Which place is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Chiang Mai?
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 Chiang Mai can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Chiang Mai?
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.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Chiang Mai $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Chiang Mai is $45. 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 Chiang Mai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Chiang Mai $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Chiang Mai $52
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Chiang Mai
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Chiang Mai? 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 Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Chiang Mai $3.63
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
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Tickets with Private Transfers: $289
- Private Transfer from Talal Liwa to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $273
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Ras Al Khiamah: $273
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Qasr Al Sarab: $273
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Fujairah: $273
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Talal Liwa: $273
- Private Transfer from Qasr Al Sarab to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $273
- Private Transfer from Jebel Dhanna Resort to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $273
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Jebel Dhanna Resort: $273
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Ferrari World Theme Park and Seaworld Park Ticket with Transfer: $250
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.09
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Moped Rental$4.91
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Chiang Mai HTL-APT(CNX): $5.30
- Try find your better than us!Airport transfer service in Chiang Mai APT-HTL(CNX): $5.30
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer to Hotel Or From Hotel To Airport : $5.41
- Chiang Mai Private Car :Airport To Hotel transfer (one way) : $7.47
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Private Transfer: $8.00
- Private Airport Transfer in Chiang Mai to/from Chiangmai Town: $8.87
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Departure Transfers: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Chiang Mai Airport (CNX): One-Way Private Transfer: $12
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $13
- Chiang Mai Shared Arrival or Departure Transfer: $14
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Arrival Shared Transfer: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Chiang Mai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Mai 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 $45Chiang Mai $10
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
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $48
- 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
- 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 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.32
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.65
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Casual Breakfast$1.09
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.46
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Mangoes$0.82
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Coffee$1.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $11
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $11
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $19
- Khantoke Dinner with Traditional Performance: $22
- Morning Cooking Class in Organic Garden | Chiang Mai: $22
- Afternoon Cooking Class in Organic Garden in Chiang Mai: $22
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $22
- Evening Cooking Class and Local Market Visit: $24
- Cooking Class, Market and Thai Herbs Garden Tour: $24
- Private Virtual Thai Cooking Class: $25
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Yummy Tasty Thai Cooking School: $25
- Authentic Easy Thai Recipes for Home-Style Cooking Half Day AM: $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Chiang Mai $13
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
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- 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
- 8 hours Private Tour: Ferrari World and Louvre Museum with Pickup: $270
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$35
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.64
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Kratong Lessons$2.73
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Pedicure$4.09
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$4.91
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Scavenger Hunt City Tour for Your Smartphone: $7.65
- Chiang Mai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Art in Paradise Illusion Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Mae Ping River Cruise: $12
- Old City and Temples Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Local Food and Markets Guided Walking Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $14
- Tweechol Botanic Garden Half Day Adventure : $14
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 2 Hrs: $15
- Chiang Mai Michelin Food Walking Tour with Professional Tour Guide: $15
- Circuit Karting Experience at Chiang Mai Circuit - Go Kart: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Chiang Mai $6.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$2.73
Sample the Local Flavors in Chiang Mai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Chiang Mai:
- Chiang Mai Pub Crawl: The Best Bars & Pubs in Chiang Mai!: $9.46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Chiang Mai, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.
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 Chiang Mai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Chiang Mai, 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 Chiang Mai?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Chiang Mai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year.
June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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 Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 146 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Chiang Mai in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Chiang Mai 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Chiang Mai in the Autumn?
Both Chiang Mai 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. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Chiang Mai during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 226 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Chiang Mai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Chiang Mai averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Chiang Mai 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Chiang Mai in the Winter?
Both Chiang Mai 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round.
November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi usually gets more rain in January than Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chiang Mai receives 283 hours of full sun.
In January, Abu Dhabi is generally cooler than Chiang Mai. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Chiang Mai 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Chiang Mai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Chiang Mai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chiang Mai receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Chiang Mai during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Chiang Mai receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. Abu Dhabi is cooler than Chiang Mai in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Chiang Mai fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Chiang Mai 31°C (88°F)
Typical Weather for Chiang Mai and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Chiang Mai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.