A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tel Aviv vs. Ho Chi Minh City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Tel Aviv?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $143, while the average daily cost in Ho Chi Minh City is $82. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tel Aviv $89
    Ho Chi Minh City $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tel Aviv $178
    Ho Chi Minh City $100
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.

Hotels in Tel Aviv


Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tel Aviv $8.96
    Ho Chi Minh City $15
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
    $1.62
  • Taxi to Airport
    $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:

  • Tel Aviv Airport (TLV): Private Transfer to Tel Aviv: $459
  • Private transfer service from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: $298
  • Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport TLV: $286
  • Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Cruise Port: $286
  • Tel Aviv Prvate Transfer to Tel Aviv Airport TLV in Luxury Van: $276
  • Tel Aviv Private Transfer to Tel Aviv Airport TLV in Business Car: $276
  • Tel Aviv Airport(TLV) to Haifa city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $272
  • Private Transfer from Herzlia to Jerusalem: $247
  • Private Haifa Transfer - from/to Tel Aviv City or (TLV) Airport : $239
  • Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $210
  • transfer from bengurion airport to Jerusalem : $200
  • Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Haifa Cruise Port: $175

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:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $1.41
  • Taxi From Airport
    $8.07
  • Cyclo Ride (One Hour)
    $1.61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City

Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Tan Son Nhat Airport to Hotel: $29
  • Airport Transfer From Hotel in Ho Chi Minh to Airport By 7 Seats Car: $41
  • Airport Transfers From Airport to Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City 7 seat Car: $46
  • Airport transfer from TAN SON NHAT airport to HO CHI MINH: $23
  • Bus transfer between Sai Gon and Da Lat - “City of Flowers”: $26
  • CONVENIENT AIRPORT TRANSFER by PRIVATE CAR or SCOOTERS | Kiss Tours: $28
  • Cam Ranh Riviera to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20
  • Can Tho: Bus transfer directly to/from Saigon City: $9.76
  • Da Lat Private Transfer: $110
  • Da Lat central hotel to Mui Ne Private Transfer: $103
  • Da Lat to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $84
  • Duyen Ha Resort to Nha Trang - Private Transfer: $20

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tel Aviv $28
    Ho Chi Minh City $14
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
    $23
  • Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka
    $134
  • Lunch at Segev Sarona
    $35
  • Aroma Iced Coffee
    $3.85
  • 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
  • Carmel Market Food Tour: $49
  • Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
  • Tel Aviv Skyline & Yaffo Guided food Tour & Shuk Hapishpishim: $90
  • Private Food Tour to Carmel Market : $270

Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:


  • Street Food Dinner (for Two)
    $4.32
  • Pizza
    $5.25
  • Sweet Rice
    $1.21
  • Pork Sandwich
    $0.61
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $6.85
  • Western Lunch (for Two)
    $12

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:

  • Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour: $15
  • Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour by Motorbike/ Car with Student : $19
  • Saigon: Backstreets Private Walking Food Tour & 10 Tastings: $25
  • Private Walking Food Tour with Local Students : $26
  • Ho Chi Minh Street Food Tour By Motorbike +Sightseeing SAFE & FUN: $26
  • Top Niche Walking Street Food Tour with Uni Student: $26
  • Walking Street Food Tour Ho Chi Minh City: $27
  • Food Tour by Scooter with Eleven Tastings: $27
  • Saigon Private Eleven-Tastings Food Tour by Scooter: $28
  • Ho Chi Minh: Thirteen-Tastings Private Walking Food Tour: $29
  • Super Niche Walking Street Food Tour in Ho Chi Minh City: $29
  • Ho Chi Minh Private Half Day Street Food Tour with Local Students: $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tel Aviv $23
    Ho Chi Minh City $20
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
    $81
  • Etzel museum
    $4.12

Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv

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

  • Romantic Walking Tour In Tel Aviv for Couples: $243
  • Self-guided Graffiti tour in Tel Aviv in your own time and your own pace: $24
  • All the Best of Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $29
  • Best of Golan Heights Day Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv: $190
  • Best of Jerusalem Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $119
  • Best of Jerusalem Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $154
  • Best of Jerusalem and Bethlehem Day Tour from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem: $189
  • Bethlehem and Jericho Day Biblical Tour from Tel Aviv: $190
  • Bethlehem and Jerusalem Day Biblical Tour from Tel Aviv: $183
  • Bethlehem, Jericho & Jordan River Tour from Tel Aviv: $109
  • Caesarea, Haifa And Akko Tour: $99
  • Caesarea, Haifa, and Akko: Full-Day Tour: $99

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:


  • Massage
    $5.65

Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.

  • Ho Chi Minh City private walking tours with young local volunteers: $1.90
  • Saigon: Free Walking Tour: $2.10
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Double-Decker: $3.78
  • Floating Village Eco-Tourism Tan Lap - Trekking Day Trip: $6.80
  • City Sightseeing Panoramic Bus Tour: $7.00
  • Saigon: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $7.00
  • Saigon: City Sightseeing 45-Minute Panoramic Night Tour: $7.00
  • Saigon: Experience A Unique Culinary Tour By Night: $7.14
  • Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Ho Chi Minh Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.96
  • 1 ROUND MIDNIGHT BUS TOUR: $9.00
  • Chan May Port to Hoi An Ancient Town & Marble Mountain Car/Tour: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tel Aviv $22
    Ho Chi Minh City $8.07

Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:

  • Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $22
  • Pub Crawl with Clubs, dance bars and free shots: $22
  • Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $30
  • Tel Aviv Craft Beers Pub Crawl: $42
  • Bar Crawl tour with local in Tel-Aviv: $150
  • Wine Tour North of Israel from Tel Aviv: $959

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:


  • Beer
    $0.40


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.