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

Should you visit Doha or Osaka?

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 Osaka 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 Osaka?

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.

Osaka

The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Osaka 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 Osaka is $88. 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 Osaka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Osaka $45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Doha and Osaka

Looking for a hotel in Doha or Osaka? 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 Osaka


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 Osaka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Osaka $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:

  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - West bay: $20
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
  • Sharing Arrival Transfer - Doha city: $14
  • Shared Departure Transfer in West Bay : $20
  • Shared Departure Transfer in West Bay: $20
  • Shared Departure Transfer from Doha: $14
  • Shared Departure Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
  • Shared Arrival Transfer - Doha City: $14
  • Qatar: Private Airport Transfer From or To Doha Airport!: $59
  • Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH): Transfer to Doha city: $175
  • Private transfer: Doha to Doha Airport (DOH): $69
  • Private transfer: Doha Airport (DOH) to Doha: $69

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:


  • Subway
    $7.83

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka

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

  • Airport Transfer from Osaka city to Kansai airport: $68
  • Airport Transfer! Osaka Airport (ITM) to Center of hotel in Osaka: $150
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Itama Airport ITM to Osaka City by Minivan: $75
  • Departure Private Transfers: Osaka City to Kansai Airport KIX in Business Van: $236
  • Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $199
  • Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $215
  • Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Osaka: $87
  • Itami Airport (ITM): Private One-Way Transfer ⇋ Osaka: $158
  • Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kobe: $177
  • Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $208
  • Itami Airport Private One-Way Transfer to/from Nara: $240
  • Kansai Airport (KIX) - Osaka City Private One-way Transfer: $145

Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Osaka?

Prices for flights to both Osaka 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
    Osaka $25

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $299

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka

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

  • Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $25
  • 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $26
  • Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $36
  • Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $45
  • Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $49
  • Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $61
  • Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka: $63
  • Osaka Authentic Tempura & Miso Soup Japan Cooking Class: $64
  • RAMEN and 2 types GYOZA (dumplings) Cooking Class: $65
  • Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
  • Kimono experience and Japanese home-cooking lesson Osaka Umeda : $65
  • Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka Dotonbori: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Osaka $20

Tours and Activities in Doha

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

  • Transit/Layover Tours from Doha Airport – Explore Doha City : $105
  • (Private Combo Tour) Sheikh Faisal Museum And Camel Race Track : $130
  • (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
  • Al Safliya Island Photo Tour: $25

Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Osaka Aquarium (for 2)
    $30

Tours and Activities in Osaka

For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Osaka Castle: Museum and Tower Entry Ticket: $3.79
  • Table Tennis Experience with Local Players: $4.42
  • Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.42
  • Ryurei Teicha: Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony) Experience in Osaka: $5.05
  • Osaka Sakishima Observatory Advance Ticket: $5.68
  • Dotonbori District Sightseeing Cruise & Beer Discount: $7.58
  • Tsutenkaku Entry Ticket: $7.67
  • Umeda Sky Building E-Ticket: $9.47
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory E-Ticket: $11
  • Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory Entry Ticket: $12
  • Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum:Ukiyo-e Woodblock Printing Experience: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    Osaka $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:

  • Osaka Namba Hidden Places Bar Crawl: $16
  • Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
  • Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $30
  • Osaka Evening: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $32
  • Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $38
  • Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $39


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

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


Which is Bigger, Doha or Osaka?

Osaka has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Osaka, 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.