Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Chicago?
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 Chicago can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Chicago?
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.
Chicago
Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.
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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $288. 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 Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Chicago? 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 Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Chicago $37
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:
- Abrahamic Family House Tour with Transfer: $89
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi: $104
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer: $19
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To or From Anywhere within Abu Dhabi: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer to Hotel or Vice Versa: $65
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer to or from Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport: $140
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers : Abu Dhabi City to Airport AUH in Luxury Van: $99
- Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai City Private Transfers: $135
- Abu Dhabi hotel to Dubai Airport (DXB) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer from Chicago Airports ORD Or MDW: $50
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Chicago City to Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $59
- Chicago to Chicago Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Chicago Airport (ORD) - Chicago City: $61
- Private Transfer from Chicago City to Chicago Airport (ORD): $61
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $66
- Chicago O´Hare International Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago 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 $45Chicago $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abudhabi Desert Safari Buffet Dinner & Live Entertainments Shows: $24
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $38
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $43
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- 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
- Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $90
- Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
- Abu Dhabi desert Safari with BBQ Dinner , Camel Ride , Bally Dance : $95
- Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise in Abu Dhabi: $95
- 4x4 Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $96
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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Dinner for 3$118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
- Chicago : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Local Chef: $55
- Bucktown Pizza Crawl in Chicago: $59
- Downtown Chicago Walking Pizza Tour: $69
- Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $73
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Chicago Murder Mystery FOOD Tour: $82
- Lake Michigan Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $86
- Secret Food Tour: $88
- Chicago's Wicker Park Food Tour: $89
- Chicago Pizza Tour: $89
- Chicago Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Chicago $47
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Audio Guided Tour: $5.58
- Self Guided Audio Tour in of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi: $5.69
- Fast-Track Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Hosn: $8.37
- Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $16
- Qasr Al Watan Entry Ticket in Abu Dhabi: $17
- Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi: $17
- Skip the Line Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Ticket: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum General Admission Ticket: $17
- Qasr Al Watan Admission Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Palace & Garden Entrance Ticket: $18
- Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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U-Boat Tour (2)$8.00
Tours and Activities in Chicago
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chicago Black History Highlights Walking Tour : $5.00
- A Storied Neighborhood: A Self-Guided Audio Tour with Bill Ayers: $5.40
- Gangster Story Quest Experience in Chicago: $5.90
- Haunted Sites Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.50
- Chicago's Dark Side Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour: $6.95
- Chicago Lincoln Square Quest Experience: $7.39
- Dragon Kings Quest Experience in Chinatown Chicago: $7.39
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $10
- The Loop, River North and Chicago’s Theater District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Michigan Avenue Rendezvous Mobile App Self-Guided Walking Tour: $16
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Chicago $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Oktoberfest Walking Brewery Tour in Malt Row: $25
- Oktoberfest Walking Brewery Tour in Logan Square: $25
- Oktoberfest Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $25
- Oktoberfest Walking Brewery Tour in Logan Square: $25
- Chicago Haunted Pub Crawl: Water Tower Specter and Beyond: $38
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
- Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Museum & Brewery Day Tour: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Abu Dhabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Chicago is in North America, 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 Abu Dhabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Abu Dhabi 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Abu Dhabi.
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 Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Chicago, 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 Chicago?
Chicago 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 Chicago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Chicago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chicago receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Chicago. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Chicago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Chicago. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Chicago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
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 Chicago. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Chicago. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Chicago in the Winter?
Both Chicago 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. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Chicago can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Chicago averages at about 25°F (-4°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Chicago. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Chicago in the Spring?
Both Chicago 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. Also, most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In Chicago, 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 Chicago. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
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.