Which place is cheaper, Eilat or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beirut or Eilat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Eilat. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Beirut or Eilat?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
Eilat
Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.
Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.
Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.
Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Israel, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.26Eilat $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, while the average daily cost in Eilat is $140. 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 Beirut and Eilat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Eilat $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Eilat $186
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Eilat
Looking for a hotel in Beirut or Eilat? 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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Eilat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Eilat $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $46
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:
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Local Bus$3.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat
Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
- From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Eilat?
Prices for flights to both Eilat and Beirut 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 dayBeirut $0.71Eilat $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
- Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Private Lebanese Home Cooking Class in Byblos with a Local Family: $86
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal and Hotel Transfers: $142
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Eilat $16
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ATV (2 Seat) Full Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $150
- ATV (2 Seat) Half Day Off-Road Tour & Scenic Adventure: $120
- All in 1 Lebanon Local Multi day Tour, 3 days: $289
- Baalbek Tour: $111
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Group Tour: $95
- Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara Guided Full-Day Tour from Beirut: $90
- Baatara Gorge Waterfall, Jeita Grotto and Byblos Tour: $170
- Beirut 3 museums + mini walking tour: $50
- Beirut : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour With Guide: $66
- Beirut Downtown, Corniche and National Museum Tour: $80
- Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
- Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
Tours and Activities in Eilat
For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
- 2 day tour to Petra from Eilat: $299
- Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
- From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $64
- Full Day Petra Tour from Eilat: $289
- Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
- Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
- Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
- Park Timna: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
- Petra 2-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Authentic Lunch: $290
- Petra and Wadi Rum 2 day tour from Eilat: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Eilat $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in The Bekaa Valley: $50
- Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
- Private Wine Tasting Tour: $65
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- Half-Day Private Chateau Musar and Ixsir Wine Tour from Beirut: $80
- From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Private Wine Tasting Day Tour from Beirut: $100
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $102
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Eilat, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat than you might in Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Eilat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Eilat?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Beirut and Eilat, 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.
When is the best time to visit Beirut or Eilat?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Beirut or Eilat in the Summer?
Both Eilat and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Beirut usually receives more rain than Eilat. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Eilat. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Eilat during summer. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies, while Eilat receives 384 hours of full sun in the summer.
Eilat can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Beirut is cooler than Eilat. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beirut in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Eilat averages at about 33°C (91°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Eilat 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Eilat in the Autumn?
Both Eilat and Beirut during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round.
Beirut usually gets more rain in October than Eilat. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beirut. In the autumn, Beirut often gets less sunshine than Eilat. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Eilat receives 295 hours of full sun.
In October, Beirut is generally around the same temperature as Eilat. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 25°C (77°F), and Eilat fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Eilat 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Eilat in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Eilat. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Beirut gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Beirut usually receives more rain than Eilat. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat this time of the year. Beirut usually receives less sunshine than Eilat during winter. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Eilat receives 234 hours of full sun in the winter.
Beirut is around the same temperature as Eilat in the winter. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Eilat fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Eilat 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Eilat in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Eilat. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year.
Beirut usually gets more rain in April than Eilat. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beirut this time of the year. In the spring, Beirut often gets less sunshine than Eilat. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Eilat receives 282 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Beirut is cooler than Eilat. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beirut in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Eilat averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Eilat 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Eilat and Beirut
| Beirut | Eilat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
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.