Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar?
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 Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar?
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.
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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Doha Prices
Qatar PricesUlaanbaatar Prices
Mongolia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $245Ulaanbaatar $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $245, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $30. 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 Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Ulaanbaatar $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Doha and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Doha or Ulaanbaatar? 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 Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Ulaanbaatar $2.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Airport Transfer - TO or FROM Hammad International Airport: $55
- Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Business Car: $81
- Al Thakira Mangrove Kayaking Adventure With Transfer: $82
- Departure Transfer From Doha City: $15
- Departure Transfer From West Bay / Pearl Qatar: $20
- Departure Transfer from Lusail: $27
- Doha Airport Transfers Taxi: $35
- Doha Arabian Horse Riding Adventure in the Desert with Transfer: $135
- Doha Arabian Horseback Riding Adventure in Desert with Transfers: $120
- Doha Attractions -4 Hour City Tour & Transfer from Hotel/Airport: $62
- Doha Horseback Riding Adventure in Desert with Transfers: $139
- Doha Night Desert Safari Camel Ride Dune Bashing with Transfer: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi 24/7: $23
- Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
- Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Taxi Transfers to/from Ulaanbaatar: $23
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $23
- Transfer Service to Khustai National Park: $178
- Transfer service to Kharkhorin: $240
- Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer and Private Car with Driver: $40
- Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfers and Customized Day Tours: $90
- Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $23
- Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Taxi Transfer 24/7: $23
- ULN Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar 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 $106Ulaanbaatar $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Traditional Sunset Dhow Cruise Tour with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $32
- Starlight Dhow Cruise Dinner Experience on Doha Waterfront: $34
- Moonlight on Marina Traditional Dhow Cruise With Optional Dinner: $42
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Doha Bay A Traditional Dhow Experience: $55
- Moonlight Dinner Cruise with Transfers: $65
- Sunset Desert Safari, Dune Bashing & BBQ Camp Dinner: $110
- Qatar Desert Safari Tour with Bedouin Camp Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $149
- Qatar: Full day combo Tour Desert Safari with Dhow Cruise Dinner: $150
- Doha Desert Safari Full day With Dinner,Dune Bashing,Sandboarding: $152
- Full-Day Desert Safari With Lunch or BBQ Dinner at Camp: $152
- 5-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner: $158
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ulaanbaatar.
- Ulaanbaatar Walking Tour & Cooking Class in a Mongolian Home: $89
- Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs: $235
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Doha $18Ulaanbaatar $4.24
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- National Museum Ticket at Qatar: $23
- Doha Group Tour Skyline Souq and Cultural Village: $23
- 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Museum ticket | Qatar: $23
- The Heart of the Desert – Doha Safari & Inland Sea Tour: $26
- Doha Complete Experience: City Tour,Desert & InlandSea in One Day: $28
- Half Day Desert Safari from Cruise Airport or Hotel: $28
- Doha Desert Safari Adventure CamelRide, DuneBashing & Inland Sea: $29
- Arabian Night Adventure Desert Safari Under the Stars: $29
- Guided City Tour with Airport and Hotel Pickup: $29
- Doha 4 Hours City Tour with Licensed Tour Guide: $29
- Doha Private City Tour with Licensed Tour Guide: $30
- Top Doha Night City Tour Including Souq Waqif , Lusail And Katara: $30
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Terelj National Park Via Genghis Khan Statue Full Day Tour: $35
- Gobi Cashmere Flagship Store Shopping Tour: $35
- Terelj national park transport /Best price tour: $36
- Mongolian Wrestling Bökh Tournament Experience: $40
- Private custom walking tour with a local guide: $40
- Ulaanbaatar Private Custom Walking Tour With a Local Guide: $45
- Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
- Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $52
- From UB: Day Tour to Chinggis khaan statue and Terelj NP.: $58
- Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $59
- Private Tour drive to Chinggis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDoha $15Ulaanbaatar $3.67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Doha and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East and Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Doha Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Ulaanbaatar?
Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha and Ulaanbaatar, 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.