A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Petra vs. Tel Aviv for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Petra or Tel Aviv?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Tel Aviv can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Petra or Tel Aviv?

Petra

Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel and is situated on the Mediterranean coast 60 kilometers north of Jerusalem. It's a rapidly growing city and is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities in Israel. The official name is Tel Aviv-Yafo because the city has grown to include the ancient port city of Yafo. If you're looking for an embassy, you are likely to find it in Tel Aviv, despite Jerusalem being the official capital of Israel.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Jordan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan, The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, and The Best Budget Tours to Israel.


Which place is cheaper, Tel Aviv or Petra?

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 Petra is $153, while the average daily cost in Tel Aviv is $200. 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 Petra and Tel Aviv in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Petra $59
    Tel Aviv $108
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Petra $118
    Tel Aviv $216
Compare Hotels in Petra and Tel Aviv

Looking for a hotel in Petra or Tel Aviv? 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 Petra


Hotels in Tel Aviv


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: Petra Hotel Prices and Tel Aviv Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Petra $23
    Tel Aviv $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:

  • Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
  • Door⇄Door Private Transfer from Petra to Sheikh Hussein Crossing: $195
  • Fast and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Ma’in Hot Springs: $180
  • Petra Private Transfer To Aqaba: $100
  • Petra Private Transfer To Jerusalem: $290
  • Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
  • Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
  • Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional: $88
  • Private Transfer from Petra to Aqaba Cruise Port: $73
  • Private Transfers from Petra Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $176

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tel Aviv

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tel Aviv are as follows:


  • Local Bus to Central Bus Station
    $1.98
  • Taxi to Airport
    $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:

  • Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
  • Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Arrival Private Transfer: $54
  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $55
  • Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) Private Departure Transfers: $55
  • Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
  • Private Transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Rishon LeZion: $85
  • suv BG airport transfer to tlv 4 people: $85
  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $90
  • Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Jerusalem city - Arrival Private Transfer: $95
  • Private Transfer: From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: $107

Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Tel Aviv?

Prices for flights to both Tel Aviv and Petra 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
    Petra $66
    Tel Aviv $60
Typical Food Prices in Petra

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $12
  • Juice
    $1.76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra

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

  • Authentic Jordanian Cooking, Taste of Comfort With Family: $28
  • Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains.: $50
  • Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150

Typical Food Prices in Tel Aviv

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $28
  • Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka
    $163
  • Lunch at Segev Sarona
    $43
  • Aroma Iced Coffee
    $4.69
  • Lunch at the airport
    $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tel Aviv

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

  • Carmel Market Food Tour: $45
  • Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
  • Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
  • Carmel Market Food Tour: $75
  • Levinsky Market Food Tour: $145
  • Food Tour of Sarona Market and Azraeli Center: $165
  • Christmas Eve Tour Jerusalem and Bethlehem Dinner from Tel Aviv: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Petra $47
    Tel Aviv $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra

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


  • Entry to Petra for One
    $71

Tours and Activities in Petra

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

  • Self Guided Tour of Petra Main Trail with App (No Tickets): $8.99
  • Guided 3 Hour Tour of Petra's Iconic Landmarks: $60
  • Private Guided Tour in Petra with licensed guide: $70
  • Private 3-Hour Guided Tour of Petra with Hotel Pickup .: $75
  • Private Indiana-Jones Archeological Trail Tour: $100
  • Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
  • 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
  • Private Half-Day Tour of Petra with Lunch: $130
  • Tour Privado en Español a Historia y Cultura Nabatea: $130
  • Wadi Rum Day Tour from Petra ending in Aqaba: $138
  • 3-Hour Private Petra Tour: Siq, Treasury & Qasr Al-Bint: $145
  • 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145

Typical Entertainment Prices in Tel Aviv

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


  • Masada tour from Tel Aviv
    $99
  • Etzel museum
    $5.02

Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv

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

  • Trail of Independence Quest Experience: $7.08
  • A Self-Guided Jaffa Tour: The Story of its American-German Colony: $7.99
  • Historic walking tour of Tel Aviv - Secrets of Sarona - Self-Guided Tour: $30
  • Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
  • Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port, the Flea Market & More: $35
  • Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $39
  • Jaffa Sunset Tour History, Sea and Tel Aviv Skyline: $48
  • Carmel Market & Tel Aviv Tour with Tastings: $49
  • Jerusalem Old City Half-Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $49
  • Jaffa Half-Day Walking Tour: $49
  • Jaffa Walking Tour - Half-Day: $49
  • Jerusalem Old City Morning Tour: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Petra $15
    Tel Aviv $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:

  • Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $27
  • Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $29
  • Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $30
  • Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $32


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Tel Aviv, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Petra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Petra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Petra 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 Tel Aviv would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tel Aviv than you might in Petra.

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


Which is Bigger, Petra or Tel Aviv?

Tel Aviv has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra and Tel Aviv, 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.