Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou 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.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Guangzhou?
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 Guangzhou can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Guangzhou?
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.
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesGuangzhou Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Guangzhou $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $110. 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 Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Guangzhou $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Guangzhou $122
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Guangzhou? 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 Guangzhou Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Guangzhou $15
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:
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi City/Hotels: $58
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $285
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $142
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers : Abu Dhabi City to Airport AUH in Luxury Van: $98
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers : Airport AUH to Abu Dhabi City by Luxury Van: $98
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: Modern & Cultural Highlights with Transfers: $108
- Abu Dhabi Combo Ticket: Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld with transfers: $195
- Abu Dhabi Intercity Transfers: $270
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $24
- Guangzhou : Private One-Way Transfers to/from Baiyun Airport(CAN): $30
- Private transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to hotel: $33
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Guangzhou to Guangzhou Airport (CAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Guangzhou Airport to Railway Station | Private, Seamless Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer between Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park and City Center: $38
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $45
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport CAN Private Transfer: $47
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , To Guangzhou Transfer,Pickup: $59
- Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private Transfer: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou 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 $78Guangzhou $36
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 with Red Dunes 4x4 Pick Drop Dinner Shows: $39
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Dinner: $42
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows & BBQ Buffet Dinner: $50
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $50
- Experience Abu Dhabi Yas Island by Dhow Cruise at Sea with Dinner: $55
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $58
- Lunch Or Dinner at Emirates Palace - Ultimate Luxury Experience: $64
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
- Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Live Shows, and BBQ Dinner: $69
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Shows: $71
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Guangzhou Local Life Street Food Tour Hidden Spots and Markets: $39
- Xíhuá Road Private Food Tour, Guided by a Local: $64
- Old Town Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $79
- Half Day Cantonese Cooking Class for Chinese Culinary Experience: $80
- Guangzhou Night Walking and Food Tour: Led by Local Cantonese: $82
- Yum Cha Dim Sum Dinner and Pearl River Night Cruise Private Tour: $94
- Food Tour - Eat Like Local + Rice Roll Workshop: $96
- Tanxiu Banquet Immersive Drama and Dinner Experience in Foshan: $98
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour Pearl River Cruise & Dim-Sum Dinner: $110
- Guangzhou Evening Walk: Canton Tower, Pearl River Cruise & Dinner: $140
- Private Guangzhou Evening Food Tour with Pearl River Night Cruise: $140
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Guangzhou $19
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Non prime: $15
- Qasr Al Watan Entry Tickets: $16
- Skip the Line Ticket to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Entrance Ticket: $18
- Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $20
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket: $21
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket: $22
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entry Ticket with Optional Transportation: $23
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $24
- Scenic Yas Island Dhow Cruise Through Abu Dhabi Waters: $25
- Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan: $25
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou：New Cultural Landmark Ticket -Explore Tang Style: $2.56
- 2,000-Year-Old Wonder-Nanyue King’s Tomb Ticket: $3.18
- Guangzhou Foshan Cantonese Culture One Day Tour: $5.00
- Private Four Day Cultural Tour of Guangzhou and Foshan: $5.00
- Cantonese Heritage Tour with Key Cultural Stops: $6.72
- Guangzhou Tour Guide and Car Service With Flexible Itinerary: $8.00
- Pearl River Cruise Experience Services: $23
- Lychee Bay River Cruise: $24
- Grandview Museum of Nature Science Ticket: $25
- Guangzhou Private Tour of Canton Tower and Pearl River Cruise: $29
- Roundtrip Cruise Night View from Canton Tower: $30
- Chen Clan Academy In-Depth 2-Hour Guided Tour: $31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Guangzhou $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Guangzhou, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Guangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou.
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 Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Guangzhou, 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 Guangzhou?
Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Guangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Guangzhou in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Guangzhou this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Guangzhou during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 220 hours of full sun in the summer.
Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Guangzhou 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Guangzhou in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Guangzhou. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Guangzhou. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 25°C (76°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 Guangzhou. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 192 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Guangzhou. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Guangzhou 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Guangzhou in the Winter?
Both Guangzhou 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.
In January, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Guangzhou during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 133 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Guangzhou 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Guangzhou in the Spring?
Both Guangzhou 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.
Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Guangzhou in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the spring, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Guangzhou. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 78 hours of full sun.
Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Guangzhou. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Guangzhou 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Guangzhou and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Guangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.