Which place is cheaper, Sapa or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Sapa?
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 Sapa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Sapa?
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.
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
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 Budget Tours to Vietnam, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam.
-
Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesSapa Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Sapa $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Sapa is $45. 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 Sapa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Sapa $12
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Sapa $24
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Sapa
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Sapa? 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 Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Sapa $8.96
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
-
Car Rental$31
-
Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $280
- Warner Bro's with Private Transfers from Dubai: $279
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Tickets with Private Transfers: $257
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $251
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Entry Tickets to Ferrari World Fast Track with Private Transfer: $235
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $232
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $226
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Warner Bros World and Ferrari World Combo Ticket with transfer from Dubai: $204
- Miracle Garden And Global Village Dubai Tour With Transfers From Abu Dhabi: $200
- Abu Dhabi Combo Ticket: Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld with transfers: $195
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
-
Short Motorbike Ride$1.14
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Sapa?
Prices for flights to both Sapa 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
-
Food Meals for one dayAbu Dhabi $78Sapa $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Red Dunes 4x4 Pick Drop Dinner Shows: $43
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows & BBQ Buffet Dinner: $50
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Camel Ride and Live Shows: $56
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
- Lunch Or Dinner at Emirates Palace - Ultimate Luxury Experience: $64
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
- Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $69
- Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Live Shows, and BBQ Dinner: $69
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Shows: $71
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $71
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and Shows: $73
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
-
Casual Dinner (for One)$2.58
-
Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.09
-
Coffee (for Two)$2.28
-
Western Dinner (for Two)$7.57
-
Pho Soup$0.57
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Sapa $5.83
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $149
- 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch: $103
- 8 hours Private Tour: Ferrari World and Louvre Museum with Pickup: $270
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $34
- Abu Dhabi ,Private Layover Tour -6 hours: $299
- Abu Dhabi : Private Walking Tour with A guide (Private Tour): $47
- Abu Dhabi City Essentials Half day tour from Abu Dhabi: $44
- Abu Dhabi City Full Day Tour from Abu Dhabi: $157
- Abu Dhabi City Tour by Helicopter: $278
- Abu Dhabi City Tour from Abu Dhabi: $100
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
CatCat Village Tax$1.52
-
Ta Phin Village Tax$0.76
-
Walking Stick$0.19
-
Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.04
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Sapa $7.79
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
-
Two Beers$0.95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Sapa, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Sapa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Sapa 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 Sapa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapa 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 Sapa.
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 Sapa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Sapa?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Sapa, 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.
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.