Which place is cheaper, Milan or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Milan?
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 Milan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Milan?
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.
Milan
Milan, known to most of the world as the capital of fashion and style, is also the heart of Italian industry and economics. Between the stock exchange, cathedrals and boutiques, this metropolis is a city-lover's dream come true. It is an escape from the stresses of the real world, and provides a playground for all the world's most lavish luxuries.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Milan $178
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Milan is $178. 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 Milan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Milan $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Milan $206
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Milan
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Milan? 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 Milan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Milan $38
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 Milan
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Milan:
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Train to Airport$7.50
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Malpensa Airport Train (for Two)$24
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Taxi From Airport$96
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Public Transit Day Pass$4.82
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Short Taxi Ride$7.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milan
Also for Milan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Linate Airport to/from Milan Central Station Transfer: $5.38
- Bergamo Airport Transfer: $11
- Bus Transfer from/to Bergamo Airport: $11
- Direct Transfer between Malpensa Airport and Center: $11
- Transfer Milan city center - Bergamo Airport: $12
- Transfer from Malpensa Airport to Milan city center: $12
- Transfer Milan city center - Malpensa airport: $12
- Serravalle Designer Outlet Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $27
- Linate Airport Milan (LIN) to Milan - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- Luxury Private Day Transfer from Milan to Linate Airport: $38
- Private Luxury day Transfer from Linate Airport to Milan: $38
- Milan to Bergamo Airport (BGY) - Departure Private Transfer : $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Milan?
Prices for flights to both Milan 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 $45Milan $42
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 Milan
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Milan:
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Snack at Train Station$9.22
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Restaurant Pizza$7.07
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Casual Cafe Lunch (for Two)$29
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Three Course Dinner (for Two)$69
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Cappuccino$1.75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milan
For Milan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- PYT Milano Dinner Show with Live Music and DJ Set: $22
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Milan Gourmet Food Tour and Sightseeing with Local Guide: $38
- Gourmet Street Food Tour with Sightseeing and Tasting: $45
- Eating Milan Street Food Tour with Guided Tasting and Sightseeing: $46
- Tasty Milan Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $46
- Delicious Milan Street Food Tour Tasting and Sightseeing with Local Guide: $46
- Devour Milan Street Food Tour and Sightseeing: $46
- NO DIET CLUB - Best Food Tour in Milan !: $59
- 2-Hour Cooking Course of Delicious Desserts for Families in Milan: $65
- Mamma Mia - Make Your own Italian Pizza: $69
- Local Market and Cooking Class with an Italian Chef: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Milan $33
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 Milan
For Milan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Stairs to Duomo Rooftop$7.50
Tours and Activities in Milan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Milan.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- The City Storytelling Experience: Art, History and Myths Come Together: $3.28
- Milano Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide by a Local: $4.19
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Exploring Age-Old Plants: $4.63
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Exploring the Famous Five Days: $4.63
- Unique Self-Guided Audio Tour on Alessandro Manzoni: $4.63
- Giuseppe Verdi in Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.63
- From Italy eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.84
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Milan: $5.48
- Stories of the Fashion Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Milan: $5.49
- The Best of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Milan $26
Typical Alcohol Prices in Milan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Milan:
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Cocktail at a Bar$9.00
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Beer$3.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Milan
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Milan:
- Wine Tasting Experience in the City Centre: $43
- Wine Tasting Experience in Milan city centre: $44
- Milan Wine Tasting Experience: $53
- Italian Wine Tasting in Milan: $54
- Milan Wine Tasting Aperitivo: $56
- Milan Wine Tasting with Italian Sommelier: $86
- Private Food and Wine Tasting Experience in the Center of Milan: $87
- Wine Tasting with an Italian Sommelier: $94
- Best of Guided Tour with Duomo, Food & Wine Tasting: $160
- Food and Wine Tasting enjoying the New Milan: $165
- Brescia & Franciacorta Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $182
- Brescia and Franciacorta winery area. Cultural and wine tasting small group tour: $185
When comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Milan, we can see that Milan 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 Milan 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 Milan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Milan?
Milan has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Milan, 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 Milan?
Milan 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 Milan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Milan. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Milan in the summer for 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 Milan. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milan. 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 Milan. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Milan. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Milan 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Milan in the Autumn?
Both Milan 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, most visitors come to Milan for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Milan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Milan during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Milan. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Milan. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Milan 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Milan in the Winter?
Both Milan 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, the winter months attract visitors to Milan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Milan can be very cold. In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Milan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Milan averages at about 5°C (41°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Milan. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Milan. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Milan 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Milan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Milan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Milan this time of year.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Milan. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Milan during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Milan. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Milan 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Milan and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Milan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.