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

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Hanoi?

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

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Hanoi?

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.

Hanoi

Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.

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 Adventure Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam.


Which place is cheaper, Hanoi 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
    Hanoi Prices
    Vietnam Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Abu Dhabi $197
    Hanoi $57

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Hanoi is $57. 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 Hanoi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Abu Dhabi $98
    Hanoi $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Abu Dhabi $196
    Hanoi $50
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Hanoi

Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Hanoi? 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 Hanoi


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 Hanoi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $20
    Hanoi $6.56
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:

  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi City/Hotels: $58
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $73
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $141
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $30
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To or From Anywhere within Abu Dhabi: $70
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers : Abu Dhabi City to Airport AUH in Luxury Van: $102
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers : Airport AUH to Abu Dhabi City by Luxury Van: $102
  • Abu Dhabi City Tour: Modern & Cultural Highlights with Transfers: $108
  • Abu Dhabi Combo Ticket: Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld with transfers: $195
  • Abu Dhabi Top 15 Must-See Highlights Tour with Private Transfers: $109

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi

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


  • Taxi to Bus Station
    $1.14
  • Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)
    $3.04
  • Local Bus Ride (for Two)
    $0.38
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.29
  • Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)
    $0.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:

  • Private Transfer from Noi Bai Airport to your Hotel: $7.40
  • Private Transfer: Hanoi Airport - Sapa - Halong - Ninh Binh: $7.90
  • Hanoi Airport One Way Private Transfer HAN to Hanoi City Center: $8.00
  • Hanoi Private Departure Transfer: City Center Hotel to Airport: $8.11
  • Noi Bai Airport Transfer Service: $8.54
  • Budget Shared Transfer Noi Bai Airport HAN to Hanoi Hotels: $9.99
  • Noi Bai Airport transfer to Hanoi Hotel & Vice versa: $10
  • Hanoi City Transfer to Noi Bai Airport & Vice Versa_Private Car: $10
  • Hanoi Airport Departure Shared Transfer: $10
  • Hanoi Private Transfer: Hanoi Airport - City - Halong - Ninh Binh: $11
  • Bus Transfer Hanoi to Halong Bay and Vice Versa: $11
  • Private car transfer from Hanoi Airport to Hotels: $12

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Hanoi?

Prices for flights to both Hanoi 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
    Hanoi $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi

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

  • Red Dunes 4x4 Pick Drop Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Dinner: $28
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Red Dunes 4x4 Pick Drop Dinner Shows: $39
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows & BBQ Buffet Dinner: $50
  • Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
  • Lunch Or Dinner at Emirates Palace - Ultimate Luxury Experience: $64
  • Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
  • Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $69
  • 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
  • Abu Dhabi 4x4 Desert Safari BBQ Dinner , Camel Ride , Belly Dance: $75

Typical Food Prices in Hanoi

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


  • High End Dinner (for Two)
    $11
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.18
  • Bowl of Pho
    $0.76
  • Italian Dinner (for Food)
    $5.89

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi

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

  • Private Sapa Cooking Class With Ethnic Minorities Chef From Sapa: $1.87
  • Private Hanoi Cycling Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By Bike: $1.87
  • Private Hanoi Old Quarter Street Food Tour with Student Guide: $1.87
  • (Group/Individual) HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR: $5.13
  • Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour with Train-Street Visit: $18
  • Hanoi Cooking Class: Pho/Bun Cha/Banh Xeo...+Free Egg/Salt Coffee: $19
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour: Hidden Local Eats & Full Meal Experience: $19
  • Hanoi Farm-to-Table Cooking Class with Village Cycling: $20
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour with Train Street Visit: $20
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour with egg coffee making: $20
  • Hanoi local street food tour: $20
  • Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $39
    Hanoi $8.10

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 Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
  • 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 Ticket Pass in Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace: $19
  • 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
  • Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket: $24
  • Admission Ticket to Zayed National Museum Abu Dhabi: $25

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi

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


  • Puppet Theater
    $1.52
  • The Hanoi Hilton Entrance
    $1.52
  • National History Museum
    $1.52
  • Puppet Theater Ticket
    $2.66

Tours and Activities in Hanoi

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

  • Hanoi Old Quarter City Sightseeing Cycling Private Tour By Cyclo: $1.79
  • 2-4 Day Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour with Easy Rider, Sleeper Bus: $1.87
  • Hanoi Old Quarter City Sightseeing Walking Tour With Funny Guide: $1.87
  • 2-Day Mai Chau & Pu Luong Adventure: Cycling, Trekking, Rafting: $1.87
  • Full-Day Mai Chau Valley Tour from Hanoi with Cycling, Culture: $1.87
  • Ninh Binh Private Tour: Tam Coc, Bich Dong, Thung Nham Bird Park: $1.87
  • Sapa Cat Cat Village, Y Linh Ho Tour By Motorbike Or Walking: $1.87
  • Sapa Herbal Incense Handicrafts Making Workshop Tour From Sapa: $1.87
  • Hanoi City Private Tour With Street Food Experience & Aquarium: $1.87
  • From Sapa Trek, Cat Cat Village & Fansipan Summit Tour: $1.87
  • Hanoi Quang Phu Cau Incense Village Tour With Coffee Train Street: $1.87
  • 2-Day Ninh Binh Adventure: Trang An, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu & Mua Cave: $1.87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Abu Dhabi $13
    Hanoi $7.33

Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi

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

  • Hanoi Night Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Free Shots: $40


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Hanoi, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Hanoi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Hanoi 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 Hanoi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hanoi 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 Hanoi.

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 Hanoi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Hanoi?

Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Hanoi, 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 Hanoi?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Hanoi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Hanoi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Also, May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. Hanoi receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Hanoi. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Hanoi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Hanoi averages at about 29°C (84°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Abu Dhabi 35°C (95°F) 
    Hanoi 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Hanoi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Hanoi. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year.

Also, November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. It's quite rainy in Hanoi. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Hanoi. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Hanoi. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Hanoi fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Abu Dhabi 29°C (84°F) 
    Hanoi 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Hanoi in the Winter?

Both Hanoi 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. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hanoi. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Hanoi in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Hanoi fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Abu Dhabi 18°C (64°F) 
    Hanoi 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Hanoi in the Spring?

Both Hanoi 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round.

November to April is the dry season in Hanoi. May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Hanoi. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hanoi receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Hanoi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Hanoi averages at about 24°C (75°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Abu Dhabi 27°C (81°F) 
    Hanoi 24°C (75°F)

Typical Weather for Hanoi and Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Hanoi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Jun 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Jul 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Aug 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 200 mm (7.9 in)
Sep 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)