Visit Ras Al Khaimah
โ† Back
Visit Ras Al Khaimah

Summary

This guide meticulously compares travel costs between Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai, detailing expenses for accommodation, transportation, and experiences. It reveals how Ras Al Khaimah offers significant daily savings alongside distinct cultural and adventure opportunities, presenting a high-value alternative for UAE travelers.

If youโ€™re planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you might ask yourself: Is Ras Al Khaimah cheaper than Dubai?

The simple answer is โ€œyes,โ€ but the whole picture involves more than just numbers.

For one, your savings depend on how you travel. Your preferences and the best hotel deals, transportation costs, and experience expenses influence how much you can stretch your travel budget.

This guide compares the real costs of visiting Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai, helping you choose the better-value destination without compromising on experiences.

Accommodation

Hotels, resorts, and alternative stays in Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai differ not just in cost, but also in experience. Hereโ€™s how the prices compare:

Hotels

Rates for hotels in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah can vary by star rating, location, and season. Dubai offers a wider range of options (from budget to ultra-luxury), while Ras Al Khaimah provides a different variety of accommodations that span not only desert and sea but also campgrounds in the mountains.

Below is an overview of the average hotel rates according to hotel tier:

Hotel Tier Dubai (AED/night) Ras Al Khaimah (AED/night)
Budget (2โ€“3โ˜…) 300 to 600 135 to 200
Mid-range (4โ˜…) 300 to 600 220 to 475
Luxury (5โ˜…) 800 to 2,500 870 to 1,445+

Dubai has many high-end hotels, with mid-range options typically ranging from AEDโ€ฏ300 to AED 600 per night (as of 2024). More affordable establishments are located in the Bur Dubai, Deira, or Al Barsha districts. Still, if you want to be closer to the prime destinations in the City of Gold, youโ€™ll have to go with the pricier options.

Meanwhile, Ras Al Khaimah hotels provide more value for your dirham, offering similar amenities (Wiโ€‘Fi, pool, parking) at half to a third of Dubaiโ€™s cost. Youโ€™ll also be able to find more budget-friendly accommodations in Al Dhait South and Ras Al Khaimah city center areas.

Resorts

Resort rates in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah reflect differences in brand, location, included amenities, and booking season.

  • Dubai resorts typically come at a premium, especially those tied to well-known attractions.
  • Ras Al Khaimah resorts, like those on Al Marjan Island, offer quiet and spacious beachfront accommodation, with all-inclusive packages at lower rates.

Hereโ€™s a quick look at the approximate resort rates for both emirates:

Resort Tier Dubai (AED/night) Ras Al Khaimah (AED/night)
Mid-range (4โ˜…) 1,200 to 1,500 540 to 750
Luxury (5โ˜…/Villas) 1,500 to 3,000+ 870 to 1,700

In Dubai, mid-range resorts typically start from around AED 1,060 per night, especially those with beach access or waterpark tie-ins. For example, a night at Atlantis, The Palm costs approximately AED 1,200 and includes access to Aquaventure Waterpark and other premium facilities. Other luxury resorts can reach AED 3,000 and up, depending on exclusivity and services during the summer months of June through early fall in September.

Conversely, Ras Al Khaimah resorts offer beachfront stays, family suites, and dining for much less. For example, Mรถvenpick Resort Al Marjan Island rates can go as low as AED 849 per night on weekdays in the summer months, while luxury options like The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach start from AED 1,900+ around the same months. These properties deliver resort-level experiences without the Dubai markup.

Experience + Accommodation

Beyond hotels and resorts, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah offer alternative accommodations that cater to niche interests, from eco-lodges to adventure camps.

In Ras Al Khaimah, the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp is an adventure-focused stay that is ideal for thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. The camp offers rustic cabins and survival-style experiences, including half-day and full-day wilderness courses led by trained instructors.

Approximate rates during summer months are as follows:

  • Cabin stay: from AED 300 per night
  • 4-hour survival course: AED 375
  • Full-day wild survival course: AED 750

The accommodations are basic but functional (bunk beds, communal fire pits, and limited amenities) and meant to support an immersive back-to-nature experience.

In Dubai, non-hotel alternatives tend to lean toward serviced apartments and Airbnb-style rentals in urban centers. While these offer convenience and privacy, they rarely provide the same kind of experiential stay you can get at a place like the Bear Grylls Camp.

Transportation

Dubai offers a well-connected, multi-modal transit system with metro, buses, and taxis.

On the other hand, Ras Al Khaimah relies more on city buses and taxis for local travel, with the RAKTA (Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority) providing reliable inter-emirate bus services.

Hereโ€™s a brief summary of the approximate cost of transportation between Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah:

Mode Dubai Ras Al Khaimah
Car Rental AED 90 to 150 per day (economy) AED 80 to 130 per day (economy)
Buses AED 3 to 7.50 per ride based on zones AED 8 per ride (RAKTA city buses); AED 27 to 47 (intercity)
Taxis/Ride-hailing Starting fare: AED 5 (day), AED 5.5 (night)

Rate: AED 2 per kilometer

Starting fare: AED 4 (day), AED 5 (night)

Rate: AED 1.88 per kilometer

Soon, Etihad Rail will also add a seamless rail link between the two emirates, the rest of the UAE, and neighboring GCC countries.

Experiences

Thereโ€™s no shortage of things to do in both Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, but how much youโ€™ll spend (and what youโ€™ll get in return) can be very different.

Cultural Destinations

Dubaiโ€™s cultural experiences tend to be flashy, futuristic, and premium-priced. Here, youโ€™re paying for access to big names and highly produced attractions.

  • Museum of the Future โ€“ Pay AEDโ€ฏ159 for general admission to enjoy immersive tech and design exhibits.
  • Burj Khalifa (Observation Deck) โ€“ Purchase tickets at AEDโ€ฏ179 for Levels 124 and 125 or AEDโ€ฏ259 if you include Sky Views.

Ras Al Khaimah offers a quieter but more authentic cultural experience. Here are some key cultural attractions you shouldnโ€™t miss:

  • Suwaidi Pearl Farm Tour โ€“ From AEDโ€ฏ250, packages include a boat ride, guided tour, and shell opening.
  • The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah โ€“ Museum entry tickets cost AED 5 for adults and AED 2 for children.
  • Al Jazeera Al Hamra โ€” Entrance to the town is free, but you can partake in various activities or join a private tour for about AED 300. ย 

They also offer optional add-ons like lunch and pearl souvenirs, bringing the total cost to AEDโ€ฏ400.

The verdict? Dubai gives you spectacle while RAK offers activities revolving around the Emirati heritage.

Thrill Activities

Ras Al Khaimah leans into raw, natural adventure, especially around Jais Flight, the worldโ€™s longest zipline in Jebel Jais. Try this bucket list-worthy experience for only AED 325, but if itโ€™s too exciting for you, consider just enjoying the high-altitude, Instagrammable view at the Viewing Deck Park for only AED 5.

Meanwhile, Dubai has polished, curated thrills like desert safaris and giant waterparks like Aquaventure. Costs for either activity can range anywhere from AED 35 to AED 275. Desert tours usually come with dinner, while waterpark adventures offer full access to slides and pools.

So, How Much Can I Save Per Day Staying in Ras Al Khaimah vs. Dubai?

While costs can fluctuate, a clear cost difference emerges when you break down typical daily expenditures in each destination. Hereโ€™s what a typical day might cost in each destination:

Category Dubai (AED/day) Ras Al Khaimah (AED/day)
Accommodation 300 to 600 (mid-range) 220 to 475 (mid-range)
Meals 100 to 200 80 to 150
Transportation 50 to 100 30 to 80
Attractions 150 to 250 100 to 200
Total 600 to 1,150 430 to 905

When you choose Ras Al Khaimah, you can easily save around AED 200 to 300 per day, depending on your travel style. Thatโ€™s enough to cover an activity, a meal upgrade, or an extra nightโ€™s stay.

Value Beyond Money

Price matters, but so does the kind of trip you want. Dubai offers big-name attractions and a fast-paced city vibe. Ras Al Khaimah delivers nature, culture, and space to slow down, all with better value for what you spend.

What kind of vacation do you seek? Now youโ€™ve got the numbers to help you choose.

Related Articles

The Ras Al Khaimah Sustainable Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore

Ras Al Khaimah stands as a leading sustainable tourism destination, holding EarthCheck Silver Certification due to its pioneering Destination Certification…

Travel Insurance for UAE: All You Need to Know Before You Go

Understand UAE travel insurance rules and recommendations, essential for all visitors to Ras Al Khaimah and the wider UAE. This…

Why Is Ras Al Khaimah One of the Best Solo Travel Destinations in the World?

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, offers an ideal solo travel experience combining exceptional safety, accessibility, and friendly local hospitality. Explore diverse…

Emergency Numbers in the UAE: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Navigate the UAE safely by knowing essential emergency numbers, including 999 for police, 998 for ambulance, and 997 for fire…

Prayer Time in Ras Al Khaimah: What To Expect

Understand the significance of prayer times in Ras Al Khaimah, including daily and Friday prayers, alongside the rituals of Wudhu…

Ras Al Khaimah Airport: The Ultimate Travelerโ€™s Guide

This comprehensive guide to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RAK Airport) details its modern passenger and VIP terminals, essential baggage…

Family Holidays in UAE

Explore the diverse United Arab Emirates for your next family vacation, extending beyond Dubai to reveal unique experiences across all…

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah family at the Beach
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah family at the Beach

Ras Al Khaimah’s Coastal Sanctuaries: A Dive into the Premier Private Beaches

Explore Ras Al Khaimah's premier private beaches, nestled within luxury resorts such as Cove Rotana, Rixos Bab Al Bahr, and…