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

Should you visit Nairobi 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 Nairobi 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: Nairobi or Abu Dhabi?

Nairobi

Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Abu Dhabi or Nairobi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $53, 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 Nairobi and Abu Dhabi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $9.89
    Abu Dhabi $98
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $20
    Abu Dhabi $196
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Abu Dhabi

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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 Nairobi


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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $9.13
    Abu Dhabi $20
Typical Local Transportation prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $7.92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Nairobi Airport Transfer, Hotel Pick up and Drop Off: $19
  • Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
  • Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
  • Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Accommodation: $22
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $24
  • Nairobi Airport Transfers- Arrivals & Private Transfers: $24
  • Nairobi Airport Transfers: $25
  • Private Airport Transfers To and From Nairobi Airports.: $25
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $25
  • Nairobi NBO Airport One-Way Transfers: $25
  • Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $26

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:

  • Yas Waterworld General Admission with Transfers: $106
  • Yas Waterworld Admission plus Private Transfer: $225
  • Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi Tickets With Meal and Transfers : $100
  • Warner Bros World and Ferrari World Combo Ticket with transfer from Dubai: $204
  • Warner Bros World Ticket's -Abu Dhabi Without Transfer: $220
  • Warner Bros General Admission with Transfers: $134
  • Visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi From Dubai Included Transfer and Tickets: $235
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi HTL-APT(AUH): $52
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Abu Dhabi APT-HTL(AUH): $56
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi City - Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $61
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)- Abu Dhabi City: $61
  • Transfer in private minivan from Abu Dhabi City - Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Abu Dhabi?

Prices for flights to both Abu Dhabi and Nairobi 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
    Nairobi $6.40
    Abu Dhabi $45
Typical Food prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
  • Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
  • Traditional Ugali cooking class in Nairobi: $50
  • Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $55
  • Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $55
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $58
  • Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $40
    Abu Dhabi $39
Typical Entertainment prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $13

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Nairobi City culture and historical guided tour: $1.00
  • Real Nairobi City walking Tour: $3.28
  • Ebike adventure Hire Nairobi (Electric mountain bike hire): $15
  • Guided Nairobi tour-Maasai Market, Archives to KICC rooftop: $16
  • Nairobi cultural shopping experience: $18
  • Nairobi City Tour: $18
  • Central Business District Guided Walking Tour: $19
  • Half-Day Tour Giraffe Center and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: $20
  • Souvenir Crafts and Fabric Shopping Experience in Nairobi City: $20
  • Nairobi Tours By Chris: $21
  • Private Historical Walking Tour in Innercity Nairobi: $21
  • Elephant orphanage, Giraffe center, kobe beads tour: $24

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
  • Admission Ticket To Qasr Al Hosn Abu Dhabi: $20
  • Ferrari World & Yas Water World Tour From Dubai: $375
  • Ferrari World Entrance ticket : $95
  • Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
  • Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $215
  • Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $19
  • 17 Minutes Helicopter Tour in Abu Dhabi: $245
  • 2 Days 2 Park- Ferrari World +Yas Waterworld Or Warner Bros World Combo Tickets: $195
  • 2 Hours Abu Dhabi Dhow Cruise: $84
  • 2 Hrs Cruise to Lulu Island: $466

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $13
    Abu Dhabi $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi 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 Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Nairobi.

Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Abu Dhabi?

Nairobi is bigger, and its population is about 4.6 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the population of Nairobi 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.

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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Nairobi vs. Abu Dhabi Travel Comparison

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