Which place is cheaper, Abu Dhabi or Dubai?
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 Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Dubai
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.
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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dubai, and The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates.
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Dubai Prices
UAE PricesAbu Dhabi Prices
UAE Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $289Abu Dhabi $197
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $289, 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 Dubai and Abu Dhabi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Abu Dhabi $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Abu Dhabi $196
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dubai Hotel Prices and Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Abu Dhabi $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Global Village Entry Tickets with Optional Transfer: $9.77
- Private transfer for Shopping & Old Town Tour: $11
- Shopping and Dubai Mall with Private Transfers: $11
- Dubai Airport: Private One-Way Arrival and Departure Transfer: $11
- Private Dubai Airport Transfer DXB to Dubai City: $13
- Private Dubai Airport Arrival/Departure Transfer to Dubai City: $13
- Global Village Dubai Tickets with Transfer Option: $13
- Miracle Garden & Global Village with Optional Private Transfers: $14
- Transfer from Dubai Airport to Dubai City: $14
- Shared Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Ski Dubai/Wild Wadi: $15
- Dubai Airport: Private Transfer to Dubai|Abu Dhabi| Jumeirah: $16
- Dubai Private Airport Arrival & Departure To Hotel Transfer : $17
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:
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $251
- Ferrari world & Warner bros. parks with transfer from Dubai: $250
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $237
- Entry Tickets to Ferrari World Fast Track with Private Transfer: $235
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Dubai in Luxury Van: $231
- Abu Dhabi Helicopter Ride with optional Private Transfers: $222
- Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
- From 2 Dives for Certified Divers with transfer: $218
- From Scuba Dive and Snorkeling with BBQ, Transfer: $218
- Ferrari World with Fast Track Access , Meal Voucher and Transfer: $200
- Miracle Garden And Global Village Dubai Tour With Transfers From Abu Dhabi: $200
- Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai Hotels Transfer: $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayDubai $96Abu Dhabi $78
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dhow Cruise With Dinner at Al Jaddaf Dubai: $13
- Dinner Dhow Cruise with Live Entertainment Al Seef: $14
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- Dubai Luxury Canal Dinner Cruise with Shows: $15
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Creek with pickup drop option : $16
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner at Dubai Al Seef: $16
- Dhow Cruise with Dinner and Live Entertainment at Dubai Al Seef: $16
- Catamaran Cruise with Dinner at Al Jaddaf Waterfront Dubai: $17
- Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
- Old Town, Creek, Museums, Souks, & Street Food Tour: $18
- Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner in Deira Creek - Dubai: $18
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner Deira Creek: $19
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 Unique Dinner Cruise with Belly Dance: $37
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner & Live Shows: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $69
- Abu Dhabi Desert Escape: Dunes Safari, Falcon, Camel & BBQ Dinner: $69
- Abu Dhabi 4x4 Desert Safari BBQ Dinner , Camel Ride , Belly Dance: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari & Dinner Under the Stars: $79
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $84
- Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
- 4x4 Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner: $100
- Overnight Safari Abu Dhabi ,Belly Dance ,Camel Ride ,Henna Painting ,BBQ Dinner: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Abu Dhabi $39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.85
- Premium Dubai Property Investment Tour in Half-Day : $7.81
- Old Dubai Historic Guided Tour: Creek, Street Food & Souks: $8.00
- Global Village Dubai Ticket with optional transport: $9.00
- Old Town, Souks, Street Food, Guided Tour & Abra Ride: $9.00
- Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Global Village Dubai Tickets plus Private Pickup : $9.80
- Dubai Global Village Entry Ticket: $11
- Dubai Global Village Entry Ticket: $11
- OliOli® Children Museum Admission Tickets: $12
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
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
- Abu Dhabi Yas Island Water Adventures Tour: $85
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
- Private 4WD Tour from Dubai to Abu Dhabi Full Day : $210
- Private Full Day Dubai city tour From Abu Dhabi: $229
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
- Yas island abu dhabi 1/2/3 park admission tickets : $105
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $149
- 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Abu Dhabi $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $66
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $68
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubai Expensive? and Is Abu Dhabi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai 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 Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the Summer?
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).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDubai 35°C (95°F)Abu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the Autumn?
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).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDubai 29°C (84°F)Abu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the Winter?
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).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDubai 19°C (66°F)Abu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi in the Spring?
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).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDubai 26°C (79°F)Abu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Abu Dhabi and Dubai
| 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) |
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.