Which place is cheaper, Eilat or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Eilat?
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 Eilat can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Eilat?
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.
Eilat
Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.
Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.
Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.
Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 in Israel, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Eilat $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Eilat is $140. 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 Eilat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Eilat $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Eilat $186
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Eilat
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Eilat? 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 Eilat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Eilat $13
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:
- Yas Waterworld General Admission with Transfers: $123
- Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi Tickets With Meal and Transfers : $98
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Warner Bros General Admission with Transfers: $150
- Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi City - Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $61
- Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $61
- Transfer in private minivan from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $67
- Tickets to Global Village with Private Transfer: $95
- Skydive in Abu Dhabi | Tandem Skydive with transfer: $817
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - Abu Dhabi City: $133
- Qasr al Watan Tour with Optional Private Transfers: $50
- Private transfer: Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:
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Local Bus$3.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat
Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
- From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Eilat?
Prices for flights to both Eilat 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 $45Eilat $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 BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $45
- 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
- Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner in Abu Dhabi: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner : $62
- 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
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Eilat $16
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entrance Ticket: $41
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Ferrari World Entrance ticket : $95
- 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 Al Ain City Tour without lunch : $117
- 8 hours Private Tour: Ferrari World and Louvre Museum with Pickup: $270
- 8-Hours Tickets to Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi: $107
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $32
Tours and Activities in Eilat
For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
- Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
- From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $64
- Red canyon jeep tour in Eilat: $70
- Timna park Jeep tour adventure: $70
- Park Timna: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Red Canyon: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Timna Park Tour from Eilat: $150
- Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
- Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
- 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
- Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Eilat $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Eilat, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Eilat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Eilat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Eilat 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 Eilat.
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 Eilat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Eilat?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Eilat, 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 Eilat?
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 Eilat in the Summer?
Both Eilat and Abu Dhabi during the summer 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 Eilat year-round.
Abu Dhabi usually gets more rain in July than Eilat. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi often gets less sunshine than Eilat. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Eilat receives 384 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Eilat this time of the year. Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally around the same temperature as Eilat. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Eilat fluctuates around 33°C (91°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Eilat 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Eilat in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Eilat. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives more rain than Eilat. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat 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 Eilat during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Eilat receives 295 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Eilat in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Eilat fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Eilat 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Eilat in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Eilat. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year.
Abu Dhabi usually gets more rain in January than Eilat. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Eilat. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Eilat receives 234 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Eilat. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Eilat averages at about 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Eilat 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Eilat in the Spring?
Both Eilat and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives more rain than Eilat. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Eilat. 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 Eilat during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Eilat receives 282 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Eilat. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Eilat fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Eilat 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Eilat and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Eilat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.