Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Sydney?
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 Sydney can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Sydney $278
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $278. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Sydney $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Sydney $208
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Sydney $15
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 Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $22
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney Airport to Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay: $22
- Shuttle Transfer from Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay to Sydney Airport: $22
- Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $27
- Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $28
- Private Departure Transfer: Sydney Airport: $33
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $36
- Private Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port: $38
- Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Sydney International Airport to/from Sydney One Way Transfer: $47
- NRL Grand Final Transfer to ANZ Stadium: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $45Sydney $45
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 Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.64
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Lunch Special$9.91
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.91
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Meat Pies$3.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
- VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
- Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
- Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
- Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
- Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise (1.5 hour): $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Sydney $32
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 Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$30
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$126
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Powerhouse Museum$9.94
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.15
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17
- Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $17
- Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $17
- Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $17
- Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Sydney $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $21
- Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $30
- Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
- Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
- Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $122
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $145
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney with Lunch and 3 Cellar Door Tastings: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney is in Pacific, 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Sydney, 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 Sydney?
Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Sydney. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Also, many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Sydneyin January. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Sydney during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Sydneyin January. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sydney in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Sydney. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Sydney in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Sydney fluctuates around 19°C (65°F)in April.
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 Sydneyin April. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 195 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sydney. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Sydneyin April. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sydney in the Winter?
Both Sydney 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. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Sydney. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Sydney averages at about 12°C (53°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Sydney during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 208 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Sydneyin July. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Sydney in the Spring?
Both Sydney 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. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Sydneyin October. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Sydney, 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 Sydneyin October. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Sydneyin October. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.