A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jerusalem vs. Khao Lak for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jerusalem or Khao Lak?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem or Khao Lak, 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 Khao Lak?

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.

Khao Lak

Resiliency and relaxation. Those are the two words used to describe one of Thailand's most breathtaking cities. Khao Lak is located in southern Thailand, and when the tsunami of 2004 hit, this area saw the most damage. With more than 4,000 fatalities, 3,000 still unaccounted for and enormous structural damages, many thought Khao Lak would not be able to bounce back. They have proved everyone wrong with a strong and impressive recovery. Now it has returned to its status of vacation hotspot. Unlike neighboring Phuket, though, the resorts in Khao Lak are designed for families and some peace and quiet.

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 Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Lak or Jerusalem?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $107, while the average daily cost in Khao Lak is $112. 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 Khao Lak in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jerusalem $63
    Khao Lak $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jerusalem $126
    Khao Lak $102
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Khao Lak

Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem or Khao Lak? 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 Jerusalem


Hotels in Khao Lak


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 Khao Lak Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jerusalem $6.64
    Khao Lak $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Local Bus
    $3.13
  • Light Rail Jerusalem
    $9.68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:

  • Private Transfer From Ben Gurion Airport To Haifa Hotels : $300
  • Allenby Bridge to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv Private Transfer: $170
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Allaenby Bridge: $105
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Amman: $195
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Petra: $290
  • Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $150
  • Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $130
  • Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport Private Transfer: $150
  • Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $144
  • Private Intercity Transfer - from your Jerusalem hotel to your Tel Aviv hotel: $90
  • Private Jerusalem Departure Transfer - Hotel/Accommodation to Tel Aviv Airport: $48
  • Private Transfer from Dead Sea Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $160

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Khao Lak

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Khao Lak:

  • Phuket: Private One-Way Transfer to/from Khao Lak by Car: $30
  • Khao Lak/Bang Sak: 1-Way Private Transfer to Phuket Airport: $41
  • 30-Minutes Guided Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $42
  • Private Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak: $44
  • 2-Hour Guided Eco-Tour & Transfer to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: $55
  • Khao Lak To Khao Sok Private Minivan & Car Transfer: $56
  • Private Transfer from Khao Lak to Phuket (HKT) Airport: $100
  • From Carnival Magic Phuket Ticket with Transfer: $106
  • Krabi Airport: Private Transfer to/from Khaolak: $111
  • Similan Island Snorkeling Adventure -Full-Day Tour with Transfers: $119

Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Khao Lak?

Prices for flights to both Khao Lak 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 day
    Jerusalem $31
    Khao Lak $31
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of dining costs in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Orange Juice
    $2.65
  • Watermelon
    $3.98
  • Lunch
    $12
  • Food at Market
    $15
  • Juice
    $2.65
  • Bagels
    $7.96
  • Lunch for 2
    $14
  • Snacks
    $5.57

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jerusalem

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jerusalem.

  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant from Dead Sea: $96
  • 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: $170

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Khao Lak

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Khao Lak.

  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak with Market Tour by Pakinnaka School: $56
  • Riverside Thai Cooking Half Day Class: $57
  • Authentic Thai cooking class with market tour.: $59
  • Thai Cooking Class in a Garden with Transfer: $59
  • Thai Cooking Class in Khaolak: $61
  • 3 hours Khao Lak Cooking Class and Market Visit: $68
  • Half-Day Cooking Class and Ingredient Hunt: $68
  • 3-Hour Khaolak Cooking Class with Food Market Visit: $69
  • Khao Sok Local Life Adventure & Traditional Cooking Class: $89
  • Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class and Waterfall Tour: $97
  • ATV Quad Bike Excursion to Stunning Waterfalls with Dinner: $97
  • Thai Food Cooking Class & ATV Adventure Tour: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jerusalem $8.43
    Khao Lak $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
    $33

Tours and Activities in Jerusalem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Jerusalem are as follows:

  • 360 Virtual Tour of Ancient Jerusalem: $6.00
  • In The Footsteps of Jesus Day Tour - Dguide Self Guiding App: $7.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Skip the Line:1.5Hour AudioTour - Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center Ticket: $11
  • Bethlehem Christian Guided Tour: $20
  • Independent graffiti tour in Jerusalem at your own time and pace: $22
  • Self-Guided Tour at Machne Yehuda Market with Chef Tali Fridman: $25
  • Old City Shabbat Experience and Walking Tour: $28
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Old City: $30
  • Guided Shabbat Experience in Jerusalem: $30
  • Bethlehem Half Day Guided Group Tour : $30
  • Old City Highlights Tour: $39

Tours and Activities in Khao Lak

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

  • Guided Walk & Feed Elephant Experience with Pickup: $35
  • Bamboo Rafting and Sea Turtle Conservation Center Half Day Tour From Khao Lak: $37
  • Guide Tour to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary in Small Group: $44
  • Takuapa Cultural History Half-Day Tour From Khao Lak: $48
  • Elephant Sanctuary Guided Tour: $51
  • Khaolak: Begin the Day with Elephants - Walk and Feed Tour: $51
  • Elephant Bathing and Feeding Tour: $52
  • 30 Minutes Khaolak ATV Quadbike & Waterfall Adventure: $53
  • 30-Minutes ATV Quads and Waterfall Experience in Khaolak : $55
  • Little Amazon Canoe Ride & Tam Nang Waterfall Tour: $56
  • Sok River Canoeing | Half-Day Tour: $58
  • Historical And Cultural Day Tour To Takuapa Old Town From Khao Lak: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jerusalem $16
    Khao Lak $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Beer
    $4.77


When comparing the travel costs between Jerusalem and Khao Lak, we can see that Khao Lak is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Jerusalem is in Middle East and Khao Lak is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Khao Lak?

Jerusalem has a larger population, and is about 420 times larger than the population of Khao Lak. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem and Khao Lak, 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 Khao Lak?

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 Jerusalem or Khao Lak in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jerusalem and Khao Lak. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jerusalem year-round. Khao Lak attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Khao Lak receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Jerusalem usually receives less rain than Khao Lak. Jerusalem gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Khao Lak this time of the year. In Jerusalem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jerusalem usually receives more sunshine than Khao Lak during summer. Jerusalem gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Lak receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

Jerusalem is cooler than Khao Lak in the summer. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Khao Lak fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Jerusalem 23°C (73°F) 
    Khao Lak 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Jerusalem or Khao Lak in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jerusalem as well as Khao Lak. Jerusalem attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Khao Lak throughout the year.

Also, November to April in Khao Lak is the dry season. May to October in Khao Lak is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Khao Lak. Jerusalem usually gets less rain in October than Khao Lak. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jerusalem this time of the year. In the autumn, Jerusalem often gets more sunshine than Khao Lak. Jerusalem gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Lak receives 181 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Jerusalem is cooler than Khao Lak. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jerusalem in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Khao Lak averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Jerusalem 19°C (66°F) 
    Khao Lak 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Jerusalem or Khao Lak in the Winter?

Both Khao Lak and Jerusalem are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jerusalem throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Khao Lak because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Jerusalem usually receives more rain than Khao Lak. Jerusalem gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Khao Lak. Jerusalem usually receives less sunshine than Khao Lak during winter. Jerusalem gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Khao Lak receives 287 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jerusalem is generally much colder than Khao Lak. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 8°C (46°F), and Khao Lak fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Jerusalem 8°C (46°F) 
    Khao Lak 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Jerusalem or Khao Lak in the Spring?

Both Khao Lak and Jerusalem during the spring 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 Khao Lak year-round.

November to April is the dry season in Khao Lak. May to October is the rainy season in Khao Lak. Khao Lak gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Jerusalem usually gets less rain in April than Khao Lak. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Khao Lak receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Khao Lak, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jerusalem. In the spring, Jerusalem often gets more sunshine than Khao Lak. Jerusalem gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Khao Lak receives 249 hours of full sun.

Jerusalem is much colder than Khao Lak in the spring. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Khao Lak fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Jerusalem 16°C (61°F) 
    Khao Lak 29°C (83°F)

Typical Weather for Khao Lak and Jerusalem

Jerusalem Khao Lak
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (46°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 28°C (83°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 29°C (83°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 345 mm (13.6 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 286 mm (11.3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 284 mm (11.2 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 272 mm (10.7 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 417 mm (16.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 351 mm (13.8 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 188 mm (7.4 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)