What budget for activities and outings United Arab Emirates?
Affordable: all museums are affordable, the most expensive being the Louvre Abu Dhabi. In the historic districts of each emirate, entrance fees are often symbolic, and some are free. In Al Aïn, all cultural venues are free.
Reasonable: the French-speaking guides listed in our guide charge reasonable prices, but they are few and far between.
Expensive: all theme parks are expensive.
Passes: to keep expenses under control, only Dubai offers passes with several activities included. Visit www.dubaipass.ae
Senior citizens over 60, people with reduced mobility and small children have free access in most cases.
Far from the clichés that circulate, it's possible to practice sport without breaking the bank: walking, trekking, beach, palm grove strolls, jogging and desert camping are just some of the free or very affordable activities on offer.
The UAE is also a golfer's paradise.
You can pay almost anywhere with a credit card, especially in big cities. Is it possible to haggle? In the souks, of course you can, and don't be afraid, it's the custom. In shopping malls, don't hesitate to ask, because sometimes there's room for manoeuvre if it's not an international brand. If you think the emirates are overpriced, you'll find plenty of bargains in the many souks in the old cities, in the stores along the roads that criss-cross the emirates, and in the local supermarkets.
You need to have a certain budget to go out at night, but good news for the girls, because the ladies night allow you to get out of it very well by taking advantage of many reductions even to drink without paying mainly in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
What budget to eat United Arab Emirates?
To eat out on a budget, head for the historic districts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi and all the local restaurants in the other emirates, taking care to avoid hotels. Note that many food trucks have recently sprung up. It's a good idea to take a meal without alcohol, otherwise the average price can double. Virtually all restaurants in the major cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah offer door-to-door sales.
Hotel bars are particularly expensive, as taxes on alcohol are very high. Everywhere, you can pay with a credit card and leave a tip of around 5-10%, although this is by no means obligatory.
What is the budget for accommodation United Arab Emirates?
Where to stay in the UAE at a relatively competitive price? Without hesitation, in the historic districts of cities far from the seaside. We've put together a list of the best hotels in these areas. In all hotels, a certain number of taxes are added to the price, so it's important to check that the price quoted is net.
Travel budget United Arab Emirates and cost of living
The cost of living in the Emirates is around 20% higher than in France, with the exception of transport. Three categories will push up the cost of your vacation: accommodation, restaurants and, above all, alcohol. Hotel prices vary enormously between high and low season, depending on the location of the hotel in the city. Seaside hotels are always very expensive. Luxury hotels offering excellent value for money can be found in areas further away from the coast. When it comes to eating out, Indian, Pakistani and Levantine restaurants can be found outside the hotels. What really ups the ante is alcohol, which is subject to very high taxes.
Bargaining is a time-honored tradition in the souks of the Arab world, and particularly in the Emirates. Thanks to a little negotiation, starting prices can sometimes be halved. However, once a price has been verbally agreed, the customer is expected to buy.
To anticipate a budget per day, here are our recommendations:
Small budget. Allow 800 AED per person per day (around €180), including accommodation in 3-star hotels, meals in Indian or Pakistani restaurants, public transport, a few cabs and sightseeing.
Average budget. AED 1,600 per day per person (approx. €360), with accommodation in 4-star hotels, meals in a variety of fast-food outlets and restaurants, sightseeing, cabs and some activities.
Big budget. It's hard to say, because in Dubai in particular, there are no limits, but let's say that if you want to stay in the big hotels on the seafront at the height of the season, you'll need to budget at least AED 5,000 per day per person (around €1,000), with good restaurants, shopping, cab fares, sightseeing and fun activities such as spas and private clubs. It's an average budget for a big budget.
