating – you’ll find everything from budget-friendly restaurants to fine-dining establishments here. In general though, costs work out cheaper than Dubai – with the average mid-range meal in Abu Dhabi costing around £59 (AED 286) compared to £73 (AED 353) in Dubai.

Don’t forget about taking spending money for activities in Abu Dhabi

Lots of visitors to Abu Dhabi flock to Yas Island – a purpose-built leisure island that’s home to four huge theme parks including Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island and Ferrari World Yas Island. Entrance prices vary, but Ferrari World tickets start from around AED 310 (about £64) per ticket.

Looking for something more budget-friendly? Abu Dhabi Corniche stretches eight kilometres along the waterfront and it’s lined with restaurants, cafes, street entertainers and beaches. To access many sections of the beach you’ll need to pay a small amount – around AED 10 for adults and AED 5 for children – so it’s always worth having some foreign currency in cash.

Buying UAE dirhams with M&S Travel Money

Whether you’re heading to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or another destination in the UAE, you can buy UAE dirhams online for Click & Collect with no commission and no hidden fees**.

 

Sources

*All prices are illustrative and based on average prices at the time of writing in December 2025. 

Dubai average flight price information: Skyscanner

Dubai average accommodation and food costs: Exiap

Abu Dhabi average flight price information: Skyscanner

Abu Dhabi average accommodation and food costs: Exiap

**T&Cs apply. Subject to availability.