The currency is the UAE dirham (dh); $1 equals about 3.50 dh, but this fluctuates so BE SURE TO CHECK BEFORE YOU DOCK AT DUBAI. US Dollars are generally not accepted, so have UAE currency ready or exchange your US dollars at the cruise terminal or use the ATM at the terminal before you leave to make things easier. Taxis take currency only (no credit cards). Note: While ATMs offered the usual markings (Cirrus, Visa, Mastercard), they tended to accept only a four-digit pin code. And here’s a hint: Check with your bank before you leave about whether your credit or debit card will work.
To find out how many dollars equals AED money, use http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/# .
Dubai does not charge tax, so keep this in mind.
For example: 200 US dollars equals about 734 Dubai dollars. However, keep in mind that this does not mean that you will be spending less because of the money exchange. Some things can be expensive in Dubai, such as groceries, alcohol, and rent. However, transportation, hotels, eating out, or eating at restaurants can be a good value. The list below will give you a better idea of how much food, transportation, and restaurants cost in Dubai.
Restaurants in Dubai | Avg. |
Range
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 25.00 AED | |
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 150.00 AED | |
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar | 21.00 AED | |
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 35.00 AED | |
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 35.00 AED | |
Cappuccino (regular) | 15.23 AED | |
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.60 AED | |
Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.12 AED | |
Food in Dubai | Avg. | |
Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 5.48 AED | |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 4.34 AED | |
Rice (white), (1kg) | 6.61 AED | |
Eggs (12) | 9.77 AED | |
Local Cheese (1kg) | 32.04 AED | |
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) | 25.14 AED | |
Apples (1kg) | 9.20 AED | |
Oranges (1kg) | 7.79 AED | |
Tomato (1kg) | 6.12 AED | |
Potato (1kg) | 4.24 AED | |
Lettuce (1 head) | 5.21 AED | |
Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 1.90 AED | |
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 70.00 AED | |
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 24.62 AED | |
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 25.08 AED | |
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) | 9.00 AED | |
Transportation in Dubai | Avg. | |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 4.80 AED | |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 200.00 AED | |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 3.50 AED | |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 1.71 AED | |
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 30.00 AED | |
Gasoline (1 liter) | 1.73 AED | |
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 70,000.00 AED | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Avg. | |
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 539.28 AED | |
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | 0.57 AED | |
Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 271.28 AED | |
Sports And Leisure | Avg. | |
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 360.12 AED | |
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 81.00 AED | |
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 35.00 AED | |
Clothes And Shoes | Avg. | |
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 296.03 AED | |
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | 202.04 AED | |
1 Pair of Nike Shoes | 319.44 AED | |
1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes | 385.33 AED | |
Rent Per Month to live in Dubai | [Edit] Avg. | |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 6,471.28 AED | |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 3,984.53 AED | |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 12,608.22 AED | |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 9,056.21 AED |