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

Should you visit Jerusalem or Rome?

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

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

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.

Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Rome or Jerusalem?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $108, while the average daily cost in Rome is $182. 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 Rome in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jerusalem $64
    Rome $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jerusalem $128
    Rome $190
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Rome

Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem or Rome? 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 Rome


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 Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jerusalem $6.74
    Rome $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem

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


  • Local Bus
    $3.17
  • Light Rail Jerusalem
    $9.82

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 Allaenby Bridge: $105
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Amman: $195
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Petra: $290
  • Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $130
  • Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $150
  • Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport Private Transfer: $150
  • Jerusalem to Petra Private Transfer: $300
  • Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $148
  • 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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $2.14
  • Train to the Airport
    $16
  • Taxi to Airport
    $48
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Shuttle Bus Transfer to or from Ciampino Airport: $6.46
  • Bus Transfer Between Airport and Rome Termini Station: $6.46
  • Shuttle Bus Transfer to or from Fiumicino Airport: $7.53
  • Transfer Fiumicino Airport - Rome center: $7.64
  • Transfer Rome center - Ciampino Airport: $7.64
  • Bus Transfer from Rome to Milan or Vice Versa: $11
  • Transfer from Termini Station to the Maximo Shopping Center: $15
  • Civitavecchia Port to/from Vatican City Bus Transfer: $16
  • Transfer between Fiumicino Airport and Rome Termini: $17
  • Ciampino Airport Rome (CIA) to Rome - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • Rome to Ciampino Airport Rome (CIA) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
  • Private Departure Transfer: Rome Hotels to Train Station: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Rome?

Prices for flights to both Rome 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 $32
    Rome $51
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem

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


  • Orange Juice
    $2.69
  • Watermelon
    $4.04
  • Lunch
    $12
  • Food at Market
    $15
  • Juice
    $2.69
  • Bagels
    $8.07
  • Lunch for 2
    $15
  • Snacks
    $5.65

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 Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $15
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    $3.20
  • Cafe e doce
    $4.29
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    $2.84
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $34
  • Cheese and bread
    $11
  • Espresso
    $2.14
  • Dinner
    $62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

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

  • Award-Winning Roman Food Tours: $16
  • Eat Pasta in Rome, Testaccio - Self-Guided Walking Food Tour: $17
  • Vatican and Trionfale Farmers Market Food tour and Wine tasting : $32
  • Vatican Street Food Tour around the Biggest Fresh Market in Rome: $32
  • Roman Master Chef Cooking Class with Wine: $37
  • Roman Dinner & History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $37
  • Tasty Trionfale Farmers Market Food Tour and Local Wines Tasting: $38
  • Campo dei Fiori & Jewish Ghetto area Street Food Tour: $42
  • Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $43
  • Painting and Pizza Party in Rome: $43
  • Pub Crawl and Ultimate Party with Open Bar and Pizza: $43
  • Tiber River Urban Rafting Tour with Roman Pizza: $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jerusalem $8.55
    Rome $39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Cooking Classes for 2
    $34

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
  • Bethlehem Half Day Guided Group Tour : $30
  • Guided Shabbat Experience in Jerusalem: $30
  • Old City Highlights Tour: $39

Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    $74
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    $35
  • Roma Pass
    $32
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    $21
  • Segway Tour
    $80

Tours and Activities in Rome

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

  • Cambridge: Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Bergamo Old Town: Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.26
  • Shared 4 Hours Guided tour of the House of the Emperor Hadrian: $5.11
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Rome: $5.34
  • Bergamo Old Town: City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.38
  • Rome Walking Tour Including the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain: $5.45
  • Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Tour Rome: $5.45
  • Vatican Night Tour - Rome: $5.45
  • Twilight Treasures: An Evening Tour Through Rome's Rich History: $5.45
  • Civitavecchia's Stories and Secrets: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
  • An insider's look at A Self-Guided Audio Tour : $5.61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jerusalem $16
    Rome $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem

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


  • Beer
    $4.84

Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $6.96
  • Pint of Beer
    $6.79
  • Beer
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:

  • Cabaret & Burlesque Show: $32
  • Vatican Street Food and Wine Tour with Farmers Market: $38
  • The Best Wine Tasting in Trastevere with food pairing and Gelato: $49
  • Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $53
  • Roman Night Life and Burlesque Show Tour: $54
  • Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $55
  • Agricultural Brewery Tour in the Roman Countryside: $55
  • Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $60
  • Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Trasteve Villa: $68
  • E-Bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $69
  • Rome by Night-Ebike tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $70
  • Taste of Tuscany: Food & Wine tour with Florentine Steak: $74


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jerusalem and Rome, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Jerusalem much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jerusalem is in Middle East and Rome is in Europe, 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 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Jerusalem. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem and Rome, 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 Rome?

Rome has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Jerusalem experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Jerusalem or Rome in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jerusalem and Rome. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jerusalem year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Jerusalem is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 23°C (73°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome 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 Rome during summer. Jerusalem gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Jerusalem usually receives less rain than Rome. Jerusalem gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Jerusalem 23°C (73°F) 
    Rome 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Jerusalem or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jerusalem as well as Rome. Jerusalem attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Rome in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Jerusalem is around the same temperature as Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jerusalem this time of the year. In the autumn, Jerusalem often gets more sunshine than Rome. Jerusalem gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

Jerusalem usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Jerusalem 19°C (66°F) 
    Rome 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Jerusalem or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Jerusalem are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jerusalem throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Jerusalem is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jerusalem in January average around 8°C (46°F), and Rome averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Jerusalem usually receives more sunshine than Rome during winter. Jerusalem gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jerusalem usually receives more rain than Rome. Jerusalem gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Jerusalem 8°C (46°F) 
    Rome 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Jerusalem or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Jerusalem is generally a little warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 16°C (61°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jerusalem. In the spring, Jerusalem often gets more sunshine than Rome. Jerusalem gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Jerusalem usually gets less rain in April than Rome. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Jerusalem 16°C (61°F) 
    Rome 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Rome and Jerusalem

Jerusalem Rome
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (46°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)