Which place is cheaper, Manchester or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Manchester?
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 Manchester can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Manchester?
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.
Manchester
Located in the heart of Northern England, Manchester is the unofficial Capital of the North. Though it dates back as a Roman city, the city boomed in growth during the Industrial Revolution in textiles, and is today one of the most-visited cities in England by overseas travelers.
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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Manchester $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Manchester is $230. 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 Manchester in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Manchester $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Manchester $178
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Manchester
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Manchester? 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 Manchester Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Manchester $24
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 Manchester
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Manchester are as follows:
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Rail to Airport$14
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Parking in Manchester$3.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manchester
Also for Manchester, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1-Wsy Airport Bus Transfer to/from Leeds: $6.89
- Manchester Airport: BUS Transfer to/from London: $8.16
- Southampton Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Manchester: $8.16
- Manchester Airport to Lake District Ski Club - Arrival Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Alderley Edge: $52
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Stockport: $52
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Adlington (Macclesfield): $52
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Eccles: $57
- Private Transfer from Partington to Manchester Airport (MAN): $57
- Private Transfer from Cadishead to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Salford to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Salford Quays to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Manchester?
Prices for flights to both Manchester 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 $45Manchester $70
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manchester
For Manchester, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Pistachio LOVERS Italian Dinner Experience: $44
- Manchester Food Tour with a Local Guide: $94
- Half-Day Manchester Food Tour with Lunch: $95
- 3-Hour Guided Manchester Food Tour with Lunch : $95
- Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Manchester $38
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
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- 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
Tours and Activities in Manchester
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Manchester.
- Manchester Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.37
- Manchester City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.38
- Manchester’s Rebirth and Renewal: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- England's First Industrial City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Manchester Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Private Manchester Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt: $13
- Salford Quays Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Canal & River Cruise: $15
- City River Tour: $15
- LGBT+ Manchester Walking Tour: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Manchester $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Manchester
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Manchester:
- Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $48
- Four hour walking wine tasting tour of Manchester's best bars: $102
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Manchester, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Manchester?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 53% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Manchester, 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 Manchester?
Manchester 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 Manchester in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Manchester. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Manchester in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°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 Manchester. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Manchester. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Manchester 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Manchester in the Autumn?
Both Manchester 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 Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Manchester averages at about 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Manchester. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Manchester 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Manchester in the Winter?
Both Manchester 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Manchester. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Manchester 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Manchester in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Manchester. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Manchester in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Manchester. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Manchester 8°C (46°F)
Typical Weather for Manchester and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Manchester | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 78 mm (3.1 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.