Which place is cheaper, Mexico City 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.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Mexico City?
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 Mexico City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Mexico City?
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.
Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesMexico City Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Mexico City $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Mexico City is $191. 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 Mexico City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Mexico City $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Mexico City $68
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Mexico City
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Mexico City? 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 Mexico City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Mexico City $11
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:
- Yas Water World Abu Dhabi entry Ticket With Optional Transfer: $87
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Warner Bros General Admission with Transfers: $141
- Warner Bro's with Private Transfers from Dubai: $279
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi APT-HTL(AUH): $56
- Transfer between Abu Dhabi and Dubai private: $135
- Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $31
- Tickets to Global Village with Private Transfer: $95
- Snow Park Abudhabi Premium Tickets with Optional Transfers: $120
- Snow Abu Dhabi With Transfer Optional : $87
- Private direct transfer from Abu Dhabi to Dubai: $131
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $214
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mexico City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:
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Metro$0.98
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Uber Ride$3.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City
Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Mexico city Airport - Mexico city Downtown hotels: $16
- Ciudad de México Private Transfer from City to Airport (MEX): $17
- Transfer to and from Mexico City Airport: $19
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Mexico City: $27
- Mexico City International Airport (MEX) to Mexico City- Private Arrival Transfer: $30
- Mexico to Mexico City Airport (MEX) Departure Arrival Transfer: $31
- Transfer & assistance one-way from/to Mexico City Airport/hotel : $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Mexico City Airport: $34
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Mexico APT-HTL (MEX) : $36
- Roundtrip Private Airport Transfer Ciudad de México (MEX) to City: $36
- Mexico City Private Airport Transfer : $36
- Private Arrival Transfer from Mexico City airport to Central Hotels: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Mexico City?
Prices for flights to both Mexico City 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 $78Mexico City $39
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 Unique Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $39
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $54
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $69
- 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: $79
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $80
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
Typical Food Prices in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$11
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Coffee and Snacks$3.82
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Dinner for 2$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Mexico City Street Food Tour - Best Rated: $29
- Frida Kahlo Museum & Coyoacan Tacos & Food Tour: $35
- Private Street Food Tour Mexico City - Best rated : $35
- Virtual Mexican Cooking Class (private and personalized): $50
- Veracruz and Boca del Rio Food Tour with Mangroves Boat Trip: $50
- Art and Food Tour with Lunch: $51
- Local Markets & Food Tour in Mexico City: $53
- Tortilla Crawl: Food Tour in Mexico City: $55
- Mexico City Vegan & Veggie Market Explorer plus Cooking Lesson: $55
- 3 Hours Food Tour Best Vegan Tacos in Mexico City: $57
- Secret Food Tour: Mexico City Old Town: $65
- Mexico City Food Tour: Historic Center, Heritage on a Plate: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Mexico City $12
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
- Abu Dhabi Yas Island Water Adventures Tour: $74
- Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Ticket: $24
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
- Shared Abu Dhabi Adventure Tour/Sunrise safari, Dune bashing : $75
- 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch : $104
- Abu Dhabi : Private Walking Tour with A guide (Private Tour): $46
- Abu Dhabi Attractions Tour: $100
- Abu Dhabi City Tour & Ferrari World Ticket: $125
- Abu Dhabi City Tour & Ferrari World Ticket: $129
Tours and Activities in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- MUCHO Museum of Chocolate Entrance Ticket: $4.06
- CDMX: Museum of Memory and Tolerance - Free and Safe (Entrance ticket): $5.07
- CDMX: Museum of Memory and Tolerance - Anne Frank (Entrance ticket): $5.07
- Bastards of Mexico: Unfiltered Tour of the Historic Center: $5.20
- Flavors of the Past: Pre-Hispanic drinks tour in Roma.: $5.20
- Franz Mayer Museum Regular Admission Ticket: $6.09
- Double Decker Bus Night Tour: $7.61
- Memory and Tolerance Museum Entry Ticket: $7.61
- Mexico City Jewish History Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Frida Kahlo's Mexico City Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- La Roma's Famous Sights and Local Lore: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Teotihuacan Pyramids (no ticket): $8.12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Mexico City $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:
- Guided Pub Crawl with Party Games: $22
- Mexico City Pub Crawl: $23
- Best Bar Crawl at Downtown: $49
- Polanco: Private Wine Tasting in with Cheese: $81
- Zona Rosa Pub Crawl Experience: $87
- Teotihuacan´s Best Balloon Flight: Pyramids and Brewery tours : $120
- Cavas Freixenet Wine Tour from Mexico City: $222
When comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Mexico City, 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 Mexico City is in North America, 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 Mexico City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Mexico City?
Mexico City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Mexico City, 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.