Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Ho Chi Minh City, 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 Ho Chi Minh City?
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.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
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Tel Aviv Prices
Israel PricesHo Chi Minh City Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $195Ho Chi Minh City $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $195, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $87. 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 Ho Chi Minh City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $105Ho Chi Minh City $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $210Ho Chi Minh City $96
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Ho Chi Minh City
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Ho Chi Minh City? 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 Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $11Ho Chi Minh City $15
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$1.93
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Taxi to Airport$49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Private Transfers and Chauffeur Services: $300
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV Private transfer to Tel Aviv in Luxury Van: $293
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV Private Transfer to Tel Aviv in Business Car: $293
- Tel Aviv Airport(TLV) to Haifa city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $282
- Private Transfer from Herzlia to Jerusalem: $247
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: $247
- Tel Aviv Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $240
- Tel Aviv Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $240
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv hotels to Haifa Cruise Port: $230
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Haifa Cruise Port: $230
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Int Airport (TLV) to Ashdod Port: $230
- Private Transfer: Jerusalem Hotels ↔ Ben Gurion Airport: $210
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.33
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Taxi From Airport$7.60
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Cyclo Ride (One Hour)$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- #1 Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh / SGN Airport : Private Luxury Transfer: $145
- Airport Transfers (Airport - Ho Chi Minh,Private 16 Seats Car): $52
- CONVENIENT AIRPORT TRANSFER by PRIVATE CAR or SCOOTERS | KissTour: $28
- Cam Ranh Riviera to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- Comfort Van Transfer From Phong Nha or Dong Hoi to Hue: $15
- Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour with English Guide & Transfers: $40
- Duyen Ha Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- From Phu My Port: Ho Chi Minh City Tour and Transfers: $143
- Fusion Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
- Golden Bridge, Marble mount, guide, lunch, transfer from Cruises: $199
- HO CHI MINH AIRPORT: CAR 7s PICK UP HOTEL (one way transfer): $20
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Thanh Hoa to Hanoi (HAN) Airport: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Ho Chi Minh City?
Prices for flights to both Ho Chi Minh City 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 $59Ho Chi Minh City $23
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$27
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Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$159
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$42
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Aroma Iced Coffee$4.57
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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.
- Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
- Christmas Eve Tour Jerusalem and Bethlehem Dinner from Tel Aviv: $180
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
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Street Food Dinner (for Two)$4.07
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Pizza$4.94
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Sweet Rice$1.14
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Pork Sandwich$0.57
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.45
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Western Lunch (for Two)$11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Water Puppet Show And Dinner Cruise On Saigon River Private Tour: $1.87
- Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide: $1.87
- Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class: $14
- Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
- 1 hour Egg Coffee Cooking Class with Snack and Local Instructor: $15
- HCM:Mekong Delta Boat,Khotcake cooking Coconut Village,SmallGroup: $16
- Cu Chi Tunnels & Countryside Cooking Class with Organic Farm: $20
- Ho Chi Minh city Walking Chinatown / HCM city walking food tour: $25
- Pu Luong Cooking Class at Traditional Stilt House: $25
- Saigon Walking Food Tour & Hidden Alleys with Locals: $26
- Watch The Sunset or Enjoy Dinner On Luxury Cruise in Saigon: $28
- Mouth-Watering Street Food Tour By Motorbike: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $28Ho Chi Minh City $19
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$96
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Etzel museum$4.90
Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv
Here are a few actual costs in Tel Aviv for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 30-minute Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline: $29
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Israel’s Neve Tzedek: $8.99
- Airport to City Public Transit Experience Israel: $150
- An underground mistery - German Colony of Sarona Walking Tour: $75
- Best of Jerusalem Full-Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $89
- Best of Tel Aviv, Jaffa & Carmel Market Tour: $89
- Bethlehem, Jerusalem Desert and Monasteries Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv: $125
- Caesarea Haifa and Akko Tour from Tel Aviv: $99
- Carmel Market Tasting Tour: $78
- Day Tour to Jerusalem and Bethlehem from Tel Aviv: $121
- Dead Sea and Masada 1 day tour: $130
- Dead Sea and Masada Day Tour: $167
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Massage$5.32
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
- Hidden Bunker & Vietnam War - Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.65
- Ghosts & Legends of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City Night Walking Tour: $0.65
- Highlights & Hidden Gems - Free Walking Tour: $0.65
- Chinatown Hidden Treasures – Ho Chi Minh City Free Walking Tour: $0.65
- Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers: $1.79
- Ho Chi Minh City Highlights Hidden Gems Tour By Heritage Vespa: $1.87
- Mekong Delta My Tho and Ben Tre with Boat Cruise Private Tour: $1.87
- Tan Lap Floating Village Authentic Mekong Delta Nature Tour: $1.87
- Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing Private Tour By U.S Army Jeep: $1.87
- Cu Chi Tunnels History And Mekong Delta Culture River Cruise Tour: $1.87
- Ho Chi Minh City Private City Tour with Highlights Hidden Gems: $1.87
- Cat Tien National Park Adventure Biking Hiking Nature Day Tour: $1.87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $26Ho Chi Minh City $7.60
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
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Beer$0.38
Sample the Local Flavors in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour: $29
- Bike And Craft Beer Brewery Mekong Delta Cycling Tour: $152
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Ho Chi Minh City, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Ho Chi Minh City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City.
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 Ho Chi Minh City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Ho Chi Minh City, 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.