united-arab-emirates

Prices and Cost of Living in United Arab Emirates

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Travel Budget Calculator

Calculate how much money you will spend on your vacation in United Arab Emirates. Sample budget for each type of traveler - food, transportation, sightseeing and accommodation expenses.

Travel style: 1 Travel style: 3

Food

from 12.47 EUR to 22.51 EUR

Transportation

from 2.78 EUR to 5.05 EUR

Sightseeing

from 6.05 EUR to 9.01 EUR

Accommodation

from 26.33 EUR to 29.25 EUR

Backpacker's budget

Traveling with a backpack

from 47.62 EUR to 65.81 EUR

Average daily expenses were calculated on the basis of the prices of accommodation, food (restaurants and shops), transport (public transport and taxis) and some tourist attractions. Values may vary depending on the city, tourist season, or during major religious and public events. Update 25 March 2025.

How much do you spend per day on travel and sightseeing?

Traveling and sightseeing in a cheap way (hostels, cheap food), you can fit into a budget from 189 AED (47.62 EUR) to 261 AED (65.81 EUR). On the other hand, a slightly higher standard (3-star hotel, meals in restaurants) you should expect to spend from 417 AED (105 EUR) to 623 AED (157 EUR). You should additionally take into account that if you are traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher.

Food Prices - Calculate the Cost of Living

The calculator allows you to quickly and easily calculate how much you will spend on average to buy food at grocery stores in United Arab Emirates. Plan your daily, weekly and monthly food expenses.

Select the appropriate number of days to see how much you will spend on food during that period. Values given for one person.

1 day

Cheapest products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 5.47 EUR to 9.97 EUR

Mid-range products

Here's how much you will spend in 1 day.

from 7.21 EUR to 13.96 EUR

Average values for capital or largest city. Purchase of food products in local stores and supermarkets corresponding to daily meals of 2,200 to 2,400 kcal was taken into account. Update 25 March 2025.

How much do you have to spend on groceries per day in United Arab Emirates?

When shopping for groceries in local stores and markets, the average daily cost of food expenses will range from 21.68 AED (5.47 EUR) to 39.51 AED (9.97 EUR) when buying the cheapest products. However, if you choose slightly more expensive products, you can expect to pay from 28.57 AED (7.21 EUR) to 55.32 AED (13.96 EUR) per day. These figures are based on daily meals consisting of approximately 2200-2400 kcal and may vary slightly depending on the city.

Budget and shopping basket update: 25 March 2025

Estimated budget and daily food costs are always given per person and are only a suggestion to help you plan your total travel costs.

Budget was calculated on the basis of average prices of accommodation in each category (hotels and hostels), food costs (restaurants and grocery shopping), transport prices and some tourist attractions.

BACKPACKER'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a hostel or cheap hotel,
• travel by public transport,
• dining in cheap local restaurants or buying food in local stores,
• small number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (when traveling alone, prices may be higher, but only if we use a hotel room instead of a dormitory).

TOURIST'S BUDGET
• accommodation in a 3 star hotel (with a small number of available facilities, average prices of 3* and 4* hotels),
• traveling by taxis,
• catering in middle-class restaurants and buying food in grocery stores,
• average number of paid tourist attractions,
• two people travel (they share costs of accommodation and transport).

FOOD EXPENSES
• daily meals containing 2200 to 2400 kcal (applies to both price variants),
• shopping for food in local stores or supermarkets (no meals in restaurants),
• value per person & for the capital or largest city.

Prices in United Arab Emirates

Below you will find a list of prices for products and services in United Arab Emirates, which will help you determine what expenses you should prepare for when going on vacation in this country. City: Dubai.

Grocery Store Prices

Apples (1kg)2.10 EUR
Banana (1kg)1.69 EUR
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)10.04 EUR
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)15.14 EUR
Chicken Fillets (1kg)7.99 EUR
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)5.68 EUR
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)3.12 EUR
Eggs (regular) (12)2.94 EUR
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)6.12 EUR
Johnnie Walker Red Label Whisky 0.7 Litre17.67 EUR
Lettuce (1 head)1.50 EUR
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)1.38 EUR
Local Cheese (1kg)9.83 EUR
Milk (regular), (1 liter)1.70 EUR
Onion (1kg)0.90 EUR
Oranges (1kg)1.70 EUR
Potato (1kg)1.05 EUR
Rice (white), (1kg)1.89 EUR
Smirnoff Red Label Vodka 0.7 Litre24.99 EUR
Tomato (1kg)1.51 EUR
Water (1.5 liter bottle)0.56 EUR

Food and beverage prices in United Arab Emirates

Popular food products found on store shelves in United Arab Emirates include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 3.55 AED (0.9 EUR) for a kilo of onions to 39.77 AED (10.04 EUR) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 7.47 AED (1.89 EUR) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 5.45 AED (1.38 EUR) per half kilo. Bananas cost 6.69 AED (1.69 EUR) per kilo, while apples cost 8.34 AED (2.1 EUR) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 2.22 AED (0.56 EUR). Dairy prices in United Arab Emirates, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 6.74 AED (1.7 EUR), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 38.95 AED (9.83 EUR). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 31.66 AED (7.99 EUR) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 11.67 AED (2.94 EUR), and the average price of tomatoes is 6 AED (1.51 EUR) per kilo.

Restaurant Prices

Cappuccino (regular)4.96 EUR
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)1.00 EUR
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)12.11 EUR
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)12.37 EUR
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)7.57 EUR
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course75.70 EUR
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant10.09 EUR
Water (0.33 liter bottle)0.55 EUR

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in United Arab Emirates vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 19.65 AED (4.96 EUR), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 3.95 AED (1 EUR). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 30 AED (7.57 EUR) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 300 AED (75.7 EUR). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 40 AED (10.09 EUR).

Public Transportation Prices

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)85.80 EUR
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)1.39 EUR
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)7.57 EUR
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)0.76 EUR
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)3.03 EUR

How much does transportation cost in United Arab Emirates?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 5.5 AED (1.39 EUR), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 340 AED (85.8 EUR). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 12 AED (3.03 EUR), along with a per-kilometer charge of 3 AED (0.76 EUR).

Fuel Prices

Diesel 1L0.66 EUR
Gasoline 1L0.64 EUR

Fuel prices in United Arab Emirates

Average fuel prices in United Arab Emirates are 2.54 AED (0.64 EUR) per liter of gasoline and 2.6 AED (0.66 EUR) per liter of diesel.

Entertainment Prices

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat11.86 EUR
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult69.59 EUR
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)33.93 EUR

Apartment Rental Prices

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre1 750 EUR
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre1 003 EUR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre3 224 EUR
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre1 967 EUR

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in United Arab Emirates?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in United Arab Emirates varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 3973 AED (1003 EUR) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 6936 AED (1750 EUR) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 14794 AED (3733 EUR) per square meter.

Apartment Buying Prices

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre3 733 EUR
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre2 220 EUR

Average Salary

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)3 912 EUR

Hotel Prices in United Arab Emirates

A comprehensive list of the current prices of accommodations in various cities, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to high-end luxurious stays.

What is the average cost of a hotel room?

Accommodation prices in United Arab Emirates vary depending on the city, neighborhood or tourist season. For example, the average price of accommodation in Dubai (December 2024) ranges from 182 AED (46 EUR) per night in a hostel to about 1046 AED (264 EUR) in a 3-star hotel. The price of a night in a luxury hotel is an expense from 1765 AED (445 EUR) upwards.

Category
Qty
Average price
Cheapest
7
91.11 EUR
ATLANTIS VIEW HOSTEL
15
114 EUR
Homeland Hostel
72
264 EUR
Al Khaleej Grand Hotel
78
372 EUR
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Dubai Deira
60
519 EUR
Grand Mercure Dubai City
Source: Expedia.com • Update: 15 December 2024 (1 night stay for 2 people on 29 Dec 2024)
Sources and updates

• Prices for products and services in Dubai. Prices may vary from town to town.
• Updates: oldest data 09/2022, latest data 10/2024.
• Prices were calculated based on several sources including Expedia.com, Booking.com, local supermarket websites, own sources, submissions from users. We do not guarantee their accuracy, however, we try, to keep them high.
• If you have noticed an error, please report it.

prices and living costs united arab emirates

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