Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Toronto?
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 Toronto can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Toronto?
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.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Toronto, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Toronto $206
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $206. 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 Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Toronto $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Toronto $174
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Toronto? 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 Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Toronto $33
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:
- Warner Bros General Admission with Transfers: $150
- 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: $30
- Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $42
- Transfer from Abu Dhabi to Dubai City: $150
- Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $30
- Tickets to Global Village with Private Transfer: $95
- Snow Park Abudhabi Premium Tickets with Optional Transfers: $120
- Snow Abu Dhabi Tour with Optional Private Transfers: $110
- Qasr al Watan Tour with Optional Private Transfers: $50
- Private transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi: $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$27
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Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Convenient bus transfer between Hamilton Airport and Toronto: $3.62
- Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $10
- Private Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ: $39
- Private One Way Transfer Toronto Pearson International Airport: $40
- Transfer Toronto Hotels to Toronto Pearson Airport YYZ: $41
- Pearson Airport Private Hotel Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels/Airbnb: $42
- Transfer from Pearson Airport(YYZ) to Toronto City Center: $49
- Transfer from Toronto City Center to Pearson Airport(YYZ): $49
- Private Transfer Toronto Airport (YYZ) - City Center: $50
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer from Toronto to Pearson Airport: $62
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto hotel/address -Arrival Private Transfer: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto 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 $45Toronto $66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abudhabi Desert Safari Buffet Dinner & Live Entertainments Shows: $24
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $38
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $45
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows and BBQ Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner : $65
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $90
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$24
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $49
- Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour: $65
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $73
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $74
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Dinner & Illumination Tower: $74
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $76
- Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour : $82
- Kensington Market International Food Tour: $94
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour with Optional Boat & Dinner: $111
- Toronto Obsession III Dinner Cruise: $128
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise & Dinner (optional): $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Toronto $32
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
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Ticket: $26
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $130
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $33
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $95
- Abu Dhabi City Tour & Ferrari World Ticket: $119
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$16
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CN Tower at night for Two$36
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$27
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.39
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Toronto: $3.62
- Toronto Tips-Based Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $5.00
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.08
- 3-hour City Highlights Tour: $5.08
- Toronto's Waterfront: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.17
- Toronto Old Town: The Dark Side Quest Experience: $8.35
- Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Skip the Line: Bata Shoe Museum Admission Ticket: $11
- The Reel Toronto Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $14
- Guided Harbor and Islands Sightseeing Cruise: $18
- Hockey Hall of Fame Entry Ticket: $18
- Hockey Hall of Fame Admission Ticket: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Toronto $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- The Distillery District Film Tour: $17
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Distillery & Old Town Private Walking Tour: $26
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $35
- 30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour in Toronto: $36
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $36
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $40
- The Distillery District Segway Ghost Tour: $40
- Toronto Distillery District Self-Guided Walking Tour: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Toronto, 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 Toronto?
Toronto 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 Toronto in the Summer?
Both Toronto 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, many visitors come to Toronto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 35°C (95°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Toronto, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Toronto. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Toronto in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Toronto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Abu Dhabi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Toronto. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Toronto in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Toronto. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Toronto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Toronto can be very cold. In January, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 18°C (64°F), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°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 Toronto. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Toronto. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Toronto in the Spring?
Both Toronto 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, the activities around the city are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Toronto. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.