Jazmin Li
Dubai has strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol, with only two retail chains officially allowed to sell alcohol by law. Tourists can buy alcohol at the Duty-Free section of the airport, which is often considered the cheapest place to buy alcohol in Dubai. This article will explore whether liquor is cheaper at Dubai Airport compared to other places in the city and internationally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Liquor cheaper in Dubai airport than in the city | Yes |
| Liquor cheaper in Dubai airport than in the UK | Yes |
| Liquor cheaper in Dubai airport than in Australia | Yes |
| Liquor cheaper in Dubai airport than in Istanbul | No |
| Liquor cheaper in Dubai airport than in America | No |
| Liquor cheaper in Dubai airport than in Newcastle | Yes |
| Dubai liquor duty-free allowance | 4 litres per person |
| Liquor cheaper in Carrefour than in Dubai airport | No |
| Tax on alcohol in Dubai | 30% (planned removal) |
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What You'll Learn
Tourists can buy liquor at Dubai Duty-Free without a license
Dubai has strict laws regarding the consumption and purchase of alcohol. Non-Muslim residents and tourists are allowed to drink alcohol only in designated areas, such as licensed restaurants, bars, and certain hotels. It is illegal to drink in public, be intoxicated in public, or drink and drive. To buy alcohol in Dubai, one must be at least 21 years old and purchase it from licensed liquor stores or duty-free shops.
Previously, only residents of Dubai with a special red pass could buy alcohol in the city. However, since December 2020, tourists can purchase alcohol from specific stores, including Mercantile and Marketing International (MMI) and the city's African + Eastern liquor stores, without an alcohol license. This license is only issued to UAE residents. Tourists can apply for a free permit upon arrival in Dubai or at an African + Eastern store, which is required to buy alcohol in Dubai's stores. The permit is valid for 30 days and can be extended if needed.
At the Dubai airport, arriving passengers can buy alcohol at the duty-free shops located next to the baggage belts in the arrival hall. The limit for alcohol purchases per person is four litres, which can include four one-litre bottles of spirits, five 75cl bottles of wine, or a combination of wine and spirits not exceeding four litres. Alternatively, one can purchase 48 cans of 335ml beer. It is essential to have your boarding pass handy at the checkout. These purchases can be consumed in your hotel room or taken through the country without any issues.
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Dubai liquor is cheaper than the UK but pricier than Australia
Dubai's liquor prices are generally cheaper than in the UK but pricier than in Australia. For instance, a litre bottle of Smirnoff Vodka in Newcastle, UK, Duty-Free is just over £8, whereas in Dubai, it is cheaper at £7.20 per litre. In contrast, a litre of spirits in Australia is more expensive at £15 per bottle.
Dubai's duty-free shops offer a wide range of alcoholic beverages at reasonable prices. The Dubai Duty-Free Liquor Price List for 2024 shows that a bottle of Monkey Shoulder costs 195 dirhams, while a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label is 162 dirhams, and Bushmills is 120 dirhams. These prices are significantly lower than those in the UK, where a bottle of spirits can cost up to £15 more.
Additionally, Dubai has recently relaxed its rules regarding alcohol sales, allowing tourists over 21 to purchase alcohol without an alcohol license from select stores. This change in legislation has made alcohol more accessible and affordable for visitors, as they no longer need to rely solely on duty-free shops or expensive hotel drinks. However, it is important to note that drinking alcohol in public places or while wandering through Dubai is prohibited. Alcohol consumption is generally restricted to hotel rooms, bars, and restaurants, where prices can be very high.
When comparing alcohol prices in Dubai with those in the UK and Australia, it is essential to consider the different measures and allowances in each country. In Dubai, the standard allowance is four litres of alcoholic beverages per person, which can be a combination of wine, spirits, or beer. In contrast, the UK allows only one litre of spirits, and Australia has strict rules against bringing duty-free alcohol into the country. Therefore, while Dubai's liquor prices may be lower than those in the UK, the overall cost and experience of consuming alcohol in Dubai can vary significantly depending on individual preferences, consumption patterns, and compliance with local regulations.
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Dubai liquor is cheaper at the airport than in the city
Dubai has strict laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is not available in supermarkets and shops in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. The only places to buy alcohol in the city are the two retail chains, Mercantile and Marketing International (MMI) and African + Eastern. Previously, only residents with a special red pass or "alcohol license" could buy alcohol in these stores, but since December 2020, tourists have also been able to purchase alcohol from these stores.
However, tourists must be over the age of 21 and non-Muslim, and they need to apply for a permit, free of charge, either upon arrival in Dubai or at an African + Eastern store. This permit is valid for 30 days and can be extended for longer stays.
Given these restrictions, it is much cheaper to buy liquor at Dubai Airport than in the city. At the airport, you can buy alcohol at the Duty-Free shops without needing a license. The price of a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label at Dubai Airport, for example, is 162 dirhams, whereas a glass of alcohol in a bar in Dubai can cost 200 dirhams.
One source notes that alcohol at Dubai Airport is much cheaper than UK Duty-Free, with an offer of buying two bottles and getting one free for certain spirits, totalling £24.00 for three litre bottles, or £8.00 per litre. Another source notes that a litre bottle of Smirnoff Vodka at Dubai Airport was just over £8, which was cheaper than at Newcastle Duty-Free.
Therefore, if you are planning to consume alcohol in Dubai, it is best to buy your alcoholic beverages at the airport.
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Dubai liquor laws have relaxed since December 2020
Dubai's reputation as a party city with fantastic boozy brunches precedes it. However, it is important to remember that the emirate operates under Sharia law, and alcohol is essentially illegal. That said, there are plenty of bars and restaurants serving alcohol, and the emirate has become known for its boozy brunches.
Despite the recent changes, it is important to remember that each emirate operates under slightly different rules. For example, the emirate of Sharjah has always been a 'dry' emirate, with no alcohol served even in international hotels. In contrast, in the emirate of Ajman, expatriates have never needed a permit to buy alcohol.
The cost of alcohol in Dubai varies depending on where you buy it. Alcohol is generally more expensive in Dubai than in many other places, but new tax laws have made it somewhat cheaper. A beer can cost between AED 30 and AED 50 in bars and restaurants, while a bottle of wine might cost between AED 100 and AED 300. Liquor stores are cheaper, so they are recommended for buying in bulk. The price of alcohol is influenced by factors such as import duties, venue markups, and the type of place. High-end hotels and exclusive clubs charge more, while local bars and restaurants are usually cheaper.
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Dubai liquor is cheaper at Carrefour than most places
Dubai is a modern and fast-growing city that accommodates people of different nationalities from all over the world. Drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam, and in the United Arab Emirates, 74% of the population is Muslim. This means that even though alcohol is widely available in Dubai, drinking is not a generally accepted cultural norm, and there are some restrictions in place.
Firstly, in Dubai, you have to be at least 21 years old to purchase and consume alcohol. Secondly, alcohol is not available in supermarkets. It can only be sold in dedicated facilities, including special liquor shops such as the MMI (Maritime and Mercantile International) or African+Eastern chains, and bars and restaurants with a liquor licence.
Alcohol in Dubai is generally quite expensive. The average price for a drink at a bar in Dubai is 45 AED, and you can expect to pay around 8 to 10 dollars for a glass of beer and 10 dollars for a glass of wine. However, alcohol in the city is more expensive than at Dubai Airport, where you can buy a bottle of alcohol for the same price as a glass in a bar.
The Carrefour hypermarket has been described as one of the cheapest places to buy alcohol in Dubai, with prices similar to those at the airport. There are six Carrefour supermarkets in Dubai, including in the Mall of the Emirates and the Deira City Center shopping center.
In addition to Carrefour, there are also various smaller supermarkets in Dubai, as well as clubs, cafes, and restaurants with alcohol licenses where you can purchase alcohol. It is worth noting that alcohol prices in Dubai may vary throughout the year, and that duty-free alcohol prices at the airport may be subject to change depending on customs regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, liquor is cheaper at Dubai Airport than in the city. Alcohol licences are only available to residents, so tourists should buy alcohol at the Duty-Free section of the airport.
Tourists may buy up to 4 litres of alcohol per person at Dubai Airport. This can include 4 x 1-litre bottles of spirits, 5 x 75cl bottles of wine, or a combination of wine and spirits not exceeding 4 litres.
Since December 2020, tourists over the age of 21 have been able to buy alcohol from Mercantile and Marketing International (MMI) or the city's African + Eastern liquor stores. Previously, only residents with a special red pass could buy alcohol in Dubai.
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