Which place is cheaper, Abu Dhabi or Kampala?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kampala vs. Abu Dhabi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Kampala or Abu Dhabi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kampala or Abu Dhabi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kampala or Abu Dhabi?
Kampala
Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.
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 dayKampala $69Abu Dhabi $164
The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $69, 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 Kampala and Abu Dhabi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKampala $59Abu Dhabi $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKampala $118Abu Dhabi $196
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Abu Dhabi
Looking for a hotel in Kampala 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: Kampala Hotel Prices and Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kampala $2.49Abu Dhabi $20
Typical Local Transportation prices in Kampala
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:
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Taxi around town$3.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:
- Entebbe Airport taxi. For a safe, affordable and reliable 24/7 airport transfer.: $45
- Entebbe kampala airport transfers: $80
- Entebbe Airport Transfers: $80
- Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $130
- Private Transfer from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda: $130
- Full-Day Kampala Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $200
- From 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari with Transfer: $2,200
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): $133
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Abu Dhabi - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- 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: $120
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) to Dubai hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- 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: $106
- Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): Private Transfer to Abu Dhabi: $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Abu Dhabi?
Prices for flights to both Abu Dhabi and Kampala 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 dayKampala $8.40Abu Dhabi $45
Typical Food prices in Kampala
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:
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Lunch for 2$1.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kampala.
- Like a local cooking Tours: $26
- Momma Ida's Ugandan Cuisine Cooking Tour: $30
- Cooking Class for Typical Ugandan Food in Kampala: $31
- Half Day Private Ugandan Local Foods in Kampala Cooking Class: $31
- Three-Hour Food Tour: $41
- Private Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
- Cooking Class With a Local (Kampala, Jinja, Entebbe - 4 Hours): $56
- Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
- Night-time Boda Boda Street Food Tour: $91
- Fishing Village Food Tour & Luwombo Stop: $102
- Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
- The Food Tour | Uganda | Half day: $123
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 Desert Safari Tour with BBQ Buffet Dinner and Live Show: $50
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kampala -Abu Dhabi $39
Tours and Activities in Kampala
Here are a few actual costs in Kampala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Uganda Community Tour: $15
- African Fabric Market Tour : $18
- Kampala Half-Day Walking Tour with Local Female Guides: $20
- Amazing Tour Experience with a local: $20
- 3-Hour Walking Tour with Optional Gaddafi Mosque: $24
- Entebbe Walking Tour (3 Hours) with Zoo and Botanical Gardens Options: $25
- Tombs, King’s palace and Gaddafi mosque walk tours: $26
- Steve Kampala Walking tours: $27
- Complete Kampala Tour Experience: $28
- 3 Hours Walking Tour in Kampala: $28
- Free Female Guided Walking Tours Kampala (3 Hours): $30
- Kampala Guided walking Tour: $30
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: $8.08
- 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
- Qasr Al Watan Admission Ticket: $20
- Skip the Line Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Ticket: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKampala -Abu Dhabi $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Kampala
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kampala:
- Kampala Pub Crawl | Uganda | 4 hours: $65
- Kampala Bar Crawl, Beer Tasting and Street Food (6 Hours): $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kampala and Abu Dhabi, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Kampala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kampala is in Africa and Abu Dhabi is in Middle East, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kampala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kampala 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 Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Kampala.
Which is Bigger, Kampala or Abu Dhabi?
Kampala is bigger, and its population is about 2.2 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the population of Kampala 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 Kampala
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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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