Which place is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Doha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Doha or Chiang Mai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Doha and Chiang Mai can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Doha or Chiang Mai?
Doha
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.
-
Doha Prices
Qatar PricesChiang Mai Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $244Chiang Mai $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $244, while the average daily cost in Chiang Mai is $57. 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 Doha and Chiang Mai in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Chiang Mai $28
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Chiang Mai $56
Compare Hotels in Doha and Chiang Mai
Looking for a hotel in Doha or Chiang Mai? 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: Doha Hotel Prices and Chiang Mai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Chiang Mai $3.94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- CO2-Offset | RoundTrip Transfer from DOH Airport to Doha/West Bay: $194
- Entry to Angry Birds World with Transfer to Park and Top Up- Private Tour: $174
- Doha Desert Horse Riding: 2-Hour Ride & Private Transfer: $160
- Doha Horseback Riding Adventure in Desert with Transfers: $139
- Doha Arabian Horseback Riding Adventure in Desert with Transfers: $120
- Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Van: $119
- Airport Transfer: Doha Airport DOH to Doha by Luxury Van: $119
- Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Car: $107
- Hamad Airport Transfer Service – 24/7 Door-to-Door Transport: $98
- Private Arrival Transfer to Sumaysimah: $70
- Doha, Qatar : Private Airport Transfer 24/7: $70
- Transfer from Hamad Airport to Doha City - Stress-Free Tranafer: $60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
-
Tuk Tuk Ride$1.18
-
Moped Rental$5.33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Baan Tawai Woodcarving Workshop with Transfers from Chiang Mai: $61
- Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai Airport CNX Private Departure Transfer: $69
- Chiang Mai 2026 Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival with Transfer: $94
- Chiang Mai ATV and 5 km White Water Rafting with Hotel Transfer: $57
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Private Arrival Transfer: $69
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Round Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer – Hotel or Airport: $8.81
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer with Hotel Drop-off: $29
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Van Transfer – Arrival or Departure: $38
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfer CNX and Chiang Mai Hotels: $21
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfer CNX and Chiang Mai Hotels: $21
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfer by Private Van – Arrival or Departure: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Chiang Mai?
Prices for flights to both Chiang Mai and Doha 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 dayDoha $106Chiang Mai $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise Tour with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $25
- Starlight Dhow Cruise Dinner Experience on Doha Waterfront: $34
- Sunset Experience, Traditional Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $35
- Doha Evening Dhow Cruise with Dinner Option: $39
- Evening Dhow Cruise with Optional BBQ Dinner: $49
- Traditional Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner on board: $50
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Doha Bay A Traditional Dhow Experience: $55
- Private Souk Waqif Tour with Lunch/Dinner: $85
- Doha Desert Safari: Sunset Dune Bashing Camp Access & Dinner: $135
- Full Day Desert Safari with Inland Sea Visit and Buffet Dinner: $150
- Doha Desert Safari Full day With Dinner,Dune Bashing,Sandboarding: $152
- 5-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner: $158
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
-
Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.77
-
Roti Snack (Bread)$0.71
-
Casual Breakfast$1.18
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.92
-
Mangoes$0.89
-
Coffee$1.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Morning Thai cooking class: $27
- Evening Thai cooking class: $27
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $27
- Half-Day Cooking Class: $27
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai: $27
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Chaing Mai by Tomyumthai School: $27
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $28
- Khantoke Dinner at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center: $28
- Baan Farm Thai Cooking School Chiangmai: $29
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Cultural Show Tour in Chiang Mai: $29
- Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show at Chiang Mai Admission Ticket: $29
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Chiang Mai $14
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $23
- 4 Hour Doha City Night Private Tour with Pickup from Doha: $50
- 4 Hour Doha City Tour from Airport, Hotel & Cruise Terminal: $57
- 4 Hours Purple Island Mangroves Kayaking Adventure in Qatar: $120
- 4 Hours-Doha City Tour from AirPort/ Hotel: $54
- 4 Hrs Private Doha Tour: Discover the City’s Premier Attractions!: $115
- 4-Hour Private Group City Tour in Doha, Qatar: $45
- 4-Hours Guided City Tour in Doha (Souq, Katara, Pearl, Lusail): $60
- 6 Hours Private Full Day Tour in Doha: $109
- 8 Hours Doha City and West of Qatar Private Tour: $145
- 8-hour Doha tour: Cultural site, Heritage market, Modern Landmark: $149
- Al Thakira Mangrove Kayaking Tour – Purple Island, Qatar: $125
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Thai Cooking Class$38
-
Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.78
-
Kratong Lessons$2.96
-
Pedicure$4.44
-
Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.33
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Self Guided Podcast Tour Chiang Mai Architecture and Alchemy: $5.47
- Chiang Mai Eco Tourism Elephant Poop Paper Creative Experience: $6.08
- Relaxing Daycation Massage Experience in Chiang Mai: $9.11
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car 3 Hour Adventure: $12
- Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Interactive 3D Museum Experience: $14
- Chiang Mai Old City Temple Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $16
- Chiangmai Temple And City Walking Tour with ex monk Part 1: $17
- FAM Fahlanna Art Museum Admission Ticket, Chiang Mai: $17
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples 3 hour Twilight Walking Tour: $18
- Chiang Mai Temples & Old City Hidden Gems Small Group Tour 2 Hrs: $18
- Best Seller! Doi Suthep & Wat Umong Night Tour: $19
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $15Chiang Mai $7.34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
-
Wine$2.96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Chiang Mai, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha than you might in Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Doha Expensive? and Is Chiang Mai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Chiang Mai, 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.
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.