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

Should you visit Tel Aviv or Phuket?

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

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

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.

Phuket

Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Phuket 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $200, while the average daily cost in Phuket is $134. 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 Phuket in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tel Aviv $108
    Phuket $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tel Aviv $216
    Phuket $124
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Phuket

Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Phuket? 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 Phuket


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 Phuket Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tel Aviv $11
    Phuket $12
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
    $1.98
  • Taxi to Airport
    $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:

  • Comfortable Private Transfer: Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport: $180
  • Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
  • Jerusalem: Private Airport Transfer - Great Service !: $249
  • Netanya: Private Airport Transfer - Great Service !: $183
  • Private Airport Transfer from/to your Herzliya Accommodation: $119
  • Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
  • Private Round trip Airport Transfers - Airport to Tel Aviv Area and return: $210
  • Private Transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Rishon LeZion: $85
  • Private Transfer from Herzlia to Ben Gurion Airport: $116
  • Private Transfer from Herzlia to Jerusalem: $247
  • Private Transfer from Tel Aviv City Hotels to Ashdod Cruise Port: $155
  • Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Int Airport (TLV) to Ashdod Port: $233

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:


  • Longtail Taxi (for Two)
    $9.08
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    $7.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:

  • (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $17
  • ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $131
  • Airport Transfer: Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket by Business Car: $112
  • Airport Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $112
  • Andamanda Phuket Water Park Ticket Include Transfers: $79
  • Andamanda Phuket Water Park Tickets with Transfers: $112
  • Andamanda Water Park Phuket Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $75
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City: $123
  • Arrival Transfer Phuket Airport HKT to Talang, Kathu, Muang: $43
  • Best Ziplines Adventure 30 platforms with free transfer: $126
  • Comfortable Ferry Transfer from Phuket to Phi Phi Island: $21
  • Comfortable Private Phuket Airport to Hotel Arrival Transfer: $26

Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Phuket?

Prices for flights to both Phuket 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 $60
    Phuket $42
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
    $28
  • Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka
    $163
  • Lunch at Segev Sarona
    $43
  • Aroma Iced Coffee
    $4.69
  • Lunch at the airport
    $40

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
  • Private Jaffa Flea Market Hapishpeshim Food Tour: $60
  • Carmel Market Food Tour: $75
  • Levinsky Market Food Tour: $145
  • Food Tour of Sarona Market and Azraeli Center: $165
  • Christmas Eve Tour Jerusalem and Bethlehem Dinner from Tel Aviv: $180

Typical Food Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:


  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $8.75
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.14
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $13
  • Thai Noodles
    $2.72
  • Bananas
    $0.76
  • Pizza (for Two)
    $9.08

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.

  • One Day Experience Cooking at Phuket Patong Thailand: $28
  • Pum Thai Express Cooking Experience with Recipe Book: $36
  • Siam Niramit Show with Optional Dinner: $46
  • Old Town Food Tour | Travstore OG F.A.T: $50
  • Siam Niramit Ticket with Round Transfer and Dinner: $50
  • Elephant Experience with Lunch or Dinner and Pickup: $51
  • Coral Island Catamaran Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $51
  • Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
  • Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $52
  • Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $53
  • Phuket Coral Island & Sunset Dinner Cruise by Catamaran Yacht: $54
  • Halal Phuket Thai Cooking Class: Fresh Market Tour by Locals: $55

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tel Aviv $28
    Phuket $47
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
    $99
  • Etzel museum
    $5.02

Tours and Activities in Tel Aviv

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

  • Trail of Independence Quest Experience: $7.05
  • A Self-Guided Jaffa Tour: The Story of its American-German Colony: $7.99
  • Historic walking tour of Tel Aviv - Secrets of Sarona - Self-Guided Tour: $30
  • Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
  • Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $39
  • Jaffa Walking Tour - Half-Day: $49
  • Jerusalem Old City Half-Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $49
  • Jerusalem Old City Morning Tour: $49
  • Jaffa Half-Day Walking Tour: $49
  • Carmel Market & Tel Aviv Tour with Tastings: $49
  • Jaffa: Old City, Port & Shuk Hapishpishim Walking Tour: $50
  • Highlights of Central Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $50

Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket

Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • One Day Boat Tour
    $27
  • Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
    $76
  • Thai Oil Massage
    $19
  • Surfboard Rental
    $9.08

Tours and Activities in Phuket

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

  • Phuket Self Guided Island Tour: $3.55
  • Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.80
  • Rock Beach Swing Phuket Scenic Photo Spot Ticket: $14
  • Phuket Tour with Wat Chalong, Karon View Point, Old Town: $15
  • Rock Beach Swing Entry Ticket: $15
  • Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $16
  • Phuket City Tour & Scenic Viewpoints / Night Market: $17
  • Ultimate Virtual Reality Gaming Park Ticket at VAR Live in Phuket: $18
  • Phuket Old Town: Authentic Thai Costume Cultural Experience: $18
  • Rock Beach Swing Ticket with Karon Viewpoint in Phuket: $18
  • Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tel Aviv $27
    Phuket $7.05

Sample the Local Flavors in Tel Aviv

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tel Aviv:

  • Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour with Shots: $27
  • Guided Pub Crawl Night Tour at Tel Aviv: $29
  • Tel Aviv Pub Crawl: $30
  • Pub Crawl with 4 Stops and Free Shots: $32

Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:


  • Cocktails (for Two)
    $6.05
  • Beer
    $2.57

Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket

Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots: $15
  • Bar Crawl Tour: $29
  • Cocktail Workshop with Distillery Visit & Tasting: $39
  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $40
  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $53
  • Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $87
  • Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $134
  • Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172


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

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 Phuket Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Phuket?

Tel Aviv has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Phuket, 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.