Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Rio de Janeiro?
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 Rio de Janeiro can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Rio de Janeiro?
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.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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 Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Rio de Janeiro $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is $105. 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 Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Rio de Janeiro $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Rio de Janeiro $132
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Rio de Janeiro
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Rio de Janeiro? 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 Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Rio de Janeiro $7.97
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:
- Abrahamic Family House Tour with Transfer: $89
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Abu Dhabi Hotel or Address): $131
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi: $99
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To or From Anywhere within Abu Dhabi: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer to Hotel or Vice Versa: $65
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer to or from Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport: $140
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $18
- Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $18
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19
- Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): $21
- Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) to Rio de Janeiro: $21
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $22
- Executive GIG Rio Galeao airport private transfer up to 4 pax to South Zone: $23
- Executive GIG Rio Galeao airport private transfer up to 3 pax to South Zone: $24
- Private transfer Minivan GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Zona Sul: $24
- Shuttle Transfer to/from Búzios: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Rio de Janeiro?
Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro 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 $45Rio de Janeiro $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $42
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $45
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $48
- 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
- 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 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Dinner: $84
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.78
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Hamburger$0.98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $45
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $71
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $81
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $103
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142
- Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner : $143
- Brazilian Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro: $196
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Rio de Janeiro $22
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Qasr Al Hosn: Entry Tickets with 1 GB Data eSIM: $7.93
- Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $8.17
- Fast-Track Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Hosn: $8.37
- Abu Dhabi 4G & 5G Data Roaming for Tourist: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Louvre Join an Express Tour: $14
- Louvre Abu Dhabi with Tourist Shuttle Bus & eSIM: $17
- Qasr Al Watan Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum General Admission Ticket: $17
- Qasr Al Watan Admission Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Palace & Garden Entrance Ticket: $18
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.83
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.83
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.83
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.97
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Rio de Janeiro $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $27
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Rio de Janeiro, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Rio de Janeiro is in South America, 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 Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Rio de Janeiro.
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 Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Rio de Janeiro. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin January. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Rio de Janeiro. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Rio de Janeiro in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year.
In the winter, Abu Dhabi is cooler than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at about 21°C (70°F)in July.
In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?
Both Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi during the spring 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 April, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Rio de Janeiroin October. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Rio de Janeiro | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 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.