Which place is cheaper, Dubai or Doha?
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 Doha or Dubai?
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 Dubai 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 Dubai?
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.
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates.
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Doha Prices
Qatar PricesDubai Prices
UAE Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $244Dubai $289
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $244, while the average daily cost in Dubai is $289. 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 Dubai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Dubai $170
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Dubai $340
Compare Hotels in Doha and Dubai
Looking for a hotel in Doha or Dubai? 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 Dubai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Dubai $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Entry to Angry Birds World with Transfer to Park and Top Up- Private Tour: $174
- Doha Horseback Riding Adventure in Desert with Transfers: $139
- Doha Arabian Horse Riding Adventure in the Desert with Transfer: $135
- Departure Transfer: Doha to Hamad Airport DOH by Luxury Van: $128
- Airport Transfer: Doha Airport DOH to Doha by Luxury Van: $128
- Doha Arabian Horseback Riding Adventure in Desert with Transfers: $120
- Combo City Tour and Desert Safari with Private Transfers: $99
- Doha Private Airport Transfer: $99
- Hamad Airport Transfer Service – 24/7 Door-to-Door Transport: $98
- Private Transfer from Doha Cruise Port to Doha Hamad Airport(DOH): $94
- Private Jet Ski at Katara Beach with Transfer: $75
- Doha airport layover transfer private desert safari camel ride: $60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- "Airport Transfers to or from Dubai with SUV Car": $95
- 1 Day 1 Park (Motiongate or Legoland) with Private Transfer: $185
- 1-Hour Quad Biking Tour with Transfer from Dubai: $140
- 3-Hour Ice Skating Experience in Dubai with optional Transfer: $70
- 4 Hour Dubai Layover Tour with Private Airport Transfers On Time: $125
- AYA Universe Dubai Tickets with Transfer Option: $37
- AYA Universe Light and Sound Park in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $64
- AYA Universe and Dubai Frame Tour with Private Transfer: $155
- Abu Dhabi City Tour with Grand Mosque Including Transfers: $56
- Abu Dhabi City Tour with Louvre Museum With Free shuttle Transfer: $55
- Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Tour with Hotel Transfer: $50
- Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque Ferrari World Tour and Transfers: $169
Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Dubai?
Prices for flights to both Dubai 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
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Food Meals for one dayDoha $106Dubai $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Evening Dhow Cruise with Optional BBQ Dinner: $20
- Doha Evening Dhow Cruise with Dinner Option: $25
- Sunset Experience, Traditional Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $28
- Starlight Dhow Cruise Dinner Experience on Doha Waterfront: $34
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise Tour with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $35
- Traditional Arabian Dhow Cruise with Sunset and Skyline Dinner: $40
- Traditional Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner on board: $50
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Doha Bay A Traditional Dhow Experience: $55
- Qatar: Desert Dune Bashing with lunch/dinner in Desert Beach Camp: $55
- Full Day Desert Safari with Inland Sea Visit and Buffet Dinner: $150
- Doha Desert Safari Full day With Dinner,Dune Bashing,Sandboarding: $152
- Full Day Desert Safari in Qatar with Lunch/Dinner by sea side: $159
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dubai Desert Safari with Dune Bashing, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner: $11
- Dhow Cruise With Dinner at Al Jaddaf Dubai: $14
- Dubai Desert Safari | Dune Bashing, Camel Ride & BBQ Dinner: $14
- VIP Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari 4x4, Camel Ride and BBQ Dinner: $14
- VIP Red Dune Safari Dubai,Pick/Drop,Camel Ride, Quad & BBQ Dinner: $15
- VIP Red Dune Safari with Pick/Drop BBQ Dinner Camelride sandbord: $15
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- VIP Red Dune Safari with Pick/Drop BBQ/Dinner Camelride Sandbord: $15
- VIP Red Dune Safari, Pick/Drop, Camel Ride,BBQ Dinner & Quad Bike: $15
- Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $16
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Creek with pickup drop option: $16
- Virtual Online Cooking Class - Cook Your Classic Curry with Chef Gomez: $16
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Dubai $19
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 10 Hour Desert Safari Tour at Qatar with BBQ: $150
- 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $20
- 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 Kayaking Adventure in Qatar Purple Island Mangroves: $125
- 4 Hours-Doha City Private or Shared Tour from AirPort/ Hotel: $54
- 4 Hrs Private Doha Tour: Discover the City’s Premier Attractions!: $115
- 4 hours Desert Safari Experience in Doha up to Group of 5: $260
- 4-Hour Private Group City Tour in Doha, Qatar: $45
- 6 Hours Private Full Day Tour in Doha: $130
- 8 Hours Doha City and West of Qatar Private Tour: $145
- 8-Hour Private Cultural Tour: $199
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Dubai: $5.82
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.86
- Dubai Walking Tour 1h00 and 9 audio reviews: $7.26
- Global Village Dubai Ticket with optional transport: $9.00
- Dubai Butterfly Garden Tickets: $11
- Al Shindagha Museum Tickets: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
- Dubai Burj Khalifa Lake Ride and Fountain Show Experience: $14
- Al Shindagha Museum Dubai Admission Ticket: $14
- Dubai Global Village Tickets: $15
- AL Shindagha Museum Admission Tickets: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $14Dubai $23
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Dubai, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Doha much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Dubai?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Dubai, 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.