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

Should you visit Jerusalem or Ulaanbaatar?

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

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

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.

Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.


Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Jerusalem?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $159, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $30. 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 Ulaanbaatar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jerusalem $78
    Ulaanbaatar $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jerusalem $156
    Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Ulaanbaatar

Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem or Ulaanbaatar? 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 Ulaanbaatar


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 Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jerusalem $8.18
    Ulaanbaatar $2.79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem

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


  • Local Bus
    $3.85
  • Light Rail Jerusalem
    $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:

  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Amman: $195
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Beit She’an Border: $210
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $130
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Petra: $285
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Tel Aviv Airport: $130
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer to Allaenby Bridge: $130
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer to Amman with VIP Service: $175
  • Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $83
  • Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
  • Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $94
  • Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $85
  • Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $183

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:

  • Chinggis Khaan International Airport UBN Taxi Transfer: $20
  • Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Taxi Transfers to/from Ulaanbaatar: $20
  • Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Taxi Transfer 24/7: $21
  • ULN Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $21
  • Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $22
  • BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi 24/7: $22
  • Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $23
  • Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
  • Affordable English Speaking Airport Transfer in Ulaanbaatar: $39
  • Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer and Private Car with Driver: $40
  • Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
  • New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45

Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Ulaanbaatar?

Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar 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 $67
    Ulaanbaatar $15
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem

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


  • Orange Juice
    $3.26
  • Watermelon
    $4.90
  • Lunch
    $14
  • Food at Market
    $19
  • Juice
    $3.26
  • Bagels
    $9.79
  • Lunch for 2
    $18
  • Snacks
    $6.86

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: $63
  • 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
  • Experience Shabbat With Dinner In Jerusalem: $231
  • The Best Food Tour in Jerusalem-Perfect for Viral Travel Content: $237

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jerusalem $10
    Ulaanbaatar $4.24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jerusalem

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


  • Cooking Classes for 2
    $41

Tours and Activities in Jerusalem

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

  • A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Jerusalem's Old City: $9.99
  • Jerusalem’s Old City Walls: An Audio Tour Through Time and Faith: $9.99
  • Skip the Line:1.5Hour AudioTour - Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center Ticket: $11
  • Jerusalem Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum Tour: $12
  • In The Footsteps of Jesus - Self Guiding Tour: $13
  • Classic Jerusalem Old City - Self Guiding Tour: $13
  • Tram Tour of The Old City of Jerusalem: $30
  • Old City Highlights Tour: $39
  • Old City Morning Tour: $39
  • Bethlehem Half Day Christian Guided Tour: $40
  • Bethlehem Half Day Guided Group Tour: $40
  • Jerusalem Jewish Orthodox Neighborhood Walking Tour: $49

Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar

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

  • Gobi Cashmere Flagship Store Shopping Tour: $35
  • Terelj National Park Via Genghis Khan Statue Full Day Tour: $35
  • Terelj national park transport /Best price tour: $36
  • Mongolian Wrestling Bökh Tournament Experience: $40
  • Private custom walking tour with a local guide: $40
  • Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
  • Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $52
  • From UB: Day Tour to Chinggis khaan statue and Terelj NP.: $58
  • Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $59
  • Private Tour drive to Chinggis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park: $60
  • Genghis Khan Statue Tour: 3-Hour Ticket Included: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jerusalem $19
    Ulaanbaatar $3.67
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem

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


  • Beer
    $5.88


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jerusalem and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Jerusalem is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jerusalem is in Middle East and Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar.

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


Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Ulaanbaatar?

Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Jerusalem. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem and Ulaanbaatar, 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.