Which place is cheaper, Varanasi 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.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Varanasi?
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 Varanasi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Varanasi?
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.
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
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 Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Varanasi $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $31. 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 Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Varanasi $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Varanasi $28
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Varanasi? 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 Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Varanasi $4.32
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:
- Yas Water world Abu Dhabi With Optional Transfer: $105
- Warner Bros World and Ferrari World Combo Ticket with transfer from Dubai: $204
- Warner Bros Tickets With Transfer Service to Abu Dhabi from Dubai: $139
- Ultimate Snow Park Abu Dhabi Package with transfer option: $71
- Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport(AUH) to Abu Dhabi City Center: $32
- Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $32
- Teams Lab Phenomena Experience in Abu Dhabi with Transfers option: $56
- Snow Park Abudhabi Premium Tickets with Optional Transfers: $120
- Private direct transfer from Abu Dhabi to Dubai: $134
- Private UAE Transfer from Airport Hotel and Intercity Transfers: $36
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $219
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $224
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
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Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.84
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Rickshaw Ride$0.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $11
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $26
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $32
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Private Transfer from Varanasi to Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport: $45
- Private Car Airport Transfer from Hotel in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram: $55
- Smooth transfer from Varanasi Airport to Hotel: $60
- Sarnath Tour with Guide & Car Including Hotel transfers: $69
- Private Transfer Varanasi to Bodhgaya - One Way: $97
- Spiritual Varanasi - A Most Amazing Heritage Walk with Private Transfer: $99
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi 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 $78Varanasi $11
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 Dinner: $42
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows & BBQ Buffet Dinner: $50
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $50
- Experience Abu Dhabi Yas Island by Dhow Cruise at Sea with Dinner: $55
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $58
- Lunch Or Dinner at Emirates Palace - Ultimate Luxury Experience: $64
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
- Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Live Shows, and BBQ Dinner: $69
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Shows: $71
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $71
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner In Town$3.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class with Sona: $29
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Half-Day Varanasi Village Tour with Cooking Class & Local Dining: $40
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Dashashwamedh Ganga Arati from balcony with Street Food Tour: $50
- Varanasi Bliss: Private Food Tour, Boat Ride & Ganga Aarti: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Varanasi $9.17
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $149
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $155
- 2 Days: Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour & Evening Desert Safari: $140
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 45 minutes Yas Experience: $56
- 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch: $103
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $35
- Abu Dhabi : Private Walking Tour with A guide (Private Tour): $47
- Abu Dhabi Aladdin Tour: Grand Mosque, Etihad, Palace, & Louvre: $119
- Abu Dhabi City Essentials Half day tour from Abu Dhabi: $44
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: $228
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Ride$0.73
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Gatimaan Express Train: $2.82
- 6D Panch Aarti VR Experience at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple: $3.00
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.95
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.64
- Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour: $11
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $11
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $11
- Varanasi Landmark Evening City Tour - Aarti, Boating & Witnessing the GOD: $11
- Cycle of Life, Death & Rebirth (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Sunrise in Banaras with Ganga Aarti (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Sunrise in Varanasi Tour with a local with free Ganga Aarti and Boat Ride: $17
- Mysticism of Varanasi Tour with a local including free Guided Boat Ride: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Varanasi $6.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Varanasi, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Varanasi is in Asia, 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 Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Varanasi.
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 Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Varanasi, 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.
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.