Which place is cheaper, Abu Dhabi or Doha?
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 Doha or Abu Dhabi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Doha and Abu Dhabi can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Doha or Abu Dhabi?
Doha
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates.
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Doha Prices
Qatar PricesAbu Dhabi Prices
UAE Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $245Abu Dhabi $197
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $245, while the average daily cost in Abu Dhabi is $197. 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 Doha and Abu Dhabi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $120Abu Dhabi $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $240Abu Dhabi $196
Compare Hotels in Doha and Abu Dhabi
Looking for a hotel in Doha 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: Doha Hotel Prices and Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Abu Dhabi $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Hamad DOH Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $17
- Private Car Transfer from Doha City: $20
- Departure Transfer From West Bay / Pearl Qatar: $25
- Doha Airport HIA to Hotel Transfer by Standard Vehicle One Way: $28
- Doha Airport Transfers Taxi: $30
- Doha Airport Chauffeur Transfer One Way: $35
- From North of Qatar Guided Tour with Transfers: $35
- Airport Transfer TO or FROM Hammad International Airport: $39
- Doha to Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Private Doha Airport Transfer | Hamad Airport (DOH): $40
- Qatar Doha Airport (DOH) to Qatar Doha - Private Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer from Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) to Doha Port: $50
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:
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi City/Hotels: $58
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $138
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $83
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To or From Anywhere within Abu Dhabi: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers : Airport AUH to Abu Dhabi City by Luxury Van: $99
- Abu Dhabi City Tour: Modern & Cultural Highlights with Transfers: $108
- Abu Dhabi Combo Ticket: Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld with transfers: $195
- Abu Dhabi Intercity Transfers: $270
Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Abu Dhabi?
Prices for flights to both Abu Dhabi and Doha 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 dayDoha $106Abu Dhabi $78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Traditional Dhow Cruise Dinner with BBQ Buffet & Transfers: $22
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise Tour with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $23
- Starlight Dhow Cruise Dinner Experience on Doha Waterfront: $34
- Traditional Arabian Dhow Cruise with Sunset and Skyline Dinner: $40
- Moonlight on Marina Traditional Dhow Cruise With Optional Dinner: $42
- Traditional Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner on board: $43
- Traditional Arabic Food Tour @ Souq Waqif with Doha Skyline Views: $43
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Doha Bay A Traditional Dhow Experience: $47
- Private Souk Waqif Tour with Lunch/Dinner: $85
- Qatar Desert Safari Tour with Bedouin Camp Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $149
- 5-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner: $158
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 Live Entertainment and BBQ Dinner: $44
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $50
- Experience Abu Dhabi Yas Island by Dhow Cruise at Sea with Dinner: $55
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Camel Ride and Live Shows: $56
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner: $65
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with Camel Ride BBQ Dinner and Live Shows: $67
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari: BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Shows: $71
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $71
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Abu Dhabi $39
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dhow Boat Cruise with Sun Set at Al Safliya Island: $20
- 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $23
- Doha Complete Experience: City Tour,Desert & InlandSea in One Day: $28
- Doha 4 Hours City Tour with Licensed Tour Guide: $29
- Doha City Sightseeing Tour To All Main Attractions: $29
- Guided City Tour with Airport and Hotel Pickup: $29
- Doha Desert Safari Adventure CamelRide, DuneBashing & Inland Sea: $29
- Half Day Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Inland Sea Tour: $29
- Explore Doha Souq Waqif Katara Cultural Village Pearl Island Tour: $30
- Doha Private City Tour with Licensed Tour Guide: $30
- Moonlight on The Gulf A Doha Dhow Cruise Adventure: $30
- Doha Adventure Sandbord Buggy Sunset Sunrise stargazing: $35
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Qasr Al Hosn Skip the Line Tickets: $13
- Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Ticket: $15
- Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Non prime: $15
- Qasr Al Watan Entry Tickets: $16
- Skip the Line Ticket to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi: $17
- Qasr Al Watan Entry Ticket: $18
- Qasr Al Watan Entrance Ticket: $18
- Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi Ticket Deals: $20
- Abu Dhabi Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big UAE Quiz (1 Day Pass): $20
- Zayed National Museum Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket: $21
- Tickets To louvre Museum Abu Dhabi: $21
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $15Abu Dhabi $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Abu Dhabi, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Abu Dhabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Abu Dhabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Abu Dhabi 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha than you might in Abu Dhabi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Doha Expensive? and Is Abu Dhabi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha 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.
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.