Which place is cheaper, Eilat or Jerusalem?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jerusalem or Eilat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem or Eilat, 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 Eilat?
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.
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 Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best Tours for Seniors to Israel, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Jerusalem.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJerusalem $107Eilat $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $107, 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 Jerusalem and Eilat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJerusalem $63Eilat $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJerusalem $126Eilat $186
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Eilat
Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem 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: Jerusalem Hotel Prices and Eilat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jerusalem $6.64Eilat $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Local Bus$3.13
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Light Rail Jerusalem$9.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:
- VIP transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
- VIP Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
- Transfer Between Tel Aviv city and Jerusalem city: $213
- Private Transfer: From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: $95
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv hotels to Haifa Cruise Port: $189
- Private Transfer from Jerusalem to Herzlia: $247
- Private Transfer from Dead Sea Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $160
- Private Jerusalem Departure Transfer - Hotel/Accommodation to Tel Aviv Airport: $48
- Private Intercity Transfer - from your Jerusalem hotel to your Tel Aviv hotel: $90
- Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $146
- Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $70
- Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $77
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 Jerusalem or Eilat?
Prices for flights to both Eilat 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 $31Eilat $35
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of dining costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
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Orange Juice$2.65
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Watermelon$3.98
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Lunch$12
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Food at Market$15
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Juice$2.65
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Bagels$7.96
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Lunch for 2$14
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Snacks$5.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jerusalem
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jerusalem.
- Food Tour in Jerusalem with a Local : $72
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant from Dead Sea: $96
- Mahane Yehuda Market food tour jerusalem: $99
- Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Dead Sea: $115
- The Best Food Tour in Jerusalem--Perfect for Viral Travel Content: $117
- Christmas Eve in Israel: Jerusalem Sightseeing Tour with Dinner and Midnight Mass Viewing in Bethlehem: $125
- Experience Shabbat With Dinner In Jerusalem: $169
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jerusalem $8.43Eilat $16
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$33
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
- Political Private Tour Ramallah: $140
- (From Jerusalem) One-Day Tour to Bethlehem Jericho & Jordan River Qasr alyahood: $99
- 2 Hour Shooting Experience: $173
- 360 Virtual Tour of Ancient Jerusalem: $6.00
- 7-Hour Jerusalem Political Guided Tour from Jerusalem: $199
- Amazing Family Tour in Jerusalem: $500
- Best of Jerusalem Full-Day Tour from Jerusalem: $69
- Bethlehem & Dead Sea Day Tour from Jerusalem & Tel Aviv: $65
- Bethlehem Alternative Tour: $90
- Bethlehem Christian Guided Tour: $20
- Bethlehem Full Day Tour: $150
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: $64
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJerusalem $16Eilat $27
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$4.77
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jerusalem and Eilat, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Jerusalem much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jerusalem would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jerusalem Expensive? and Is Eilat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Eilat?
Jerusalem has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem or Eilat?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Jerusalem or Eilat in the Summer?
Both Eilat and Jerusalem during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Jerusalem because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round.
Jerusalem usually gets more rain in July than Eilat. Jerusalem gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 0 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 Jerusalem. In the summer, Jerusalem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Eilat. Jerusalem gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Eilat receives 384 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Eilat this time of the year. In July, Jerusalem is generally cooler than Eilat. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 23°C (73°F), and Eilat fluctuates around 33°C (91°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJerusalem 23°C (73°F)Eilat 33°C (91°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Eilat in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jerusalem and Eilat. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jerusalem year-round. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Jerusalem usually receives more rain than Eilat. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Eilat this time of the year. In Jerusalem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jerusalem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Eilat during autumn. Jerusalem gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Eilat receives 295 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Jerusalem is cooler than Eilat in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Eilat fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJerusalem 19°C (66°F)Eilat 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Eilat in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Jerusalem as well as Eilat. Jerusalem attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year.
Jerusalem usually gets more rain in January than Eilat. Jerusalem gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Eilat. In the winter, Jerusalem often gets less sunshine than Eilat. Jerusalem gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Eilat receives 234 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Jerusalem is much colder than Eilat. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jerusalem in January average around 8°C (46°F), and Eilat averages at about 14°C (57°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJerusalem 8°C (46°F)Eilat 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Eilat in the Spring?
Both Eilat and Jerusalem are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jerusalem throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Jerusalem usually receives more rain than Eilat. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Eilat receives 0 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Eilat. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jerusalem. Jerusalem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Eilat during spring. Jerusalem gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Eilat receives 282 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Jerusalem is generally cooler than Eilat. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 16°C (61°F), and Eilat fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJerusalem 16°C (61°F)Eilat 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Eilat and Jerusalem
| Jerusalem | Eilat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.