Which place is cheaper, Tel Aviv or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Tel Aviv?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Tel Aviv, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Tel Aviv?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel and is situated on the Mediterranean coast 60 kilometers north of Jerusalem. It's a rapidly growing city and is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in Israel. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo because the city has grown to include the ancient port city of Yafo. If you're looking for an embassy, you are likely to find it in Tel Aviv, despite Jerusalem being the official capital of Israel.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Israel, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Jerusalem.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesTel Aviv Prices
Israel Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Tel Aviv $201
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Tel Aviv is $201. 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 Aqaba and Tel Aviv in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Tel Aviv $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Tel Aviv $218
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Tel Aviv
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Tel Aviv? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Tel Aviv Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Tel Aviv $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Amman/Death Sea: 1-Way Transfer to/from Wadi Rum in Private: $266
- Aqaba : Private Transfer From the Airport or your Hotel: $88
- Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba: $35
- Aqaba Airport Transfer to Petra: $90
- Aqaba Airport transfer to Aqaba City: $25
- Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $185
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Petra: $105
- Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Petra by Night Tour with Private Transfer: $198
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tel Aviv
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tel Aviv are as follows:
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Local Bus to Central Bus Station$1.99
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Taxi to Airport$51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Fast and Reliable Airport Transfers to Tel Aviv Hotels (or back): $94
- Haifa to Tel Aviv or (TLV) Airport Transfers (Arrival/Departure): $290
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- Private Airport Transfer - Dead Sea Hotels from or to Tel Aviv (TLV) Airport: $160
- Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
- Private Departure Transfer: From Tel Aviv City Center to Ben Gurion Airport: $48
- Private Transfer from Herzlia to Ben Gurion Airport: $116
- Private Transfer from Herzlia to Jerusalem: $247
- Private Transfer from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport: $172
- Private Transfer from Netanya to Ben Gurion Airport: $172
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Haifa Cruise Port: $229
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Int Airport (TLV) to Ashdod Port: $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Tel Aviv?
Prices for flights to both Tel Aviv and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Tel Aviv $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $82
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $100
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $109
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- Half Day Sunset Tour + Dinner & overnight stay in luxury tents: $286
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
Typical Food Prices in Tel Aviv
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tel Aviv:
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Dinner for Two$28
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Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$164
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$43
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Aroma Iced Coffee$4.73
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Lunch at the airport$40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Tel Aviv $29
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Wadi Rum Full day Jeep Tour with Stay in Bedouin Camp Overnight: $12
- Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
- Aqaba Walk Tour: History, Culture & Local Flavors: $27
- 4 Hour Jeep Tour Morning or Sunset Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
- Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
- Saraya Aqaba Waterpark entrance tickets: $33
- Wadi Rum: Premium English Speaking Guide 4WD Desert Tour: $33
- Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tel Aviv
Here are a few typical costs in Tel Aviv for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Masada tour from Tel Aviv$100
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Etzel museum$5.07
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Israel’s Neve Tzedek: $7.99
- Trail of Independence Quest Experience: $8.15
- Jaffa Gatekeeper’s Secret: Exploration Game and Tour: $9.33
- The White City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the History of the Bauhaus Style: $9.99
- The Story of Gan HaHashmal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- 30-minute Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline: $29
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
- Jaffa Walking Tour - Half-Day: $49
- Discover Jaffa in a Guided Walking Tour: $50
- Carmel Market Vegetarian Food, History & Culture Tour: $50
- Highlights of Central Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $50
- Tel Aviv; Jaffa Old City, Port & Shuk Hapishpishim Walking Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Tel Aviv $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $26
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Tel Aviv, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Aqaba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aqaba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aqaba 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 Tel Aviv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tel Aviv than you might in Aqaba.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Tel Aviv Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Tel Aviv?
Tel Aviv has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Tel Aviv, 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.