Which place is cheaper, Glasgow or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Glasgow?
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 Glasgow can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Glasgow?
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.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland with a population of about 600,000 and more than 2 million in the surrounding areas. It is located on the edge of River Clyde and has long been acclaimed as Scotland's main industrial city. It remains a major economic center for the United Kingdom outside of London. In recent years it has also been awarded the European titles as both the City of Culture as well as the City of Architecture and Design.
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 from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Glasgow $181
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Glasgow is $181. 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 Glasgow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Glasgow $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Glasgow $186
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Glasgow
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Glasgow? 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 Glasgow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Glasgow $34
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Glasgow
Also for Glasgow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Easy Bus Transfer Between Airport and City Center: $13
- Glasgow hotels to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Arrivals Airport Transfer to City Accommodations: $55
- Glasgow Private Transfer from Glasgow city centre to Glasgow (GLA) Airport: $64
- Glasgow Private Transfer from Glasgow Airport to City centre: $65
- Private Transfer from Glasgow City Hotels to Greenock Cruise Port: $85
- Departure Private Transfer Glasgow City to Glasgow GLA Airport by Business Car: $93
- Departure Private Transfers: Glasgow City to Glasgow Airport GLA in Business Car: $98
- Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $104
- Private Airport Transfer from and to Glasgow : $120
- Departure Private Transfer Glasgow City to Glasgow GLA Airport by Luxury Car: $139
- Glasgow Airport Transfer: Glasgow Airport GLA to Glasgow City in Luxury Van: $145
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Glasgow?
Prices for flights to both Glasgow 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 $45Glasgow $56
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 Glasgow
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Glasgow:
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Dessert at Farmer's Market$2.26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Glasgow $28
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 Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Luss Highland Games Entrance Fee (for 2)$15
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Two Bike Rental$43
Tours and Activities in Glasgow
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Glasgow.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $4.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Glasgow Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Uncover Historic In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Glasgow's Imperial Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Center Guided Walking Tour: $15
- Glasgow City Centre Daily Walking Tour: 10:30am, 2pm & 5pm: $15
- Private Historical Walking Tour: $16
- Street Art Guided Walking Tour: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Glasgow $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Glasgow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Glasgow:
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Bottle of Wine$15
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Ciders at Kilted Skirlie$4.39
Sample the Local Flavors in Glasgow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Glasgow:
- Clydeside Distillery Tour and Whisky Tasting: $23
- Tennent’s Brewery Guided Tour and Free Pint: $24
- Secrets & Summer Serves at Glengoyne Distillery: $25
- Glengoyne Distillery Tour with Whisky & Chocolate: $44
- Glasgow Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow : $70
- Sample Fine & Rare Whiskies at Glengoyne Distillery: $75
- The Malt Master Experience at Glengoyne Distillery: $125
- Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour: $187
- Guided Electric Bike Tour with a Distillery Visit: $188
- Pints & Past: Glasgow Pub Tour: $459
When comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Glasgow, we can see that Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Glasgow?
Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Glasgow, 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 Glasgow?
Glasgow 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 Glasgow in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Glasgow. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
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 Glasgow. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Glasgow. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Glasgow 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Glasgow in the Autumn?
Both Glasgow 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 visitors come to Glasgow in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Glasgow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Glasgow fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Glasgow 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Glasgow in the Winter?
Both Glasgow 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, most visitors come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Glasgow can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Glasgow averages at about 3°C (38°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun.
Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Glasgow. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Glasgow 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Glasgow in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Glasgow. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the activities around the city.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Glasgow 7°C (45°F)
Typical Weather for Glasgow and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Glasgow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 164 mm (6.5 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.