A coffee in Dubai costs about AED 22 ($6), a restaurant beer about AED 50 ($14), and a street taxi starts at AED 5 with a minimum fare of AED 12. The Metro is AED 3, 5 or 7.5 a ride, bottled water is AED 2-3 and a cheap sit-down meal is about AED 48. This guide gives each price in dirhams and dollars, shows what changes at the airport, in a hotel bar or at a counter, and ends with two sample days.
By SB Excursions · Published 3 November 2026 · Updated 3 November 2026
While you are in Dubai: Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai — From $45 per person, 7 hours.
How much is a coffee in Dubai?
A cappuccino averages about AED 22 ($6), according to Numbeo's page updated on 1 November 2026. Karak chai at a cafeteria counter is about AED 1-3, and hotel and mall cafes charge more.
This guide also answers:
- How much is a beer in Dubai?
- How much does a taxi cost to start in Dubai?
- How much is the Dubai Metro?
Six everyday costs to plan around
#1
Coffee and water
A cappuccino averages about AED 22 ($6), while karak chai at a cafeteria counter is about AED 1-3. A 1.5 litre bottle of water averages AED 2.43 and a small bottle AED 3.34. Hotel minibars and mall cafes cost several times more, so buy water at a supermarket.
#2
Cheap meals
A shawarma wrap is about AED 8-15 and a biryani plate AED 15-30 in a cafeteria, while a meal at an inexpensive sit-down restaurant averages AED 48.50 and a fast-food combo about AED 35. A food court meal with a drink usually lands between AED 35 and AED 60.
#3
A beer or a glass of wine
A half-litre draught beer in a restaurant averages AED 50 ($14), and hotel bars are typically AED 40-70 a drink. Only licensed venues serve alcohol, and you must be 21. Alcohol is the line that moves a food budget most, so plan for it separately.
#4
Taxis
A street taxi starts at AED 5 by day and AED 5.50 at night, with a minimum fare of AED 12, then about AED 2.19 per kilometre. The meter at a DXB rank starts at AED 25. Apps add a booking fee, and the meter keeps running in traffic.
#5
Metro, tram and abra
A Metro or tram ride costs AED 3, 5 or 7.5 depending on the zones, on a Silver Nol card that costs AED 25 with AED 19 of credit. The traditional Creek abra is AED 1 in cash. Most of a visit can be done for AED 15-30 a day.
#6
Attractions
The Dubai Fountain shows and Burj Park are free, the Dubai Frame is AED 50 for adults and AED 20 for children aged 3-12, and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo starts from about AED 150. Burj Khalifa tickets with us start at $55. Pay for one view, not three.
Prices in Dubai: the short answer
A cappuccino is about AED 22, a half-litre restaurant beer about AED 50, and a cheap sit-down meal about AED 48. A street taxi starts at AED 5 and cannot cost less than AED 12, a taxi from a DXB rank starts at AED 25, and a Metro ride is AED 3, 5 or 7.5. At the fixed rate of AED 3.6725 to the dollar, AED 100 is about $27.
The averages in this guide come from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced price database. Its Dubai page was updated on 1 November 2026 and draws on 256 contributors. Taxi fares come from the RTA, Dubai Airports and Gulf News, the Dubai Frame price from its own site, and street-food ranges from our own food guides. Treat every figure as a guide and check before you go, because prices vary by area and season.
Everyday prices in AED and US dollars
The table covers what most visitors buy on a normal day. Street food is listed first because it is the cheapest, and prices rise as you move from a cafeteria to a mall and a hotel.
| Item | AED | USD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karak chai at a cafeteria | 1-3 | 0.3-0.8 | The everyday cup; a cafe charges more |
| Shawarma wrap at a counter | 8-15 | 2-4 | A plate is about AED 20-40 |
| Biryani plate at a cafeteria | 15-30 | 4-8 | Deira, Bur Dubai and Karama |
| Cappuccino in a cafe | 21.89 | 5.96 | Average; hotel and mall cafes are higher |
| Bottled water, 1.5 L | 2.43 | 0.66 | Supermarket price |
| Bottled water, 0.33 L | 3.34 | 0.91 | A hotel minibar costs several times more |
| Soft drink, 0.33 L | 5.94 | 1.62 | Average |
| Fast-food combo meal | 35.00 | 9.53 | A food court meal is about AED 35-60 |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | 48.50 | 13.21 | A sit-down meal, one person |
| Draught beer, 0.5 L, restaurant | 50.00 | 13.62 | Licensed venues only; hotel bars about AED 40-70 |
| Mid-range restaurant, three courses for two, no drinks | 300.00 | 81.69 | About AED 150 per person |
| Cinema ticket, international release | 60.00 | 16.34 | Average |
Averages from Numbeo, updated 1 November 2026, 256 contributors; street-food ranges from our guides. Converted at AED 3.6725 per dollar.
Our guide to cheap eats in Dubai goes deeper on the cheap end, with the best districts and a daily food budget.
Taxi fares: what the meter starts at
Dubai taxis are metered, and the start price depends on how you get the car. The RTA lists the minimum fares and the per-kilometre tariff on its taxi service page. Gulf News reported the street start fares, the app booking fees and the airport start fare when the RTA revised them.
| Charge | AED | USD | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street-hail start, 6 AM to 10 PM | 5.00 | 1.36 | Gulf News |
| Street-hail start, 10 PM to 6 AM | 5.50 | 1.50 | Gulf News |
| Minimum fare, street pickup | 12 | 3.27 | RTA |
| Minimum fare, booked in an app | 13 | 3.54 | RTA |
| Start fare at a DXB taxi rank | 25 | 6.81 | Dubai Airports |
| Per kilometre | about 2.19 | 0.60 | RTA; moves with fuel prices |
| Waiting time, per minute | 0.50 | 0.14 | RTA |
| Salik toll, per gate | 4 | 1.09 | Gulf News |
| Extra for a trip through Sharjah | 20 | 5.45 | RTA |
Fares can change, and peak, event and New Year's Eve pricing can differ. Check the RTA site or your app before you travel.
A worked example shows how it adds up. A 10 km ride in the city is about AED 27 (AED 5 plus 10 km at about AED 2.19). A 15 km ride from a DXB rank is about AED 58 (AED 25 plus 15 km), which fits the AED 40-60 we give for the airport to Downtown. Gulf News reported that apps add a booking fee of AED 4 off-peak, rising to AED 7.50 at peak.
The taxi and Careem guide compares street taxis and apps and lists typical fares for common routes.
Metro, Nol card and the abra
Public transport is the cheapest part of a Dubai day. The Metro, tram and buses take a Nol card, and the card is the only up-front cost. These fares are the ones in our Nol and Metro guides; check the live fare in the RTA's S'hail app, because fares are adjusted.
| Ride or card | AED | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Nol card, one-off, includes AED 19 of credit | 25 | 6.81 |
| Metro or tram, one zone | 3 | 0.82 |
| Metro or tram, two zones | 5 | 1.36 |
| Metro or tram, three or more zones | 7.5 | 2.04 |
| Creek abra, traditional, cash | 1 | 0.27 |
| Marina water taxi, one segment | 7 | 1.91 |
Gold Class in the front Metro carriage costs double. Cash is not accepted on board the Metro, tram or buses.
The Metro guide explains the zones, the Nol card and where to buy it.
Food and drink: why the same meal costs AED 15 or AED 150
Where you eat matters more than what you order. A plate of biryani in a cafeteria is AED 15-30, a food court meal AED 35-60, a promenade restaurant AED 80-150 a head without alcohol, and a hotel restaurant from about AED 200. These are the planning bands in our budget guide.
Three extras change the final bill:
- VAT of 5%. Shop prices usually include it, while some restaurant menus show prices before VAT and add it at the end.
- Service charge. Restaurants and hotels often add one to the bill, so read the line items before you decide on a tip. Tipping in Dubai gives the usual amounts.
- Alcohol. Only licensed venues serve it, you must be 21, and a drink there is the biggest swing in a food budget. See the alcohol laws guide.
Water is the small saving that adds up, so buy it at a supermarket. Our full-day desert safari, from $45, includes dinner and unlimited soft drinks, so it replaces a restaurant evening.
Attractions: free, AED 50 and AED 150
Half of the best of Dubai is free, and the paid half falls into a few price bands. The Dubai Frame's own site lists adults at AED 50 and children aged 3-12 at AED 20, with infants under 3 free, and says it is open from 8 AM to 9 PM every day. Hours can change in Ramadan and on holidays.
| Sight | AED | USD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Fountain show | Free | Free | Evening shows from the promenade |
| Creek abra crossing | 1 | 0.27 | Cash; a few minutes |
| Dubai Frame, adult | 50 | 13.61 | Child 3-12 is AED 20 ($5.45) |
| Dubai Fountain Lake Ride | from about 70 | 19.06 | Check the current price |
| Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo | from about 150 | 40.84 | The big panel is free to watch from the mall floor |
| Burj Khalifa Levels 124 and 125 | about 202 | 55 | Our price from $55; timed entry |
Prices from the Dubai Frame's site and our attraction guides. Check the venue before you go.
The Dubai Frame guide has the details. If you want one tall view, our Burj Khalifa tickets start at $55 per person, and we book a timed slot for you.
Two sample days, in dirhams
Here is what a day of everyday spending adds up to for one person, without the hotel and without tours. The cafeteria day uses the street-food ranges; the cafe and restaurant day uses the Numbeo averages and two taxi rides.
| Item | Cafeteria day (AED) | Cafe and restaurant day (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks | Karak chai 1-3; two 1.5 L waters about 5 | Two cappuccinos about 44; two small waters about 7 |
| Lunch | Shawarma wrap 8-15 | Inexpensive restaurant about 49 |
| Dinner | Biryani plate 15-30 | Mid-range restaurant about 150 per person |
| Getting around | Four Metro rides 12-30 | Two taxi rides of 10 km, about 54 |
| Total | About 41-83 ($11-23) | About 304 ($83); with a beer about 354 ($96) |
For the hotel, tickets and a full daily budget, see Dubai on a budget. The Old Dubai walking tour, from $35, includes the abra, coffee, dates and water, so it is a fixed price you can plan around.
How reliable are these prices?
Crowd-sourced averages are not menu prices. Numbeo's figures come from visitors and residents, so a hotel cafe or a mall restaurant can sit well above them, and a cafeteria well below. Taxi fares move with fuel prices and peak hours, and venue prices change with the season. Read the figures as the middle of the range, and check the live price before you pay for anything large.
The dirham is fixed to the dollar, so the conversion in the table is the same every day. Money in Dubai explains cards, cash and exchange.
FAQ
How much is a coffee in Dubai?
A cappuccino averages about AED 22 ($6), according to Numbeo's page updated on 1 November 2026. Karak chai at a cafeteria counter is about AED 1-3, and hotel and mall cafes charge more.
How much is a beer in Dubai?
A half-litre draught beer in a restaurant averages AED 50 ($14), and a drink in a licensed hotel bar is typically AED 40-70. Only licensed venues serve alcohol, and you must be 21 to drink.
How much does a taxi cost to start in Dubai?
A street taxi starts at AED 5 from 6 AM to 10 PM and AED 5.50 at night, with a minimum fare of AED 12, or AED 13 for an app booking. The meter at a DXB taxi rank starts at AED 25. After that, the tariff is about AED 2.19 per kilometre.
How much is the Dubai Metro?
A ride costs AED 3 for one zone, AED 5 for two zones and AED 7.5 for three or more on a Silver Nol card, which costs AED 25 including AED 19 of credit. Gold Class is double. Check the live fare in the RTA's S'hail app.
How much is a meal in Dubai?
A cafeteria meal is about AED 15-30, a food court meal AED 35-60, and a meal at an inexpensive sit-down restaurant averages AED 48.50. A mid-range restaurant is about AED 150 per person for three courses without drinks.
Is bottled water expensive in Dubai?
No. A 1.5 litre bottle averages AED 2.43 and a 0.33 litre bottle AED 3.34, according to Numbeo. A hotel minibar costs several times more, so buy water at a supermarket. Water is included on all our tours.
What does a day in Dubai cost?
Everyday spending without the hotel is about AED 41-83 ($11-23) on a cafeteria day and about AED 304 ($83) on a cafe and restaurant day. With a hotel, our budget guide puts a budget day at about AED 300-450 per person, two sharing a room.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Full-Day Desert Safari in Dubai
It is the slow-travel version of the classic safari: more time on the dunes, sunset without the crowds and a full evening programme at a premium camp with air-conditioned tents, unlimited drinks and a large BBQ buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Everything is arranged from the hotel door — a licensed English-speaking driver, the 4x4, the camp and the shows.
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Area
- Lahbab Desert, Dubai
- Format
- Full-day desert safari
- Best for
- families, couples and first-time desert visitors who want the full evening programme
From $45 per person No prepayment
View tour
Burj Khalifa Observation Deck
It is a ticket, not a guided tour: you pick the date and time slot, we book it and send the e-tickets on WhatsApp, and you make your own way to The Dubai Mall. Levels 124 and 125 suit most visitors; SKY adds Level 148 at 555 m with priority access, a multilingual host and refreshments. On request we also book Sky Views Observatory, The View at The Palm and Dubai Frame.
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Area
- Downtown Dubai
- Format
- Timed-entry ticket
- Best for
- first-time visitors, couples and families who want Dubai from the observation decks of the 828-metre Burj Khalifa
From $55 per person Full prepayment
View tour
Old Dubai Walking Tour
It is the Dubai that is walked rather than driven: the Creek where the city began as a trading port, the restored wind-tower quarter and the souks that still trade spices and gold. A local guide tells the story along the way. The $35 walk includes the abra, Arabic coffee or tea, dates and water; the $55 option adds street-food tastings.
- Duration
- 3-4 hours
- Area
- Old Dubai: Bur Dubai and Deira
- Format
- Shared group walk
- Best for
- first-time visitors, food lovers and anyone who wants the old trading side of Dubai on foot
From $35 per person Full prepayment
View tour📚 Keep reading
Photos: Cheap meals — Jpbowen, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).