So, before writing this article further, the first question worth answering is what is money called in the UAE? The currency of the United Arab Emirates is the dirham. This is their "encyclopedic", so to speak, name. The locals pronounce this word as “drham”, and the sound “x” is also practically lost during pronunciation, and therefore a short “dram” is obtained at all. Very reminiscent drum- drum in English :)
What money in the UAE
As I have already made a reservation, money in the United Arab Emirates is called dirhams. Consider how they look and how not to get confused in them.
The biggest confusion occurs in Arab coins, because. there are no normal numbers on them, only local squiggles. I don’t know who invented that the numbers familiar to us originate from Arabic ... Frankly, it’s completely impossible to figure out what this or that sign means. Therefore, you will have to devote a separate description to the UAE coins.
In this picture, from left to right, the following denominations of coins:
- ٢٥ - 25 fils (a quarter of a dirham);
- ٥٠ - 50 fils (half a dirham);
- ١ - 1 dirham.
These are the main coins of the United Arab Emirates. For a better understanding, below is a visual representation of Arabic numerals under familiar symbols.
With banknotes, everything is easier, because. on them, along with Arabic, the numbers familiar to us, adopted in the European world, are duplicated. UAE paper money comes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 dirhams.
We figured out what money looks like in Dubai and neighboring emirates, now it is important to understand where, how and at what rate to exchange them.
Where to change money in Dubai, Sharjah and other cities of the UAE
There are quite a lot of exchangers in the cities of the United Arab Emirates, especially in tourist areas. The most popular and reliable exchange offices are UAE Exchange, which are located both in shopping centers and at different metro stations.
And it seemed to me that the course in them is more profitable, according to at least This is exactly what happened in our experience. Having once exchanged money at a nearby exchange office, I regretted that I did not immediately go to UAE Exchange. Alternatively, even in carrefour course is one of the best.
It is important to note that in all exchange offices In the United Arab Emirates, a commission of 3 dirhams is taken for a currency exchange operation, regardless of the amount being exchanged.
At first I preferred to exchange a little, but then it turned out to be completely unprofitable. It’s easier to change $500 once, while the commission will be 3 dirhams, instead of walking 5 times and exchanging $100 each. It seems that the exchange amount is the same, but the commission will have to be paid 5 times, i.e. already 15 dirhams.
So, you should immediately estimate how much you want to spend in the UAE and exchange it all. The dirham exchange rate is stable and practically unchanged, therefore it is unlikely to change throughout the entire vacation.
What money to take to Dubai or Sharjah
Of course, there is only one currency for the whole country - dirhams, so, no matter which of the seven emirates you go to, you will have to exchange the money that you have on hand.
It’s definitely not worth going to the United Arab Emirates with rubles, I honestly peered at the scoreboard of all exchangers, but I didn’t see an exchange for rubles anywhere. It is better to bring money to the UAE in dollars. It is most convenient to exchange them, the exchange rate for the euro seemed to me less profitable, although you can take them with you.
Another popular currency to exchange in the UAE is Indian rupees. So, if you have banknotes with the image of the Indian guru Mahatma Gandhi lying around, you can grab them too. You can exchange them in any exchanger, because. There are a lot of Indians in the United Arab Emirates; to be honest, they make up the vast majority of the inhabitants.
Money in the UAE exchange rate to the dollar
The UAE currency is one of the most stable in the world. Surprisingly, despite the fact that the main industry of the Arab Emirates, like Russia, is oil, the fall in its value did not affect the dirham against the dollar at all. Just look at the chart, for the last five years (!) the exchange rate of UAE money to the dollar is 3.67 dirhams.
A small jump happened only at the end of 2017, and then only by thousandths. Since 2018, VAT has been introduced in the United Arab Emirates, therefore, against this background, there was a slight commotion, but now everything has returned to normal. Moreover, the “cardiogram” of the dirham exchange rate has been reminiscent of the “dead” since January, but this is nothing more than stability.
Thus, the official bank exchange rate is 1 $ = 3.67 AED, but in the city the exchange of dollars for dirhams is carried out at the following rate:
- 3.65 - in exchange offices (with a slight variation in hundredths depending on the exchanger);
- 3.6 - at airports;
- 3.45 - in hotels.
Accordingly, in hotels the exchange rate is the lowest, so I do not recommend exchanging dirhams there. It is better to go out and look around in the area, at least one exchange office nearby is sure to be found.
UAE money to ruble - exchange rate
But with the ruble, the situation is not so rosy and it depends primarily, of course, on the instability of the Russian currency. On average, for 1 dirham you need to pay 18 rubles.
But it is worth using knowledge of the ruble exchange rate only for convenient calculation of prices in your head when you walk around Dubai shops, because. You won't be able to exchange rubles for dirhams anyway. I have not seen a single exchanger that accepts rubles.
Perhaps, at some hotels where package tourists go, there is a practice of exchanging rubles for dirhams, but you should not hope for this. Well, the course, one must understand, will be far from the official one in a disadvantageous direction.
Where to withdraw money in Dubai UAE
Basically cash you can withdraw at any ATM in the United Arab Emirates, including at the airport. The conversion rate depends primarily on Russian bank, in which the card was issued, rather than from the bank of the United Arab Emirates. ATMs in Dubai and other emirates issue only the local currency - dirhams. Neither dollars nor euros can be withdrawn, and it is not necessary.
On average, about 2% is lost on conversion from rubles to dirhams. In some cases, this is more profitable than first exchanging rubles for dollars in Russia, and then again making an exchange in the UAE - already dollars for dirhams.
Beyond conversion Russian bank can take a commission for withdrawing at a third-party ATM, therefore it is more profitable not to withdraw money, but simply pay everywhere with a bank card. It's very simple, because even transport cards for buses and metro can be topped up with a plastic card.
Thus, money in the UAE should be carried in dollars, which can be exchanged for the best exchange rate you can in the city, not in hotels or the airport. It is a little more convenient to take cash, in other cases it is more profitable to pay in shops, restaurants and even in transport with a card.
Relatively young state The United Arab Emirates attracts tourists with its clean beaches, warm sea and well-developed infrastructure. It is generally accepted that holidays in the UAE are quite expensive, however, this misconception is easy to dispel. A short holiday in this country or a long stay can be affordable, the question of prices depends only on how prepared you are for staying in the country. Many are lacking useful information for proper travel budgeting. Therefore, the question of how much money to take in the UAE for 7, 10, 14 days is always relevant among tourists.
What items of expenditure should be taken into account?
There is no upper threshold, if your funds are not limited, then the Emirates is just the country where money can be spent easily and tastefully. Stunning in their beauty, entertainment and shopping centers are famous all over the world. The assortment of shopping centers is able to surprise even the most sophisticated shopping lover, here they love beautiful things and know how to sell them.
The country provides its citizens with very high level life at the expense of oil fields and they have developed certain traditions and taste preferences. For example, there are few countries in which you will see so many luxury cars in normal daily city traffic. Luxury touches everything here. This is one of those unique properties that in its own way makes a holiday in the country unforgettable.
So, when going on vacation to the UAE, how much money do you need to take with you? What is your travel budget per month? Let's try to figure out the numbers.
All expenses can be conditionally divided into several categories, it is easier to make a budget and focus on it:
- accommodation
- nutrition
- transport
- entertainment
- shopping
Local currency rate - dirama against the dollar, has remained unchanged for many years and amounts to 3.66 dirhams per 1 dollar. If you ask what money to take in the UAE, then it is better to take dollars that can be exchanged for local currency. For currency exchange, I recommend watching this video:
How much does it cost to stay in the Emirates?
Many travelers choose to purchase a package tour, which involves paying for hotel accommodation, meals and transfers. In view of the fact that the competition is very high, such offers increasingly have a very attractive price, which is almost unattainable when planning a trip on your own.
The cost of staying at a hotel can range from $50 for last-minute deals to several thousand dollars for a room in a luxury hotel. Accommodation for a week in a mid-range hotel will cost about $1,500 ($215 * 7 days). Breakfast will be included in the price.
In addition to traditional hotel accommodation on a package tour, you can independently book apartments for the duration of the trip. Prices can also range from those $50 (but breakfast is no longer included) to several thousand dollars for a villa or townhouse. For $ 50 it will most likely be a room in an apartment, and quite far from the metro, at least 20 minutes walk, often the assurances of the owner of the room that there are bus stop but don't be under any illusions about it. You are more likely to either walk to the metro or use a taxi.
The cost of decent apartments at 100 square meters with a kitchen and all necessary household appliances will be approximately 2500-3000 dirhams for two adults per day. Moreover, such options are also often offered with the possibility of breakfast included in the price. Let's take the average price category of apartments as a guideline, the cost of a week of stay will be $ 2,100 ($ 300 * 7 days).
We looked at two of the most common accommodation options in the UAE, both of which assume the average price category of offers as a guideline. The cost of a week's stay ranges from $1,500 to $2,100. Accordingly, the cost of a longer stay, for example 14 days, will be 3000 and 4200 dollars. The price could be lower if it is more long term rent, then it makes sense to look for apartments and discuss the possibility of a discount with the owner.
How much does food cost in the UAE?
The cost of food varies greatly depending on where you live. In Dubai Marina, you will not find cheap eateries and cafes; the cost for a full meal can range from a minimum of $20 to $100 or more. At the same time, in other areas, you can dine at fast food for $1.5 or at the chain of cheap cafes "Golden Fork" (pictured), where a full meal will cost no more than $10.
In the case of renting an apartment and cooking your own meals, your budget will be modest, products in supermarkets and markets are not expensive, the cost of a grocery basket will fluctuate solely on your taste preferences.
The cost of all-inclusive meals is naturally the most profitable, but often not the most convenient. It is doubtful that having arrived in a country with so many entertainments, you will be inseparably in a hotel waiting for breakfast / lunch / dinner. That is why the accommodation and breakfast offers are the most popular among travelers. If we calculate some average cost of the food budget for 7 days for one person, then this amount will be approximately $ 300. Two weeks, respectively - 600 dollars.
How much does transport cost?
Before calculating the cost of transport, you need to decide which type of transport you prefer. You can use public transport - bus and metro, you can use taxi services or rent a car. They are very different in cost, you need about $40-50 for a taxi for a week, and renting a car per day will cost about $40. When renting a car, you will be asked to leave a deposit, the amount depends on the specific brand of the selected car (500-1000 dollars).
The metro is the cheapest transport and quite convenient, the cost of the trip ranges from 2 to 7 dollars.
When buying a metro card, be prepared for the fact that the payment system is designed for the fact that the amount for the trip will be withdrawn at the exit. When you enter the metro, information is read from the card, and at the exit you present the card again and the system calculates the total cost of your trip. If there are not enough funds on the card, you can simply not leave the metro, so buy a card with a “reserve”. average cost transport services (metro, public transport and taxi) for a week will be approximately $120.
What is the cost of entertainment there?
When calculating the cost of entertainment, we focus solely on the cost of excursions. The average price of one excursion is about $ 100, based on the fact that few people want to attend excursions every day, we will take four excursions per week as the base amount for calculation, which will be $ 400
All other entertainment is very individual, whether it is a visit to:
- night clubs
- restaurants
- entertainment centers
Considering this, their cost, as average value, is difficult to predict. Just add another $300-$400 to your budget for a week and you'll have something to spend it on.
Shopping expenses
The issue regarding the cost of shopping in the United Arab Emirates is very delicate. You can buy almost everything in the country, and the most attractive thing for tourists is that prices in shopping centers are much lower than, for example, the usual high Russian ones. Many of the tourists travel to the UAE for the purpose of shopping. If it's just about buying souvenirs - count on $ 150, although this amount is very approximate, it all depends on your taste and preferences.
So, how much money to take to the Emirates? We tried to give you the answer to the question in average prices, of course, this is only a guideline. The final cost of your vacation depends on many parameters, including the level of comfort you are used to. Take the amount a little more than the preliminary calculation shows, the UAE is a country where it is very pleasant to spend money!
The national currency of the United Arab Emirates is the UAE dirham.
1 dirham = 100 fils. To date, banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 dirhams, as well as coins in denominations of 25 fils (with the image of an antelope), 50 fils (with the image of oil rigs) and 1 dirham (with a coffee pot) are in circulation. ).
Commonly used abbreviations are AED and DHS.
The exchange rate of the dollar for dirhams has been stable since 1971 and is approximately 3.67 dirhams per 1 American monetary unit. The network of currency exchange offices in the country is well developed, there are no problems with the exchange.
Approximate conversion to the CIS currency is 8.5 rubles / 2.2 hryvnia / 2739.8 Belarusian rubles/ 548 Uzbek sum/ 41 tenge to 1 dirham
There are no restrictions on the import and export of any currency across the border. However, if the amount being transported is significant, the authorities may have uncomfortable questions: where does such an amount come from and for what purpose is it traveling.
Foreign currency.
Since the main population in the UAE is from other countries, it is not surprising that almost any currency can be exchanged here - euros, US dollars, British pounds, Indian rupees, Philippine pesos and currencies of all Middle Eastern states. However, the optimal american currency It is also the most popular among tourists. Russian ruble can also be exchanged in the UAE for dirhams, however, only at a few large exchange offices. If at the time of departure there were dirhams on hand, which you don’t want to spend in Duty Free, you can easily exchange them for any desired currency.
If there is no desire to contact exchanges at all, it is not a problem - almost everywhere they accept dollars for payment. Only the amount of payment will be rounded up to a whole dollar and the change will be given in dirhams.
Banks.
There are plenty of banks in the UAE, there are branches of about 35 local and 25 foreign banks that are ready to help solve any financial questions their clients, but, unfortunately, with rare exceptions, only in the morning. Banking hours are from 8.00 to 13.00 from Saturday to Thursday, Thursday is a short day, from 8.00 to 12.00, Friday is a day off in the UAE. You can exchange currency after lunch at exchange offices, they are mainly open from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 16.30 to 20.30. At the airport, currency exchange is carried out on any day, the service is available around the clock.
If you really urgently need to pay, and there is no exchanger nearby, euros, dollars or pounds sterling will be accepted as payment. On the course, at the same time, you will lose slightly.
Most favorable exchange rate exchange of dollars for dirhams in exchange offices (Money Exchange), but it only applies to $ 100 bills, especially if a significant amount is converted at once. Smaller denominations are exchanged at a lower rate.
Credit cards.
Most hotels accept payment for their services by credit cards of the world's leading systems: MasterCard, EuroCard, Visa, American Express. Also, credit card you can often pay for purchases in supermarkets and shopping centers. The demand for such a service is growing, and local merchants are trying to keep up with the offer, every day increasing the list of places and services where credit cards are accepted.
All presented courses on this page are exchange rates and are broadcast in real time.
Approximately such a table of rates you will see in the exchange offices of the United Arab Emirates (for example, Dubai) + the commission of the exchange office will appear in the price. The data presented above will help you objectively evaluate currency exchange offers and calculate your travel budget. We recommend buying/selling the UAE dirham at a price that differs by no more than 1% from the current rate.This exchange rate is a leading indicator. Therefore, if the exchange office has a different rate of the dirham, then they will react a little later + do not forget about the commission (spread) of the exchange office, which is included immediately in the sale price and the purchase price.
Dirham to ruble exchange rate
or how many rubles is worth 1 dirham
Multiply any price tag in the UAE by the current value and get the price in rubles.
Dirham to ruble exchange rate - dynamics
This graph reflects how profitable it is for Russians who receive a salary in rubles to travel to the UAE. As we can see, in 2015, everything has risen in price by about one and a half times for our tourists visiting the UAE. We hope that the situation will gradually stabilize.Dirham dollar exchange rate - dynamics
or how much dirham is worth 1 dollar
This chart is for residents of the UAE, as for the Russians the dollar exchange rate. The higher it is, the worse they live, and the cheaper it is for tourists to visit this country.
Currency Information
Currency in Emirates: Dirham
Currency code: AED
1 dirham = 100 fils
What is the best currency to take with you to Dubai?
Dollars and euros. They can always be exchanged for Dirham at the most favorable rate.
When buying dollars or euros in the Russian Federation, we recommend that you keep the receipt, because if you have counterfeit bill, it will be easier for you to prove non-involvement in a crime for which a considerable term is set there. Have a good trip!
Currency of the United Arab Emirates - Dirham , consisting of 100 Fils .
The UAE Dirham encoding - the monetary unit of the United Arab Emirates - AED (Arab Emirates Dirham) .
Currently in circulation are banknotes 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 Dirhams and 1 Dirham and 50, 25, 10, 5, 1 UAE Fils coins.
Unlike bills, the denomination of which can be easily identified by numbers, coins United Arab Emirates without knowledge in English or Arabic numerals are harder to read:
- a coin of 1 UAE dirham of the correct round shape, it depicts a teapot;
- 50 fils coin of the United Arab Emirates - in the form of a heptagon, it depicts oil rigs;
- the UAE 25 fils coin features a gazelle;
- on 10 fils of the UAE - a dhow boat;
- on 5 fils of the UAE - fish;
- on the UAE 1 fils coin - palm trees.
Coins in denominations of 5 and 1 fils - a rarity in the Emirates. Therefore, you can see them, most likely, in collection sets for numismatists.
The exchange rate of the United Arab Emirates - the UAE Dirham against the US dollar has been kept artificially since 1971 and is:
- 1 US Dollar = 3.66 Dirhams
- 1 UAE Dirham=0.27 US Dollar
The exchange rate of the UAE Dirham to the ruble is approximately equal to 8-9 rubles for 1 Dirham.
Euro and other world currencies are also accepted at exchange offices in the UAE at a very favorable rate.
Of course, in some exchange offices, banks, hotels, this rate may vary slightly. It is most profitable to exchange money for Dirhams in the UAE at exchange offices located in banks and most shopping centers in the United Arab Emirates. The worst exchange rate of the UAE Dirham against the US Dollar and Euro is at the airport and in hotels.
To the traditional question “what currency to bring to the UAE?” The answer is unequivocal - US dollars.
In addition, when paying for purchases in the UAE bank cards You may be asked in what currency to withdraw. If you have a ruble card, then it is more profitable to pay for the purchase from the card in Dirhams, so you can avoid double conversion.