Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Budapest?
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 Budapest can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Budapest?
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.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Budapest $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Budapest is $91. 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 Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Budapest $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Budapest $100
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Budapest? 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 Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Budapest $11
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:
- Skydive in Abu Dhabi | Tandem Skydive with transfer: $817
- Private Transfer from Qasr Al Sarab to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Fujairah: $274
- Private Transfer from Jebel Dhanna Resort to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Talal Liwa: $274
- Private Transfer from Talal Liwa to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $274
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Jebel Dhanna Resort: $274
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Abu Dhabi Helicopter Ride with optional Private Transfers: $222
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $212
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Luxury Van: $202
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride$7.05
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Metro Pass$3.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer: $13
- Budapest One Way Private Transfer to or from Airport: $14
- Premier Outlet Shopping Transfer from City Center: $16
- One way private transfer from Budapest hotels to Budapest cruise ports: $26
- Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by car or van: $34
- Transfer from Liszt Ferenc Airport to Hotel: $38
- Hotel to Liszt Ferenc Airport departure Transfer: $38
- Budapest Airport transfer from City Center to Liszt Ferenc Airport: $39
- Budapest Airport transfer from Liszt Ferenc International Airport to City Centre: $39
- Private Transfer: Budapest to Budapest International Airport (BUD): $44
- Euroring Old Timer Museum Ticket & Hotel Transfers: $44
- Transfer to/from Budapest Airport: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest 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 $45Budapest $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai: Dhow Cruise Marina Multi Cusine Dinner & Tanura Show: $35
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $42
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $45
- Dubai Best Dhow Cruise Dinner Marina: $46
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $49
- Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $50
- Desert Tour with BBQ Dinner and Hotel Transfer: $51
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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Lunch$3.44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $45
- Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $46
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $52
- Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $53
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $57
- Private Street Food Tour: $59
- Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $74
- Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
- Chefparade Cooking School_ Hungarian menu: $79
- Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $86
- Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
- Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Budapest $22
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Full Day City Tour : $100
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entrance Ticket: $41
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $234
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 Hour Ticket/Pass For Yas Water World In Dubai.: $103
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $32
- Abu Dhabi 4G & 5G Data Roaming for Tourist: $11
- Abu Dhabi : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide: $43
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $186
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance to the Baths for Two$6.91
Tours and Activities in Budapest
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.26
- Guided Tour in Budapest Castle District: $3.28
- Welcome to Budapest Walking Tour: $3.28
- Original Budapest Walking Tour: $3.28
- Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.28
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.92
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.92
- Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Discovering Budapest's hot pools and heroes: a self-guided audio tour: $5.99
- TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Budapest $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $22
- The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $22
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
- Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
- 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting in a Cozy Downtown Wine Bar: $39
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Private Wine Tasting in Budapest: $50
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Budapest, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Budapest is in Europe, 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 Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest 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 Budapest.
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 Budapest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Budapest?
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Budapest, 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 Budapest?
Budapest has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Abu Dhabi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Budapest in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Budapest. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.
The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Budapest. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Budapest averages at about 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Budapest. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the summer, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Budapest. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Budapest 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Budapest in the Autumn?
Both Budapest and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Budapest. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Budapest in the Winter?
Both Budapest and Abu Dhabi during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Budapest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Budapest can get quite cold in the winter. Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Budapest in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Budapest. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Budapest -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Budapest in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Budapest. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Budapest for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Budapest. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Budapest. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Budapest and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Budapest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 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.