Which place is cheaper, Aswan 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.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Aswan?
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 Aswan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Aswan?
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.
Aswan
Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best 10-Day Tours in Egypt, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesAswan Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Aswan $27
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Aswan is $27. 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 Aswan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Aswan $8.97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Aswan $18
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Aswan
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Aswan? 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 Aswan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Aswan $4.92
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
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Car Rental$31
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Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Private One-way Abu Dhabi Transfer To Abu Dhabi Airport: $28
- Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $31
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Any Hotel in UAE: $33
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Private UAE Transfer from Airport Hotel and Intercity Transfers: $36
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Cruise Port to Abu Dhabi Hotels: $37
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi hotels to Abu Dhabi Cruise Port: $37
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Port: $37
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Port to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $37
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Cruise Port to Dubai hotels: $38
- Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Port: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:
- Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
- Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $8.00
- Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $10
- Private Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $11
- Shared Transfer: Aswan Airport to Hotels: $15
- Private Transfer From Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel: $15
- Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Anywhere in Aswan: $15
- Private Transfer Service From Aswan Airport to anywhere in Aswan: $16
- Aswan Airport VIP Transfer – Private,Comfortable &On-Time Service: $18
- Private Transfer from / to aswan airport: $19
- Aswan airport transfer: $21
- Private transfer from/to Aswan train station: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Aswan?
Prices for flights to both Aswan 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
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Food Meals for one dayAbu Dhabi $78Aswan $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- VIP Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Camel Ride BBQ Dinner: $28
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Dinner: $37
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Red Dunes 4x4 Pick Drop Dinner Shows: $39
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner & Live Show: $39
- Abu Dhabi Sunset Desert Safari With Dinner And 5 Live Shows: $43
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $50
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Live Entertainment and BBQ Dinner: $52
- Experience Abu Dhabi Yas Island by Dhow Cruise at Sea with Dinner: $55
- Luxury Dhow Dinner Cruise Abu Dhabi Yas Island: $56
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Sandboarding, Camel Ride & Dinner: $68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.
- Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
- Night Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $42
- Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $51
- Private Evening Dinner Cruise in Cairo: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Aswan $8.44
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Qasr Al Watan Entry Tickets: $13
- Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Non prime: $15
- Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
- Qasr Al Watan Entry Ticket in Abu Dhabi: $16
- Skip the Line Ticket to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Entry Ticket: $18
- Abu Dhabi Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big UAE Quiz (1 Day Pass): $21
- Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi Ticket Deals: $21
- Tickets To louvre Museum Abu Dhabi: $21
- Abu Dhabi city tour Half day from Abu Dhabi: $22
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:
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Temple Kom Ombo for Two$1.09
Tours and Activities in Aswan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:
- Podcast Tour Aswan Drowned Histories and Living Shores: $5.47
- Private Shopping tour in Aswan Bazzars: $8.00
- Private shopping tour in Aswan bazzars: $8.00
- Adventure Felucca Ride in Aswan ( Private boat ): $17
- Felucca Nile Cruise in Aswan: $20
- Aswan Tour, Philae Temple and High Dam: $21
- Authentic Nubian Village Tour with a Female Local Guide: $23
- Aswan to Abu Simbel Temple (Day Tour): $25
- Shared Half-Day Tour to the Nubian Village: $25
- 3 or 2 or 1 Nights Mighty Nile Felucca Adventure: $25
- Aswan Highlights Tour Philae Temple High Dam Unfinished Obelisk: $25
- Private Tour Sail on the Nile Aswan Felucca Ride: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Aswan $0.96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Aswan, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Aswan 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 Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan 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 Aswan.
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 Aswan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Aswan?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Aswan, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.