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

Should you visit Doha or Xi'an?

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 Xi'an 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 Xi'an?

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.

Xi'an

Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Doha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $245, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $105. 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 Xi'an in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Doha $119
    Xi'an $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Doha $238
    Xi'an $122
Compare Hotels in Doha and Xi'an

Looking for a hotel in Doha or Xi'an? 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 Xian


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Doha $23
    Xi'an $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:

  • Airport Transfer: Doha Airport DOH to Doha by Luxury Van: $132
  • Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Business Car: $86
  • Airport Transfer: Doha to Doha Airport DOH by Luxury Car: $119
  • Doha : City Tour To All Main Attractions Including Transfers: $30
  • Doha Airport (DOH) Private Transfer to Doha City Centre/Hotels: $32
  • Doha Airport Transfer: $99
  • Doha Airport Transfer Services with Pickup and Drop Off : $49
  • Doha Arabian Horseback Riding Adventure in Desert with Transfers: $120
  • Doha Night Desert Safari Camel Ride Dune Bashing with Transfer: $62
  • Doha Private Airport and City Transfers: $48
  • Doha to Qatar Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) Departure Private Transfer: $41
  • Doha, Qatar : Private Airport Transfer 24/7: $120

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
  • Essential Xian Tour with Airport Train Station or Hotel Transfer: $229
  • From Xian: Terracotta Army and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $245
  • Mt. Huashan Private Roundtrip Transfer with Driver's Tickets Help: $113
  • One Day Private Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors with Airport Transfers: $149
  • Private 1-way Transfer: Xi'an North Station/Airport to City Hotel: $58
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Xi'an Central Train Station to Hotel: $21
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Xi'an Railway Station to Xi'an City Hotel: $30
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport(XIY) to City Hotel: $46
  • Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer: Xi'an Hotels to Xi'an Airport (XIY): $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Doha or Xi'an?

Prices for flights to both Xi'an 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 $106
    Xi'an $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.

  • Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
  • Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
  • Qatar Island District Sightseeing, Boat & Food Tour – 7 Tastings: $144
  • Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch or Dinner: $160
  • Overnight Desert Safari Adventure:BBQ Dinner & Breakfast Included: $220
  • Doha Overnight Camp Desert Safari Tour with Dinner and Breakfast : $230
  • Desert Safari 7 Hours Tour with Dinner and Camp: $270
  • Overnight Private Desert Safari with Buffet Dinner and Camel Ride: $299

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.

  • Xi’an:City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
  • Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
  • Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
  • Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
  • Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $37
  • Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
  • Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
  • Xi'an Homemade Food Cooking Dumplings / BIANGBIANGNoodles: $58
  • Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
  • Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
  • Xi'an Muslim Quarter Walking Food Tour: $61
  • Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Doha $18
    Xi'an $36

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: $20
  • Explore Heart of Qatar Doha City Tour with Professional Guide: $22
  • Transit Exclusive Discover Doha Tour: $34
  • Picture-Perfect Tour of the City Most Instagrammable Spots: $39
  • Moonlight on The Gulf A Doha Dhow Cruise Adventure: $39
  • Qatar: Magical Sunset & Skyline View With Traditional Dhow Cruise: $40
  • Private City Tour in Doha: $42
  • Doha City Tour to Souq Waqif, Katara, Doha Port & Pearl Island: $42
  • Doha Guided City Tour : $43
  • Doha City Tour: Guided Tour to Souq Waqif, Katara, Pearl Island : $45
  • Traditional Dhow Cruise With Sunset & Skyline View: $45
  • Private Doha Guided City Tour To All Main Attractions : $45

Tours and Activities in Xi'an

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

  • Xi'an: Daci'en Temple(Great Wild Goose Pagoda) E-ticket: $9.99
  • Xi'an: City Wall & Old Town Walking Tour w/ 10+ Food Tasting: $14
  • Xi’an City Wall – E-Ticket: $15
  • Xi'an: Xi’an City Wall South Gate(Yongningmen) Entry Ticket: $15
  • Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
  • Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: $17
  • Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options: $20
  • Private Car Tour to Terra-cotta Army and Xi'an Ctiy Attrations: $22
  • Terracotta Warriors Tickets Booking: $24
  • Xian Day Tour, Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda, Muslim Bazaar: $24
  • Xi'an Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour with Local Family Lunch: $24
  • Terracotta Army Ticket Booking - Optional Guide Service: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Doha $15
    Xi'an $7.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:

  • Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29


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

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


Which is Bigger, Doha or Xi'an?

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