Think a 7-day Dubai adventure is just for the super-rich? Not even close. You can absolutely make your trip as wild or as wallet-friendly as you want. Some people drop the price of a small car in a single designer mall binge. But most of us want the juicy experiences—Burj Khalifa, desert BBQs, a dip in the Arabian Gulf—without melting our credit card. So, how much does a 7 day trip to Dubai actually cost? Grab your calculator (or just keep scrolling) because I’ve mapped out every dirham.
Flight Costs and Getting There: What To Expect, and When to Book
It doesn’t matter if you’re flying from Edinburgh, Sydney, Mumbai, or Toronto—flights often eat the biggest slice of your holiday budget pie. Dubai’s air links are excellent, with Emirates and flydubai flying people in round the clock. But prices? Oh, they will make you sweat (and that’s before you land in 40°C heat).
Here’s the thing: flight costs jump around like kids on a bouncy castle. Book at least 2-3 months in advance if you want to dodge the pain. From Europe, a decent economy return from big cities like London or Paris hovers between £350-£500. Flying from North America? Expect £450-£800 unless you hit a flash sale. Asian cities tend to get better deals – Mumbai or Delhi to Dubai can be as low as £120 return if you grab a bargain and don’t mind budget options. Ultra-luxe flyers, you’re talking upwards of £1,500+ for business class. Want flexibility? Direct flights cost more but save time and hassle.
| Departure City | Return Economy (avg) | Direct Flights? |
|---|---|---|
| London | £400 | Yes |
| Edinburgh | £420 | No (usually 1 stop) |
| New York | £700 | Yes |
| Mumbai | £160 | Yes |
| Sydney | £850 | Yes |
Top tip: Flights are cheapest during the hottest Dubai summer (June-August). Fewer tourists, lower fares, but stifling heat. December to March is peak travel weather–expect to pay extra.
If you’re traveling as a family like me, airlines like Emirates and British Airways let you reserve seats together for a small fee and pre-select meals for the kids. Kids under 12 often get reduced fares. If you’re flexible, try mid-week flights. They’re often £50-£150 cheaper per ticket. Last-minute fares tend to be much higher unless there’s a rare flash sale. Feeling brave? Look for mistake fares on big booking platforms, but double-check the final price and the layover times.
Lastly, check baggage policies. Most airlines allow 23kg checked baggage on standard tickets, but ultra-budget fares might charge extra. And yes, you’ll want luggage space—Dubai malls are traps for shopaholics.
Where To Stay: Hotels, Apartments, and Surprising Alternatives
Dubai does luxury hotels better than anywhere—I’m talking in-lobby waterfalls and robot butlers—but there’s actually more variety than people think. Beginners always imagine they’ll be stuck shelling out for sky-high towers with private beaches. Honestly, you can get a comfy stay on nearly any budget. Here’s how it shakes out:
- Backpacker hostels & budget hotels: £20-£40 per night. You’ll find modern hostels or guesthouses in Bur Dubai and Deira. These aren’t party hostels like Bangkok—think comfortable dorms, breakfast included, sometimes even en suite pods. Realistically, you’ll pay £150-£300 for a whole week.
- Mid-range hotels and serviced apartments: £60-£120 per night gets you solid 3* or 4* hotels in town, or a modern apartment. That easily covers a pool, rooftop bar, sometimes sea views if you stay a little outside the hotspots. Got kids? Serviced apartments with kitchens are a lifesaver (and help you eat in, saving pounds on restaurant bills). One week, expect £400-£800. These areas—Downtown, Marina, Business Bay—offer easy access without breaking the bank.
- Luxury hotels & resorts: You know the Instagrams—the Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, and that crazy Lost Chambers aquarium slide. Top-tier hotels start at £250-£500 per night even if you hunt for deals. One week in five-star style can hit £2,500-£5,000 or more in high season—and that doesn’t include room service.
- Different options: Airbnb apartments, boutique guesthouses in Al Fahidi, and even desert camps are gaining traction. These can offer a more relaxed feel or cultural experience for £35-£120 per night.
And here’s a shocker: Location isn’t everything. Taxis and the Metro are cheap by Western standards, so staying in “not quite” center spots saves you a fortune—and you’re never that far from the action. A lot of families and business travelers go for serviced apartments because they’re practical and give you more space, something my two kids (and their stash of beach toys) definitely appreciate.
Resort taxes & service charges do creep into your bill. You’ll see these tagged on at up to 20% per stay, along with a “Tourism Dirham” of AED 7-20/night (that’s about £1.50-£4). Watch for breakfast deals—Dubai brunches are wild, but breakfast buffets can be insane value if included. Some hotels even run free shuttle buses to the beach or main malls. Always double check what’s in your booking: do you get breakfast, WiFi, airport shuttle, or lounge access? If you’ll be out sightseeing all day, consider splashing less on your room and more on the experiences.
The Total Trip: Food, Getting Around, Attractions and Hidden Costs
It’s easy to burn through cash in Dubai if you stick to the selfies-in-supercars circuit. But you don’t have to. The real trick is figuring out where you want to splurge—sky-high cocktails? Desert safari? Or maybe shopping bargains in souks. I’ll break down the standard costs so you can work out your own balance.
- Food & drink: Western chain restaurants will run you £10-£20 per meal. Eat local? Fresh shawarma or kebab at a café is £3-£7. Mid-range dining in JBR or Marina averages £20 per person for a main, with water or soft drinks. Want a big night out? License bars (mostly in hotels) are pricey—think £10+ per drink. Brunches are a Dubai tradition, with outrageous spreads from £40 (budget hotel deals) to £120 (fancy. And really, really boozy). Pro tip: tap water is safe to drink, so refill your bottle from the hotel instead of buying plastic.
- Transport: Dubai’s Metro is clean, fast, and reliable. A weekly unlimited Nol Card comes in at about £15, and covers most tourist sights. Taxi fares start low (about £2 from the rank, £0.50/km after), and a ride from the airport downtown is rarely more than £12. Rideshares (Careem, Uber) are everywhere and usually only slightly higher than taxis.
- Attractions & tours: This is where budgets differ. Hop up Burj Khalifa’s “At The Top” observatory? £35-£100, depending on hour and ticket option (sunrise costs less, sunset costs the most). Desert safaris with dinner, dune bashing and camel rides go for £40-£80 per person depending on length/food/extras. Waterparks like Aquaventure or Wild Wadi ask £50-£60 for a full day. The Dubai Fountain show is free. Museums, galleries and public beaches are free or £2-£10. For a quick snapshot, here’s what you might spend in a week:
| Expense | Budget (£) | Mid-range (£) | Luxury (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (Europe–Dubai return) | 350 | 400 | 1,500 |
| Accommodation (7 nights) | 200 | 700 | 3,000 |
| Food & Drink | 100 | 250 | 900 |
| Transport | 30 | 70 | 300 |
| Attractions/Tours | 75 | 250 | 1,200 |
| Shopping/Souvenirs | 50 | 100 | 500 |
| Total | 805 | 1,770 | 7,400 |
Keep an eye out for deals. The Entertainer Dubai app (or book) offers 2-for-1 discounts on restaurants and attractions. Hotels often package up tours like desert safaris or dinner cruises if you ask. Booking tickets online in advance—for the Burj Khalifa, for example—usually comes with a hefty discount. Traveling with kids? Family tickets often save you a bundle, and kids under a certain age go free on some Metro rides or museum admissions.
If you’re counting pennies, you could feasibly spend under £1,000 for a solo 7-day Dubai trip, sticking to budget eats, hostels, and public transport. For a family of four like mine, aiming halfway between budget and mid-range, a week in Dubai generally lands at £3,500-£5,000 including flights. Blowout luxury trips, ultra-high-end hotels and daily fine dining can run £10,000+, but you’re probably not reading this if money is no problem.
Watch for hidden costs: Hotel taxes (20%+), ATM & currency conversion fees, bottled water, laundry, and tips all add up. Alcohol is expensive, and only available in licensed premises (usually hotel bars). Try local supermarkets for snacks and meal deals—Carrefour and Spinneys stock international brands. And always pack sunscreen; the desert sun is unreal, whatever the season.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet for trips in July 2025:
- Mid-July flights from the UK: £420-£550 return in economy
- Budget double hotel, in city: £30-£45 per night
- Self-catering apartment, sleeping 4: £80+ per night
- Main course at mall cafe: £12
- Desert safari for 2 adults + 2 kids: £180-£240
- Burj Khalifa family ticket: £80-£160 (timed, higher at sunset)
I can say from actual experience—both as a traveler and a mum—a week in Dubai can be as fun and packed or as chill and low-key as you want. The city is safer than most people expect, super-friendly to kids, and ready for every traveler’s budget. Want to spend £200 a night on a waterpark suite or £30 a night meeting mates in a hostel? Dubai has you sorted. Just figure out where you want to spend—and save. Then go build your dream week in the sand and sunshine.
Dubai Escort