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

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Taipei?

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

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Taipei?

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.

Taipei

Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.

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 Taiwan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Taipei 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.

  • Abu Dhabi Prices
    UAE Prices
    Taipei Prices
    Taiwan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Abu Dhabi $197
    Taipei $196

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Taipei is $196. 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 Taipei in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Abu Dhabi $98
    Taipei $148
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Abu Dhabi $196
    Taipei $296
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Taipei

Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Taipei? 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 Taipei


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 Taipei Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $20
    Taipei $10
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 Abu Dhabi Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $251
  • Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
  • Warner Bro's with Private Transfers from Dubai: $279
  • Ultimate Snow Park Abu Dhabi Package with transfer option: $71
  • Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport(AUH) to Abu Dhabi City Center: $31
  • Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $31
  • Teams Lab Phenomena Experience in Abu Dhabi with Transfers option: $56
  • Snow Park Abudhabi Premium Tickets with Optional Transfers: $120
  • Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $222
  • Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $228
  • Private Transfer from Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $60

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:


  • Easycard
    $2.04
  • Easycard
    $9.43
  • Train
    $1.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei

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

  • Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Return Bus Transfer: $9.19
  • Songshan Airport (TSA) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $23
  • Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $28
  • TPE Airport: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $40
  • Multiple City to Taoyuan Airport with Private Transfer: $41
  • Jiufen: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $42
  • Keelung: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $42
  • Taipei Songshan Airport(TSA)Airport Transfer: $45
  • Taipei City to Taoyuan Airport Private Transfer: $46
  • One-way Private Transfer between Jiufen and Taipei: $47
  • One-Way Transfer Service from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake: $57
  • Taipei Arrival Private Transfer: Taiwan Taoyuan (TPE) to Hotel: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Taipei?

Prices for flights to both Taipei 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
    Taipei $28

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: $39
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Live Entertainment and BBQ Dinner: $44
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $50
  • Experience Abu Dhabi Yas Island by Dhow Cruise at Sea with Dinner: $55
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Camel Ride and Live Shows: $56
  • Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
  • Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Camel Ride BBQ Dinner and Live Shows: $67
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Shows: $71
  • Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $71
  • Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
  • Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $80

Typical Food Prices in Taipei

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


  • EasyCard
    $16
  • Lunch at The Can
    $6.91
  • EasyCard
    $31
  • Lunch
    $2.99
  • Lunch
    $1.89
  • Dinner
    $6.29
  • Lunch
    $3.61
  • Lunch
    $4.71
  • Louisa coffee
    $2.99
  • Lunch
    $5.97
  • Lunch
    $3.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei

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

  • Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included): $45
  • Food Tours w/ Top 10 Taiwan Food (Breakfast/Dinner): $45
  • Taipei Traditional Food Tour in Taiwan Breakfast Market and Tea: $45
  • Street Food & Hidden Eats Night Market Food Tour: $55
  • Taipei Hidden Eats, Market & Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings: $55
  • Disappearing Flavors of Taiwan Food Tour with 12+ Tasters: $55
  • Formosa Flavours Taipei Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
  • Xiao Long Bao, Pork thick soup, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-B (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
  • Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
  • Your First Day Food Tour with Locals & 12+ Tastings: $70
  • Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
  • Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $39
    Taipei $18

Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:

  • 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
  • 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
  • 4 Hour Abu Dhabi City Tour - Private Tour: $265
  • 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
  • 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch: $103
  • Abu Dhabi 2 seater Desert Buggy Experience: $200
  • Abu Dhabi : Private Walking Tour with A guide (Private Tour): $46
  • Abu Dhabi All in One Tour Tradition to Innovation: $199
  • Abu Dhabi City Full Day Tour from Abu Dhabi: $157
  • Abu Dhabi City Sightseeing Tour from Abu Dhabi Hotels: $100
  • Abu Dhabi City Tour: $222
  • Abu Dhabi City Tour from Dubai: $50

Tours and Activities in Taipei

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

  • Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Tour: $0.50
  • Old Town Walking Tour: $0.55
  • Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Walking Tour: $1.00
  • Vintage Taipei - Best of Taiwan and Sunset Walking Tour: $1.20
  • Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence Ticket: $3.28
  • Zoo Entrance Ticket: $4.33
  • Wulai Scenic Train Ticket Waterfall Railway Experience Taiwan: $5.00
  • Night Market Walking Tours in Shilin, Ningxia, Longshan, Ximen: $5.00
  • Walking Tours in Taipei Dihua, Longshan Temple, Shuanglian Market: $5.00
  • Taipei Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
  • Self Guided Walking Tour of Tamsui with Audio Guide: $5.73
  • Taipei Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Abu Dhabi $13
    Taipei $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:

  • Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $27
  • Taipei Nightlife: Pub Crawls / Bar Hopping (2 Different Routes): $30
  • Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery,Jim&Dad's Brewing, Shenkeng Tour: $95


When comparing the travel costs between Abu Dhabi and Taipei, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Taipei is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Taipei Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Taipei?

Taipei has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Taipei, 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.