A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Abu Dhabi vs. Sarajevo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Sarajevo?

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 Sarajevo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Sarajevo?

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.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and is one of the most culturally and historically interesting cities to visit in Europe. The city was at the crossroads where the Eastern and Western Roman Empires divided, and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches divided. Today it is most associated with the Civil War that occurred here between 1992 and 1995. There are still many remnants of the war left, from the cemeteries that dot the countryside to the leftover damage done by bombs. Despite its brutal history, Sarajevo has begun to thrive again, both economically and as a tourist destination.

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 Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina.


Which place is cheaper, Sarajevo 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Sarajevo is $92. 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 Sarajevo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Abu Dhabi $98
    Sarajevo $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Abu Dhabi $196
    Sarajevo $54
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Sarajevo

Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Sarajevo? 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.

Hotels in Abu Dhabi


Hotels in Sarajevo


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 Sarajevo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $20
    Sarajevo $6.97
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:

  • Yas Water world Abu Dhabi With Optional Transfer: $105
  • Warner Bros World and Ferrari World Combo Ticket with transfer from Dubai: $204
  • Warner Bro's with Private Transfers from Dubai: $279
  • Visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi From Dubai Included Transfer and Tickets: $235
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi APT-HTL(AUH): $56
  • Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport(AUH) to Abu Dhabi City Center: $29
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $42
  • Transfer in private minivan from Abu Dhabi City - Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $58
  • Transfer in private minivan from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $58
  • Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $29
  • Snow Park Abudhabi Premium Tickets with Optional Transfers: $120
  • Snow Abu Dhabi With Transfer Optional : $87

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sarajevo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Sarajevo:


  • Tram Tickets (for 2)
    $1.62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarajevo

Also for Sarajevo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport transfer Sarajevo - Bosnia: $16
  • Experience Airport Transfer Service: $21
  • One-way Private Airport Transfer to Sarajevo: $22
  • Airport Transfers Sarajevo for Individual Clients: $26
  • Airport Transfers & Private Tours with Luxury minibus Bosnia: $26
  • Airport Transfer in Sarajevo: $27
  • Sarajevo Airport Private Transfers (from/to): $30
  • Sarajevo Airport Private Transfer: $32
  • Sarajevo Airport Private Transfers (from/to) : $32
  • Private Transfer from Lukavica to Sarajevo Airport (SJJ): $32
  • Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Ilidža: $32
  • Private Transfer from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ) to Krivoglavci: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Sarajevo?

Prices for flights to both Sarajevo 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 day
    Abu Dhabi $78
    Sarajevo $53

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 BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $25
  • Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $38
  • Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $51
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
  • Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $68
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $70
  • Abu Dhabi 4x4 Desert Safari BBQ Dinner , Camel Ride , Belly Dance: $75
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
  • 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 Sarajevo

For Sarajevo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Restaurant Dinner (for 2)
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarajevo

For Sarajevo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Walking Food Tour with Local Craft Experience: $42
  • Experience Eat Like Locals Walking Food Tour: $42
  • Morning food tour: Start a day like a real Bosnian: $45
  • Ethnic Village Food Tour With Optional Mountain Hiking: $63
  • Bosnian Cooking Lessons: $78
  • Experience Bosnian Cooking Class: $85
  • Sarajevo food tour and city's sights : $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $39
    Sarajevo $12

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
  • Private Full Day Dubai city tour: $229
  • Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
  • Yas island abu dhabi 1/2/3 park admission tickets : $95
  • 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $130
  • 45 minutes Yas Experience: $42
  • 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch : $117
  • 20 Minutes Rolls Royce Jet Car Tour: $204
  • Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $32
  • Abu Dhabi : Private Walking Tour with A guide (Private Tour): $43
  • Abu Dhabi City Tour & Ferrari World Ticket: $129

Typical Entertainment Prices in Sarajevo

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Sarajevo's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • National Museum (for 2)
    $7.58

Tours and Activities in Sarajevo

For Sarajevo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Svrzo House Entrance Ticket: $3.22
  • Sarajevo History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina Entry Ticket : $9.69
  • Old Town Sarajevo Walking Tour: $13
  • 2 hours Small Group Old Town of Sarajevo Walking Tour with Local Tour Guide: $13
  • Sarajevo Talkie-Walkie Tour: $13
  • Grand Walking Tour: $16
  • Guided Walking History Tour: $16
  • SARAJEVO Walking tour: $16
  • Sarajevo Grand Walking Tour: $16
  • Sarajevo Essential Full Walking Tour: $16
  • Sensational Sarajevo Sunset Walking Tour: $17
  • Discover Sarajevo Walking Tour with Local Guide: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Abu Dhabi $13
    Sarajevo $7.28


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Sarajevo, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Sarajevo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Sarajevo is in Europe, 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 Sarajevo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo.

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 Sarajevo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Sarajevo?

Sarajevo has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Sarajevo, 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 Sarajevo?

Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo in the Summer?

Both Sarajevo and Abu Dhabi during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sarajevo for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Sarajevo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In Sarajevo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sarajevo. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 323 hours of full sun.

Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Sarajevo. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Abu Dhabi 35°C (95°F) 
    Sarajevo 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sarajevo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Sarajevo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sarajevo because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Sarajevo during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Abu Dhabi 29°C (84°F) 
    Sarajevo 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sarajevo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Sarajevo. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sarajevo this time of year.

Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Sarajevo in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Sarajevo. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 113 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sarajevo. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Sarajevo. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Abu Dhabi 18°C (64°F) 
    Sarajevo 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sarajevo in the Spring?

Both Sarajevo and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Sarajevo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Sarajevo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Sarajevo during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarajevo. In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Abu Dhabi 27°C (81°F) 
    Sarajevo 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Sarajevo and Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Sarajevo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 127 mm (5 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (66°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Aug 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 65 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)