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 Luxury Tours to Israel, and The Best Budget Tours to Israel.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesTel Aviv Prices
Israel Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Tel Aviv $200
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Tel Aviv is $200. 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 $108
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Tel Aviv $216
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:
- Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $62
- Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $143
- 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: $31
- Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Petra - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- 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: $31
- King Hussein Int Airport Transfers One Way to Aqaba: $25
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$1.98
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Taxi to Airport$50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Comfortable Private Transfer: Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport: $180
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- Jerusalem: Private Airport Transfer - Great Service !: $249
- Netanya: Private Airport Transfer - Great Service !: $183
- Private Airport Transfer - Dead Sea Hotels from or to Tel Aviv (TLV) Airport: $160
- Private Airport Transfer from/to your Herzliya Accommodation: $119
- Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
- Private Round trip Airport Transfers - Airport to Tel Aviv Area and return: $210
- Private Transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Rishon LeZion: $85
- Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport TLV: $293
- Private Transfer from Herzlia to Ben Gurion Airport: $116
- Private Transfer from Herzlia to Jerusalem: $247
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 $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $83
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $90
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
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$163
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$43
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Aroma Iced Coffee$4.69
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Lunch at the airport$40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tel Aviv
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tel Aviv.
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $45
- Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
- Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $75
- Levinsky Market Food Tour: $145
- Food Tour of Sarona Market and Azraeli Center: $165
- Christmas Eve Tour Jerusalem and Bethlehem Dinner from Tel Aviv: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Tel Aviv $28
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Join Us Before Sunset – Aqaba Walking Tour Let's Go!: $27
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $32
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- Camel Tours in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $37
- Wadi Rum: Explorer Jeep Tour PASS + Local Food + Optional Stay: $38
- Wadi Rum 4 hours morning tour or sunset tour Desert Highlights: $38
- 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights (morning or sunset): $38
- Wadi Rum 4-Hour Sunset Tour - Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $39
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$99
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Etzel museum$5.02
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Trail of Independence Quest Experience: $7.08
- A Self-Guided Jaffa Tour: The Story of its American-German Colony: $7.99
- Historic walking tour of Tel Aviv - Secrets of Sarona - Self-Guided Tour: $30
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port, the Flea Market & More: $35
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $39
- Jaffa Sunset Tour History, Sea and Tel Aviv Skyline: $48
- Carmel Market & Tel Aviv Tour with Tastings: $49
- Jerusalem Old City Half-Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $49
- Jaffa Half-Day Walking Tour: $49
- Jaffa Walking Tour - Half-Day: $49
- Jerusalem Old City Morning Tour: $49
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:
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $27
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $29
- Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $30
- Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $32
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.