Which place is cheaper, Paris or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Paris?
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 Paris can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Paris?
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.
Paris
Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."
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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Paris $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Paris is $249. 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 Paris in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Paris $162
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Paris $324
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Paris
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Paris? 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 Paris Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Paris $23
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 Paris
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:
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Metro$6.86
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Train from Airport$9.64
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Metro tickets$7.29
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Train$21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris
Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private round trip transfer from/to Paris airports: $3.26
- Private transfer from/to CDG, ORLY airports <=> DISNEYLAND: $3.28
- Private round trip transfer from/to PARIS <=> DISNEYLAND: $3.28
- Transfer from/to PARIS<=>NORMANDY (DEAUVILLE, MONT ST MICHEL): $3.28
- Private transfer from Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport to Disneyland: $11
- Private Transfer from Disneyland Paris to Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airports: $11
- Private One-Way Transfer: City of Paris: $12
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Private Departure Transfer: $13
- Transfer CDG Airport -> Hôtel: $15
- Paris Airport (CDG): Hotel Transfer from Paris or Roissy: $15
- Private transfer: Orly Airport to Paris: $16
- Paris Private Transfer Disneyland: $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Paris?
Prices for flights to both Paris 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 $45Paris $44
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 Paris
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:
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Ice Cream$8.57
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Breakfast$7.50
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Breakfast for 2$32
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Dinner on River Cruise$92
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Dinner$61
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Cheese$14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris
For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1h30 Cooking Activity in English: $22
- Hard Rock Cafe Paris with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner : $33
- Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris : $49
- Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $52
- Paris : Seine River Bistronomic Dinner Cruise: $53
- Seine Cruise Departure from Pont Alexandre III with Dinner Included: $64
- Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise: $67
- Eat, play, love Montmartre: 3H Walking Food Tour -Kids friendly-: $68
- No Diet Club - Paris : Night food tour - Montmartre: $68
- Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $68
- 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise with Bistro Dinner: $68
- Le Marais Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Paris $83
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris
For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Louvre Entry for Two$19
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Admission to Pantheon$5.36
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Catacombs (2)$25
Tours and Activities in Paris
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.
- Free Walking Tour of Montmartre: $2.15
- Montmartre Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt Tour: $3.23
- Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.26
- Self Guided Tours in Paris with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.28
- Marais Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $4.36
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.38
- Père-Lachaise Cemetery audio guide tour: $5.38
- Paris, Arc de Triomphe: tour with audio guide: $5.38
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Paris: $5.45
- Self-Guided Tour - Père Lachaise Cemetery Audioguide, Paris: $5.46
- Paris Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.46
- Self-Guided Tour - Louvre Audioguide, Paris: $5.46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Paris $26
Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:
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Wine$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Paris
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:
- Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $11
- Original Pub Crawl: $16
- Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $20
- Latin Quarter Guided Pub Crawl to Bars and Clubs: $22
- Paris Bar Crawl: $24
- Paris Pub Crawl: $25
- Audio guided tour and wine tasting at Caves du Louvre: $32
- Paris Craft gin distillery guided Tour & Tasting in French: $32
- Wine Museum Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $39
- Guided Visit and Wine Tasting in a Royal Wine Cellar in Paris: $39
- Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $43
- Paris St Germain Wine Tasting: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Paris, we can see that Paris 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 Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Paris?
Paris has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Paris, 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 Paris?
Paris 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 Paris in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Paris. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Paris because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Paris in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Paris fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paris. 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 Paris. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 241 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Paris. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Paris receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Paris 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Paris in the Autumn?
Both Paris 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, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Paris this time of year.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Paris. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Paris averages at about 13°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Paris during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Paris. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Paris 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Paris in the Winter?
Both Paris 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 travelers come to Paris for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Paris. In January, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Paris. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and Paris fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Paris. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Paris receives 62 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Paris. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Paris receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Paris 5°C (40°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Paris in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Paris. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Paris in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Paris in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Paris fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Paris during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Paris receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Paris. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Paris receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Paris 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Paris and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Paris | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.