Which place is cheaper, Eilat or Tel Aviv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tel Aviv or Eilat?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Eilat, 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 Eilat?
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.
Eilat
Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.
Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.
Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.
Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Israel, The Best 3-Day Tours from Jerusalem, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Jerusalem, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Jerusalem.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $141Eilat $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $141, while the average daily cost in Eilat is $142. 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 Eilat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $87Eilat $95
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $174Eilat $190
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Eilat
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Eilat? 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 Eilat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $8.82Eilat $13
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$1.60
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Taxi to Airport$41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- transfer from bengurion airport to Jerusalem : $200
- VIP transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $78
- VIP Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $78
- Transfer between Tel Aviv and Eilat: $90
- Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv: $52
- Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $91
- Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $116
- Private Airport Transfer - Great Service: $122
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $89
- Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - Private Intercity Transfers: $80
- Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) Private Departure Transfers: $35
- Tel Aviv Private Transfer To Amman: $240
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:
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Local Bus$3.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat
Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
- Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Eilat?
Prices for flights to both Eilat 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 $28Eilat $36
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$23
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Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$131
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$34
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Aroma Iced Coffee$3.79
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Lunch at the airport$32
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
- Tel Aviv Food Tour of the Carmel Market: $60
- Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $60
- Tel Aviv Skyline & Yaffo Guided food Tour & Shuk Hapishpishim: $90
- Levinsky Market Food Tour : $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $23Eilat $16
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$80
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Etzel museum$4.06
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Self-Guided Jaffa Tour: The Story of its American-German Colony: $7.99
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Israel’s Neve Tzedek: $7.99
- All the Best of Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $160
- Amazing Tour of The Sarona Templer Colony in Israel: $300
- Best of Golan Heights Day Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv: $190
- Best of Jerusalem Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $119
- Best of Jerusalem and Bethlehem Day Tour from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem: $189
- Best of Tel Aviv a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $8.22
- Best of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Walking Tour - 1 Day: $150
- Bethlehem and Jericho Day Biblical Tour from Tel Aviv: $190
- Bethlehem, Jericho & Jordan River Tour from Tel Aviv: $150
- Bethlehem, Jerusalem Desert and Monasteries Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv: $200
Tours and Activities in Eilat
For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
- Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
- From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $65
- Red canyon jeep tour in Eilat: $70
- Timna park Jeep tour adventure: $70
- Timna Park Tour from Eilat: $150
- Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
- Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
- 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
- Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
- Private Scuba Diving Tour with Transportation and Guide : $220
- Full Day Petra Tour from Eilat: $289
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $22Eilat $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Pub Crawl with Clubs, dance bars and free shots: $22
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $22
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $24
- Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $26
- Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $30
- Tel Aviv Craft Beers Pub Crawl: $42
- Wine Tour North of Israel from Tel Aviv: $959
When comparing the travel costs between Tel Aviv and Eilat, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Middle East, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Eilat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Eilat?
Tel Aviv has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Eilat, 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.