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

Should you visit Tel Aviv or Ulaanbaatar?

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

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

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.

Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.


Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar is $30. 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 Ulaanbaatar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tel Aviv $108
    Ulaanbaatar $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tel Aviv $216
    Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Ulaanbaatar

Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Ulaanbaatar? 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 Ulaanbaatar


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 Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tel Aviv $11
    Ulaanbaatar $2.79
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 - Dead Sea Hotels from or to Tel Aviv (TLV) Airport: $160
  • 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 Cruise Port to Tel Aviv Airport TLV: $293
  • Private Transfer from Herzlia to Ben Gurion Airport: $116
  • Private Transfer from Herzlia to Jerusalem: $247

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:

  • Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
  • BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi 24/7: $23
  • Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
  • Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Taxi Transfers to/from Ulaanbaatar: $23
  • Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $23
  • Transfer Service to Khustai National Park: $178
  • Transfer service to Kharkhorin: $240
  • Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer and Private Car with Driver: $40
  • Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfers and Customized Day Tours: $90
  • Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $23
  • Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Taxi Transfer 24/7: $23
  • ULN Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Ulaanbaatar?

Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar 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
    Ulaanbaatar $15
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar

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

  • Ulaanbaatar Walking Tour & Cooking Class in a Mongolian Home: $89
  • Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs: $235

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tel Aviv $28
    Ulaanbaatar $4.24
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: $7.08
  • 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 & More: $35
  • Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port & the Flea Market: $39
  • Jaffa Sunset Tour History, Sea and Tel Aviv Skyline: $48
  • Carmel Market & Tel Aviv Tour with Tastings: $49
  • Jerusalem Old City Half-Day Tour from Tel Aviv: $49
  • Jaffa Half-Day Walking Tour: $49
  • Jaffa Walking Tour - Half-Day: $49
  • Jerusalem Old City Morning Tour: $49

Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar

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

  • Terelj National Park Via Genghis Khan Statue Full Day Tour: $35
  • Gobi Cashmere Flagship Store Shopping Tour: $35
  • Terelj national park transport /Best price tour: $36
  • Mongolian Wrestling Bökh Tournament Experience: $40
  • Private custom walking tour with a local guide: $40
  • Ulaanbaatar Private Custom Walking Tour With a Local Guide: $45
  • Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
  • Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $52
  • From UB: Day Tour to Chinggis khaan statue and Terelj NP.: $58
  • Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $59
  • Private Tour drive to Chinggis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tel Aviv $27
    Ulaanbaatar $3.67

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


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

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 Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Ulaanbaatar?

Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Ulaanbaatar, 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.