Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Doha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Doha or Islamabad?
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 Islamabad 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 Islamabad?
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.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $200Islamabad $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $200, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is $42. 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 Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Islamabad $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Islamabad $40
Compare Hotels in Doha and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Doha or Islamabad? 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 Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Islamabad $7.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Private Full Day City Sightseeing Tour with Transfer: $270
- Private Transfer from Doha City to Doha (DOH) Airport: $190
- Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH): Transfer to Doha city: $175
- Qatar Doha Airport (DOH) to Doha - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $143
- Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) to Doha - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $130
- Private Arrival Transfer - Al Khor: $120
- Arrival Transfer: Hamad Airport DOH to Doha by Luxury Van: $119
- Departure Transfer: Doha to Hamad Airport DOH by Luxury Van: $119
- Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Van: $119
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Doha with Roundtrip Transfer: $115
- Private transfer from Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) to Doha city: $114
- Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Car: $107
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad 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 $61Islamabad $15
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
- Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
- BBQ Dinner in the desert resort; Dune bashing & camel ride: $165
- 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
- Private Overnight Desert Safari, Dune bashing, dinner & Breakfast: $220
- Full Day Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner: $234
- From Overnight Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $240
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Islamabad $9.48
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Express Doha City Tour: $165
- Transit/Layover Tours from Doha Airport – Explore Doha City : $105
- (Private) Quickie to the Desert Safari Experience - Inland Sea Visit: $100
- 1 Hour Camel Ride Experience in Sealine Beach: $172
- 3-Hour Kayaking Eco Adventure - Mangrove Purple Island : $70
- 4 Hours Purple Island Mangroves Kayaking Adventure in Qatar: $130
- 4 Hours-Doha City Private Tour: $74
- 4-Hour Private Group City Tour in Doha, Qatar: $72
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Msheireb Museums: $100
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Msheireb Museums and city tour: $75
- 8-Hour Private Cultural Tour: $288
- Adventure Dune Buggy Self Ride and Camel Ride : $260
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Private Tour: Half Day Islamabad Saidpur Village Exploration Tour: $80
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $85
- Private Tour: Islamabad Full Day Customized Exploration Tour: $90
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
- Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $98
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $15Islamabad $2.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Islamabad, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Islamabad 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Doha Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Islamabad?
Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Islamabad, 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.