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

Should you visit Abu Dhabi or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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 Nakhon Ratchasima can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Nakhon Ratchasima?

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.

Nakhon Ratchasima

If you're planning on traveling from Bangkok to Isaan, you'll likely make Nakhon Ratchasima your pit stop or home base. However, there is so much more to this sprawling metropolis than just a layover. Underneath the chaos of it all, is a charming and traditional Thai city.

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 for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Nakhon Ratchasima 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.

  • Abu Dhabi Prices
    UAE Prices
    Nakhon Ratchasima Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Abu Dhabi $197
    Nakhon Ratchasima $58

The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Nakhon Ratchasima is $58. 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 Nakhon Ratchasima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Abu Dhabi $98
    Nakhon Ratchasima $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Abu Dhabi $196
    Nakhon Ratchasima $44
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Nakhon Ratchasima

Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Nakhon Ratchasima? 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 Abu Dhabi


Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima


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 Nakhon Ratchasima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $20
    Nakhon Ratchasima $5.19
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: $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 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
  • Warner Bro's with Private Transfers from Dubai: $279
  • Visit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi From Dubai Included Transfer and Tickets: $235
  • Tickets to Global Village with Private Transfer: $95
  • Snow Park Abudhabi Premium Tickets with Optional Transfers: $120
  • Snow Abu Dhabi Tour with Optional Private Transfers: $110

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nakhon Ratchasima

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Nakhon Ratchasima:


  • Tuk Tuk
    $1.57
  • Bus to Vientiane
    $1.57

Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Prices for flights to both Nakhon Ratchasima 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Abu Dhabi $78
    Nakhon Ratchasima $30

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 Evening Desert Safari: BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Shows: $60
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
  • 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
  • Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Shows and BBQ Dinner: $79
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $80
  • Abu Dhabi Afternoon Desert Safari and BBQ Dinner: $80
  • Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $84
  • Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
  • Overnight Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Morning Breakfast: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Abu Dhabi $39
    Nakhon Ratchasima $6.68

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
  • Falcon Hospital Tour with Transportation : $101
  • Ferrari World Entrance ticket : $101
  • Full Day Abu Dhabi City & Louvre Museum Tour: $90
  • 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: $18
  • Yas island abu dhabi 1/2/3 park admission tickets : $105
  • 2 Days: Abu Dhabi Half Day City Tour & Evening Desert Safari: $140
  • 4 Hour Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi - Private Tour: $160
  • 8 Hour Ticket/Pass For Yas Water World In Dubai.: $103

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Abu Dhabi $13
    Nakhon Ratchasima $12


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

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 Nakhon Ratchasima Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Nakhon Ratchasima?

Abu Dhabi has a larger population, and is about 603490 times larger than the population of Nakhon Ratchasima. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Nakhon Ratchasima, 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 Nakhon Ratchasima?

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 Nakhon Ratchasima in the Summer?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima year-round.

Nakhon Ratchasima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Abu Dhabi usually gets less rain in July than Nakhon Ratchasima. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is a little warmer than Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 30°C (86°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Abu Dhabi 35°C (95°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Nakhon Ratchasima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round. Nakhon Ratchasima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Nakhon Ratchasima receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Abu Dhabi is generally around the same temperature as Nakhon Ratchasima. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Abu Dhabi 29°C (84°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Nakhon Ratchasima. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nakhon Ratchasima throughout the year.

Abu Dhabi usually gets more rain in January than Nakhon Ratchasima. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Abu Dhabi is cooler than Nakhon Ratchasima in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Nakhon Ratchasima fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Abu Dhabi 18°C (64°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Nakhon Ratchasima in the Spring?

Both Nakhon Ratchasima 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 Nakhon Ratchasima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Nakhon Ratchasima. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Nakhon Ratchasima receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Nakhon Ratchasima can become quite hot in the spring. In the spring, Abu Dhabi is cooler than Nakhon Ratchasima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Nakhon Ratchasima averages at about 31°C (89°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Abu Dhabi 27°C (81°F) 
    Nakhon Ratchasima 31°C (89°F)

Typical Weather for Nakhon Ratchasima and Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Nakhon Ratchasima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 31°C (89°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 31°C (88°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Jun 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (87°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 35°C (95°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Aug 36°C (97°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (85°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Sep 33°C (91°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 244 mm (9.6 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)