Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Saint John's?
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 Saint John's can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Saint John's?
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.
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Saint John's $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $222. 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 Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Saint John's? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Saint John's $17
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 - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi: $100
- Abu Dhabi Airport Departure Transfer (Abu Dhabi Hotels to Abu Dhabi Airport): $131
- 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 Transfers : Airport AUH to Abu Dhabi City by Luxury Van: $95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Airport (ANU): $50
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $50
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $60
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $78
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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 $45Saint John's $68
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Saint John's $103
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: $8.16
- 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
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
- Shop & Eat in Abu Dhabi’s Markets Like a Local Walking Tour: $19
- Abu Dhabi Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big UAE Quiz (1 Day Pass): $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Stingray City Experience Antigua - ONLY TICKET: $73
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Saint John's $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's 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 Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Saint John's?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Saint John's, 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 Saint John's?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Saint John's in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Saint John's. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Saint John's during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.
The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Saint John's. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Saint John's in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Saint John's. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Saint John's. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the autumn, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Saint John's. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun.
In October, Abu Dhabi is generally around the same temperature as Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Saint John's in the Winter?
Both Saint John's 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Saint John's during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
Abu Dhabi is cooler than Saint John's in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Saint John's in the Spring?
Both Saint John's 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Saint John's. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the spring, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Saint John's. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Saint John's. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John's averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.