Which place is cheaper, Ao Nang or Abu Dhabi?
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 Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang?
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 Abu Dhabi and Ao Nang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang?
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.
Ao Nang
If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, and The Best Budget Tours to Thailand.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesAo Nang Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Ao Nang $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Ao Nang is $136. 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 Abu Dhabi and Ao Nang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Ao Nang $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Ao Nang $104
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Ao Nang
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang? 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: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Ao Nang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Ao Nang $64
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:
- Yas Waterworld General Admission with Transfers: $123
- Yas Water world Abu Dhabi With Optional Transfer: $105
- Yas Water World with sharing transfer from Dubai: $97
- Yas Water World Abu Dhabi entry Ticket With Optional Transfer: $97
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $251
- 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: $141
- Visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi From Dubai Included Transfer and Tickets: $235
- TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi with Private Transfers: $167
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque-Entry to the Masterpiece with Transfer: $195
- Private Transfer: Abu Dhabi to Dubai Airport DXB in Luxury SUV: $238
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Krabi: Ao Nang To or From Phi Phi By Fast Speedboat Transfer: $31
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang?
Prices for flights to both Ao Nang and Abu Dhabi 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 dayAbu Dhabi $78Ao Nang $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Desert Safari In Abu Dhabi With BBQ Dinner: $58
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Dune Bashing & BBQ Dinner: $63
- Evening Desert Safari Camel Ride Dinner Live Shows in Abu Dhabi: $69
- Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Live Shows, and BBQ Dinner: $69
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner and Shows: $73
- Desert Safari Abu Dhabi w/ Sand Boarding, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $75
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Shows and BBQ Dinner: $79
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $80
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
- Abu Dhabi Dune Bashing, Sand Surfing, Camel Ride, and BBQ Dinner: $89
- Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Ao Nang $13
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Yas Island Water Adventures Tour: $85
- Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
- Ferrari World Entrance ticket : $101
- Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi Ticket: $24
- Private Full Day Dubai city tour From Abu Dhabi: $229
- Private Full-Day Tour in Abu Dhabi: $279
- Shared Abu Dhabi Adventure Tour/Sunrise safari, Dune bashing : $75
- Ticket to Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi: $20
- 2 Days: Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour & Evening Desert Safari: $140
- 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
- 8 hours Private Tour: Ferrari World and Louvre Museum with Pickup: $270
- A Sharing Tour of Sunset at Sheikh Zayed Mosque Abu Dhabi: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Ao Nang $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Ao Nang, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Ao Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Ao Nang is in Asia, 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 Ao Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Ao Nang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang?
Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Ao Nang, 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 Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang?
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 Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang in the Summer?
Both Ao Nang and Abu Dhabi during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round.
August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Ao Nang. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi often gets more sunshine than Ao Nang. Abu Dhabi gets 331 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ao Nang receives 206 hours of full sun.
Abu Dhabi can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Abu Dhabi is generally a little warmer than Ao Nang. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 35°C (95°F), and Ao Nang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Ao Nang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Ao Nang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Ao Nang. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 304 mm (12 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Abu Dhabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Ao Nang during autumn. Abu Dhabi gets 314 hours of sunny skies, while Ao Nang receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Abu Dhabi is around the same temperature as Ao Nang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Ao Nang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Ao Nang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Ao Nang. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in January than Ao Nang. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Abu Dhabi this time of the year. In the winter, Abu Dhabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ao Nang. Abu Dhabi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ao Nang receives 287 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Abu Dhabi is much colder than Ao Nang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Abu Dhabi in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Ao Nang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Ao Nang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Ao Nang in the Spring?
Both Ao Nang and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Ao Nang. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Ao Nang receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi usually receives more sunshine than Ao Nang during spring. Abu Dhabi gets 297 hours of sunny skies, while Ao Nang receives 249 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Abu Dhabi is generally around the same temperature as Ao Nang. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Ao Nang fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Ao Nang 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Ao Nang and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Ao Nang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.