Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or San Diego?
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 San Diego can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164San Diego $202
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $202. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20San Diego $24
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:
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Tickets with Private Transfers: $289
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Talal Liwa: $280
- Private Transfer from Jebel Dhanna Resort to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $280
- Private Transfer from Qasr Al Sarab to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $280
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- From 2 Dives for Certified Divers with transfer: $231
- From Scuba Dive and Snorkeling with BBQ, Transfer: $231
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $223
- 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: $217
- Full Day Ferrari world Tour with Private Transfers from Dubai: $212
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) Private Arrival Transfer: $40
- Transfer in private vehicle from San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego Downtown: $47
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in San Diego HTL-APT(SAN): $47
- Private Departure Transfer to San Diego Airport SAN: $50
- Private Arrival Transfer from San Diego Airport SAN: $56
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to Tijuana hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) – Departure Private Transfer: $57
- One Way Airport Hotel Shuttle Transfer: $68
- San Diego Airport - Private Round Trip Transfer: $70
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Carlsbad, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Private Transfer from San Diego Port to San Diego city hotels: $76
- Private Transfer from San Diego City Hotels to San Diego Port : $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $45San Diego $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abudhabi Desert Safari Buffet Dinner & Live Entertainments Shows: $24
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $25
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $38
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $45
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $70
- 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
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
Typical Food Prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tijuana Street Food Tour for Foodies: $79
- Pizza and Gelato Tour in San Diego: $80
- Little Italy Food and Drink Walking Tour: Pizza, Pasta & Piazzas: $85
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $85
- North Park San Diego Walking Food Tour: $85
- Private French Cooking Class in La Jolla with Andrea: $88
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour: $89
- Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Food Tour of Historic Gaslamp District: $94
- San Diego Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- San Diego, Seaport Village: Waterfront Walking Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39San Diego $48
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Ticket: $26
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
- 8 Hour Ticket/Pass For Yas Water World In Dubai.: $103
- 8-Hours Tickets to Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi: $98
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $95
- Abu Dhabi City Tour & Ferrari World Ticket: $119
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Liberty Station Quest Experience in San Diego: $4.93
- Self-Guided San Diego Walking or Bicycle Tour App: $5.00
- Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Gaslamp District Quest Experience in San Diego: $5.83
- San Diego Balboa Park Quest Experience: $7.29
- Waterfront Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.36
- Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA: $7.99
- Sights of San Diego Harbor: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.99
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- San Diego Natural History Museum Ticket: $12
- Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- San Diego Embarcadero Waterfront Ghost Tour: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13San Diego $21
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $15
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $114
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- San Diego to Ensenada Wine tour Guadalupe Valley/fauna restaurant: $160
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Sidecar Wine Tasting Tour: $199
- Brewery and Tap Room Sidecar Tour: $199
- California Sunset Brewery Tour: $199
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and San Diego, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego is in North 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 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and San Diego, 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 San Diego?
San Diego 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 San Diego in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as San Diego. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than San Diego. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and San Diego averages at about 71°F (22°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. 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 San Diego. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or San Diego in the Autumn?
Both San Diego 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 autumn months attract visitors to San Diego because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives more rain than San Diego. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or San Diego in the Winter?
Both San Diego 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than San Diego in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than San Diego. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or San Diego in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and San Diego. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than San Diego. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and San Diego averages at about 62°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than San Diego. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
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.