Which place is cheaper, Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands?
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 Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands?
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.
Similan Islands
There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.
The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.
Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.
Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.
You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.
There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket.
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Doha Prices
Qatar PricesSimilan Islands Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $244Similan Islands $208
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $244, while the average daily cost in Similan Islands is $208. 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 Similan Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Similan Islands $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Similan Islands $150
Compare Hotels in Doha and Similan Islands
Looking for a hotel in Doha or Similan Islands? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Similan Islands $107
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Transfer from Hamad Airport to Doha City - Stress-Free Tranafer: $40
- Qatar Doha Airport (DOH) to Qatar Doha - Private Transfer: $41
- Qatar Doha Airport (DOH) to Doha - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $82
- Private Transfer: Hamad Airport DOH to Doha by Business Car: $84
- Private Transfer from Doha Hamad Airport(DOH) to Doha Cruise Port: $95
- Private Transfer from Doha Cruise Port to Doha City Hotels: $57
- Private Transfer from Doha City Hotels to Doha Cruise Port: $57
- Private Jet Ski at Katara Beach with Transfer: $75
- Private Car Transfer from Doha City: $20
- Private Arrival Transfer to Sumaysimah: $70
- Hamad Airport Transfer Service – 24/7 Door-to-Door Transport: $98
- From North of Qatar Guided Tour with Transfers: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Similan Islands?
Prices for flights to both Similan Islands 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 $106Similan Islands $68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Starlight Dhow Cruise Dinner Experience on Doha Waterfront: $34
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise Tour with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $35
- Traditional Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner on board: $50
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Doha Bay A Traditional Dhow Experience: $55
- Qatar: Desert Dune Bashing with lunch/dinner in Desert Beach Camp: $55
- Moonlight Dinner Cruise with Transfers: $59
- Full-day Desert Beach Camp with Buffet lunch/dinner: $60
- Private Souk Waqif Tour with Lunch/Dinner: $85
- Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $99
- Qatar Desert Safari Tour with Bedouin Camp Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $149
- Full Day Desert Safari with Inland Sea Visit and Buffet Dinner: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Similan Islands $48
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $23
- 4 Hours-Doha City Private or Shared Tour from AirPort/ Hotel: $54
- 4 Hrs Private Doha Tour: Discover the City’s Premier Attractions!: $115
- 4 hours Desert Safari Experience in Doha up to Group of 5: $260
- 4-Hour Private Group City Tour in Doha, Qatar: $45
- 6 Hours Private Full Day Tour in Doha: $130
- 8-Hour Private Cultural Tour: $200
- All Main Doha City Attractions Tour: $50
- Attractions of Doha City Exploration ( 4-Hours Doha City Tour): $60
- Brouq Reserve and East to West 4WD Private Tour: $140
- City Tour and Desert Safari with Camel Ride and Sand Boarding: $88
- Combo City Tour and Desert Safari Adventure: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $15Similan Islands $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Similan Islands, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Similan Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Doha Expensive? and Is Similan Islands Expensive?.
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.