If you’re planning a week‑long stay on Airbnb, the first question on everyone’s mind is the price. The short answer is: it varies a lot, but you can pin down a realistic budget in just a few minutes. Below we break down the main cost drivers – nightly rates, service fees, cleaning fees, taxes – and give you practical tricks to keep the total down.
Airbnb hosts set a nightly price based on location, size, amenities and local demand. In popular hubs like Dubai, a modest studio can start at 250 AED per night, while a luxury beachfront villa may run past 2,000 AED. For a week, most travelers land in the 1,500‑3,500 AED range once you factor in a modest discount most hosts offer for stays of 7+ nights. Check the calendar view on the listing – many hosts display a weekly discount percentage directly under the nightly price.
Airbnb adds a 5‑15% service fee that covers payment processing and customer support. Cleaning fees are a flat charge set by the host – expect anywhere from 100 AED for a small apartment to 500 AED for a larger property. Local tourism taxes are often collected at checkout; in the UAE they sit around 5% of the subtotal. Add these up and you’ll see the final bill is usually 10‑20% higher than the advertised nightly total.
To avoid surprises, always scroll to the “Price details” section before you hit ‘Book’. That breakdown shows exactly how much you’ll pay for each component, so you can compare listings on a level playing field.
Now that you know the pieces, here are three quick ways to shave off extra costs:
Want a fast estimate? Take the nightly price you like, multiply by 7, add a 12% service fee, a 200 AED cleaning fee, and 5% tax. That gives you a ballpark figure you can compare across listings in seconds.
Bottom line: a week in an Airbnb can be affordable if you focus on the total cost, not just the nightly rate. Use the tips above, run the quick estimator, and you’ll lock in a price that fits your budget while still enjoying the comfort of a home‑away‑from‑home.
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