A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Doha vs. Abu Dhabi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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 Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates.


Which place is cheaper, Abu Dhabi or Doha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $200, 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 Doha and Abu Dhabi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Abu Dhabi $98
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Abu 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.

Hotels in Doha


Hotels in Abu Dhabi


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Abu Dhabi $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:

  • Shared Arrival Transfer - Doha City: $14
  • Shared Departure Transfer from Doha: $14
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - Doha city: $14
  • Shared Departure Transfer from Doha: $14
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - West Bay: $20
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - West bay: $20
  • Shared Departure Transfer in West Bay: $20
  • Shared Departure Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
  • Easy Airport Transfers (Airport to Hotel): $30
  • Doha Airport Transfers: Your Swift Gateway to Luxury Travel: $50
  • Private Departure Transfer - Doha city: $50

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:

  • Abrahamic Family House Tour with Transfer: $76
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Abu Dhabi Hotel or Address): $133
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $71
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Round-Trip Private Transfer: $80
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $119
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
  • Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi: $101
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Any Hotel in UAE: $33
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $33
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer to Hotel or Vice Versa: $65
  • Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer to or from Dubai to Abu Dhabi Airport: $140

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Doha $61
    Abu Dhabi $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.

  • Private Dinner on Al Safliya Island: $65
  • Private Dinner on Safliya Island: $65
  • Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
  • Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
  • BBQ Dinner in the desert resort; Dune bashing & camel ride: $165
  • Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $195
  • Doha : Full Day Desert Safari | BBQ Dinner | Inland sea: $197
  • Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra: $202
  • Private Overnight Desert Safari, Dune bashing, dinner & Breakfast: $220
  • Full Day Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner: $248
  • Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $299

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): $45
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $49
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
  • 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
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $80
  • Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
  • Scenic Dinner Cruise: $82
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Dinner: $84
  • Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $90
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel Ride: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Abu Dhabi $39

Tours and Activities in Doha

Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.14
  • Doha International Airpor: Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.14
  • Doha Tour App Hidden Gems Game and Big Qatar Quiz: $19
  • Al Safliya Island Boat Tour: $23
  • Guided Walking Tour of Souq Waqif: $30
  • City Highlights Layover Tour: $32
  • From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha City Tour (Private Tour): $35
  • Doha Geocaching & City Tour Combo: $35
  • Sharing City Tour From MSC Virtuosa/Mein Schiff2: $35
  • Doha City Tour - Airport or Cruise Terminal Pick Up/Drop Off: $35
  • From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha Private or Group City Tour: $35
  • 4-hour Downtown City Tour: $37

Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:

  • Qasr Al Hosn: Entry Tickets with 1 GB Data eSIM: $8.08
  • Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $8.17
  • Abu Dhabi 4G & 5G Data Roaming for Tourist: $8.69
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Louvre Join Us Express Tour: $14
  • Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi: $17
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi with Tourist Shuttle Bus & eSIM: $17
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi General Admission Ticket: $17
  • Qasr Al Watan Admission Ticket: $18
  • Qasr Al Watan Palace & Garden Entrance Ticket: $18
  • Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
  • Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    Abu 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.