Daily costs per person in AED. Abu Dhabi is more spread out and slightly pricier than Dubai, but the Grand Mosque is free and the cultural attractions offer excellent value.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: AED (Dirham) (1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | AED 100–200 | AED 300–600 | AED 1,000+ | Hostels → 3-star hotels → palace resorts |
| Food | AED 50–80 | AED 120–250 | AED 400+ | Street food & cafeterias → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | AED 10–30 | AED 40–100 | AED 200+ | Bus → taxi/Uber → rental car |
| Activities | AED 0–65 | AED 100–300 | AED 500+ | Free mosque & beaches → Louvre & kayaking → theme parks & desert |
| Drinks | AED 10–25 | AED 50–100 | AED 200+ | Karak chai & juice → cafe coffee → hotel bars |
| Daily Total | AED 170–400 | AED 610–1,350 | AED 2,300+ | $46–109 → $166–368 → $627+ |
Money-saving tips
Free Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — Abu Dhabi's number one attraction — is completely free. Free abayas and kanduras are provided. Visit twice (day and night) for two different experiences.
Public beaches
Corniche Beach is free with clean sand and warm Gulf water. Saadiyat Public Beach is AED 25. No need for expensive hotel beach clubs to enjoy Abu Dhabi's coastline.
Local eating districts
Hamdan Street, Electra Street, and Madinat Zayed food courts serve biryani, shawarma, and curry for AED 10–25. Pakistani, Indian, and Filipino restaurants are the budget-friendly backbone of the city.
Bus system
Abu Dhabi buses cover the entire emirate for AED 2 per ride with a Hafilat card. Bus 94 goes to the Grand Mosque, bus 55 to Saadiyat. The new metro is under construction.
Museum passes
The Louvre Abu Dhabi is AED 63 and worth every dirham. Qasr Al Hosn is AED 30. National Museum and Fire Station are free. Abu Dhabi's cultural attractions offer incredible value.
Dubai day trip
Intercity bus to Dubai costs AED 25 (2 hours from Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station). Far cheaper than renting a car or taking a taxi.
