Which place is cheaper, Xi'an 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 Xi'an?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Xi'an, 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 Xi'an?
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.
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Tel Aviv Prices
Israel PricesXi'an Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $195Xi'an $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $195, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $110. 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 Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $105Xi'an $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $210Xi'an $128
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Xi'an? 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 Xi'an Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $11Xi'an $13
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:
- Comfortable Private Transfer: Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport: $180
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- 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 Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport: $172
- Private Transfer from Netanya to Ben Gurion Airport: $172
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Haifa Cruise Port: $230
- Private Transfer from Tel Aviv Int Airport (TLV) to Ashdod Port: $154
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- 1-Day Xi'an Layover Tour: Terracotta Army with Round Airport transfers(XIY): $100
- 1-way Private Transfer: Xi'an City Hotel to Airport/Train Station: $55
- 2-Day Customized Private Tour With Transfer in Historical Xi'an: $269
- Bullet Train Station Transfer Service: $31
- Essential Xian Tour with Airport Train Station or Hotel Transfer: $229
- From Xian: Terracotta Army and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $245
- Legend of Camel Bell Show with Optional Round-trip Transfers: $32
- One-Way Airport Transfer From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $75
- Private 1-way Transfer: Xi'an North Station/Airport to City Hotel: $58
- Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
- Private Arrival Transfer Xi'an Railway Stations to Hotel: $32
- Private Arrival Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport(XIY) to City Hotel: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an 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 $59Xi'an $23
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Xi’an：City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
- Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
- Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
- Xian Tang Dynasty Show -Optional Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $38
- Tang Dynasty Royal Show Optinal Dinner With Round-trip Transfers: $38
- Skip The Line Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Or Dinner With Transfer: $39
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
- Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with Private transfer: $55
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket with Optional Dinner: $57
- Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $28Xi'an $38
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:
- Jaffa Gatekeeper’s Secret: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.98
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Israel’s Neve Tzedek: $8.99
- The Story of Gan HaHashmal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- The White City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the History of the Bauhaus Style: $9.99
- 30-minute Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline: $29
- Tel Aviv Street Art Tour (Graffiti): $35
- Jaffa Walking Tour: Old Jaffa, Jaffa Port, the Flea Market & More: $35
- Highlights of Central Tel Aviv Walking Tour: $50
- Running Tour - Old and New Jaffa Highlights Tour 5K: $53
- Tel Aviv's Old Neighborhoods walking Tour: $55
- Tel Aviv; Jaffa Old City, Port & Shuk Hapishpishim Walking Tour: $60
- Exclusive Private Tour in The Israel Diamond Exchange: $60
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xi'an: Daci'en Temple(Great Wild Goose Pagoda) E-ticket: $9.99
- Xi'an: City Wall & Old Town Walking Tour w/ 10+ Food Tasting: $14
- Xi’an City Wall – E-Ticket: $15
- Xi'an: Xi’an City Wall South Gate(Yongningmen) Entry Ticket: $15
- Shaanxi History Museum Admission Tickets: $15
- Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: $17
- Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options: $20
- The Song of Everlasting Sorrow Show Optional HuaqingPalace Ticket: $20
- Huaqing Palace Adult Ticket[Direct Subway Access]: $20
- Private Car Tour to Terra-cotta Army and Xi'an Ctiy Attrations: $22
- Xi'an: Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour & Local Family Lunch: $22
- Tang Paradise Ticket with Optional Tang Dynasty Cultural Shows: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $26Xi'an $7.73
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Xi'an, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Xi'an 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 Xi'an would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xi'an 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 Xi'an.
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 Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Xi'an?
Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Xi'an, 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.