Which place is cheaper, Abu Dhabi or Doha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Doha vs. Abu Dhabi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $200Abu Dhabi $164
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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Abu Dhabi $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Abu 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:
- Shared Departure Transfer from Doha: $14
- Shared Transfer from Doha Port and Hamad Airport to Doha City: $14
- Sharing Arrival Transfer - West Bay: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer in West Bay : $20
- Easy Airport Transfers (Airport to Hotel): $30
- Transfer Doha: $40
- Doha Private Airport and City Transfers: $44
- Private Departure Transfer from Doha to Doha Port & Hamad Airport: $50
- Private Arrival Transfer - Doha: $50
- Private Arrival Transfer - West Bay or Pearl Qatar: $60
- Private Airport Transfer From or To Doha Airport: $64
- Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) to Doha - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
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:
- Skydive Abu Dhabi With Transfer From Dubai: $670
- Abrahamic Family House Tour with Transfer: $76
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Abu Dhabi Hotel or Address): $131
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi: $100
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 $61Abu 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 Safliya Island: $72
- Private Dinner on Al Safliya Island: $76
- Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
- Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
- Embrace Doha's Local Food Tour | Sample Delicious Qatari Dishes: $145
- Doha : Full Day Desert Safari | BBQ Dinner | Inland sea: $168
- Full-Day Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner || Inland Sea Visit: $194
- Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $198
- Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra Tour: $202
- Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra: $202
- Private Overnight Desert Safari, Dune bashing, dinner & Breakfast: $220
- Desert Safari 7 Hours Tour with Dinner and Camp: $270
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 BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $49
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and all Camp Activities : $72
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $73
- 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
- Abu Dhabi 6-Hour Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner: $80
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari 4x4, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride: $81
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Dinner: $81
- Evening Abu Dhabi Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner- Standard Tour : $81
- Abu Dhabi desert safari with sand boarding with BBQ dinner | MyHolidaysAdventures: $82
- Scenic Dinner Cruise: $82
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:
- Doha Tour App Hidden Gems Game and Big Qatar Quiz: $19
- Al Safliya Island Photo Tour: $25
- Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour in Doha: $25
- Al Safliya Island Boat Tour with Drinks: $25
- City Highlights Layover Tour: $27
- From Guided Shared or Private Doha City Tour: $36
- 4-hour Downtown City Tour: $37
- Doha Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $45
- Al Safliya Island Boat Cruise Experience: $49
- Al Safliya Island Experience: $49
- Doha City Tour from Doha Port Cruise Ship Terminal: $50
- 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket with Audio Guide: $50
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Qasr Al Hosn: Entry Tickets with 1 GB Data eSIM: $8.04
- Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $8.17
- Fast-Track Admission Ticket to Qasr Al Hosn: $8.37
- Qasr Al Watan Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket: $17
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket with Bonus eSIM: $17
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
- Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket: $19
- Shop & Eat in Abu Dhabi’s Markets Like a Local Walking Tour: $19
- Abu Dhabi Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big UAE Quiz (1 Day Pass): $19
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Admission Ticket: $20
- Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
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.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi is bigger, and its population is about 75% larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the population of Doha vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.
Related Articles for Abu Dhabi
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.
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