Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Tel Aviv?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tel Aviv or Kuala Lumpur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $138Kuala Lumpur $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $138, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $62. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $85Kuala Lumpur $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $170Kuala Lumpur $72
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $8.66Kuala Lumpur $6.41
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$1.56
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Taxi to Airport$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- transfer from bengurion airport to Jerusalem : $200
- suv BG airport transfer to tlv 4 people: $85
- 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: $112
- Private Airport Transfer - Great Service: $94
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Tel Aviv Private Transfer to Tel Aviv Airport TLV in Business Car: $273
- Tel Aviv Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $225
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.14
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.67
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Short Taxi Ride$3.14
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.68
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer in Kuala Lumpur: $34
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Car Transfer: $268
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Transfer [Van]: $173
- 2 Way Transfer to or from Kuala Lumpur International Airport : $25
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel To Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA KLIA2 Transfer: $50
- Airport Arrival Transfer-VIP Class: $200
- Airport Transfer Hotel - KL Airport (KLIA / KLIA 2 || Private): $40
- Airport Transfer from/to KLIA /KLIA 2: $25
- Airport to Hotel Drop Off Transfer (Kuala Lumpur): $50
- Airport transfer : $40
- Arrival Private Transfer Kuala Lumpur Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur by Minivan: $48
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Van: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $27Kuala Lumpur $15
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$22
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Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$129
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$34
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Aroma Iced Coffee$3.71
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Lunch at the airport$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tel Aviv
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tel Aviv.
- Tel Aviv Food Tour of the Carmel Market: $49
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $49
- Tel Aviv Food Tour: The Magic of Carmel Market: $49
- Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
- 3 hours Levinsky Market Food Tour : $104
- The 10 Tastings of Tel Aviv With Locals: Private Food Tour : $230
- Private Food Tour to Carmel Market : $266
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.39
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.02
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Cultural Night Tour with Dinner: $55
- Malaysia Cooking Classes: $60
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $62
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $63
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour Include Seafood Dinner (Free Boat Ride): $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $23Kuala Lumpur $13
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$78
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Etzel museum$3.98
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: $240
- Self-guided Graffiti tour in Tel Aviv in your own time and your own pace: $24
- 1-Day Tour Jerusalem and the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv: $129
- All the Best of Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $28
- Best of Golan Heights Day Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv: $190
- Best of Jerusalem and Bethlehem Day Tour from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem: $189
- Best of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Walking Tour - 1 Day: $89
- Bethlehem and Jericho Day Biblical Tour from Tel Aviv: $190
- Bethlehem and Jerusalem Day Biblical Tour from Tel Aviv: $183
- Bethlehem and Jerusalem Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $99
- Bethlehem, Jerusalem Desert and Monasteries Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv: $200
- Caesarea, Haifa, and Akko: Full-Day Tour: $99
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.43
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $3.92
- Malaysia: KL Tower Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Alive 3D Art Gallery Admission Ticket: $7.67
- Zoo Negara Instant Entry E-Ticket: $9.81
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $9.81
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Kuala Lumpur's Cultural Highlights and Landmarks: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park Entry Ticket: $12
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- Half-Day City Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $22Kuala Lumpur $6.21
Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $21
- Pub Crawl with Clubs, dance bars and free shots: $21
- Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $24
- 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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Kuala Lumpur, 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.