Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Madrid?
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 Madrid can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Madrid?
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.
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
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 from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Madrid $152
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $152. 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 Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Madrid $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Madrid $172
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Madrid? 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 Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Madrid $20
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:
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Tickets with Private Transfers: $289
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Sharjah: $279
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Fujairah: $279
- Private Transfer from Talal Liwa to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $279
- Private Transfer from Jebel Dhanna Resort to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $279
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi From Dubai Included Transfer and Tickets: $235
- From 2 Dives for Certified Divers with transfer: $231
- From Scuba Dive and Snorkeling with BBQ, Transfer: $231
- Abu Dhabi Helicopter Ride with optional Private Transfers: $222
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $222
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $216
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madrid Barajas Airport: Transfer to/from Atocha Bus Station: $7.64
- Madrid Barajas International Airport - Private Arrival Transfer: $22
- Alcobendas Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $27
- Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer from Barajas Airport: $40
- Madrid Airport Private Departure Transfer: $43
- Private Transfer From Madrid Barajas Airport to Madrid: $45
- Transfers Madrid Airport to Madrid Center in Vans up to 7 Passengers: $48
- Madrid City Center: Private Transfer to Madrid Airport: $50
- Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from MAD Airport to Madrid: $54
- Madrid Barajas Airport Private Transfer To Pozuelo de Alarcón: $55
- Madrid Airport: Private Transfer to Madrid City Center: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid 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 $45Madrid $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abudhabi Desert Safari Buffet Dinner & Live Entertainments Shows: $24
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $38
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $45
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner : $65
- 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 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $90
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee$2.23
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Ice Cream$3.35
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Kebabs (for 2)$18
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Croissant$1.67
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Madrid Sunset Walking Tour with Optional Flamenco Show and Dinner: $27
- Flamenco Show, Dinner and Workshop at Taberna Flamenca El Cortijo: $54
- Flamenco Show with Dinner, Drinks and Optional Class: $55
- The Authentic Morning Food Tour!: $60
- Dinner-Show La Circa de Marta Cariño! en el centro de Madrid: $61
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $61
- Opera and Zarzuela Show and Dinner: $62
- Tapas Crawl in Madrid Historical Quarter for Lunch or Dinner: $65
- Iberico Ham and Spanish Wine Small-Group Food Tour: $65
- Madrid San Miguel Market and City Center Street Food Tour: $65
- Paella and Tapas Cooking Workshop in Madrid: $67
- Spanish Tapas Experience and Sangría Showcooking in Madrid: $72
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Madrid $37
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
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Ticket: $26
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $130
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $33
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $95
- Abu Dhabi City Tour & Ferrari World Ticket: $119
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Tour navideño por Madrid: $1.09
- FREE TOUR (Golden age): $1.09
- Madrid Essential: Free Walking City Tour: $1.09
- FREE TOUR Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $1.09
- Medieval History Tour of the City’s Ancient Past: $1.09
- Free Walking City Highlights Tour: $1.09
- Self Guided Tours Madrid With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.33
- Madrid Essential: Free Walking Tour: $3.33
- Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.34
- Modern Madrid Walking Tour The Bourbons: $3.89
- Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.46
- Madrid Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.76
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Madrid $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer$5.58
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Pub Crawl Madrid Erasmus & International Meet and Party(New): $8.75
- Original Pub Crawl With VIP Club Entry: $11
- Halloween Pub Crawl Madrid: $11
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $13
- Guided Bar Crawl with Drinks and Nightclub Entry: $14
- Pub Crawl Madrid's Night Time: $15
- Pub Crawl Madrid Running since 2005 Bar Exploration: $16
- Pub Crawl (3bars+ 1club) FREE SHOTS Party Night!: $16
- Guided Pub Crawl Madrid Experience and Club Entry: $16
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $17
- Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: $19
When comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Madrid, we can see that Abu Dhabi 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 Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Madrid?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Madrid, 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.