Which place is cheaper, Sado or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Sado?
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 Sado can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Sado?
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.
Sado
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Sado $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Sado is $62. 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 Sado in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Sado $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Sado $60
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Sado
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Sado? 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 Sado Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Sado $14
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:
- Private One-way Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To Abu Dhabi: $26
- Private One-way Abu Dhabi Transfer To Abu Dhabi Airport: $26
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi city to Abu Dhabi Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Port: $38
- Private transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi: $40
- Private transfer: Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $41
- Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport (DXB) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Cruise Port to Abu Dhabi Hotels: $43
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi HTL-APT(AUH): $52
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Sado?
Prices for flights to both Sado 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 $45Sado $23
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
- 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
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Sado $8.43
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: $8.12
- 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
- Louvre Join an Express Tour: $14
- Qasr Al Watan Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi with Tourist Shuttle Bus & eSIM: $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
- Shop & Eat in Abu Dhabi’s Markets Like a Local Walking Tour: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Sado $66
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Sado, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Sado much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Sado is in Asia, 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 Sado would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sado 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 Sado.
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 Sado Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Abu Dhabi or Sado?
Sado 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 Sado in the Summer?
Both Sado and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sado because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Sado in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Sado fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Sado during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 198 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sado. In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Sado. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Sado 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sado in the Autumn?
Both Sado and Abu Dhabi during the autumn 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 hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sado this time of year.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Sado. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Sado averages at about 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the autumn, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Sado. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 155 hours of full sun.
Sado gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Sado. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Sado 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sado in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Sado. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sado for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Sado. In January, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Sado. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and Sado fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Sado during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Sado receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
Sado receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Sado. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Sado 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sado in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Sado. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Sado in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Sado fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the spring, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Sado. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sado receives 194 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sado. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Sado. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sado receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Sado 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sado and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Sado | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 162 mm (6.4 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.