A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eilat vs. Ise for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eilat or Ise?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Eilat or Ise? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Eilat or Ise?

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.

Ise

A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.

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


Which place is cheaper, Ise or Eilat?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Eilat is $140, while the average daily cost in Ise is $89. 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 Eilat and Ise in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Eilat $93
    Ise $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Eilat $186
    Ise $84
Compare Hotels in Eilat and Ise

Looking for a hotel in Eilat or Ise? 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 Eilat


Hotels in Ise


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: Eilat Hotel Prices and Ise Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Eilat $13
    Ise $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:


  • Local Bus
    $3.71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat

Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
  • Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Eilat or Ise?

Prices for flights to both Ise and Eilat 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
    Eilat $35
    Ise $24

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Eilat $16
    Ise $5.83

Tours and Activities in Eilat

For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
  • Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
  • From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $63
  • Red canyon jeep tour in Eilat: $70
  • Timna park Jeep tour adventure: $70
  • Park Timna: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
  • Red Canyon: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
  • Timna Park Tour from Eilat: $150
  • Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
  • Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
  • 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
  • Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219

Tours and Activities in Ise

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

  • Ise Grand Shrine Private Guided Tour: $88
  • Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $39
  • Shirataki Takigyo Waterfall Meditation Experience in Toba: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Eilat $27
    Ise $4.52


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

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


Which is Bigger, Eilat or Ise?

Ise has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Eilat and Ise, 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 Eilat or Ise?

Ise has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Eilat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Eilat or Ise in the Summer?

Both Ise and Eilat during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ise for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Eilat can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Eilat is generally a little warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 33°C (91°F), and Ise fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Eilat. In the summer, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Ise. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun.

Ise gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Eilat usually gets less rain in July than Ise. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ise receives 219 mm (8.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Eilat 33°C (91°F) 
    Ise 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Eilat or Ise in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Ise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Ise because of the shopping scene.

Eilat is a little warmer than Ise in the autumn. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Ise fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Eilat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Ise during autumn. Eilat gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 160 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Ise receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Eilat usually receives less rain than Ise. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ise receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Eilat 26°C (79°F) 
    Ise 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Eilat or Ise in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Ise. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ise this time of year.

It's quite cold in Ise in the winter. In the winter, Eilat is much warmer than Ise. Typically, the winter temperatures in Eilat in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Ise averages at about 5°C (40°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat this time of the year. In the winter, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Ise. Eilat gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ise receives 165 hours of full sun.

Eilat usually gets less rain in January than Ise. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Ise receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Eilat 14°C (57°F) 
    Ise 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Eilat or Ise in the Spring?

Both Ise and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Ise for the beaches.

In April, Eilat is generally much warmer than Ise. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 24°C (75°F), and Ise fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Ise during spring. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Ise receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ise. In April, Eilat usually receives less rain than Ise. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Ise receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Eilat 24°C (75°F) 
    Ise 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Ise and Eilat

Eilat Ise
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 1 mm (0 in) 5°C (41°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 19°C (66°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 0 mm (0 in) 13°C (56°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (65°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 22°C (71°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 26°C (79°F) 219 mm (8.6 in)
Aug 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)
Sep 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 23°C (74°F) 238 mm (9.4 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 1 mm (0 in) 17°C (63°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (54°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)