How much does it cost to travel to Abu Dhabi?
You should plan to spend around $164 (AED603) per day on your vacation in Abu Dhabi. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $45 (AED166) on meals
- $20 (AED72) on local transportation
- $196 (AED721) on hotels
A one week trip to Abu Dhabi for two people costs, on average, $2,297 (AED8,435). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Abu Dhabi has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Abu Dhabi expensive to visit?
Prices in Abu Dhabi are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in the Middle East for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Abu Dhabi is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Abu Dhabi?
The average Abu Dhabi trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Abu Dhabi travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
AED721
($196)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
AED72
($20)
|
Food 2
|
AED166
($45)
|
Entertainment 1
|
AED145
($39)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
AED6 -
19
($2 - 5)
|
Alcohol 2
|
AED24 -
73
($7 - 20)
|
Accommodation Budget in Abu Dhabi
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Abu Dhabi is $98 (AED360). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Abu Dhabi is $196 (AED721). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Abu Dhabi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Abu Dhabi is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $20 (AED72) per person, per day, on local transportation in Abu Dhabi.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$20
AED72
How much does it cost to go to Abu Dhabi? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Abu Dhabi will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Abu Dhabi are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Abu Dhabi, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Car Rental
AED115
-
Taxi to Airport
AED50
Food Budget in Abu Dhabi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Abu Dhabi can vary, the average cost of food in Abu Dhabi is $45 (AED166) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Abu Dhabi should cost around $18 (AED66) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Abu Dhabi is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$45
AED166
Entertainment Budget in Abu Dhabi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Abu Dhabi typically cost an average of $39 (AED145) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$39
AED145
Tips and Handouts Budget in Abu Dhabi
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Abu Dhabi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $13 (AED49) on alcoholic beverages in Abu Dhabi per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$13
AED49
Water Budget in Abu Dhabi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.77 (AED2.81) on bottled water in Abu Dhabi per day. The public water in Abu Dhabi is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.77
AED2.81
Last Updated: Feb 8, 2023
Abu Dhabi On a Budget
Abu Dhabi, UAE
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.
Sights
There isn't exactly much in the way of history or tradition in Abu Dhabi, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything to see outside of boutiques and traffic jams.
The 6th largest mosque in the world is the
Sheikh Zayed Mosque that offers guided tours several times each day. This stunning marble mosque is a sight to behold, and can hold more than 40,000 worshipers. Walk around and admire the stunning crystal chandelier of the main prayer hall. Take a few steps on what is said to be the world's largest handmade Persian carpet. Admire the structure's 82 domes and 1,000 columns in the Moorish/Ottoman and Mughal styles. This decadent place of worship will take your breath away, but remember that dress codes are really strict - especially for women.
Visiting the Corniche is another of
the best things to do in Abu Dhabi. It's the perfect spot to see the Abu Dhabi skyline while you browse beaches and boutiques. This waterfront area stretches 6 kilometers from the Marina up to the Mina Zayed port, and is home to the still expanding Corniche Beach. This free spot to swim started in 2008, and is perfect if you're looking to wiggle your toes in powdery sand, take a dip in the clearest blue waters and maybe give parasailing a try.
There are several parks and green spaces in this city including Khalifa Park and the
Abu Dhabi Cultural Center. Often there are play areas, fountains and sculptures to admire.
Of course, no trip to Abu Dhabi would be complete without a trek to Yas Island. This is the ultimate man-cave experience. With a world-class, Formula-1 motorsports racetrack, a Ferrari theme park, a water park and a mall, a trip to this pleasure island is a must for your luxurious getaway.
Many of these sights can be enjoyed even if you only have a day or two in the city. In fact, many people experience Abu Dhabi (and nearby Dubai) as an extended layover or stopover while flying through the region between Europe and Asia. Check out this amazing
guide for how to do an Abu Dhabi stopover.
Activities
Abu Dhabi is full of luxurious resorts complete with all the amenities - swimming pools, spas and many even have their own private beaches.
While one doesn't consider Abu Dhabi when they think of outdoor adventures, you'd be surprised. Just outside of the city, in the southwest, are crystal waterfalls, cliffs and freshwater lakes.
If you're interested in the more unusual attractions in the UAE, visit the camel races or take a desert safari. Hop in an SUV with specialist desert drivers for an intense ride over sand dunes with some spectacular scenery.
Food and Dining
As an international travel destination, Abu Dhabi can cater to any taste you may be interested in, however, keep in mind you'll need to check the calendar before making your travel plans. If you're
visiting during the month of Ramadan you should know that restaurants are, by law, closed during the day due to Muslim fasts during the daylight hours. It is also against the law to eat or drink anything in public, during the daytime in that month. Many tourists have been given fines or even arrested for this. However, when the fast ends at sundown, everyone feasts like they've never eaten before. If you can hold out, those meals are worth the wait.
Transportation
Renting a car and driving around Abu Dhabi is only recommended if you love driving in traffic jams. Many drivers can be reckless so foreign drivers should be extremely careful. Also, the street numbering system is unusual and takes a while to get used to.
Taxis are a better way to get around and are fairly cheap considering where you are. Common taxis in this area are silver and can be flagged down from everywhere. Tipping is not expected but is extremely appreciated.
Buses are also available within the city with several stops at major hot spots. Be sure you have exact fare.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.