Which place is cheaper, Abu Dhabi or Amman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Amman or Abu Dhabi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Amman and Abu Dhabi. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Amman or Abu Dhabi?
Amman
Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmman $110Abu Dhabi $164
The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $110, while the average daily cost in Abu Dhabi is $164. 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 Amman and Abu Dhabi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmman $49Abu Dhabi $98
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmman $98Abu Dhabi $196
Compare Hotels in Amman and Abu Dhabi
Looking for a hotel in Amman or Abu Dhabi? 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: Amman Hotel Prices and Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amman $24Abu Dhabi $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:
-
Bus Ride (for Two)$0.71
-
RIde to Airport$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman
Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Amman Airport to Amman Hotel : $20
- Queen Alia Airport Transfer : $21
- Airport pickup or drop off transfer from or to Amman city: $23
- Amman Airport private Transfers From/To multi destinations : $24
- From Amman :Private transfer to Airport, Dead Sea and Petra.: $25
- Amman Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $27
- Amman Airport: Private Transfer to Amman Hotels: $27
- Private Transfer from / to Amman Airport to Amman Hotel: $28
- Petra Private Transfer to or from Amman or Airport or Dead Sea or K.H.B: $30
- Private departure transfer from Amman to airport: $30
- Private Transfer From Amman To Different Cities: $33
- Amman Airport Transfer to any Amman Hotel: $35
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 Waterworld General Admission with Transfers: $123
- Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi Tickets With Meal and Transfers : $98
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- Warner Bros General Admission with Transfers: $150
- Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi City - Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $61
- Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $61
- Transfer in private minivan from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $67
- Tickets to Global Village with Private Transfer: $95
- Skydive in Abu Dhabi | Tandem Skydive with transfer: $817
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) - Abu Dhabi City: $133
- Qasr al Watan Tour with Optional Private Transfers: $50
- Private transfer: Abu Dhabi to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Abu Dhabi?
Prices for flights to both Abu Dhabi and Amman 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 dayAmman $34Abu Dhabi $45
Typical Food Prices in Amman
For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Pastries$4.23
-
Tea$5.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman
For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Amman:Home resturant lunch and dinner: $37
- Private Day or Night Amman Sightseeing - Optional Cooking or Wine Tasting Tour : $51
- 3 course dinner with a sommelier: $56
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $71
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience : $109
- 3-Hours Guided Food Tour in Amman: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $42
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $45
- 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
- Desert Safari, Quad Bike, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner in Abu Dhabi: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner : $62
- 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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amman $32Abu Dhabi $39
Tours and Activities in Amman
For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- the apple bottom jeans experience 3: $1.14
- Discover the hidden gems of Amman's Rainbow street on a self-guided audio tour: $5.00
- Private City Tour With Optional Traditional Food in Amman: $20
- JR The Wine Experience: $26
- Amman Shooping Tour: $35
- Private Sightseeing City Tour: $40
- Half Day Private Tour to Iraq al-Amir (Qasr al-‘Abed): $40
- Amman : Must-See attractions Private walking tour: $43
- History & Culture Immersion, City Tour Of Amman : $43
- Half Day Private tour to Dead Sea From Amman. : $50
- Amman Safe Tour: Authentic Cuisine, Local Experience & Souv.: $51
- Half Day Tour: Jerash From Amman.: $52
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum Entrance Ticket: $41
- Abu Dhabi Tour-Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace With Louvre Musuem: $115
- Ferrari World Entrance ticket : $95
- 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
- 8 Hours Al Ain City Tour without lunch : $117
- 8 hours Private Tour: Ferrari World and Louvre Museum with Pickup: $270
- 8-Hours Tickets to Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi: $107
- ABU DHABI CITY TOUR [FULL DAY]: $111
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmman $14Abu Dhabi $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amman and Abu Dhabi, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Amman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Amman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Amman 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 Amman.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amman Expensive? and Is Abu Dhabi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amman or Abu Dhabi?
Amman has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Amman and Abu Dhabi, 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 Amman or Abu Dhabi?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Amman or Abu Dhabi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Amman as well as Abu Dhabi. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year.
Amman usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Abu Dhabi. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Abu Dhabi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amman this time of the year. In the summer, Amman often gets more sunshine than Abu Dhabi. Amman gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Abu Dhabi receives 331 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In July, Amman is generally cooler than Abu Dhabi. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 25°C (77°F), and Abu Dhabi fluctuates around 35°C (95°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyAmman 25°C (77°F)Abu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)
Should I visit Amman or Abu Dhabi in the Autumn?
Both Abu Dhabi and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Amman usually receives more rain than Abu Dhabi. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Abu Dhabi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually receives less sunshine than Abu Dhabi during autumn. Amman gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Abu Dhabi receives 314 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Amman is cooler than Abu Dhabi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Abu Dhabi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAmman 20°C (68°F)Abu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Amman or Abu Dhabi in the Winter?
Both Abu Dhabi and Amman during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Amman. Amman usually gets more rain in January than Abu Dhabi. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Abu Dhabi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Amman often gets less sunshine than Abu Dhabi. Amman gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Abu Dhabi receives 269 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Amman is much colder than Abu Dhabi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amman in January average around 8°C (46°F), and Abu Dhabi averages at about 18°C (64°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAmman 8°C (46°F)Abu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Amman or Abu Dhabi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Abu Dhabi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Amman usually receives more rain than Abu Dhabi. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Abu Dhabi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In Amman, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amman usually receives less sunshine than Abu Dhabi during spring. Amman gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Abu Dhabi receives 297 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Amman is generally much colder than Abu Dhabi. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 16°C (61°F), and Abu Dhabi fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilAmman 16°C (61°F)Abu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Abu Dhabi and Amman
| Amman | Abu Dhabi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.