Which place is cheaper, Lisbon or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Lisbon?
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 Lisbon can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Lisbon?
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.
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Lisbon $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Lisbon is $140. 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 Lisbon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Lisbon $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Lisbon $126
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Lisbon
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Lisbon? 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 Lisbon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Lisbon $26
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:
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride$6.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $12
- Lisbon Airport or Cruise Port: Private Arrival Transfer to hotels: $14
- Private Departure Transfer: From hotels to Lisbon Airport: $14
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to/from Lisbon Center: $14
- Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $15
- Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
- Private Lisbon Airport Transfers: Your Journey, Your Way: $17
- Private transfer from Lisbon City Center to Lisbon Airport (LIS): $20
- Private transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Lisbon City Center: $20
- Lisbon Airport Transfer: $20
- LISBOA: TRANSFER DO AEROPORTO PARA O CENTRO DE LISBOA: $22
- Private Transfer Within City Center & Airport: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Lisbon?
Prices for flights to both Lisbon 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 $45Lisbon $45
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
- Dubai Best Dhow Cruise Dinner Marina: $46
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $54
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $54
- Cooking Pastel de Nata with a glass of wine !: $54
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $54
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $55
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
- Original Morning Food Tour: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Lisbon $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
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.08
- Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.12
- Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.29
- Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.26
- Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.38
- Wonders of Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.38
- Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.38
- Graça Church Entry Ticket with Drink on the Terrace: $5.38
- Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.38
- Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.38
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour From Príncipe Real to Downtown Lisbon: $5.53
- Príncipe Real to Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Lisbon $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $17
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- Pub Crawl Lisbon - 1 Hour of Unlimited Beer and Sangria and more!: $19
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $22
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
- Pub Crawl Walking Tour with Shots and Drinking Games: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Lisbon, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Lisbon is in Europe, 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 Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Lisbon.
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 Lisbon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Lisbon?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Lisbon, 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 Lisbon?
Lisbon has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Abu Dhabi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Lisbon in the Summer?
Both Lisbon 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lisbon. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 352 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets more rain in July than Lisbon. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Lisbon 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Lisbon in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Lisbon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Lisbon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Lisbon fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Lisbon during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Lisbon. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Lisbon 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Lisbon in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Lisbon. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Lisbon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Lisbon averages at about 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Lisbon. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Lisbon. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Lisbon. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Lisbon 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Lisbon in the Spring?
Both Lisbon 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. Also, many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Lisbon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Lisbon during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Lisbon. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Lisbon 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Lisbon and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Lisbon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.