Which place is cheaper, Seattle or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Seattle?
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 Seattle can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Seattle?
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.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Seattle $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $205. 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 Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Seattle $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Seattle
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Seattle? 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 Seattle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Seattle $30
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 Transfer To Abu Dhabi Airport: $26
- Private One-way Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To Abu Dhabi: $26
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $33
- Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi city to Abu Dhabi Cruise 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 hotel to Dubai Airport (DXB) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
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Lightrail from Airport (for 2)$5.50
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Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
- One-Way Transfer: Cruise Piers to Airport : $28
- One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Hotels to Seattle Cruise Terminals : $33
- Private Arrival Transfer In Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) : $40
- Private One-way Airport Transfer(Seattle Airport To/From Seattle): $58
- Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Seattle - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $74
- Private Transfer from Seattle hotels to Smith Cove Terminal : $74
- Seattle Airport (SEA) to Smith Cove Terminal - Arrival Transfer: $74
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Airport (SEA) - Departure Transfer: $74
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Hotels Arrival Private Transfer : $74
- One-Way Private Transfer from Seattle Airport: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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 $45Seattle $51
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
Typical Food Prices in Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
- Secret Food Tours Seattle: $65
- Seattle Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours: $67
- Eat Around the World Seattle Food Tour: $69
- International District Food Tour: $69
- Street Food Tour of South Lake Union: $75
- Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $85
- Pike Place Market Food Tour: $99
- Small Group Cooking Class: $138
- Private Seattle Cooking Class with a Chef in Her Home: $198
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Seattle $16
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
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- Space Needle Park Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Seattle by Crazy Dash: $10
- Downtown Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
- Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Seattle Mariners Baseball Game Ticket at T Mobile Park: $15
- Seattle bakery walk tour: $19
- National Nordic Museum Entry Ticket: $20
- Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket: $22
- Terrors and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour: $26
- MoPOP Entry Ticket: $27
- Woodland Park Zoo Day Admission Ticket: $28
- Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Seattle $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
- Where the Hops Grow! Yakima Brewery Tour : $40
- Woodinville Wine Country: Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Woodinville Wine Country: Artisan Hill Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Brewery and Restaurant Tour of Historic Seattle Neighborhood: $109
- Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour : $120
- From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting: $262
- Snoqualmie Falls + Wine Tasting: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour: $263
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Seattle?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Seattle, 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 Seattle?
Seattle 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 Seattle in the Summer?
Both Seattle 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, many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Seattle. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Seattle 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Seattle in the Autumn?
Both Seattle 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, many visitors come to Seattle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the autumn, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Seattle 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Seattle in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Seattle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Seattle. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Seattle 42°F (5°C)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Seattle in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Seattle. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. 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 Seattle. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Seattle 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Seattle and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Seattle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 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.