Which place is cheaper, Kerala 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 Kerala?
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 Kerala can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Kerala?
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.
Kerala
Palm trees, sandy beaches, and vibrant culture. You'll find all of these things in Kerala, India. Located in the south of the country, Kerala is known as one of the top ten paradises in the world.
This area is covered in a beautiful, natural ecosystem including backwaters, mountains, coconuts and spices. The heavy, yearlong rains provide lush and gorgeous vegetation, and earn the area a spot on the list of the wettest spots on earth.
Kerala is very different from the rest of India. For one, this area is the most literate and diverse area in in the country with churches, mosques, Hindu temples and even synagogues. This states' education and healthcare are far beyond the rest of the country- putting them on par with many Western areas of the world. However, even though this area is incredibly diverse and progressive, do not expect everyone to speak or understand English.
The best part is that this area is by far the safest in all of India. There is almost no incidence of tourists being cheated or taken for granted.
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 Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesKerala Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Kerala $464
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Kerala is $464. 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 Kerala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Kerala $256
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Kerala $512
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Kerala
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Kerala? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Kerala $37
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: $36
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $280
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $30
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To or From Anywhere within Abu Dhabi: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers : Airport AUH to Abu Dhabi City by Luxury Van: $101
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kerala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kerala:
- Kochi: Kathakali, Theyyam & Kalaripayattu Show with Transfers: $11
- Kochi Taxi Service and Airport Transfers: $11
- Affordable Trivandrum Airport Transfer: $15
- Theyyam and Kalaripayattu Show in Kochi with Transfer: $17
- Kochi Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $18
- Private Transfer: Cochin Airport (COK) to Fort Kochi/City Hotels: $20
- Cochin - private arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $25
- Private Trivandrum Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $30
- Airport Transfer: Cochin Port Cruise Terminal to Cochin International Airport: $35
- Private Transfer: Trivandrum Airport (TRV) to Kovalam Hotels: $35
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum City to Trivandrum (TRV) Airport: $37
- Private Transfer from Trivandrum (TRV) Airport to Trivandrum City: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Kerala?
Prices for flights to both Kerala 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 $78Kerala $165
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: $43
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows & BBQ Buffet Dinner: $50
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Camel Ride and Live Shows: $56
- 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 Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and Shows: $73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kerala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kerala.
- Enjoy the best Food tour in kochi with a local !: $19
- Kerala Traditional Village Cooking Class in Munnar: $20
- Private candle light dinner: $20
- WE COOKS- Home Cooking Class in Munnar: $23
- Cooking classes @ Aryavilla heritage, Varkala: $35
- Hands-on Authentic Keralite Cooking Class - Learn, Cook, Eat & Enjoy!: $35
- Biryani - Cooking Class in Fort Kochi: $54
- Private Traditional Home Cooking Class in Kochi with Archana: $70
- Group Kerala Cooking Demo & Home Dining Experience in Kochi: $75
- Authentic Kerala Syrian Christian Cooking Class in a Cochin Home: $79
- Tour of Kochi with Lunch: Kathakali and Dinner With Evening Tour.: $110
- Kochi Over View: Kathakali, Dinner, Pick & Drop Included Tour: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Kerala $78
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 Entrance Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Ticket Pass in Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace: $19
- Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $20
- Zayed National Museum Abu Dhabi - Ticket: $22
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket: $22
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entry Ticket with Optional Transportation: $23
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $24
Tours and Activities in Kerala
Here are a few actual costs in Kerala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 5 Days Luxury Kerala Tour with Houseboat Experience Private Tour: $4.34
- Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $6.95
- Fort Kochi Local Sightseeing Tour: $9.00
- Half-Day Private Tuk Tuk Tour in Fort Kochi: $9.32
- Shikara Boat Tour Alleppey Backwater Fantastic Boat Cruise: $9.50
- Fort Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour: $9.77
- Authentic Tuk Tuk Heritage Tour of Kochi with Local Guide: $9.77
- Medium Hard Trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ): $9.78
- Fort Kochi Tuk Tuk Tour: $11
- Half day trekking (munnar valley Trekking & Tours ): $11
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Trivandrum 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour: $11
- Kochi Tuk-Tuk Private Tours with Pickup from Cruise Ships: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Kerala $73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Kerala, we can see that Kerala is more expensive. And not only is Abu Dhabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Kerala 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 Abu Dhabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Abu Dhabi 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 Kerala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kerala than you might in Abu Dhabi.
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 Kerala Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Abu Dhabi or Kerala?
Kerala has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Kerala, 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.
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.