Which place is cheaper, Similan Islands 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 Similan Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Similan Islands, 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 Similan Islands?
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.
Similan Islands
There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.
The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.
Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.
Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.
You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.
There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.
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 from Bangkok, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket.
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Tel Aviv Prices
Israel PricesSimilan Islands Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $195Similan Islands $208
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $195, while the average daily cost in Similan Islands is $208. 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 Similan Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $105Similan Islands $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $210Similan Islands $150
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Similan Islands
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Similan Islands? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $11Similan Islands $107
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:
- transfer from bengurion airport to Jerusalem: $200
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $110
- Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - Private Intercity Transfers: $120
- Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) Private Departure Transfers: $55
- Tel Aviv Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $240
- Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
- Tel Aviv Airport(TLV) to Haifa city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $282
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV to Jerusalem city - Arrival Private Transfer: $94
- 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 Private Transfer To Tel Aviv: $140
- Tel Aviv Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Similan Islands?
Prices for flights to both Similan Islands 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 $59Similan Islands $68
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $28Similan Islands $48
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $26Similan Islands $10
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
When comparing the travel costs between Tel Aviv and Similan Islands, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Similan Islands is in Asia, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Similan Islands Expensive?.
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.