Dubai is a kaleidoscope of experiences, one that many tourists fancy to explore once in their lifetime. For Indians, this is a travel bucket-list destination. One of the biggest challenges faced by Indian tourists visiting Dubai is not knowing how much they will spend there. Here’s a compact guide on planning a budget for Dubai trip from India.
How Much Does a Dubai Trip Cost from India?
Before you start planning a Dubai trip and finalising a holiday budget, you need to understand that many elements come into play when calculating the cost of your Dubai holiday from India.
Before you work on an estimated holiday budget, ask yourself:
- Â What time of year are you visiting Dubai?
- Â What is the duration of your holiday?
- Â Which type of Dubai visa are you applying for your Dubai trip from India?
- Â Which airlines do you plan to fly with?
- Â Do you want to fly economy or business class?
- Â For your airport transfers, will it be a seat-in-coach transfer or a private transfer?
- Â Which part of Dubai do you intend to stay in?
- Â Which hotel category are you looking for?
- Â What room type do you want to book?
- Â How many activities do you plan to include in your trip?
- What kinds of activities are you interested in? Will they be luxury experiences, tours with private transfers, simple tours with seat-in-coach transfers, or free attractions?
- Regarding meals, would you prefer to explore the local food scene, or are you planning a chic, gourmet-style fine dining experience in exquisite restaurants?
- What additional personal expenses will you be incurring, such as shopping for souvenirs or tips for services?
All these factors combined will determine the total cost of your Dubai trip from India. Planning ahead and choosing options that suit your budget can help you manage expenses effectively.
Breakdown of Dubai Trip Costs from India
 Flight Tickets from India to Dubai
Flight costs entirely depend on which city in India you are travelling from, your preferred choice of airline, and the time of year you are visiting.
During the shoulder season, a flight from Mumbai to Dubai would cost around INR 13,000-20,000 one-way in economy class on low-cost airlines.
Dubai Visa Costs for Indians
Indian citizens (except those with a US visit visa, Green Card, or UK Resident Permit) need to apply for a visa before departing for their Dubai holiday. You can apply for a UAE visa for a 30-day, single or multiple-entry stay for tourist purposes. The standard service would cost around INR 6,000 per visa, excluding any additional service charges from the visa service provider.
 Accommodation in Dubai
Dubai offers a plethora of accommodation for its visitors, so you will be spoilt for choice. Whether you are a budget traveller, a luxury seeker, or someone who wants the best of both with a mid-budget hotel, Dubai has it all! But the prices of your accommodation also get influenced by which region of Dubai you are planning to stay in.
The most basic 2 to 3-star hotels in Deira start at approximately INR 3,000 per room per night. You can save more if you don’t mind staying in hostels, which cost about INR 1,500 per room per night.
A comfortable, 4-star, mid-budget hotel in Bur Dubai will cost from INR 6,000 to 12,000 per room per night.
Planning to splurge on luxury? Find the perfect 5-star luxury hotels in the Downtown Dubai and Palm Jumeirah area, where costs start from INR 20,000 per room per night. For the ultimate in luxury living, nothing comes close to the Burj Al Arab, which costs a whopping INR 140,000 per room per night!
Local Transportation in Dubai
Getting around in Dubai is quite smooth, as the city has an extensive and efficient network of road routes and metro rail.
Keep a budget of INR 300 to 1,000 for your daily travel in Dubai. Road and metro transport are cheap, value-for-money travel options. Grab a NOL basic Silver Card at INR 600, and you can use it and top up when the credits are exhausted. Taxis are expensive and cost between INR 1,000 and INR 1,500 per trip, depending on the distance. For tours, SIC transfers are best for budget travellers.
 Food & Dining Costs in Dubai
There isn’t an easy way to get an estimate of food prices in Dubai, as it is quite dynamic, just like the city’s many culinary styles. The cheapest food you can find is at the street food stalls and local eateries, but then again, it depends on which part of Dubai they are located in. On average, a tourist would spend at least INR 1000 for a good meal in Dubai, and INR 2000 for casual, mid-range restaurant dining. For INR 600, you can get yourself a simple cutting chai and white omelette at Raju Omlet in Al Karama or a special meal from Saravanaa Bhavan. Fine dining establishments and international cuisines can go much higher, with some luxury restaurants charging INR 10,000 per person onwards. For budget-conscious travellers, exploring local food markets and smaller eateries is a great way to experience Dubai’s diverse culinary scene without overspending.
 Sightseeing, Activities & Entry Tickets
Dubai has an eclectic fusion of jaw-dropping futuristic attractions and humble cultural sights. Plus, theatres, art galleries, and stellar live-show events also add an artistic essence. An extraordinary collection of adventure sports elevates the experience to a level of thrill. So, you’ve got plenty of options to pick and choose what you would like to explore on your trip. Prices, however, vary widely, but a range of experiences is available for everyone, from budget-conscious visitors to luxury seekers. Budget-conscious travellers can find an assortment of free attractions to explore, such as the Dubai Fountain and Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary.
On a Dubai trip, most people look forward to adding these quintessential attractions to their Dubai tour packages, so here are a few estimates of how much these attractions cost in INR:
- Â Abra ride(one way): INR 25
- Â Burj Khalifa At the top: INR 4500
- Â Dubai Museum: INR 80
- Â Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo: INR 3500
- Â Dubai Frame: INR1250
- Â IMG Worlds of Adventure: INR 4700
- Â Dubai desert safari with dune bashing: INR 4200
- Â Aquaventure water park: INR 8000
- Â Dubai Marina Dhow Cruise with dinner: INR 3400
Featured 
Featured Travel Insurance for Dubai
Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for Dubai travel. To get your Dubai visa approved, you must present a valid travel insurance with your supporting visa documents. There are plenty of insurance providers to choose from in the industry, but it is best to do your research and find the best one that suits your travel needs. Better yet, have your travel agent recommend one for you or arrange it for you from reliable, trusted travel insurers. The cost of your travel insurance is only estimated once your plan is finalised and is based on the number of days you will be staying in Dubai. The rates are quite varied, with many insurance companies covering more benefits such as baggage loss, accidental cover, and trip cancellations. Keep aside INR 350 to 500 per person per day for travel insurance cost.
Is Dubai Expensive for Indian Travellers?
So, finally, the question remains: how much does a Dubai trip cost from India? Dubai is moderately expensive for Indian visitors. It depends on your outlook and other factors, such as the city you reside in India, the season, and the booking time.
We believe Dubai is quite doable for a budget traveller if one knows where to go and what to do. Of course, you will have to tighten the leash and avoid unnecessary spending. Stick to local budget eateries, two or three-star hotels or hostels, lean towards public transport to get around the city and include more free activities and sightseeing in your holiday. But, we also feel what’s the fun in visiting Dubai if you do not enjoy its opulence, for which it is world-famous. So, keep a budget buffer and indulge in a couple of luxuries and experiences that you can get only in Dubai. This will make your Dubai holiday feel like a satisfying vacation that was worth every penny you spent there!
Sample Budgets for Different Travel Styles
For Budget Tourists
- Â Flight tickets in Economy class on a Budget Airline: INR 25,000 to 40,000.
- Â Single entry, 30-day Dubai Visa, standard Processing: INR 6,000.
- Â 3-star accommodation in Deira: INR 1,500 to 3,000 per night.
- Â Local transportation on the Dubai Metro and buses: INR 300 per day with a NOL Card.
- Â Budget meals at local eateries in Deira or Karama: INR 900 to 1,600.
- Free attractions and those with nominal rates include: Dubai Fountain, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, window shopping at Dubai Mall and Dubai Souks, and an abra ride. Keep a buffer of INR 500.
- Â Other expenses: INR 250 to 500.
Mid-range Budget Tourists
- Â Flight tickets – a round-trip Premium Economy ticket on airlines such as Emirates or Vistara: INR 40,000 to 70,000.
- Â Single entry, 30-Day Dubai Visa, Standard Processing: INR 6,000.
- Â 4-star accommodation: INR 6,000 to 12,000 per night.
- Â Transportation via Dubai Metro and taxi services: INR 800 to 1,500 per day.
- Â Casual dining at mid-range restaurants in Dubai Mall or Dubai Marina: INR 3,000 to 7,500.
- Â Choice of paid, popular attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and desert safari tours: INR 4,000 to 10,000.
- Â Other expenses: INR 250 to 1,000.
Luxury-Seeking Tourists
- Â Flight Tickets – business-class ticket (round-trip) in top airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways with direct connectivity: INR 80,000 to 1,40,000.
- Â Express Dubai Visa, single entry for 30 days: INR 8,000.
- Â Stay at a 5-star hotel like Atlantis The Palm or the Jumeirah Beach Hotel: INR 16,000 to 40,000 per night.
- Â Private transfers with a driver: INR 15,000 per day.
- Â Gourmet meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner at high-end restaurants like Pierchic and Armani: INR 15,000 to 30,000.
- Â Premium attractions like the Burj Khalifa’s 148th-floor Sky Lounge or a private desert safari: INR 12,000 to 55,000.
- Â Other expenses, such as buying luxury souvenirs and generously tipping in restaurants: INR 4,000 to 10,000.
Smart Budgeting Tips for Indians Visiting Dubai
- Â Book your flights 3 to 4 months in advance for lower costs.
- Â Apply for your Dubai visa with the help of a reputable visa service provider with a good success rate to avoid visa rejection disappointments.
- Â Choose combo tours to save. For instance, as independent tours, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo would cost around INR 4800 and At the Top, Burj Khalifa would cost INR 4100, which together come to over INR 8000. However, by booking both these tours as a combo package, you will shell out only INR 6100.
- Â Plan your Dubai trip during the shoulder seasons from September to November for lower travel costs.
- Â Make use of public transportation extensively during your stay in Dubai.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the Dubai trip cost from India may vary depending on your preferences and budget. But there is flexibility to adjust your holiday budget as you like, as Dubai offers something for every type of tourist. All you need to do is research a bit, find a good, reputable tour operator to guide you, book early, and prioritise using public transport. Start planning your Dubai adventure with these tips!
FAQs
