Which place is cheaper, Dahab or Jerusalem?
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 Jerusalem or Dahab?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem or Dahab, 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: Jerusalem or Dahab?
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, as well as one of the most historically rich cities in the world. It is also the largest city in the country. While Tel Aviv holds many of the responsibilities of a capital city, officially, Jerusalem is still considered the capital. It is important to note that most countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem.
Dahab
Dahab is a small town on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located about 85 kilometers north of Sharm el-Sheikh and sits on the Gulf of Aqaba. It's a popular destination with divers and backpackers alike, and offers some of the best snorkeling and diving that you'll find in the Red Sea. It's a great alternative to the resort driven Sharm el-Sheikh, and is popular with independent travelers who are looking for affordable accommodation. There are some upmarket options however, predominantly in the Laguna area, but budget facilities are not hard to find.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.
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Jerusalem Prices
Israel PricesDahab Prices
Egypt Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJerusalem $157Dahab $22
The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $157, while the average daily cost in Dahab is $22. 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 Jerusalem and Dahab in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJerusalem $77Dahab $8.05
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJerusalem $154Dahab $16
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Dahab
Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem or Dahab? 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: Jerusalem Hotel Prices and Dahab Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jerusalem $8.07Dahab $2.68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Local Bus$3.80
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Light Rail Jerusalem$12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:
- Transfer Between Tel Aviv city and Jerusalem city: $249
- Smooth Private Transfer: Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge: $218
- Secure Private Transfer: Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Service: $228
- Reliable Private Transfer: Allenby Bridge to Jerusalem / Tel Aviv: $237
- Private Transfer: From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: $95
- Private Transfer From Amman or Dead Sea To Petra and Wadi Rum: $81
- Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $186
- Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $85
- Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $83
- Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- Jerusalem Private Transfer to Beit She’an Border: $240
- Jerusalem Private Transfer to Amman with VIP Service: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dahab
Also for Dahab, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH): $34
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour from Dahab with Lunch & Hotel Transfers: $45
- Beginner Scuba Dive at Lighthouse w Photos & Transfer: $58
- Private Transfer From Dahab To Sharm el Sheikh airport: $65
- Pickup transfer from Dahab To Sharm El Sheikh airport: $70
- Private Pickup Transfer From Dahab To St. Catherine: $75
- Private Transfer from Dahab to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) Airport: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Dahab?
Prices for flights to both Dahab and Jerusalem 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 dayJerusalem $66Dahab $11
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of dining costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Orange Juice$3.22
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Watermelon$4.83
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Lunch$14
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Food at Market$18
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Juice$3.22
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Bagels$9.66
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Lunch for 2$17
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Snacks$6.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jerusalem
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jerusalem.
- Mahane Yehuda Market Guided Food Tour: $89
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant from Dead Sea: $107
- Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Dead Sea: $127
- Christmas Eve Jerusalem and Bethlehem with Dinner from Jerusalem: $180
- The Best Food Tour in Jerusalem-Perfect for Viral Travel Content: $237
- Experience Shabbat With Dinner In Jerusalem: $243
Typical Food Prices in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$1.72
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Juice$0.09
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Breakfast for Two$0.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dahab
For Dahab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bedouin Dinner in the Mountains In Dahab: $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jerusalem $10Dahab $5.67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Cooking Classes for 2$41
Tours and Activities in Jerusalem
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Jerusalem are as follows:
- 2 Days Bethlehem, Herodion, Judean Desert Monasteries and Jericho Private Tour: $275
- 7-Hour Jerusalem Political Guided Tour from Jerusalem: $260
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Jerusalem's Old City: $9.99
- Along the Path of the Jerusalem Light Rail - Private Tour: $120
- Amazing Private Family Tour in Jerusalem: $458
- Best of Jerusalem Full-Day Tour from Jerusalem: $69
- Best of the West Bank Tour from Jerusalem: $156
- Bethlehem & The Dead Sea Full Day Tour from Jerusalem: $150
- Bethlehem Alternative Tour: $100
- Bethlehem Half Day Christian Guided Tour: $40
- Bethlehem Half Day Guided Group Tour: $50
- Bethlehem Tour from Jerusalem: $75
Tours and Activities in Dahab
For Dahab, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Royal seascope Semi-Submarine Cruise: $33
- Full-Day Hike Tour at St. Catherine's Monastery: $35
- Royal Seascope Submarine Guided Boat Tour: $40
- Adventure Quad Biking Tour in Dahab: $40
- luxury Snorkeling cruise with buffet lunch: $41
- Blue Hole Snorkeling Tour with lunch from Dahab: $43
- Camel Ride + Blue Hole Snorkeling + Quad Bike Tour With Lunch From Dahab: $50
- Mount Sinai Sunrise and St Catherine Monastery Tour from Dahab: $50
- Private Day Tour To Blue Lagoon And Ras Abu Galum From Dahab: $65
- Adventure Safari By Horse In Dahab At Laguna Beach: $65
- Private City Tour In Sharm El Sheikh From Dahab: $65
- Saint Catherine's Monastery half-day Tour with Lunch from Dahab: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJerusalem $19Dahab $3.36
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Beer$5.80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jerusalem and Dahab, we can see that Jerusalem is more expensive. And not only is Dahab much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jerusalem is in Middle East and Dahab is in Africa, 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 Dahab would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dahab 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 Jerusalem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jerusalem than you might in Dahab.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jerusalem Expensive? and Is Dahab Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Dahab?
Jerusalem has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Dahab. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem and Dahab, 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.