Which place is cheaper, Zagreb 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 Zagreb?
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 Zagreb can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Zagreb?
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.
Zagreb
Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Croatia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Croatia.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesZagreb Prices
Croatia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Zagreb $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Zagreb is $93. 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 Zagreb in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Zagreb $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Zagreb $102
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Zagreb
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Zagreb? 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 Zagreb Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Zagreb $9.55
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:
- Qasr Al Watan/King Palace Abu Dhabi with Entry Ticket & Transfer: $182
- Abrahamic Family House Tour with Transfer: $89
- Abu Dhabi : Private Half Day Guided Tour - Transfer Included: $191
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Abu Dhabi Hotel or Address): $32
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $157
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi: $98
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Any Hotel in UAE: $27
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer (Within Abu Dhabi Only): $19
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To or From Anywhere within Abu Dhabi: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer to Hotel or Vice Versa: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Bus transfer from/to Rijeka: $7.22
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
- Direct bus Transfer from/to Split: $24
- Zagreb Airport One Way Private transfer To or From Airport: $26
- Airport transfer to your Hotel Accommodation in Zagreb: $32
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $36
- Zagreb Airport: One-Way Private transfer To/From Airport: $39
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $40
- Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $40
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from Zagreb City to Zagreb Airport (ZAG): $44
- CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG / Zagreb City: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Zagreb?
Prices for flights to both Zagreb 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 $78Zagreb $30
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 BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $25
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $38
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $51
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $68
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $70
- Abu Dhabi 4x4 Desert Safari BBQ Dinner , Camel Ride , Belly Dance: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $77
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Dinner: $84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $73
- Bite Back in Time: Zagreb's Food Tour Spiced with History: $87
- Zagreb Food Tour: Bite into Traditional Dishes and Flavors: $106
- Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $140
- Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Zagreb $12
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Self Guided Audio Tour of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi: $5.37
- Qasr Al Hosn Entry Ticket: $8.17
- Fast-Track Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Hosn: $8.37
- Qasr Al Hosn Skip the Line Tickets: $13
- Qasar Al Hosn Abu Dhabi Entry Tickets: $13
- Louvre Join an Express Tour: $14
- Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace Abu Dhabi Ticket: $15
- Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $16
- Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi: $17
- Tickets to Qasr Al Watan & Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi: $17
- Qasr Al Watan Palace & Garden Entrance Ticket: $18
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum General Admission Ticket: $18
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $4.23
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $7.40
- Zagreb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket: $10
- Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $13
- VR 3D Immersive Film Experience - Voucher: $13
- Small-Group Walking Highlights Tour: $16
- Experience Old Town Zagreb: $16
- City Walking Tour w/ Funicular Ride and WW2 Tunnels: $19
- Explore A Guided Walking Tour of the City Centre: $21
- Guided City Tour with Funicular Ride & WWII Tunnels: $21
- Walking Tour of City Center, Funicular & WW2 Tunnels: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Zagreb $9.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl, 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks, & Club Entry: $26
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
- Winery & Wine tasting on Zagorje hill - private tour near Zagreb: $108
- Hrastje Plešivičko Wine Tasting Day Trip: $159
- Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $196
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Zagreb, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Zagreb is in Europe, 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 Zagreb would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagreb 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 Zagreb.
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 Zagreb Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Zagreb?
Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?
Zagreb 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 Zagreb in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Zagreb. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zagreb for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Zagreb averages at about 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zagreb this time of the year. In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during summer. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Zagreb 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Zagreb in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Zagreb. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
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 Zagreb. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in October than Zagreb. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Zagreb 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Zagreb in the Winter?
Both Zagreb 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.
It's quite cold in Zagreb in the winter. Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Zagreb in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during winter. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Zagreb 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Zagreb in the Spring?
Both Zagreb 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. Also, many travelers come to Zagreb for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the spring, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in April than Zagreb. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Zagreb 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Zagreb and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Zagreb | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.