Is Dubai expensive?

Dubai is as expensive as the way you travel. The fixed public prices are modest: a Metro trip is AED 3 to AED 7.50 on a Silver nol card, the Creek abra is AED 1, the Dubai Fountain is free and public beach centres charge no entry. Hotels, restaurants and taxis are where budgets grow.

The prices that are set by the government

Food, drink and hotel prices are set by each business and change constantly, so we do not quote them. What we can give you are the prices published by Dubai’s authorities and by the attractions themselves.

Metro, tram and bus (RTA)

• A Silver card costs AED 25, which includes AED 19 of travel credit.
• A paper Red Ticket costs AED 2 on top of the fare.
• A 7-day Silver pass costs AED 50 for one zone, AED 80 for two zones and AED 110 for all zones. Anonymous cards can buy only the 7-day pass.
• Children aged 5 and under travel free.
• A journey can include up to three transfers within 180 minutes.

Details are in our Metro and nol card guide.

Boats (RTA marine)

• Traditional abra across the Creek: AED 1 per person per trip, paid in cash.
• Petrol heritage abra on the Creek routes: AED 2.
• Electric abra: AED 75 per person for 25 minutes.
• Dubai Water Taxi: AED 7 per trip on the single-leg Dubai Marina routes.

See how much the abra costs for routes.

Taxis (RTA)

The starting fare is only the beginning: RTA adds a kilometre charge, waiting time and any Salik toll, Sharjah entry or Port Rashid fee. That is why taxis add up quickly over a trip, and why a Metro-connected hotel saves money every day. For the airport run, compare options in DXB to your hotel.

What sightseeing costs

Emaar lists evening fountain shows every 30 minutes from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm (the Dubai Fountain). For Burj Khalifa’s other tiers, see how much Burj Khalifa costs; for beaches, are Dubai beaches free?

Taxes and fees on top

• VAT is 5%. It was introduced in January 2018. Use our VAT calculator to add or remove it.
• Tourists can reclaim part of it on goods they take home. You must be 18 or over, buy from a retailer in the scheme, spend at least AED 250 per tax-free purchase and validate it at departure within 90 days. You receive 85% of the VAT, minus an AED 4.80 fee per tax-free tag. Goods used up in the UAE do not qualify.
• Hotels charge the Tourism Dirham fee per room, per night, for a maximum of 30 consecutive nights. In a unit with more than one bedroom, it applies to each room. The amount depends on the hotel’s classification and appears on your bill.

Worked example: three days, one person, on public transport

This counts only the fixed prices above, not your hotel or meals.

• Silver nol card: AED 25, of which AED 19 is travel credit.
• Eight Metro trips at the highest Silver fare of AED 7.50: AED 60. After the AED 19 credit, you top up AED 41.
• Two abra crossings: AED 2.
• Burj Khalifa Silver ticket: AED 189.
• Dubai Fountain and a public beach: AED 0.

Total: AED 25 + AED 41 + AED 2 + AED 189 = AED 257. Dropping Burj Khalifa brings it to AED 68 for three days of transport and sights. Every taxi you take instead starts at AED 5 to AED 13 before a single kilometre is charged, or AED 20 from the airport.

A near-free day in old Dubai

1. Take the Metro to the Creek area (AED 3 to AED 7.50 per trip on Silver).
2. Walk the Al Fahidi district and the souks.
3. Cross the Creek by traditional abra for AED 1, paid in cash.
4. Return to Downtown in the evening and watch the fountain for free.

For more ideas, see free things to do in Dubai, eat where residents eat with our cheap eats guide, and plan the days with our three-day itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Is public transport in Dubai cheap?

The Silver nol fare is AED 3 within one zone and AED 7.50 at most, and a 7-day pass for all zones is AED 110.

Do I pay to go to the beach?

Dubai Municipality says its beach centres do not charge an entrance fee, apart from fees for services you request.

Is VAT included in prices?

VAT in the UAE is 5%. Check your receipt; tourists can reclaim 85% of it on eligible goods taken out of the country.

What is the extra charge on my hotel bill?

Most likely the Tourism Dirham fee, charged per room per night for up to 30 consecutive nights.

We explain how we check prices in our editorial policy.

Prices verified August 2026. See our editorial policy.