A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Gili Trawangan for Nightlife, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Dubai or Gili Trawangan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Gili Trawangan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a glamorous, opulent, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of Dubai is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Dubai travel costs.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is a laidback, tropical, and idyllic island. With stunning beauty, Gili Trawangan attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and food. See Gili Trawangan travel costs.

Dubai and Gili Trawangan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Gili Trawangan?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubai. Although Dubai and Gili Trawangan are both popular with visitors, Dubai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dubai is more popular for its skiing, museums and attractions, music, resorts, shopping, and big city activities, while Gili Trawangan is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Gili Trawangan is more touristy than Dubai and is known for its beautiful water and impressive scuba diving. Dubai is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Gili Trawangan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Gili Trawangan and Dubai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Skiing?

Dubai is a decent place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Gili Trawangan is not a skiing destination.

Dubai is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Gili Trawangan is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Gili Trawangan?

Dubai is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Dubai specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

Gili Trawangan offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art and cultural museums on the island, but most people spend their time soaking up the idyllic setting.

Is the Food Better in Dubai or Gili Trawangan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Dubai and Gili Trawangan both to be very good destinations.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Gili Trawangan makes for a great culinary experience. As the largest and one of the most touristy of the Gili Islands, you'll find a wide range of cuisines. There's everything from Mexican to Greek available. You'll also find plenty of tropical fruits and some local Indonesian cuisine as well.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find fantastic options in both Dubai and Gili Trawangan.

People head to Dubai just to party. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

The nightlife in Gili Trawangan is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. This is the "party island" of the Gili Islands. It has a wild nightlife scene that is particularly popular with backpackers. There are tons of beach bars that have live music, DJs, and nightly parties. There are also regular boat parties. The party scene is pretty well coordinated across the bars, and one bar will stay open late each night while the others close around midnight. This keeps the partygoers concentrated in one location and keeps the energy high for everyone.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Music?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Gili Trawangan is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Dubai. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Gili Trawangan is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Resorts?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Gili Trawangan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Dubai is a perfect choice. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Gili Trawangan has a few great resort options. The island was long known for its backpacker vibe which included poorly concentrated beach huts. More recently there's been an upswing in upmarket accommodation, particularly on the quieter western and northern sides of the island.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Gili Trawangan is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Gili Trawangan is not to be missed. Snorkeling and diving are a highlight on the island, and a big draw for many visitors. The island is small, with a large concentration of tourists, so if you book a boat trip, you'll likely be surrounded by others. This doesn't mean you won't be able to enjoy colorful fish, a magical undersea world, and the occasional sea turtle.

Dubai has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Beaches?

Gili Trawangan is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Gili Trawangan is a very popular vacation destination. The island is filled with white sand beaches, most of which have restaurants and beachside bars nearby. One of the busiest beaches is near the port, but a quieter area is nearby Surf Point. The sunset side of the island is perfect in the evening when the sun starts to dip below the horizon, but the beaches on that side aren't as great as the other side of the island.

Dubai has a beach worth visiting. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Gili Trawangan?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Gili Trawangan is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Dubai draws large crowds to its stores. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

Gili Trawangan has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find most things you need on the island, but this isn't a place people usually shop for fun.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of very good scenery and beauty in both Dubai and Gili Trawangan.

With stunning beauty, Dubai attracts visitors from all around. With its many skyscrapers and high end resorts, this is a beautiful city to visit.

Gili Trawangan is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Crystal blue waters and white sand beaches make this an idyllic island paradise. The setting is perfect for hanging out by the water and soaking up the island vibe.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Gili Trawangan.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Gili Trawangan is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are many kid-friendly activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and biking. There are also glass bottom boat tours and a great laidback island vibe that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Do note that this is one of the more popular islands for backpackers, so there is a big party scene.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Couples?

Gili Trawangan is a great island for couples. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Gili Trawangan is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. White sand, blue water, and a true tropical island paradise make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. It's one of the more energetic of the Gili Islands, so if you're looking for a calm retreat, there may be better options, but it still has wonderful resorts and great diving.

Dubai is a nice destination for couples. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Gili Trawangan is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Gili Trawangan, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. It's the most popular of the Gili Islands for backpackers so you'll find tons of hostels and a great nightlife scene. The energy is high and the scenery and idyllic beaches are wonderful.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Students?

Dubai is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Gili Trawangan is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Gili Trawangan is not popular with students.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dubai and Gili Trawangan both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Gili Trawangan has a few public transit options. Many tourists enjoy getting around the island by cidomo, which are horse-drawn carts. Otherwise, walking or biking are your best options.

Is Dubai or Gili Trawangan a more walkable city?

Gili Trawangan is a great island for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Gili Trawangan is a very walkable destination. While it's the largest of the Gili Islands, it still small enough to walk around in about two hours and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

For even more information, also check out Is Dubai Worth Visiting? and Is Gili Trawangan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Gili Trawangan or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Gili Trawangan?

It's fun to spend time in either Dubai or Gili Trawangan. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dubai due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Dubai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Gili Trawangan.

Couples should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Dubai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Gili Trawangan that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Gili Trawangan than Dubai if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Gili Trawangan.

One day in Dubai or Gili Trawangan?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Gili Trawangan, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this tropical destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Gili Trawangan?

Dubai is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Gili Trawangan. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Gili Trawangan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. It's also a relaxing resort destination. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Gili Trawangan is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of Gili Trawangan. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Gili Trawangan?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find nightlife and food around the tropical destination of Gili Trawangan. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Arab Emirates, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Gili Trawangan, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Gili Trawangan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Gili Trawangan is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Gili Trawangan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gili Trawangan and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Gili Trawangan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Gili Trawangan Expensive?.