Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao or Jerusalem?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jerusalem or Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem or Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?
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.
Koh Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
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 Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJerusalem $107Koh Tao $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $107, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $37. 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 Koh Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJerusalem $63Koh Tao $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJerusalem $126Koh Tao $28
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem or Koh Tao? 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 Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jerusalem $6.64Koh Tao $8.67
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:
- Private Transfer From Ben Gurion Airport To Haifa Hotels : $300
- Jerusalem Private Transfer To Petra: $290
- Private Transfer from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: $247
- Transfer Between Tel Aviv city and Jerusalem city: $209
- Jerusalem Private Transfer To Amman: $195
- Allenby Bridge to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv Private Transfer: $170
- Private Transfer from Dead Sea Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $160
- Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport Private Transfer: $150
- Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $150
- Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $144
- VIP transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
- VIP Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.18
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$18
Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $31Koh Tao $9.21
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.
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$5.46
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Breakfast$4.09
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.27
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$13
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Pancake$1.91
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American Breakfast (for Two)$7.64
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$7.36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jerusalem $8.43Koh Tao $26
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
- Amazing Family Tour in Jerusalem: $502
- Ashdod Shore Excursion: Jerusalem and Bethlehem - for cruise ship guests only: $115
- Best of Jerusalem Day Tour from Jerusalem: $84
- Best of Jerusalem Full-Day Tour from Jerusalem: $69
- Bethlehem & Dead Sea Day Tour from Jerusalem & Tel Aviv: $147
- Bethlehem Alternative Tour: $90
- Bethlehem Christian Guided Tour: $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$6.82
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Snorkel Rental$2.73
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$2.73
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $22
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $22
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $23
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $24
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $28
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $33
- Koh Tao Viewpoint and Snorkeling Tour: $55
- Basic Diver ( One Day Experience): $124
- Koh Tao Cliff Jumping Snorkeling Experience: $135
- Koh Tao Snorkeling and Island Hopping Tour (Private) : $175
- Advanced Adventurer - 2 days ( Advanced Open Water): $277
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJerusalem $16Koh Tao $7.14
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$1.77
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Bottle of Wine$10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jerusalem and Koh Tao, we can see that Jerusalem is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jerusalem is in Middle East and Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jerusalem Expensive? and Is Koh Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Koh Tao?
Jerusalem has a larger population, and is about 520 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem and Koh Tao, 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 Koh Tao?
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 Koh Tao in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Jerusalem as well as Koh Tao. Jerusalem attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Koh Tao. Jerusalem usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tao. Jerusalem gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 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 summer, Jerusalem often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Jerusalem gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Jerusalem is around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jerusalem in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJerusalem 23°C (73°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
Both Koh Tao and Jerusalem are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jerusalem throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Koh Tao is October and November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. In October, Jerusalem usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jerusalem. Jerusalem usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during autumn. Jerusalem gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Jerusalem is generally cooler than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 19°C (66°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJerusalem 19°C (66°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Koh Tao in the Winter?
Both Koh Tao and Jerusalem during the winter 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 Koh Tao year-round.
February to June is the dry season in Koh Tao. Jerusalem usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Koh Tao. Jerusalem gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Koh Tao, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Jerusalem often gets less sunshine than Koh Tao. Jerusalem gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.
Jerusalem is much colder than Koh Tao in the winter. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJerusalem 8°C (46°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Jerusalem or Koh Tao in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jerusalem and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jerusalem year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. In April, Jerusalem usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Tao this time of the year. In Jerusalem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jerusalem usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during spring. Jerusalem gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Jerusalem is much colder than Koh Tao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jerusalem in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJerusalem 16°C (61°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Jerusalem
| Jerusalem | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.