Should I Visit Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Antananarivo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Abu Dhabi

It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.

Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.

Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Madagascar.

Which place is cheaper, Antananarivo or Abu Dhabi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE Prices

Antananarivo Prices
Madagascar Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Abu Dhabi $197

Antananarivo $86

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Antananarivo is $86. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Abu Dhabi and Antananarivo in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Abu Dhabi $98

Antananarivo $28
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Abu Dhabi $196

Antananarivo $56

Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Antananarivo

Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.

Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Antananarivo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Abu Dhabi $20

Antananarivo $13

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:

Car Rental

$31
Taxi to Airport

$14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:

Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer (Within Abu Dhabi Only): $19
Private One-way Abu Dhabi Transfer To Abu Dhabi Airport: $25
Abu Dhabi Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Any Hotel in UAE: $27
Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $27
Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $28
Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport(AUH) to Abu Dhabi City Center: $28
Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket with Transfers Option: $33
Arrival Transfer Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Abu Dhabi by Car or SUV: $40
Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers: $40
Private Transfer Service from Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai Hotels: $41
Kidzania Abu Dhabi with Optional Private Transfer: $50
Private One-way Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To Abu Dhabi: $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

Cheap Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in Antananarivo: $16
Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $50
Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Prices for flights to both Antananarivo and Abu Dhabi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.

Food

Food Meals for one day

Abu Dhabi $78

Antananarivo $46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $25
Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $41
Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $49
Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner : $65
Grand Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Festival with Dinner: $65
Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
Desert Safari Adventure With Dinner In Dubai: $95
Desert Safari with Sheikh Zayed Festival & Dinner: $95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.

Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Abu Dhabi $39

Antananarivo $22

Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:

Qasr Al Hosn Entry Ticket: $8.17
Qasr Al Hosn Skip the Line Tickets: $13
Qasar Al Hosn Abu Dhabi Entry Tickets: $13
Louvre Join an Express Guided Tour: $14
Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace Abu Dhabi Ticket: $15
Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket: $16
Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $16
Tickets to Qasr Al Watan & Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi: $17
Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket: $17
Skip the Line Ticket to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi : $17

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:

Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $23
Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $34
Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $61
4-Hours Night Tour of Antananarivo: $106
Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $131
Day - Tour Ampefy: $138
Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
Hitory & Lemur Discovery Tour of Antananarivo: $160
Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $194
Madagascar: Customizable Tour with Car Rental Antananarivo: $205

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Abu Dhabi $13

Antananarivo $8.93

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Antananarivo, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Antananarivo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Antananarivo is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Antananarivo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antananarivo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Antananarivo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Antananarivo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Antananarivo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Antananarivo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Abu Dhabi vs. Antananarivo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Abu Dhabi

Antananarivo

Which place is cheaper, Antananarivo or Abu Dhabi?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Antananarivo

Local Transportation

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Related Articles for Abu Dhabi

Related Articles for Antananarivo

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Abu Dhabi vs. Antananarivo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Abu Dhabi

Antananarivo

Which place is cheaper, Antananarivo or Abu Dhabi?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Antananarivo

Local Transportation

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

Alcohol

Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Antananarivo?

Related Articles for Abu Dhabi

Related Articles for Antananarivo

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