Quick Answer: A hot desk gives you any free seat during business hours; a dedicated desk is yours alone, with 24/7 access and space to leave your things. At Jetset in Business Bay, a day pass is AED 80, a hot desk is AED 1,800 a month or AED 18,000 a year, and a dedicated desk is AED 2,400 a month or AED 24,000 a year, before 5% VAT. If you come in most working days, the monthly plans cost less than day passes; if you need evening access or a fixed setup, the dedicated desk is worth the extra AED 600 a month.
Coworking prices in Dubai are hard to compare because providers bundle different things. One "desk" includes meeting rooms, another charges for coffee, a third limits your hours. This guide sets out what each plan means, what it costs at our floor in Prime Tower, and how to decide.
Hot desk and dedicated desk: the definitions
- Hot desk. You take any available seat when you arrive. Your access follows business hours. It suits people who come in on varying days and carry their laptop with them.
- Dedicated desk. A permanently assigned, lockable desk. You keep your monitor, files and chair settings. At Jetset it comes with 24/7 access, meeting-room credits and a Business Bay mailing address.
- Day pass. One day, any open desk, during business hours. A good way to try a space before committing.
Reception is staffed Monday to Friday 9:00 to 20:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 18:00. Round-the-clock access is for private offices and dedicated desks only.
Day pass vs monthly: AED 80 to AED 1,800
Here are our prices, before 5% VAT:
- Day pass: AED 80 a day.
- Hot desk: AED 1,800 a month, or AED 18,000 a year.
- Dedicated desk: AED 2,400 a month, or AED 24,000 a year.
- Team coworking: AED 2,400 per desk a month.
A few sums help:
- Day passes vs a hot desk. AED 1,800 divided by AED 80 is 22.5. If you come in more than about 22 days a month, the monthly hot desk is cheaper. At 10 days a month, day passes cost AED 800 and win easily.
- Annual vs monthly. A yearly hot desk works out at AED 1,500 a month, and a yearly dedicated desk at AED 2,000 a month. If you know you’ll stay, the annual term saves AED 3,600 or AED 4,800 a year.
- Hot vs dedicated. The difference is AED 600 a month on monthly terms, or AED 500 on annual terms. That buys you a fixed seat, storage and access outside business hours.
See all plans on our coworking space in Business Bay page or the pricing page.
Business Bay vs DIFC vs JLT
These three districts all have coworking, and all sit on the Red Line metro. Prices and inclusions vary widely by operator, so compare like for like rather than by area alone:
- Business Bay is central, between Downtown and the Dubai Canal. Prime Tower is a 4-minute walk from Business Bay Metro and a 10-minute walk from the Burj Khalifa.
- DIFC is the financial centre, one metro stop beyond Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. It suits firms whose clients are there, and those licensed in DIFC. Prime Tower is an 8-minute drive away.
- JLT is further along the Red Line towards Dubai Marina. It is convenient if you live in the new Dubai side of the city.
When you compare, ask each provider the same questions: access hours, whether coffee and meeting rooms are included, whether the address can be used on your licence, and the notice period.
What’s included in each plan
Hot desk at Jetset:
- Any available seat during business hours
- Coffee and refreshments
- Lounge, café and community events
- Monthly rolling or annual terms
Dedicated desk at Jetset adds:
- A permanently assigned, lockable desk
- 24/7 access
- Meeting-room credits
- A Business Bay mailing address
Neither desk plan includes Ejari for a trade licence on its own. If you need one, add our virtual office with Ejari. Meeting rooms can be booked by anyone from AED 200 an hour; see meeting rooms by the hour.
For a wider look at what you pay for in a shared workspace, read our guide to shared office space in Dubai.
When to upgrade
From day passes to a hot desk
When you are coming in more than about 22 days a month, or you want the flexibility of dropping in without paying each time.
From a hot desk to a dedicated desk
When you work early mornings, evenings or weekends, need a second screen or files on site, or want the same seat every day.
From a dedicated desk to a private office
When you are on calls most of the day, handle confidential work, see clients in person, or hire your second or third person. Private offices start at AED 50,000 a year for up to six people, with Ejari, two complimentary meeting-room hours a day and 24/7 access included. Two dedicated desks on annual terms cost AED 48,000 a year, so for a pair the private office is close in price and gives you a door.
You can move between plans at Jetset without changing address, so start with what you need now.
Five questions to decide
- How many days a month will you come in? Fewer than about 22, start with day passes. More, take a monthly plan.
- Do you work outside business hours? If yes, only a dedicated desk or private office gives you 24/7 access.
- Do you leave equipment behind? A second screen, files or samples need an assigned, lockable desk.
- Do you need an address for your licence? Add the virtual office with Ejari to either desk.
- How long will you stay? Twelve months or more, the annual term is cheaper on both desk plans.
Getting there
If you commute by metro, the station matters as much as the price. Prime Tower is a 4-minute walk from Business Bay station on the Red Line, one stop from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall and two from Financial Centre for DIFC (RTA metro station map). If you drive, in-tower parking is available separately at AED 4,800 a year. A day pass is the easiest way to test the commute before you sign up for a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) How much is a hot desk in Dubai?
At Jetset in Business Bay, a hot desk is AED 1,800 a month or AED 18,000 a year, and a day pass is AED 80, before 5% VAT. Prices elsewhere vary by operator and inclusions.
(2) What is the difference between a hot desk and a dedicated desk?
A hot desk is any free seat during business hours. A dedicated desk is your own lockable desk with 24/7 access, meeting-room credits and a Business Bay mailing address.
(3) Can I get 24/7 access with a hot desk?
No. At Jetset, 24/7 access is for dedicated desks and private offices. Hot desks and day passes follow reception hours.
(4) Can I use a coworking desk for my trade licence?
A desk on its own doesn’t include Ejari at Jetset. Add the Virtual Office & Ejari package if you need a registered address for your licence.
