What are the prices in Dubai, and how do you pay in the UAE?

The world’s tallest building, artificial islands in the shape of palm trees, a covered ski slope, a giant shopping mall with an amusement park and an oceanarium, and an impressive fusion of modernity and Arabic traditions are just some of the reasons luring tourists from all over the world to the metropolis in the United Arab Emirates. Here are some details on how much it costs for a Brit to fly to Dubai, what expenses to expect while there and what paperwork to get through. 

It takes just 7-8 hours to fly from London to Dubai, the extraordinary and luxurious city on the Persian Gulf. The temperature never drops below 20 degrees Celsius, and in summer – July or August – it can be unbearably hot.

A better time to visit the land of the wealthy sheikhs would be April or May when it is already full summer by European standards, but not one that forces you to constantly seek shelter in air-conditioned interiors.

In Dubai, tourists from Europe can visit the Jumeirah Mosque and the Aya Universe and experience an unforgettable walk through the underwater tunnels at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.

What is the official currency in Dubai? 

The dirham (international abbreviation AED), the official currency of the United Arab Emirates, has a much lower exchange rate to the British pound. According to exchange rates at Conotoxia.com, 1 GBP can be exchanged for about 4.5 AED. In the currency world, the dirham, divided into 100 fils, is among the newcomers. It entered circulation in 1973, replacing the riyal.

“The AED banknotes, renowned for their advanced anti-counterfeiting protection, feature symbolic buildings, plants and animals. However, compared to exchanging cash, e.g. at an airport exchange office, it seems much more convenient and beneficial to use a multi-currency card,” notes Robert Blaszczyk, Head of Strategic Clients Department at Conotoxia.

What are the prices in the UAE? 

A night in a budget hostel in Dubai can be found for under 100 AED (according to Conotoxia rates, just under 22 GBP). In the hotels, the prices increase with the number of stars, but they are not out of reach. You can expect to pay around 88 GBP per night for two people in a room at a five-star hotel. However, you can rent a 170-square-metre apartment for a staggering 3,500 GBP if you want something exclusive.

The cost of living in Dubai is similar to that of the UK. Some examples of prices in pounds: a meal in a restaurant for one person – 22-33 GBP, a fast food snack – from 6.5 GBP, a small loaf of bread – 1.3 GBP, a litre of milk – 1.5 GBP, 1 kg of yellow cheese – from 8.78 GBP, 10 eggs – about 2.85 GBP, 1 km taxi ride – about 0.75 GBP.

“The UAE has built its wealth on oil, and fuel prices at petrol stations seem unnaturally low from the perspective of a British tourist. A litre of petrol costs only about 0.65 GBP,” says Robert Blaszczyk of fintech Conotoxia.

A trip to Dubai – what kind of paperwork is needed and what budget? 

“Before leaving for the United Arab Emirates, we must take care of our passports, and we will get a free 30-day visa on the spot. This is important for both tourist and business visitors. Dubai is becoming an increasingly popular destination for trade fairs, conferences and other events, bringing together business people from diverse industries worldwide,” states Robert Blaszczyk. 

Two people will pay slightly above 1,000 GBP for return plane tickets on the London – Dubai route. A four-night stay costs around 220 GBP. Hiring a car for this period costs about 22 GBP per night (the whim of renting a Ferrari, for example, would be 10 times more expensive), or around 90 GBP. Food and tickets to museums, mosques and specialities in traditional markets will cost about 330 GBP.

“Some attractions are free of charge, but, for example, to enter the Burj Khalifa, the world’s highest building (828 m), you have to pay approx. 37 GBP when converted from the local currency. Shopping malls, local markets and amusement parks are full of temptations that can quickly drain the budget for a day out. However, it seems that a sum of around 2,000 GBP will allow two people to experience four days of incredible excitement”, concludes Conotoxia expert.

• Author Name: Robert Blaszczyk, Head of Strategic Clients Department at Conotoxia