A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tel Aviv vs. Lijiang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tel Aviv or Lijiang?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Lijiang, 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 Lijiang?

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.

Lijiang

Lijiang is a city in Southwestern China with a history of rule under the Mu family during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It played a key role along the Ancient Southern Silk Road, which started from Burma, crossed Lijiang, Shangri-La County, Tibet, journeyed through Iran, the Fertile Crescent, and ultimately to the Mediterranean Sea. The area was once a center for trade, politics, culture, and education, which is still evident in the rich culture seen today. Lijiang has also been the home of centuries to the Naxi people who still inhabit the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Lijiang or Tel Aviv?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $138, while the average daily cost in Lijiang is $41. 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 Lijiang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tel Aviv $85
    Lijiang $15
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tel Aviv $170
    Lijiang $30
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Lijiang

Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Lijiang? 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 Lijiang


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tel Aviv $8.66
    Lijiang $5.58
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
    $1.56
  • 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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lijiang

Also for Lijiang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali : $149
  • Private Transfer from Lijiang/Shuhe hotel to Dali and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Lijiang?

Prices for flights to both Lijiang 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 $27
    Lijiang $17
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
    $22
  • Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka
    $129
  • Lunch at Segev Sarona
    $34
  • Aroma Iced Coffee
    $3.71
  • 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 Lijiang

For Lijiang, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lijiang

For Lijiang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Lijiang Naxi Cuisine Cooking Class & Market Visit: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tel Aviv $23
    Lijiang $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
    $78
  • 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

Tours and Activities in Lijiang

For Lijiang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Via Ferrata with Zipline Experience in Lijiang: $42
  • One day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Tour in From Lijiang: $160
  • 1 Day Private Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Lijiang or Dali: $165
  • 1-Day Old Town Tour in Lijiang: $166
  • Lijiang Train Station Pick up and Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour : $170
  • 1 Day Tiger Teaping Gorge Private Tour from Lijiang or Shangri-La: $170
  • Beautiful Country road Biking tour to Xinhua village Heqing start from Lijiang: $173
  • Private trekking tour to Wenhai lake from Lijiang half day service: $175
  • Private Jade Dragon Snow Mountains and Naxi Village Tour: $187
  • 2 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour by public coach: $189
  • Private Day Tour Tiger Leaping Gorge and Black Dragon Pond from Lijiang: $207
  • 1-Day Lijiang tour with Lijiang Old Town,Black Dragon Pool,Baisha Village,Shuhe: $207

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tel Aviv $22
    Lijiang $7.86

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Lijiang, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Lijiang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Lijiang 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 Lijiang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lijiang 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 Lijiang.

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 Lijiang Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Lijiang?

Lijiang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Lijiang, 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.