From Europe to Dubai: Making the Most Out of Your Business Trip Budget

Dubai has lately earned a reputation as one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. Yet it is not only tourists who are flocking here to discover the spectacular beauty of the emirate. European businessmen are also often found roaming the streets and most importantly the convention centres of Dubai, as the city has transformed itself into a global financial and tech hub. So, if you happen to find yourself en route to attend an event or conference in Dubai, how much should you expect the visit to cost?

Staying in Dubai: Pick the right area

While Dubai has established itself worldwide as a luxurious destination, you don’t have to be a millionaire to make your visit to the city enjoyable. On the contrary, there are many areas that are more budget-friendly. The Dubai Creek is famous for being the city’s main artery, along which Dubai has expanded and flourished. It is one of the top spots to visit but staying there can be pricey. However, picking a place in suburbs like Jumeirah or its neighbouring Satwa can be a smarter choice. Jumeirah is vibrant and filled with facilities ranging from marvellous parks to art galleries and lush boutiques.

It is also home to City Walk, a mix of residential and commercial properties that span across 900,000 sq.m. according to Bayut. It conveniently finds itself situated between Al Safa Road and Al Wasl Road, with easy access to Burj Khalifa Metro Station. It makes more sense financially to stay in Jumeirah or Satwa than downtown Umm Suqeim – which is also home to some of the world’s most expensive 5-star hotels, including Burj Al-Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Be smart about your money

Besides accommodation, you would also need to factor in travel costs and expenses. European visitors need a visa to enter the country – and according to Emirates only UK and Irish nationals can enter free of charge. Yet the visa fees are not expensive and airplane ticket prices have really gone down in recent years as Dubai has become a hotspot for travelers. Especially if you can arrange to fly out from an international airport that is a hub, like Frankfurt or London, then travel costs might be significantly lower than you originally expected.

Once you are in the emirate, you will need to exchange your Euros for the local currency, the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). The Euro is typically stronger than the dirham, with one Euro typically being exchanged for over four dirhams. As ExchangeRates reports, EUR-AED forex rates have been pretty stable over the past six months, with the Euro never dropping below four dirhams – so don’t expect any unpleasant surprises there.

Once you’ve done your first business trip in Dubai, you’ll want to come back for some holidays. With Dubai set to host the World Expo 2020, there is no excuse not to visit again – and for staying in budget.