Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Jerusalem?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Jerusalem or Ho Chi Minh City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem or Ho Chi Minh City, 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 Ho Chi Minh City?
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.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
-
Jerusalem Prices
Israel PricesHo Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJerusalem $163Ho Chi Minh City $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $163, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $88. 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 Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJerusalem $80Ho Chi Minh City $48
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJerusalem $160Ho Chi Minh City $96
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem or Ho Chi Minh City? 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 Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jerusalem $8.39Ho Chi Minh City $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
-
Local Bus$3.95
-
Light Rail Jerusalem$12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:
- Reliable Private Transfer: Allenby Bridge to Jerusalem / Tel Aviv: $250
- Transfer Between Tel Aviv city and Jerusalem city: $249
- Private Transfer from Jerusalem to Herzlia: $247
- Secure Private Transfer: Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Service: $240
- Smooth Private Transfer: Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge: $230
- Jerusalem Private Transfer To Amman: $195
- Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $186
- Jerusalem Private Transfer to Amman with VIP Service: $175
- Private Transfer from Jerusalem to Airport: $145
- Jerusalem Private Transfer To Tel Aviv Airport: $130
- Jerusalem Private Transfer to Allaenby Bridge: $130
- Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $95
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Short Taxi Ride$1.34
-
Taxi From Airport$7.66
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mui Ne Beach: Bus transfer from/to Saigon City: $8.00
- Ho Chi Minh: SGN Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $8.85
- Ho Chi Minh City airport transfer: $13
- Private Car Transfer: Cam Ranh Airport to Nha Trang City: $14
- Ho Chi Minh Airport: Private Transfer: $14
- Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Phan Thiet or Mui Ne, Japan Quality: $14
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure By Private Car Transfers: $15
- Comfort Van Transfer From Phong Nha or Dong Hoi to Hue: $15
- Private Departure Transfer: Ho Chi Minh City Hotels to Tan Son Nhat Airport: $15
- Ho Chi Minh Airport Arrival Or Departure Private Car Transfers: $15
- Private Transfer From Saigon Center To Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN): $16
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cam Ranh HTL-APT (CXR): $16
Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City 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
-
Food Meals for one dayJerusalem $68Ho Chi Minh City $23
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of dining costs in Jerusalem are as follows:
-
Orange Juice$3.35
-
Watermelon$5.02
-
Lunch$15
-
Food at Market$19
-
Juice$3.35
-
Bagels$10
-
Lunch for 2$18
-
Snacks$7.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jerusalem
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jerusalem.
- Mahane Yehuda Market Walking Food Tour in Jerusalem: $85
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.10
-
Pizza$4.98
-
Sweet Rice$1.15
-
Pork Sandwich$0.57
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.50
-
Western Lunch (for Two)$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide: $1.88
- Water Puppet Show And Dinner Cruise On Saigon River Private Tour: $1.88
- Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class: $14
- 1 hour Egg Coffee Cooking Class with Snack and Local Instructor: $15
- Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
- HCM:Mekong Delta Boat,Khotcake cooking Coconut Village,SmallGroup: $16
- Saigon Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By scooter with Student: $20
- Ho Chi Minh city Walking Chinatown / HCM city walking food tour: $25
- Saigon Walking Food Tour & Hidden Alleys with Locals: $26
- Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $26
- Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour and Vietnamese Coffee: $27
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour & Sightseeing By Motorbike: $27
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jerusalem $11Ho Chi Minh City $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Jerusalem are as follows:
-
Cooking Classes for 2$42
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
- 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 Sightseeing Half Day Biblical Tour from Jerusalem: $60
- Bethlehem Tour from Jerusalem: $68
- Bethlehem, Jericho, & Jordan River: Guided Tour -small group: $665
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Massage$5.36
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour: $0.64
- Gangster Island: Saigon Street Food, Seafood & Hidden Alleys Tour: $0.64
- Ghosts & Legends of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City Night Walking Tour: $0.64
- Chinatown Hidden Treasures – Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.64
- Hidden Bunker & Vietnam War - Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.64
- Hidden Jungle War Experience – The Untold Side of Saigon: $1.81
- Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers: $1.81
- Black Virgin Mountain, Cao Dai Temple, Cu Chi Tunnel Private Tour: $1.88
- Ho Chi Minh City Flexible Private Tour with Spa, City Highlights: $1.88
- 3-Day Phu Quy And Mui Ne Adventure: Beaches, Dunes, Island Life: $1.88
- Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing Private Tour By U.S Army Jeep: $1.88
- Da Lat Highlights Highlands Heritage and Natural Wonders Tour: $1.88
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJerusalem $20Ho Chi Minh City $7.65
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Jerusalem are as follows:
-
Beer$6.03
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Beer$0.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jerusalem and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Jerusalem is more expensive. And not only is Ho Chi Minh City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jerusalem is in Middle East and Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jerusalem Expensive? and Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Jerusalem. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem and Ho Chi Minh City, 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.