Which place is cheaper, Abu Dhabi or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beirut 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 Beirut 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: Beirut or Abu Dhabi?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
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 Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.26Abu Dhabi $164
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, 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 Beirut and Abu Dhabi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Abu Dhabi $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Abu Dhabi $196
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Abu Dhabi
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Abu Dhabi $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport: $46
- Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
- Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201
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 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
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi HTL-APT(AUH): $52
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi APT-HTL(AUH): $56
- Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $61
- Transfer in private minivan from Abu Dhabi City - Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $67
- 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
- Private transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Abu Dhabi?
Prices for flights to both Abu Dhabi and Beirut 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 dayBeirut $0.71Abu Dhabi $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
- Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal and Hotel Transfers: $142
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: $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
- 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
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Dinner: $84
- Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Abu Dhabi $39
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
- Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $15
- City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Half-Day Private Tour to Jeita Grotto and Harissa: $35
- Small Daily Tours in Beirut City: $40
- Small-Group Beirut Historical Tour: $40
- Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
- Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $48
- From Jeita, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $50
- Full-Day Private Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harissa And Baatara Waterfall: $50
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
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 hours Private Tour: Ferrari World and Louvre Museum with Pickup: $270
- Abu Dhabi 4G & 5G Data Roaming for Tourist: $8.51
- Abu Dhabi : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide: $43
- Abu Dhabi : Private Walking Tour with A guide (Private Tour): $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Abu Dhabi $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $150
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $150
- Private Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch from Beirut: $150
- Wine Tasting and Hiking in the Cedars forest : $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Abu Dhabi, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Abu Dhabi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Abu Dhabi?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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 Beirut 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 Beirut or Abu Dhabi in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Abu Dhabi. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year.
Beirut usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Abu Dhabi. Beirut 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 Beirut this time of the year. In the summer, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Abu Dhabi. Beirut gets 369 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, Beirut is generally cooler than Abu Dhabi. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 27°C (81°F), and Abu Dhabi fluctuates around 35°C (95°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Abu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Abu Dhabi in the Autumn?
Both Abu Dhabi and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Beirut usually receives more rain than Abu Dhabi. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 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 Beirut. Beirut usually receives less sunshine than Abu Dhabi during autumn. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Abu Dhabi receives 314 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Beirut is cooler than Abu Dhabi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Abu Dhabi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Abu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Abu Dhabi in the Winter?
Both Abu Dhabi and Beirut during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut 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 Beirut. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Abu Dhabi. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 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, Beirut often gets less sunshine than Abu Dhabi. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Abu Dhabi receives 269 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Beirut is cooler than Abu Dhabi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beirut in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Abu Dhabi averages at about 18°C (64°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Abu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Abu Dhabi in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Abu Dhabi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Beirut usually receives more rain than Abu Dhabi. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 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 Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beirut usually receives less sunshine than Abu Dhabi during spring. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Abu Dhabi receives 297 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beirut is generally much colder than Abu Dhabi. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 17°C (63°F), and Abu Dhabi fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Abu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Abu Dhabi and Beirut
| Beirut | Abu Dhabi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.