Travel agents state that it is economical to stay in Dubai and watch the FIFA World Cup matches in Qatar. Due to the exorbitant hotel rates in Qatar, it is more economical for foreigners to stay in Dubai and fly to Doha to watch the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Hotels in Qatar are more expensive than in Dubai. Also, foreigners have many options to choose a hotel in Dubai.
A return Dubai-Doha ticket on a budget carrier, including a transfer to the stadium for football fans from Doha Airport, costs less than $1,000 (Dh3,670).
UAE and Qatar airlines plan to operate 30 daily flights between the two Gulf countries to transport football fans to the mega event.
Watching matches in Qatar costs an average of $2,000 (Dh7,340). But for those arriving in Qatar from Dubai, it's about $1,670 (Dh6,130) to be spent.
A high-end hotel costs at least 5,000-6,000 dirhams ($1,360-$1,635) per night in Qatar, and a match ticket costs around 500 dirhams (1,835 dirhams), with a day of watching the match costing up to 7,835 dirhams. But, hotel rates start from Dh300 in hotels in Deira and Bur Dubai and go up to Dh1,300 in a good quality hotel in Dubai during the World Cup.
Travel agents say the maximum cost is Dh6,130, including a Dh3,000 Dubai-Doha ticket and Dh1,835 for a match ticket.