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

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Koh Tarutao?

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

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Koh Tarutao?

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 Tarutao

While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, and The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Tarutao or Abu Dhabi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Koh Tarutao is $98. 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 Tarutao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Abu Dhabi $98
    Koh Tarutao $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Abu Dhabi $196
    Koh Tarutao $100
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Koh Tarutao

Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Koh Tarutao? 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 Koh Tarutao


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $20
    Koh Tarutao $34
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:

  • Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
  • Warner Bros General Admission with Transfers: $150
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi HTL-APT(AUH): $52
  • Transfer in private minivan from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $67
  • Skydive in Abu Dhabi | Tandem Skydive with transfer: $817
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - Abu Dhabi City: $133
  • Private transfer: Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $41
  • Private transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi: $40
  • Private direct transfer from Abu Dhabi to Dubai: $124
  • Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $212
  • Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Luxury Van: $202
  • Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Business Car: $190

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Koh Tarutao?

Prices for flights to both Koh Tarutao 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 $45
    Koh Tarutao $28

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $39
    Koh Tarutao $14

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Abu Dhabi $13
    Koh Tarutao $7.01


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

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 Tarutao Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi or Koh Tarutao?

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 Tarutao in the Summer?

Both Koh Tarutao and Abu Dhabi during the summer 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 Tarutao year-round.

Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tarutao. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Koh Tarutao. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Koh Tarutao fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Abu Dhabi 35°C (95°F) 
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Koh Tarutao in the Autumn?

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

November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Koh Tarutao. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Koh Tarutao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Koh Tarutao fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Abu Dhabi 29°C (84°F) 
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Koh Tarutao in the Winter?

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

Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tarutao. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Abu Dhabi is cooler than Koh Tarutao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Koh Tarutao averages at about 27°C (80°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Abu Dhabi 18°C (64°F) 
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Koh Tarutao in the Spring?

Both Koh Tarutao and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Koh Tarutao. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In April, Abu Dhabi is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tarutao. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Koh Tarutao fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Abu Dhabi 27°C (81°F) 
    Koh Tarutao 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Tarutao and Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Koh Tarutao
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (85°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 244 mm (9.6 in)
Jun 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Jul 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in)
Aug 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 262 mm (10.3 in)
Sep 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 355 mm (14 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 281 mm (11.1 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 204 mm (8 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)