A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Abu Dhabi vs. Dublin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Dublin?

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 Dublin can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Dublin?

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.

Dublin

Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.

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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.


Which place is cheaper, Dublin 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.

  • Abu Dhabi Prices
    UAE Prices
    Dublin Prices
    Ireland Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Abu Dhabi $197
    Dublin $188

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Dublin is $188. 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 Dublin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Abu Dhabi $98
    Dublin $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Abu Dhabi $196
    Dublin $142
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dublin

Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Dublin? 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.

Hotels in Abu Dhabi


Hotels in Dublin


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 Dublin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $20
    Dublin $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:


  • Car Rental
    $31
  • 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) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Abu Dhabi Hotel or Address): $31
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi City/Hotels: $58
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $169
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Any Hotel in UAE: $27
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $27
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer (Within Abu Dhabi Only): $19
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To or From Anywhere within Abu Dhabi: $70
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer to Hotel or Vice Versa: $54
  • Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai City Private Transfers: $135
  • Abu Dhabi Ferrari world entry with return transfers from Dubai: $189

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:

  • One-Way Bus Transfer from/to Dublin Airport: $11
  • Belfast: Dublin Coach Transfer: $17
  • Airport Transfer and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $37
  • Private Dublin Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $61
  • From Dublin Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Dublin: $74
  • Dublin Airport Transfer Electric Luxury Sedan: $79
  • Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from Dublin airport DUB to Dublin: $87
  • Private Sedan (4 seats) Transfer from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Center: $92
  • Private Sedan(4 seats) Transfer from Dublin City Center to Dublin Airport: $92
  • Departure Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $99
  • Private Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $99
  • Private Transfer: Dublin Airport DUB to Dublin in Business Car: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Dublin?

Prices for flights to both Dublin 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Abu Dhabi $78
    Dublin $89

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 BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $25
  • Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $39
  • Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $48
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
  • Grand Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Festival with Dinner: $65
  • Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $79
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $80
  • Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
  • Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90

Typical Food Prices in Dublin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:


  • Lunch Lynam's Pub
    $4.13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.

  • Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $28
  • Food on Food: Dublin Street Food Tour with local guide: $29
  • Dublin Irish House Party Live Show, Dinner Option Available: $32
  • Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $62
  • Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $72
  • Irish Dancing Show and Dinner at Irelands Highest Pub: $74
  • Ultimate Dublin Food Tour: $82
  • Delicious Walking Food Tour: $83
  • Private Cooking Class in a Modern Home with Sea Views in Skerries, Dublin: $84
  • Private Market Tour and Irish Cooking Class in a Modern Skerries Home: $102
  • Dublin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $111
  • Dublin Food Tour with a Local Foodie, Personalized & Private : $207

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $39
    Dublin $26

Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:

  • Self Guided Audio Tour of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi: $7.36
  • Qasr Al Hosn Entry Ticket: $8.17
  • Fast-Track Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Hosn: $8.37
  • Qasar Al Hosn Abu Dhabi Entry Tickets: $13
  • Louvre Join an Express Guided Tour: $14
  • Qasr Al Watan Entry Ticket in Abu Dhabi: $15
  • Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
  • Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
  • Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $16
  • Qasr Al Watan Entry Ticket in Abu Dhabi: $17
  • Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi: $17
  • Tickets to Qasr Al Watan & Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi: $17

Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin

Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Wild Wicklow Tour
    $27
  • Guinness Brewery for Two
    $28
  • St Pauls Cathedral
    $4.71
  • Dublin Writer's Museum
    $6.59

Tours and Activities in Dublin

Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Temple Bar Self-Guided Must-See Highlights Tour: $7.13
  • Turtle Bunbury's A Self-Guided Audio Tour from a Celebrated Author: $7.99
  • City Highlights Self-guided Walking Tour: $8.16
  • Dublin Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $8.41
  • Christ Church Cathedral Entrance Ticket & Self-Guided Tour: $10
  • Alien Invasion in Dublin Exploration Game and Tour: $11
  • Dublin Ghost Hunt Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Self Guided Tour of Dublin’s Breweries and Back Alleys: $12
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Dublin's Temple Bar: $12
  • A Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands: $12
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Dublin Adventure: $12
  • Dublin Temple Bar Night Tour: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Abu Dhabi $13
    Dublin $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin

Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Generation Pub Crawl: $14
  • Generation Pub Crawl Dublin: $15
  • The Dublin Liberties Distillery: Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $18
  • Dublin Literary Pub Crawl: $19
  • City Pub Crawl Experience: $21
  • Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $21
  • Exclusive Brewery Tour and Tasting at Kildare Brewing Co, Sallins: $21
  • Dublin Teeling Whiskey Distillery Guided Tour and Tasting 1 Hour: $21
  • The Dublin Liberties Distillery - Guided Tour and Whiskey Tasting: $21
  • The Black Experience Pub Tour: $21
  • Authentic Brewery Tour: $22
  • Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $23


When comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Dublin, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Dublin is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Dublin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

Dublin 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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Dublin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Dublin. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Abu Dhabi 35°C (95°F) 
    Dublin 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Dublin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Dublin. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Dublin in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

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 Dublin. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun.

Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Dublin. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Abu Dhabi 29°C (84°F) 
    Dublin 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin 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, most visitors come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Dublin. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Abu Dhabi 18°C (64°F) 
    Dublin 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Dublin in the Spring?

Both Dublin 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, the spring months attract visitors to Dublin because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the spring, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun.

Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Dublin. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Abu Dhabi 27°C (81°F) 
    Dublin 8°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Dublin and Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Dublin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 6°C (42°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (56°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (44°F) 76 mm (3 in)