Is Abu Dhabi expensive to visit?
Abu Dhabi is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $197. Compared to the rest of the Middle East, it is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in the Middle East for its overall travel costs, comparable to places like Tel Aviv and Dubai.

Abu Dhabi, UAE
How expensive is Abu Dhabi?
On average, visitors spend about $197 per day when visiting Abu Dhabi (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $394 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Abu Dhabi here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Abu Dhabi?
A weekend trip to Abu Dhabi costs about $591 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,182.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Abu Dhabi?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Abu Dhabi costs around $1,379 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,758.
Is it expensive to backpack in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi is often overlooked by backpackers, as there is a very limited selection of hostels. Because there aren't any hostels and few other amenities that cater to backpackers, prices might be higher than you'd expect. This is particularly true for solo travelers who many have to pay the full cost for a hotel room. To save money, look for budget hotels in convenient locations.
Are hotels expensive in Abu Dhabi?
Hotel prices in Abu Dhabi are very expensive compared to hotels in other cities. You can expect to spend about $77 per night for a room on average. There are around 37 five star hotels in the city and they average $134 per night. Three star hotels average $59 a night and two star hotels average $94 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Abu Dhabi
Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|---|
5 stars | 37 | $134 |
4 stars | 40 | $114 |
3 stars | 24 | $59 |
2 stars | 4 | $94 |
1 star | 5 | $40 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Abu Dhabi?
Activities and things to do in Abu Dhabi can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $39 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $29.
- Private - Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour : $171
- The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi Admission Tickets: $35
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Adventure: $75
- Downtown Walking tour with Emirati local: $100
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Half Day Tour: $180
- 1 Day 2 Yas Island Park Tickets Combo: $130
- From Abu Dhabi: Day Trip to Dubai - Private & Flexible Tour: $185
- Yas Marina Guided Sightseeing Boat Tours: $56
Is food expensive in Abu Dhabi?
Food in Abu Dhabi can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $78 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $86. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Evening Abu Dhabi Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner- Standard Tour : $99
- Abu Dhabi City Tour with Evening Desert Safari Hot BBQ Dinner: $199
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
Is transportation expensive in Abu Dhabi?
Local transportation in Abu Dhabi can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $20 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $16. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Abu Dhabi
If you're planning a trip to Abu Dhabi, UAE, check out these other informative travel guides.
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.