An interpreter's cost in Dubai comes down to four things: the mode, how long you need them, the language pair, and whether the session needs equipment. Arkan Interpreters & Translators quotes once we have seen those details, because two bookings that sound alike can need very different arrangements.
This guide explains what moves the price, how interpreting quotes are usually structured, and what to send so the first quote you get is the right one. For the services themselves, see interpretation services in Dubai.
What affects interpreter rates in Dubai?
Start with the mode. It decides how many people work, whether equipment is involved and how long the session runs.
Then the language pair. Arabic and English interpreters are easier to schedule than rarer combinations. We work in Arabic, English and other language pairs; tell us the pair and we confirm availability.
Subject matter counts too. A court hearing, a hospital consultation or an engineering review each has its own vocabulary, and the interpreter prepares for it before the day. That preparation is part of the work you are paying for.
Location and timing finish the picture. A meeting in Dubai, a site visit in another emirate and an assignment in Saudi Arabia are different jobs. So are a booking made weeks ahead and one made the night before, or a session that runs into the evening or weekend.
Do interpreters charge per hour or per day?
Arkan books interpreters by the half day or full day, and that minimum applies even if your session turns out shorter. The reason is practical: an interpreter who travels to your venue and prepares for your subject cannot take another assignment in that slot.
So when you compare an hourly price with a daily one, look at what each actually covers. Check the minimum booked time, whether preparation is included, and how time beyond the agreed finish is handled. Your quote from Arkan states the booking period and the agreed start and end time. If the session runs past that, overtime is billed per extra hour at the rate given in your quote.
Is simultaneous interpretation more expensive than consecutive?
Usually, yes. The difference is staffing and equipment, not the skill of one interpreter versus another.
In consecutive interpretation, the speaker pauses and the interpreter renders each passage. One interpreter can often cover it and no booth is needed. The trade-off is time: every point is said twice, so the agenda runs longer. If you are comparing consecutive interpretation rates, build that extra time into your programme.
Simultaneous interpretation happens in real time while the speaker keeps talking. It is demanding enough that Arkan assigns two interpreters, who take turns at set intervals so concentration does not drop. We do the same for long interpreting days in any mode. It also needs booths or portable headsets and someone to run them. Both add to the total.
Whispered interpretation sits in between. The interpreter speaks quietly beside one or two listeners, with no booth. It works well in a small meeting and badly in a large room.
Do I pay for interpretation equipment separately?
Yes. Arkan quotes equipment and a technician separately from the interpreter fee. What you need depends on the venue and the audience: a booth for a conference hall, receivers and headsets for listeners, and technical support during the session.
If the venue already has a system, say so and describe it. That can change what needs to be supplied.
Is remote interpretation cheaper?
It can be, mainly because there is no travel. The interpreting and the preparation are the same work whether the interpreter is in the room or on a video call.
Remote is a good fit for short calls and online meetings. It is a weaker fit when sound quality is unreliable or when the setting expects people to be physically present. For a court hearing or a medical appointment, check the current requirement with the court or facility before you choose a remote format.
What about travel outside Dubai?
For on-site assignments outside Dubai, including Saudi Arabia, Arkan bills travel and, where required, accommodation on top of the interpreting fee. Send the city, venue and full timetable so these can be planned with the interpreting itself.
How is an interpreting quote put together?
A clear quote separates the parts, so you can see what you are paying for and compare like with like.
| Part of the quote | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Interpreter time | The booked period, with agreed start and end times |
| Mode and language pair | The format requested and the languages, checked against availability |
| Preparation | Reviewing the subject, agenda and terminology before the day |
| Interpreter team | Two interpreters for simultaneous sessions and long days; otherwise as the mode requires |
| Equipment and technician | Quoted separately: booths, receivers, headsets and technical support, where needed |
| Travel | Billed for work outside Dubai, including Saudi Arabia, with accommodation where required |
| Overtime and cancellation | Overtime per extra hour at the quoted rate; cancellation terms and notice period |
A low figure that covers interpreter time alone is not the same offer as a total that includes equipment and travel. Read the scope before the price.
Every Arkan quote states the cancellation terms and the notice period that applies. Read that section before you book, not after.
What should I send to get an accurate quote?
Send everything in one message. Mark anything still provisional.
- The date, and the planned start and end time
- The venue, or whether the session is remote
- Both languages
- The mode, if you know it; if not, describe who will speak and who needs to listen
- How many people need interpretation
- The subject and the setting: court, medical, conference or business meeting
- Agendas, slides, speaker names or glossaries
- Any equipment already arranged, and any travel outside Dubai
We review the request, then confirm the quote and the interpreter arrangement before anything is booked.
How can I keep the cost down without cutting quality?
Send preparation material early. An interpreter who has the slides well ahead works faster on the day.
Pick the mode for the room, not the habit. A small negotiation round a table rarely needs booths.
Group related sessions into one booking where the timetable allows, rather than booking several separate slots.
Use remote interpretation where the setting allows it.
What not to cut: the interpreter team a long simultaneous session needs, or the preparation time on technical, legal or medical content. Those are where quality is decided.
Need help working out what to ask for? Contact the office with whatever details you have. If you need a document translated rather than speech interpreted, see written legal translation.