Which place is cheaper, Istanbul 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 Istanbul?
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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul?
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.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Doha Prices
Qatar PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $243Istanbul $195
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $243, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $195. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $118Istanbul $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $236Istanbul $180
Compare Hotels in Doha and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Doha or Istanbul? 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 Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Istanbul $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Sharing Arrival Transfer - West Bay: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer in West Bay : $20
- Airport Transfer - TO or FROM Hammad International Airport: $25
- Sharing Arrival Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
- Doha : City Tour To All Main Attractions Including Transfers: $29
- Transfer From Airport To All The Places In Qatar: $30
- Doha Airport (DIA) Private Transfer to Doha City Centre/Hotels: $32
- Guided City Tour with Hotel or Airport Transfer: $34
- Transit City Tour From Airport with return transfers: $35
- Airport Transfer (To OR From Doha City): $35
- Doha Evening-Night City Tour from Hotel, Airport & Transfers: $36
- Doha Airport to City Transfer: $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $66
- 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $85
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $35
- Airport Transfer: $62
- Airport Transfer: $64
- Airport Transfer 1 to 6 Passengers: $45
- Airport Transfer Hotel Transfer Istanbul Transfer: $53
- Arrival or Departure Private Transfer in Istanbul: $65
- Bosphorus Afternoon Tour with Lunch, Transfer and more! : $40
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Istanbul Airport Transfer: $81
- Departure Private Transfer from Istanbul City to New Airport IST in Van: $75
- Departure Private Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST in Business Car: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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 $105Istanbul $72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Private Dinner on Safliya Island with Boat Transfer: $89
- Doha Combo Tour: City Sights, Dhow Cruise & Dinner at Souq Waqif: $90
- Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
- The Pearl Qatar Premium Food Tour & Scenic Boat Ride: $99
- Doha Desert Safari Full day With Dinner,Dune Bashing,Sandboarding: $152
- 5-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner: $158
- Full Day Desert Safari Doha/dinner included: $190
- Full-Day Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner & Desert camp: $190
- Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $195
- Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra: $202
- Overnight Desert Safari Adventure:BBQ Dinner & Breakfast Included: $220
- Full Day Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner: $220
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Incl. Drinks with Transfer: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $18
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $18
- İstanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Night Show : $20
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $22
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $24
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $26
- Turkish Night on the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: $27
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Transfer Included: $28
- Bosphorus Night Cruise with Dinner, Show and Private Table: $29
- Dinner Cruise On The Bosphorus with Turkish night show: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Istanbul $47
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- National Museum of Qatar: Admission Ticket: $6.89
- Walking Tour: Discover Souq Waqif: $10
- Museum of Islamic Art Admission Ticket: $14
- 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum: Admission Ticket: $14
- Doha Tour App Hidden Gems Game and Big Qatar Quiz: $20
- 321 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $20
- Guided Walking Tour of Souq Waqif: $20
- Desert, Safari, Dune Bashing Experience: $20
- InlandSea Tour,Camel,Sand Boarding With All Activities: $21
- Doha:Inland sea Desert Safari Qatar, Dune Bashing Experience: $27
- Private City Tour with Airport or Hotel Pickup/Dropoff: $27
- Private City Tour With Pickup & Drop-Of: $28
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Private 1 - 2 or 3-Days Tour: $4.54
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $5.69
- Golden Horn and Bosphorus Sunset Tour Stop at Anatolian Side: $5.69
- Bosphorus Strait Sightseeing Cruise w/Audio Guide: $5.69
- Explore Bosphorous on a Sunset Boat Cruise: $6.82
- Bosphorous Asian Side Boat Cruise Morning: $6.82
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide: $7.73
- Bosphorus Cruise from Europe or Asia & Audio Guide: $7.90
- Sunset Bosphorus Cruise with A break on Asian Side: $7.96
- Istanbul's Old Town Through Time: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Bosphorus Sunset Tour with a break on the Asian side of Istanbul: $8.00
- Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $8.05
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $14Istanbul $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl - Istanbul Bar Nights: $19
- Rooftop Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $24
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul ultimate party pub crawl & Rooftop Parties: $29
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $30
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $31
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Istanbul, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Istanbul is in Europe, 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 Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Istanbul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Doha Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Istanbul, 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.