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.
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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 Tours for Seniors to Israel, The Best 3-Day Tours from Jerusalem, The Best Religious Tours in India, and The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India.
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Tel Aviv Prices
Israel PricesDharamsala Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $198Dharamsala $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $198, 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $107Dharamsala $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $214Dharamsala $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $11Dharamsala $4.50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tel Aviv
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tel Aviv are as follows:
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Local Bus to Central Bus Station$1.96
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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: $51
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $52
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- 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
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Jerusalem Hotels - Private Transfer: $85
- 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
- Private Transfer: From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: $107
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dharamsala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dharamsala:
- Dharamshala Airport Transfers : Budget Sedan and SUV Cabs: $33
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
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Food Meals for one dayTel Aviv $60Dharamsala $13
Typical Food Prices in Tel Aviv
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tel Aviv:
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Dinner for Two$28
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Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$161
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$42
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Aroma Iced Coffee$4.65
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Lunch at the airport$39
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
- Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
- Try Your Hand At Israeli Home Cooking: $180
- Christmas Eve Tour Jerusalem and Bethlehem Dinner from Tel Aviv: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $28Dharamsala $4.87
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:
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Masada tour from Tel Aviv$98
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Etzel museum$4.98
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Jaffa Gatekeeper’s Secret: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.93
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Israel’s Neve Tzedek: $7.99
- The White City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the History of the Bauhaus Style: $9.99
- The Story of Gan HaHashmal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- 30-minute Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline: $29
- Historic walking tour of Tel Aviv - Secrets of Sarona - Self-Guided Tour: $30
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port, the Flea Market & More: $35
- Tel Aviv Carmel Market & City Walking Tour: $49
- Carmel Market Vegetarian Food, History & Culture Tour: $50
- Tel Aviv-Yaffo Sunset Tel Aviv Skyline Tour: $50
- Running Tour - Old and New Jaffa Highlights Tour 5K: $52
- Explore Modern Contemporary Tour in Jerusalem New City: $53
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
- McLeod Ganj: Triund Trek with Manu Adventures India: $19
- Dharamshala Street Food Crawl ( Guided Food Tasting Tour): $27
- Mcleodganj Nature Trek (3 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $28
- Guided Cycling tour in Dharamshala: $28
- Hiking Day Tour to Triund from Dharamshala: $39
- Guided Kora Circuit & Walking Tour Around McLeod Ganj: $39
- Private 6 hrs Mcleodganj & Dharamshala City Tour: $63
- Best of Dharamshala with a local Half Day Tour by a AC Car: $88
- Private 2-Days McLeodGanj & Dharamshala Guided Tour: $97
- Historical Tour, Kangra fort &Rock cut temple from Dharmasla: $107
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $27Dharamsala $4.87
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $29
- Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $30
- Bar Crawl tour with local in Tel-Aviv: $150
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.
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.