Which place is cheaper, Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Abu Dhabi can help you decide which place is right for you.
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, 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 Dubai and Abu Dhabi in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
Prices for flights to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, we can see that Dubai 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Abu Dhabi.
Dubai is bigger, and its population is about 88% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the population of Dubai 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.
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.
Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round.
June to August is the dry season in Dubai. Dubai usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Abu Dhabi. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Abu Dhabi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. In the summer, Dubai is around the same temperature as Abu Dhabi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubai in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Abu Dhabi averages at about 35°C (95°F).
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Dubai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Abu Dhabi. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Abu Dhabi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Dubai is generally around the same temperature as Abu Dhabi. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 29°C (84°F), and Abu Dhabi fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
The winter brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year.
January to March in Dubai is the rainy season. Dubai usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Abu Dhabi. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Abu Dhabi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dubai is around the same temperature as Abu Dhabi in the winter. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Abu Dhabi fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Dubai is June to August. In April, Dubai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Abu Dhabi. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Abu Dhabi receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Dubai is around the same temperature as Abu Dhabi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubai in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Abu Dhabi averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Dubai | Abu Dhabi | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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