Which place is cheaper, London or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or London?
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 London can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or London?
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.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
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 United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164London $238
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in London is $238. 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 London in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98London $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196London $308
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and London
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or London? 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 London Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20London $32
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 London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride$18
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Heathrow Express$23
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Luggage Storage$10
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London Map$1.62
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Oyster Card$45
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)$27
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Oyster Card$34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow Airport & Premier Inn: $7.53
- Transfer Heathrow Airport to/from Renaissance Hotel: $8.53
- Bus Transfer Between Heathrow Airport & Radisson RED: $8.53
- Heathrow Airport to North London Private Transfer: $13
- Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer from/to Central London: $13
- Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol: $15
- Heathrow Airport to/from Central London Bus Transfer: $15
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $16
- Luton Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $17
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow & Luton Airports: $17
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol City Center: $17
- Luton Airport to/from Central London Bus Transfer: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or London?
Prices for flights to both London 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 $45London $43
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 London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks$16
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Tea$7.53
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason$49
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Morning Tea$7.97
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Pastry$6.27
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Sushi Dinner for One$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Borough Market Self-guided food tour: $5.76
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
- Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Traveling Spoon Nepalese Momos Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Pizza Making Cookery Class: $53
- No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $68
- African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $74
- Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $74
- Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $74
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $88
- Traditional English Walking Food Tour With London Food Tours: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39London $41
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 London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert$104
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London Symphony Orchestra$43
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London Pass$59
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Comedy Show$10
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- London's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $3.26
- London Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.28
- Harry Potter Movie Locations Self Walking Tour: $3.77
- Jack the Ripper Self Guided Audio Tour in London: $4.91
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in London: $5.45
- Soho's Contribution to Health Care History Walking Audio Tour: $5.48
- Bloomsbury's Contribution to Health Care History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.48
- Covent Garden: A Self-Guided Photography Tour : $5.54
- Brick Lane: A self-guided audio tour of East London's vibrant jewel: $5.54
- Camden Town's Quirky Characters: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.54
- London Lights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Cultural Capital of the World: $5.54
- Secret An audio tour about the heritage of the city's Russian immigrants: $5.54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13London $19
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Self Guided Audio Tour in London Old Pub Crawl: $7.63
- Fun London Pub Crawl Treasure Hunt with 20% off ALL drinks!: $13
- 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
- Haunted London Pub Walking Tour: $20
- 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $24
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
- Shoreditch Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Guided Historic Pub Tour (London): $27
- Pub Crawl of Central London: $29
- Camden Pub Crawl & Bar Tour London: $31
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $31
- Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and London, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Abu Dhabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and London 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 Abu Dhabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Abu Dhabi 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Abu Dhabi.
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 London Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or London?
London has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and London, 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 London?
London 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 London in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as London. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
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 London. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than London. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)London 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or London in the Autumn?
Both London 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. Also, many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than London in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than London during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than London. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)London 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or London in the Winter?
Both London 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. Also, many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
London can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than London. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and London averages at about 4°C (40°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than London. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than London. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)London 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or London in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and London. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Also, most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than London during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than London. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)London 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for London and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | London | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.