Which place is cheaper, Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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 Kolkata (Calcutta) can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
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.
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, India. Featuring colonial architecture, galleries, temples, and festivals, the city has flourished from its roots as an East India Company trading post in the 18th Century to a thriving metropolis. Today Kolkata is a diverse center of culture and bustling activity.
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 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in India, and The Best Bicycle Tours in India.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesKolkata (Calcutta) Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Kolkata (Calcutta) $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Kolkata (Calcutta) is $42. 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Kolkata (Calcutta) $15
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Kolkata (Calcutta) $30
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Kolkata (Calcutta)
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Kolkata (Calcutta)? 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Kolkata (Calcutta) $4.48
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:
- Private One-way Abu Dhabi Transfer To Abu Dhabi Airport: $28
- Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $31
- Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport(AUH) to Abu Dhabi City Center: $31
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Kidzania Abu Dhabi with Optional Private Transfer: $50
- Qasr al Watan Tour with Optional Private Transfers: $50
- Airport Arrival Transfer Abu Dhabi: $55
- Teams Lab Phenomena Experience in Abu Dhabi with Transfers option: $56
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi City/Hotels: $58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kolkata (Calcutta):
- Kolkata Airport to Kolkata Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $32
- Airport Taxi: Round Trip Transfer Between Kolkata & Kolkata Airport CCU: $43
- Kolkata - Arrival transfer from Airport to Hotel: $43
- Departure transfer from Hotel to Airport in Kolkata: $44
- Build Your Own: custom private tour of Kolkata with transfers: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Prices for flights to both Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 $78Kolkata (Calcutta) $22
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: $36
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Sandboarding, Camel Ride & Dinner: $47
- Experience Abu Dhabi Yas Island by Dhow Cruise at Sea with Dinner: $55
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
- Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $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
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Hooghly River Dinner Cruise: $39
- Bengali Nights Kolkata Food Tour with 13+ Tastings: $39
- Alleyway Food Tour: $39
- Food Tour Delights of Kolkata with Aditya: $109
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Kolkata (Calcutta) $13
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi Walking Tour with Audioguide: $12
- Qasr Al Hosn Skip the Line Tickets: $13
- Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Ticket: $15
- 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
- Zayed National Museum Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket: $21
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket: $22
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entry Ticket with Optional Transportation: $23
Tours and Activities in Kolkata (Calcutta)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kolkata (Calcutta) are as follows:
- Audio Guided Tour of Pathuriaghata – Finding the Tagores, Kolkata: $6.12
- Hello Calcutta Walk Tour: $20
- Walking Tour of Kolkata Heritage and Food: $21
- Flower Market Colors and Ganges Ghat Experience: $30
- Hooghly River Evening Cruise: $34
- Chasing The Sun Experience Kolkata's Culture: $35
- Kolkata's Flower Market - Hooghly's Flower Fest Tour: $38
- Cultural Confluence of Kolkata - Culture Kaleidoscope Tour: $38
- Magic Hour Tour: $39
- Kolkata Midtown Madness- A Street Food & Nightlife Tour: $41
- Kolkata Private Half Day City Tour To Majestic Temples: $41
- Old City Walking Tour - North Kolkata: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Kolkata (Calcutta) $7.25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Kolkata (Calcutta), we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Kolkata (Calcutta) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kolkata (Calcutta) 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 Kolkata (Calcutta).
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 Kolkata (Calcutta) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Kolkata (Calcutta) has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Kolkata (Calcutta), 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.