Which place is cheaper, Bangkok 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 Bangkok?
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 Bangkok can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Bangkok?
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.
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesBangkok Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Bangkok $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Bangkok is $102. 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 Bangkok in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Bangkok $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Bangkok $98
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Bangkok
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Bangkok? 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 Bangkok Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Bangkok $6.36
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:
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi City/Hotels: $58
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $280
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $30
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To or From Anywhere within Abu Dhabi: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers : Airport AUH to Abu Dhabi City by Luxury Van: $101
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: Modern & Cultural Highlights with Transfers: $108
- Abu Dhabi Combo Ticket: Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld with transfers: $195
- Abu Dhabi Top 15 Must-See Highlights Tour with Private Transfers: $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.43
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Skytrain Ticket$4.86
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.97
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Ferry Ride$0.79
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Taxi From Airport$7.60
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Short Taxi Ride$2.74
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Boat Taxi$1.52
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Trains to airport$4.86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Museum of Contemporary Art Moca Bangkok Entry Ticket and transfer: $14
- Suvarnabhumi BKK Airport Private Transfer to/from Bangkok/Pattaya: $15
- Suvarnabhumi BKK Airport Private Transfer to City Center: $15
- Private Departure Transfer : Bangkok Hotel to BKK/DMK airport: $15
- Arrival Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok Hotel: $15
- Bangkok Ancient City Admission Ticket With Optional Transfers: $15
- Private Transfer from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK): $15
- BKK Airport Private Transfer to Bangkok Hotel (Toll Included): $17
- Private transfer from Hotel in Bangkok to BKK Airport: $17
- Transfer Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) to Bangkok City Center: $19
- Shared Airport Transfer: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Bangkok Hotel: $19
- Bangkok Airport(BKK) to Bangkok hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Bangkok?
Prices for flights to both Bangkok 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 $78Bangkok $35
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 with Red Dunes 4x4 Pick Drop Dinner Shows: $43
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows & BBQ Buffet Dinner: $50
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Camel Ride and Live Shows: $56
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
- Lunch Or Dinner at Emirates Palace - Ultimate Luxury Experience: $64
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
- Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $69
- Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Live Shows, and BBQ Dinner: $69
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Shows: $71
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $71
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and Shows: $73
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$27
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.08
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.37
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.91
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.08
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Pad Thai$2.13
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Buffet Dinner or Lunch: $24
- Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $27
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $28
- Chao Phraya River Meridian Dinner Buffet Cruise Tour: $28
- Chao Phraya Princess Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $29
- Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok's Old Town with Market Tour: $30
- Alangka Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $30
- Bangkok Sunset or Evening Dinner Cruise (The Planet Cruise): $30
- Smile Riverside Cruise Luxury Buffet Dinner from Bangkok: $31
- Pink Chili - Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Bangkok: $31
- Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $31
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Bangkok $17
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Non prime: $15
- Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
- Qasr Al Watan Entry Tickets: $16
- Skip the Line Ticket to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Entrance Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Ticket Pass in Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace: $19
- Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $20
- Zayed National Museum Abu Dhabi - Ticket: $22
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket: $22
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entry Ticket with Optional Transportation: $23
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.86
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.52
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.08
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Club Cover Charge$11
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$73
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Fish Pedicure$4.56
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.04
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.00
- Bangkok Chinatown Eats: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $6.99
- Bangkok's Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl.): $6.99
- Chinatown & Golden Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl): $6.99
- Bangkok's Wireless Road: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Space and Time Cube Tickets in Bangkok: $9.40
- Erawan Museum Ticket (NON THAI): $10
- Bangkok Erawan Museum Ticket (NON-THAI): $10
- Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour: $11
- Ancient City Admission Ticket(Non-Thai only)-Bangkok: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Bangkok $5.55
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- GoGo Bar Crawl With Party Vehicle and Party Guide: $63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Bangkok is in Asia, 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 Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Bangkok.
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 Bangkok Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Bangkok?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Bangkok, 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.
When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi or Bangkok?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Bangkok in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Bangkok. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Bangkok. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Bangkok during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Bangkok receives 176 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Bangkok in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Bangkok fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Bangkok 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Bangkok in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Bangkok. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year.
Also, November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. May to October in Bangkok is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Bangkok. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Bangkok. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the autumn, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Bangkok. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bangkok receives 206 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Bangkok. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Bangkok averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Bangkok 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Bangkok in the Winter?
Both Bangkok and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Bangkok is November to February. In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives more rain than Bangkok. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Bangkok. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bangkok during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Bangkok receives 276 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Abu Dhabi is generally cooler than Bangkok. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and Bangkok fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Bangkok 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Bangkok in the Spring?
Both Bangkok and Abu Dhabi during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round.
May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Bangkok. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Bangkok receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Bangkok, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the spring, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Bangkok. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bangkok receives 262 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi is cooler than Bangkok in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Bangkok fluctuates around 31°C (87°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Bangkok 31°C (87°F)
Typical Weather for Bangkok and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Bangkok | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.