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

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 Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Lisbon 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.

  • Abu Dhabi Prices
    UAE Prices
    Lisbon Prices
    Portugal Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Abu Dhabi $164
    Lisbon $176

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Lisbon is $176. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Abu Dhabi $98
    Lisbon $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Abu Dhabi $196
    Lisbon $128
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.

Hotels in Abu Dhabi


Hotels in Lisbon


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $20
    Lisbon $26
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:

  • Yas Waterworld General Admission with Transfers: $123
  • Warner Bros General Admission with Transfers: $141
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi HTL-APT(AUH): $52
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi APT-HTL(AUH): $56
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi City - Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $42
  • Transfer in private minivan from Abu Dhabi City - Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $58
  • Transfer from Abu Dhabi to Dubai City: $150
  • Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $30
  • Tickets to Global Village with Private Transfer: $95
  • Qasr al Watan Tour with Optional Private Transfers: $50
  • Private transfer: Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $41
  • Private transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi: $41

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    $7.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lisbon Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $11
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotels to Lisbon Airport or Cruise : $14
  • Lisbon Airport or Cruise Port: Private Arrival Transfer to hotels: $14
  • Lisbon Private Airport Departure Transfer: $14
  • Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $15
  • Private Transfer: Lisbon Airport to or from Lisbon Center: $15
  • Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer: $16
  • Private Lisbon Airport Transfers: Your Journey, Your Way: $17
  • Lisbon Airport Transfer: $20
  • Private Transfers, Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Ericeira, Setubal: $22
  • Transfer from the Hotel to Lisbon Airport: $23

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Abu Dhabi $45
    Lisbon $80

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 BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $25
  • Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $38
  • Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $43
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $60
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
  • Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $63
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $80
  • 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 Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
  • Food Tour: Portuguese wine & Tapas with Ginjinha Tasting: $38
  • Themed dinner on board: $38
  • Food Tour: Portuguese wine & Tapas with Ginjinha Tasting: $44
  • 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $46
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
  • Flavours of Portugal Street Food Cooking Class: $50
  • Wine, Cheese & History of Fado Dinner in Portuguese Wine Bar: $53
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $54
  • Lisbon Food Tour: $54
  • Fado Night with Dinner in Fado Club: $54
  • Legendary Beer Dinner: $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $39
    Lisbon $26

Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:

  • Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
  • Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
  • Ferrari World Entrance ticket : $95
  • Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
  • Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Ticket: $26
  • Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
  • Yas island abu dhabi 1/2/3 park admission tickets : $95
  • 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $130
  • 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
  • 8 hours Private Tour: Ferrari World and Louvre Museum with Pickup: $270
  • Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $33
  • Abu Dhabi City Tour: $95

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Alfama District Walking Tour with Beautiful City Top view: $0.54
  • City highlights guided walking tour: $1.09
  • See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.09
  • Belém Walking Tour: $1.09
  • Explore the Timeless Charm of Alfama: Lisbon's Old Town Tour: $1.63
  • Discover the Heart of Downtown Lisbon Tour: $1.63
  • Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.63
  • The Best Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $3.26
  • Alfama Tour in Lisbon Old Town: $3.31
  • Entry Ticket for the History of Cod Visitor Center: $4.35
  • Essential Lisbon Highlights Walking Tour: $4.43
  • Graça Church Entry Ticket with Drink on the Terrace: $5.44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Abu Dhabi $13
    Lisbon $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • Guided Pub Crawl, Unlimited Drinks & VIP Club Entry: $15
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $16
  • Burlesque Performance with Welcome Drink: $16
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: Unlimited Drinks, Shots & V.I.P Club Entry: $16
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $16
  • Pub Crawl Lisbon - 1 Hour of Unlimited Beer and Sangria and more!: $19
  • Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $19
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $22
  • Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $27
  • Port Wine Tasting at Traditional Portuguese Wine Bar: $27


When comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Lisbon, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Lisbon is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Abu 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Abu 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Abu 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Abu 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)