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

Should you visit Tel Aviv or Dharamsala?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Dharamsala, 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: Tel Aviv or Dharamsala?

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.

Dharamsala

With a name that literally means "a spiritual dwelling," Dharamsala roughly translates as a shelter or rest house for pilgrims and travelers. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dharamsala is today a popular destination for foreigners on vacation, backpackers seeking the surrounding mountains, as well as students of Buddhism.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best Religious Tours in India, and The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India.


Which place is cheaper, Dharamsala or Tel Aviv?

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

  • Tel Aviv Prices
    Israel Prices
    Dharamsala Prices
    India Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Tel Aviv $192
    Dharamsala $36

The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $192, while the average daily cost in Dharamsala is $36. 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 Tel Aviv and Dharamsala in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tel Aviv $104
    Dharamsala $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tel Aviv $208
    Dharamsala $40
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Dharamsala

Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Dharamsala? 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 Tel Aviv


Hotels in Dharamsala


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: Tel Aviv Hotel Prices and Dharamsala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tel Aviv $11
    Dharamsala $4.51
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
    $1.90
  • Taxi to Airport
    $48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:

  • Private Departure Transfer: From Tel Aviv City Center to Ben Gurion Airport: $48
  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
  • 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 Ben Gurion Airport Transfer To/From TelAviv: $67
  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $85
  • Sheikh Hussain Border Private Transfer To Amman or Airport: $90
  • Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Jerusalem city - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $100
  • Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $103
  • Private Transfer: From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: $105

Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Dharamsala?

Prices for flights to both Dharamsala and Tel Aviv 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
    Tel Aviv $58
    Dharamsala $13
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
    $27
  • Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka
    $157
  • Lunch at Segev Sarona
    $41
  • Aroma Iced Coffee
    $4.51
  • Lunch at the airport
    $38

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: $49
  • Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
  • Carmel Market Food Tour: $75
  • Tel Aviv Neve Tzedek White City and Carmel Market Food Tour: $120
  • 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.
    Tel Aviv $27
    Dharamsala $4.89
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
    $95
  • Etzel museum
    $4.83

Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv

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

  • Historic walking tour of Tel Aviv - Secrets of Sarona - Self-Guided Tour: $30
  • Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port, the Flea Market & More: $39
  • Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $39
  • Tel Aviv Street Art Tour in Florentin with a Real Graffiti Artist: $40
  • Jerusalem Old City Morning Tour: $49
  • Carmel Market & Tel Aviv Tour with Tastings: $49
  • Tel Aviv Carmel Market & City Walking Tour: $49
  • Jerusalem Old City Half-Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $49
  • Jaffa Half-Day Walking Tour: $49
  • Carmel Market & Neighborhood Guided Walking Tour: $50
  • Highlights of Central Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $50
  • Jaffa Sunset Skyline Walking Tour: $50

Tours and Activities in Dharamsala

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

  • The Spiritual Trails of Dharamshala(Guided Walking Tour): $14
  • Guided Cycling tour in Dharamshala: $26
  • Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $27
  • Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $36
  • Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $36
  • Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $58
  • Discover Dharamshala in a Day: Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup: $73
  • Dharamshala: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Lunch: $89
  • Private 2-Days McLeodGanj & Dharamshala Guided Tour: $90
  • Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $99
  • Dharamshala: 2-Day Guided Tour with Waterfall Hike: $208

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tel Aviv $26
    Dharamsala $4.89

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 Tel Aviv and Dharamsala, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Dharamsala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dharamsala 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 Dharamsala.

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


Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Dharamsala?

Tel Aviv has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Dharamsala. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Dharamsala, 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.