Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Abu Dhabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Wellington?
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 Wellington can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Wellington?
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.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $164Wellington $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $164, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $104. 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 Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Wellington $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Wellington $122
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Wellington? 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 Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Wellington $12
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 World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Warner Bros General Admission with Transfers: $150
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi HTL-APT(AUH): $52
- Transfer in private minivan from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $67
- Skydive in Abu Dhabi | Tandem Skydive with transfer: $817
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - Abu Dhabi City: $133
- Private transfer: Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $41
- Private transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi: $40
- Private direct transfer from Abu Dhabi to Dubai: $124
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury Van: $212
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Luxury Van: $202
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Business Car: $190
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington 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 $45Wellington $30
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 Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$9.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Wellington $16
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Full Day City Tour : $100
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entrance Ticket: $41
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $234
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 Hour Ticket/Pass For Yas Water World In Dubai.: $103
- Abu Dhabi 'Hidden Gems' by City Break - walking tours made fun!: $32
- Abu Dhabi 4G & 5G Data Roaming for Tourist: $11
- Abu Dhabi : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide: $43
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.61
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket: $9.02
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Guided Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Mana Māori Tour: $12
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Small Group Guided Tour: $14
- Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $16
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
- Wētā Workshop Experience and Guided Tour: $33
- Wētā Workshop Experience in Wellington: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Wellington $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Wellington, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Wellington 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.
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 Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Wellington?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Wellington, 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 Wellington?
Wellington 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 Wellington in the Summer?
Both Wellington 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, the summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Wellington averages at about 18°C (64°F)in January.
In Wellington, 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 Wellingtonin January. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Wellingtonin January. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Wellington in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Wellington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
In October, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Wellingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin April. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Wellington in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Wellington. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Wellington in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in July.
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 Wellingtonin July. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Wellington. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Wellingtonin July. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Wellington in the Spring?
Both Wellington 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, many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Wellington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Wellington averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin October. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.