Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Koh Tao?
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 Koh Tao can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Koh Tao?
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.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
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 Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Koh Tao? 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 Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Koh Tao $8.67
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $45Koh Tao $9.21
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
- 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
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Koh Tao $26
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 Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $277
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Koh Tao $7.14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Koh Tao, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao.
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 Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Koh Tao?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 440 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?
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 Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Koh Tao. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tao. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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 Koh Tao. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao 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. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Koh Tao is October and November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi is cooler than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.