🇬🇧 London vs 🇦🇪 Dubai: British luxury or Oriental extravagance? ✨
Two emblematic cities, two completely different worlds.
London, with its royal history and cosmopolitanism, or Dubai, with its desert and futuristic skyscrapers.
In this comprehensive comparison, find out which city to choose in 2026 based on luxury, activities, cost of living, expat life and overall experience.
👉 Apply for your UK ETA here
✈️ London or Dubai: two worlds, two atmospheres
London 🇬🇧: a city steeped in history, culture and royal traditions.
Dubai 🇦🇪: a concentrate of modernity, luxury and unique desert experiences.
But behind this contrast, each destination attracts a specific audience:
- Fans of European heritage and culture will turn to London.
- Fans of luxury, high-end shopping and unusual experiences will choose Dubai.
🎫 Important: To travel to London, since 2025, you need to obtain an ETA.
👉 Apply online here
👑 London: history, culture and cosmopolitanism
🏰 The charm of royalty
London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is a city where every monument tells a story:
- Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guard
- Tower of London, a thousand years old
- Westminster Abbey, a symbol of royal tradition
🎨 Culture and must-do activities
London is a major cultural centre:
- Exhibitions at the Tate Modern and the British Museum
- West End theatres
- Walks in Notting Hill and Camden Market
🛍️ Shopping and lifestyle
- Harrods, Selfridges and Oxford Street
- Trendy areas like Shoreditch for independent boutiques
- Perfect mix of international brands and local crafts
💷 Cost of living in London
| Post | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Hotel 3⭐ | 180 / night |
| Average meal | 25-30 € |
| Coffee | 4 € |
| Metro transport | 8 € per day |
| Attractions | 10-30 € |
💡 Tip: London is more expensive than Dubai on accommodation and meals, but offers free museums and unique royal experiences.
🌞 Dubai: extravagance and futurism
🏙️ The city of superlatives
Dubai is famous for its impossible buildings:
- Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper
- Burj Al Arab, the most luxurious hotel in the world
- Palm Jumeirah, the iconic artificial island
🎢 Unique activities
- Indoor skiing at Ski Dubai
- Desert safaris and 4×4 rides
- Water parks and gigantic shopping centres
- Cruises and exclusive experiences on the Persian Gulf
🛍️ Shopping and luxury
- Dubai Mall, the largest shopping centre in the world
- Luxury boutiques: Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel
- Tax-free shopping for tourists
💷 Cost of living in Dubai
| Post office | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Hotel 3⭐ | 120 / night |
| Average meal | 20-25 € |
| Coffee | 3 € |
| Metro/taxi transport | 5-10 € |
| Attractions | 20-50 € |
💡 Dubai can be affordable for a short stay but becomes more expensive for luxury and premium activities.
🏡 Expat life: London vs Dubai
London
- Advantages: reliable healthcare system, culture, international professional opportunities, linguistic diversity
- Disadvantages: high cost of accommodation, often grey and wet weather
Dubai
- Advantages: no income tax, high level of security, modern infrastructure
- Disadvantages: very hot climate in summer, different social life, high cost of everyday luxuries
🌡️ Climate and best time to visit
| City | Ideal season | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| London | April to October | Temperate but sometimes rainy |
| Dubai | November to March | Guaranteed sunshine, pleasant temperatures |
⚠️ Tips: Avoid Dubai in summer (40°C), London is pleasant in spring to enjoy the parks and gardens.
🏖️ Must-do activities
London
- Walk across Tower Bridge
- Panoramic view from the London Eye
- Exhibitions at the National Gallery
- Shopping at Harrods
- Tea time at The Ritz
Dubai
- Climb to the top of the Burj Khalifa
- Safari in the desert
- Indoor skiing at Ski Dubai
- Cruise on the Persian Gulf
- Shopping at the Dubai Mall
💰 Overall budget for a 5-day stay
| City | Budget | Comfort budget | Luxury budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 800 € | 1200 € | 2000 € |
| Dubai | 600 € | 1000 € | 2500 € |
✈️ Tip: Before booking for London, remember to obtain your ETA.
👉 Request your travel authorisation here
🌐 Final verdict: London or Dubai?
| Criteria | London 🇬🇧 | Dubai 🇦🇪 |
|---|---|---|
| Culture & History | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Luxury & Shopping | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unique activities | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cost of living | 💸 High | 💰 Moderate (excluding luxury) |
| Climate | Temperate | Hot and dry |
| Expat / Daily life | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Accessibility ETA | ✅ Required | ❌ Not required |
Verdict:
- London: best for cultural and royal travel.
- Dubai: ideal for luxury, shopping and extravagant experiences.
But for international travellers who want to visit London, the ETA has been compulsory since 2025.
🎫 Apply now on eta-uk-apply.com
❤️ In a nutshell
- London = history, royalty, culture and diversity.
- Dubai = luxury, modernity, shopping and new experiences.
- Cost of living and comfort influence the choice, but London requires an ETA to travel legally.
🧭 Next step: secure your trip and your stay with a quick and official online ETA.
👉 Apply for your UK ETA here
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