A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Abu Dhabi vs. Pamukkale for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Pamukkale?

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 Pamukkale can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Pamukkale?

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.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.

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 Tours for Seniors to Turkey, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Pamukkale or Abu Dhabi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Pamukkale is $156. 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 Pamukkale in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Abu Dhabi $98
    Pamukkale $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Abu Dhabi $196
    Pamukkale $112
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Pamukkale

Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Pamukkale? 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.

Hotels in Abu Dhabi


Hotels in Pamukkale


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 Pamukkale Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $20
    Pamukkale $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:


  • Car Rental
    $31
  • 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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale

Also for Pamukkale, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels: $82
  • Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Day Trip with Lunch and Transfers: $85
  • Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $90
  • Private Denizli Pamukkale Airport Transfer Service: $98
  • Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $100
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Denizli City Hotels: $104
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $104
  • Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $109
  • Transfer from Denizli Airport to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $124
  • Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $137
  • Pamukkale to Antalya Centre Hotels Transfer: $165
  • City of Pamukkale/Denizli: Antalya Airport Private Transfer: $166

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Pamukkale?

Prices for flights to both Pamukkale 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Abu Dhabi $45
    Pamukkale $69

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $39
    Pamukkale $54

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 Pamukkale

For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance fees Travertines & Pool
    $2.01

Tours and Activities in Pamukkale

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pamukkale.

  • Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Tour With Optional Balloon Flight: $38
  • Pamukkale City Highlights Small Group Guided Tour with Lunch: $40
  • Full Day Pamukkale City Tour From Pamukkale And Karahayit Hotels: $45
  • From Antalya: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour with Lunch: $48
  • Shared Pamukkale Group Tour from Pamukkale: $57
  • From Bodrum: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Guided Tour with Lunch: $63
  • Kusadasi or Selcuk: Pamukkale Guided Group Tour: $68
  • Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $81
  • Shared Cultural Tour in Pamukkale and Hierapolis: $82
  • Pamukkale Tour From Pamukkale : $82
  • Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour: $85
  • Daily Pamukkale Guided Tour with extra Red spring enjoyment.: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Abu Dhabi $13
    Pamukkale $15


When comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Pamukkale, 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 Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Pamukkale?

Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Pamukkale. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Pamukkale, 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 Pamukkale?

Pamukkale 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 Pamukkale in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Pamukkale. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Pamukkale. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Pamukkale fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamukkale. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the summer, Abu Dhabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamukkale. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamukkale receives 356 hours of full sun.

Abu Dhabi usually gets more rain in July than Pamukkale. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pamukkale receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Abu Dhabi 35°C (95°F) 
    Pamukkale 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Pamukkale in the Autumn?

Both Pamukkale 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.

Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Pamukkale in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Pamukkale fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Pamukkale. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Pamukkale during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Pamukkale receives 232 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Pamukkale. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pamukkale receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Abu Dhabi 29°C (84°F) 
    Pamukkale 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Pamukkale in the Winter?

Both Pamukkale 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.

In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Pamukkale. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Pamukkale averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Pamukkale. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamukkale receives 137 hours of full sun.

Pamukkale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Pamukkale. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pamukkale receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Abu Dhabi 18°C (64°F) 
    Pamukkale 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Pamukkale in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Pamukkale. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round.

In April, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Pamukkale. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Pamukkale fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamukkale this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Pamukkale during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Pamukkale receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Pamukkale. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pamukkale receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Abu Dhabi 27°C (81°F) 
    Pamukkale 17°C (62°F)

Typical Weather for Pamukkale and Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Pamukkale
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jul 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Aug 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (67°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)