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

Should you visit Doha or Koh Pha Ngan?

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 Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan?

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.

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan is $45. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Koh Pha Ngan $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Koh Pha Ngan $46
Compare Hotels in Doha and Koh Pha Ngan

Looking for a hotel in Doha or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan


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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Koh Pha Ngan $13

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
  • City Tour with Guide and Hotel Transfers: $80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $8.18
  • Ferry Ride
    $14
  • Gas for Scooter
    $3.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Koh Pha Ngan?

Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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
    Koh Pha Ngan $10

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
  • 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
  • Full Day Desert Safari With BBQ Dinner: $234
  • From Overnight Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $240

Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:


  • Noodle Lunch (for One)
    $1.09
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $11
  • Smoothies (for Two)
    $1.09
  • Ice Cream
    $0.55
  • Juice
    $1.64
  • 3 Spring Rolls
    $0.82
  • 2 Pancakes
    $1.64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Koh Pha Ngan $17

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: $8.02
  • Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.02
  • 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
  • Sharing City Tour From MSC Virtuosa/Mein Schiff2: $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
  • Walking tour SOUQ WAKIF & MSHEIREB: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    Koh Pha Ngan $9.89

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)
    $7.09


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.

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


Which is Bigger, Doha or Koh Pha Ngan?

Doha has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Koh Pha Ngan, 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.