What living in Dubai and Abu Dhabi costs this month: fuel, groceries, rent, schools, pets and weekends, every figure sourced.
Every petrol grade rose 20 fils a litre in September and diesel rose 50 fils. Petrol is still about 4% below June's peak, but Special 95 is 58% above February's low of AED 2.33. Prices are identical in every emirate and at every brand.
| Grade | Aug | Sep | Change | 2026 peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super 98 | 3.60 | 3.80 | +0.20 | 3.95 (Jun) |
| Special 95 | 3.49 | 3.69 | +0.20 | 3.83 (Jun) |
| E-Plus 91 | 3.41 | 3.61 | +0.20 | 3.76 (Jun) |
| Diesel | 3.80 | 4.30 | +0.50 | 4.69 (Apr–May) |
Dubai inflation reached 5.7% in June, its highest this year, mainly because of higher fuel, transport and food costs. It eased to 5.33% in July. Emirates NBD expects around 2.9% by December, though the August and September fuel rises may cause a brief rebound.
Food and drink prices in Dubai were 7.81% higher in July than a year earlier, faster than overall inflation. Much of the UAE's food is imported, so higher shipping and transport costs feed through to supermarket prices.
Coming soon: a fixed basket of 20 items priced every week at Carrefour, Spinneys, Waitrose and Lulu, so you can see which shop is cheapest for an expat family shop.
A record 24,800 new homes were completed in Dubai in the first half of 2026, giving tenants more choice. Rents eased in the second quarter, apartments more than villas. Different measures give different pictures: CBRE and REIDIN show rents slightly below a year ago, while Cavendish Maxwell's half-year average is still above it. In Abu Dhabi, rent increases on renewals are capped at 0% until further notice.
Tip: Dubai's new Flexi Rent option lets participating landlords accept monthly, quarterly or half-yearly payments. Worth asking at renewal.
Dubai prices eased in the second quarter and remain higher than a year ago. Abu Dhabi values are well above last year, supported by strong off-plan sales.
Dubai private school tuition is frozen at 2025–26 levels for 2026–27, part of an AED 1.5 billion support package. The freeze covers tuition only: transport, uniforms, books and trips can still rise. Abu Dhabi has not frozen fees but now makes schools itemise every charge and offer at least three instalments.
Typical 2026 prices quoted by Dubai clinics and boarding services. Always ask for an itemised estimate before any procedure.
There are no public holidays in October or November. The next break is National Day, Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December. The Cabinet can move it to the start or end of the week, as it did in 2025, so wait for the official announcement before booking. Taking Monday, Tuesday and Friday off turns it into a nine-day break.
Abu Dhabi hotel prices for the first three October weekends are within a few percent of each other. The last weekend, 23–25 October, costs about 19% more. Book early October if your dates are flexible.
| Hotel | Weekend | AED / night |
|---|---|---|
| Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan, Corniche | 2–4, 9–11, 16–18 Oct | 492 |
| Radisson Blu, Corniche | 2–4 Oct | 511 |
| DoubleTree Yas Island Residences | 2–4 Oct | 610 |
| Hilton Yas Island | 2–4 Oct | 847 |
| Four Seasons, Al Maryah Island | 16–18 Oct | 1,057 |
| Park Hyatt, Saadiyat Island | 2–4 Oct | 1,671 |
In Dubai, resident offers from Sofitel The Palm (from AED 549, breakfast and upgrade) and Shangri-La (from AED 570, breakfast) ran until 30 September. Look out for their replacements.
The weather turns in October, which opens up the mountains and the east coast. Fuel for the round trip at September's Special 95 price, for a car using 10 litres per 100 km (a typical mid-size SUV uses 11–13).
Evening flights out on Friday 27 November will be the most expensive of the break. Leaving on Saturday morning usually costs less. Popular short hops are Tbilisi (visa-free for most western passports), Baku and Istanbul. Check whether your passport needs an e-visa for the last two.
From October we will check the same five routes from DXB and AUH every Monday at the same time, so you can see whether prices are rising or falling before you book.
The best free and paid picks for the last weekend of September are rounded up by Time Out and What's On. From October we'll pick three per weekend with the real cost for a family of four: tickets, parking and a meal.
One email a week: what went up, what went down, and one way to save before the weekend. Free.