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

Should you visit Doha or Madrid?

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 Madrid 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 Madrid?

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.

Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Madrid 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 Madrid is $146. 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 Madrid in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Madrid $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Madrid $166
Compare Hotels in Doha and Madrid

Looking for a hotel in Doha or Madrid? 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 Madrid


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 Madrid Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Madrid $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:

  • Private Full Day City Sightseeing Tour with Transfer: $243
  • Private Transfer from Doha City to Doha (DOH) Airport: $191
  • Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH): Transfer to Doha city: $177
  • Qatar Doha Airport (DOH) to Doha - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $144
  • Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) to Doha - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
  • ONE WAY: Doha International Airport - Private Transfer From/to Hotels: $122
  • Departure Transfer: Doha to Hamad Airport DOH by Luxury Van: $120
  • Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Van: $120
  • Private Arrival Transfer - Al Khor: $120
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Doha with Roundtrip Transfer: $115
  • Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Car: $108
  • Private Arrival Transfer to Sumaysimah: $100

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid City by Van: $71
  • Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from MAD Airport to Madrid: $53
  • Arrival Private Transfer from MAD Airport to Madrid in a Minibus: $140
  • Arrival Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Avila City by Sedan: $229
  • Arrival Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Private Car: $80
  • Arrival Transfer from Madrid MAD Airport to Madrid by Luxury Car: $81
  • Arrival Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid in Business Car: $80
  • Departure Private Transfer Madrid to MAD Airport in a Minibus: $137
  • Departure Private Transfer from Madrid to MAD Airport by Van: $69
  • Departure Transfer from Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Private Car: $80
  • Departure Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Van: $87
  • From Madrid Airport: 1-Way Private Hotel Transfer: $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid 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
    Madrid $36

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 Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    $2.14
  • Ice Cream
    $3.21
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    $17
  • Croissant
    $1.61
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Paella and Sangria Workshop with Dinner and Drinks: $43
  • Tapas Crawl Food Tour with 6 Tapas and 4 Drinks: $53
  • San Miguel Market and Street Food Tour: $53
  • Tapas Dinner Party Food Tour with Guide: $53
  • Drunken Tapas Food Tour with Dinner in Madrid: $53
  • Tipsy Tapas Food Tour with Drinks and Food: $53
  • Madrid Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $53
  • Madrid Tapas Dinner Party with Guide: $54
  • Traditional Paella & Sangría Workshop & Spanish Dinner in Madrid: $54
  • The Authentic Morning Madrid's Food Tour: $59
  • Opera and Zarzuela Show and Dinner: $61
  • Madrid San Miguel Market and City Center Street Food Tour: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Madrid $36

Tours and Activities in Doha

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

  • Doha City Tour And Dhow Boat Ride (Private Tour): $99
  • 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-Doha City Private Tour: $74
  • 4-Hour Private Group City Tour in Doha, Qatar: $72
  • 4-Hour Private Group City Tour in Doha, Qatar: $70
  • 4-Hour Private Tour to Msheireb Museums: $100
  • 8-Hour Private Cultural Tour: $288
  • Arabian Sands Half-Day Adventure in Qatar: $140

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • Madrid Essential: Free Walking City Tour: $1.08
  • Tour Retiro Park - Madrid self-guided tour app: $2.15
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.28
  • Guided tour of the Madrid of spies: $3.28
  • History & Culture Guided Walking Tour: $4.31
  • Escape Game and Tour: $4.31
  • Wonders of Madrid Walking Tour : $4.37
  • 2 Hour Madrid Walking Tour : $4.37
  • Wonders of Madrid Walking Tour: $5.38
  • Mapfre Foundation Entry Ticket: $5.38
  • Wonders of Madrid City Walking Tour: $5.38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    Madrid $21

Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    $5.36
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Pub Crawl with Tapas and VIP Club Entry: $9.69
  • Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
  • Pub crawl & Party Tour Madrid: $14
  • Guided Pub Crawl Madrid Experience and Club Entry: $16
  • Pub Crawl Madrid Running since 2005 Bar Exploration: $16
  • Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $16
  • Pub Crawl Madrid: $19
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $22
  • Wine Tasting Experience with 4 Spanish Wines: $26
  • Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
  • Wine Tasting Experience: $50
  • Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $50


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

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


Which is Bigger, Doha or Madrid?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Madrid, 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.