Hidden Charges in Dubai: Tourism Dirham Fee, Service Charges, and Tipping
Dubai is known for its popular luxurious experiences with the futuristic skyline views from Yachts and Cruises. However, sometimes travellers are caught off-guard due to the extreme taxes levied on hotels, tours, or local tourist activities. Most people do not exactly understand why the prices shown on the sites do not exactly match the real prices. This blog is going to help you understand the “hidden” charges in Dubai. Moreover, you will be provided with all the necessary information about Dubai Tourist taxes and the tourist dirham fee in Dubai.
What is the Dubai Tourism Dirham Fee?
Tourist Dirham Fee in Dubai is a mandatory tax levied per room, per night by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The pricing differs based on the hotel tier you’ve booked with. The Tourism Dirham Fee in Dubai is usually collected at the hotel during check-in or check-out, even if the room was pre-paid. Here is the table with the hotel tiers and tax levied per night. Check the tax in tourist facilities on the Official Platform of the UAE Government.
|
Accommodation Type |
Tourism Dirham Fee (per room/night) |
| 5-Star Hotels / Resorts | AED 20 |
| 4-Star Hotels | AED 15 |
| 3-Star & 2-Star Hotels | AED 10 |
| Deluxe Holiday Homes | AED 15 – AED 20 |
Decoding Restaurant & Hotel Service Charges
Dubai restaurants and hotel bills levy 10 % service charges for venues located inside hotels or licensed resort premises. However, other standalone street restaurants cannot levy service charges. For more information, here is the restaurant charges breakdown.
Standalone Restaurants
In restaurants that are not located inside a hotel or a commercial property, the menu prices include 5% VAT (Value Added Tax). Moreover, they cannot charge a 10% service charge or any municipality fee. If you are looking for exclusive dining options book your luxurious dinner on a yacht on the Mega Yacht Dinner Cruise Dubai page.
Hotel and Resort Restaurants
Most of the restaurants in the hotel and resort have a 10% Service Charge levied on food for operational and staff costs. Moreover, a 7% Municipality fee is applied to the hotel- affiliated venues. To get the best hotels at a reasonable rate, check out the Dubai Holiday Packages page.
Tipping Culture in Dubai
If a 10% service charge is already levied on the bill, it does not always go to the staff. Leaving an extra small bill of 5 to 10% is a common practice among people if you receive great service. Moreover, it is a customary practice to leave a tip of 10 to 15 % at standalone restaurants with no service charge.
Beach Club and Pool Access
Many hotels’ pools and beaches in Dubai are reserved for the guests staying in the hotel itself. However, some semi-private beach clubs charge an entry fee ranging from AED 150 to AED 500 per person, especially on weekends. To get free access to pools, read the Free Things To Do in Dubai blog.
SIM Cards and Mobile Data
International roaming charges in Dubai can get quite expensive. Buy a local prepaid SIM with a data package, which typically costs AED 50-100 depending on allowance. You can even get a free tourist SIM at the airport kiosks with a limited data pack which you can get extended by paying for a limited period of time for your trip.
Alcohol Prices
Only licensed venues such as hotels, bars, or restaurants can serve alcohol, and they levy heavy taxes on the same. A single can can cost you two or three times more than what you’d pay for in other countries. To save money on your Dubai trip, read the blog 7 Travel Tips From Experts That Will Save You Money.
Tipping Etiquette in Dubai
Many tourists overtip as they think that it is necessary to tip heavily in all the restaurants and hotels even if they do not like the service. Clear this misconception before your trip to Dubai:
- Restaurants: If there is no service tax levied, it is customary to pay 10% to 15% of the total bill. However, sometimes people give 5 to 10% even if the service tax is levied, if they like the service a lot.
- Taxis: You can tip the taxi driver after rounding up to the nearest AED 5 or AED 10 note
- Hotel Porters: It is customary to pay the hotel valet or porters AED 5 to AED 10 per bag/ service.
- Tour Guides: You can tip a tour guide AED 20 to AED 50 for a full-day tour. To get free transfers, book your Dubai tour packages here.
Other Hidden Charges in Dubai
Here are some hidden charges in Dubai that you should be aware of:
- Hotel Damage Deposits: To save themselves from extra charges, hotels hold a credit card authorization for incidentals.
- Salik: If you rent a car or take a taxi to pass under a Salik Gate, it adds AED 4 to the trip.
- Know-how of Dirham: Paying in dirhams in Dubai adds a small administrative fee of AED 10 to 20 to all government transactions and specific tourist tickets.
To know more about Hidden charges in Dubai, read What Are the Hidden Costs for Tourists in Dubai? blog.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you are all aware of all the hidden charges in Dubai. Experience the luxurious lifestyle of Dubai on your ecstatic Bedouin tour. Before embarking on your journey, make sure to check the inclusion and exclusion tax policies of all the packages you avail beforehand. Moreover, read the information about the Dubai tourist taxes quite carefully. To skip the hassle of planning a trip to Dubai, book your customizable tour to Dubai with Travelsaga.com.
FAQs – Hidden Charges in Dubai
Q. Is 5 dirhams a good tip?
Yes, 5 AED (UAE dirham) is a good and standard amount of tip for most of the regular services in the UAE.
Q. What is the service charge in Dubai?
Service charges in Dubai are a mandatory annual fee paid to the property owners, covering the upkeep of the common areas of the building and communities.
Q. Is it rude not to tip in Dubai?
No, it is not rude to tip in Dubai. Tipping is completely optional in the UAE. Service workers are paid a standard salary, and many restaurants already include a 10% to 15% service charge.
Q. Is 20 dirhams a good tip in Dubai?
Tipping is not mandatory in Dubai . Yes, 20 Dirhams in Dubai is a very generous tip for many day-to-day services in Dubai.
Q. Do you tip hotel staff in Dubai?
Tipping in Dubai hotels is not mandatory or expected but always appreciated. However, giving an excessive tip is also not exactly right. For more queries about this, visit the frequently asked questions page.
