A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Doha vs. Chicago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Doha or Chicago?

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 Chicago 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 Chicago?

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.

Chicago

Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Doha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $200, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $288. 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 Chicago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Chicago $198
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Doha and Chicago

Looking for a hotel in Doha or Chicago? 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 Doha


Hotels in Chicago


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 Chicago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Chicago $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:

  • Airport Transfer-Hamad International Airport, Doha-Qatar: $34
  • Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Car: $108
  • Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Van: $120
  • BF Doha | Hamad Int. Airport Transfer Meet & Greet: $68
  • Departure Transfer: Doha to Hamad Airport DOH by Luxury Van: $120
  • Doha Airport Transfers: Your Swift Gateway to Luxury Travel: $50
  • Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) to Doha - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
  • Doha Night City Tour With Airport Transfer: $62
  • Doha Night Desert Safari Camel Ride Dune Bashing with Transfer: $93
  • Doha Stopover/Layover Tour: 4 Hours City Tour with Transfer: $80
  • Airport Transfer (To and From Doha City): $35
  • Guided City Highlights Tour with Roundtrip Transfer: $83

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:


  • Parking
    $19
  • Taxi Ride
    $10
  • Taxi from Airport
    $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:

  • Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $57
  • Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
  • Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $152
  • Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury Car: $234
  • Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $203
  • Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Business Car: $152
  • Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Luxury SUV: $203
  • Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $152
  • Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $203
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $58
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Chicago?

Prices for flights to both Chicago 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 day
    Doha $61
    Chicago $49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.

  • Private Dinner on Al Safliya Island: $76
  • Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
  • The Pearl-Qatar Food Tour & Boat Ride: $119
  • Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
  • BBQ Dinner in the desert resort; Dune bashing & camel ride: $165
  • Doha Private Full Day Desert Safari Lunch | Dinner Included: $190
  • Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $195
  • Doha : Full Day Desert Safari | BBQ Dinner | Inland sea: $197
  • Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra: $202
  • Full Day Desert Private Safari with Lunch or Dinner: $214
  • Private Overnight Desert Safari, Dune bashing, dinner & Breakfast: $220
  • From Overnight Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $240

Typical Food Prices in Chicago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:


  • Dinner for 1
    $24
  • Dinner for 3
    $118

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.

  • Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class : $40
  • Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
  • Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $63
  • Chicago Small Group Food Tour: $69
  • Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
  • Chicago Pizza Tour: $75
  • Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Self-Guided Tour: $75
  • Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
  • Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
  • Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
  • Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
  • Lake Michigan Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Chicago $47

Tours and Activities in Doha

Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Doha International Airpor: Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.07
  • Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.07
  • Al Safliya Island Boat Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of Souq Waqif: $30
  • City Highlights Layover Tour: $32
  • From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha City Tour (Private Tour): $35
  • Doha Geocaching & City Tour Combo: $35
  • City Highlights Sharing Tour: $35
  • From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha Private or Group City Tour: $35
  • 4-hour Downtown City Tour: $40
  • Doha : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tou: $43
  • Doha City Tour - Airport or Cruise Terminal Pick Up/Drop Off: $45

Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago

Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Sears Tower (family of 4)
    $102
  • Aquarium for 4
    $118
  • Water Taxi (family of 4)
    $22
  • IMAX Movie for Two
    $35
  • Shakespeare Play (2)
    $116
  • Art Institute (2)
    $36
  • U-Boat Tour (2)
    $8.00

Tours and Activities in Chicago

Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Discovering Chicago with Walking In App Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Haunted Sites Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.50
  • Vice, Crime and Gangsters Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Chicago’s Ragtime & Jazz Eras: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Vice, Crime and Gangsters in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Must-Sees & Hidden Gems In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
  • Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket: $9.25
  • Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket at Guaranteed Rate Field: $9.32
  • App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.69
  • Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    Chicago $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:

  • Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $30
  • Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
  • Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
  • Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Doha much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Chicago is in North America, 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 Doha would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Doha 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Doha.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Doha Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Doha or Chicago?

Chicago has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Chicago, 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.