Which place is cheaper, Tel Aviv or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Tel Aviv?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Tel Aviv, 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: Aqaba or Tel Aviv?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Israel, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Jerusalem.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesTel Aviv Prices
Israel Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Tel Aviv $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Tel Aviv is $179. 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 Aqaba and Tel Aviv in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Tel Aviv $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Tel Aviv $194
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Tel Aviv
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Tel Aviv? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Tel Aviv Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Tel Aviv $9.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Transfer from Aqaba City Or TalaBay to Petra: $59
- Amman/Death Sea: 1-Way Transfer to/from Wadi Rum in Private: $266
- Aqaba : Private Transfer From the Airport or your Hotel: $88
- Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba : $35
- Aqaba Airport Transfer to Petra : $90
- Aqaba Border (Yitzhak Rabin Terminal) to Petra Private Transfer: $140
- Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
- Petra by Night Tour with Private Transfer: $198
- Private Beach, Pools, Snorkeling & Boat Trip,Transfer: $66
- Private Car Transfer with Wadi Rum Jeep Safari: $169
- Private Transfer to Petra with Wi-Fi and Water: $191
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$1.77
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Taxi to Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tel Aviv
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tel Aviv:
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Comfortable Private Transfer: Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport: $180
- Haifa to Tel Aviv or (TLV) Airport Transfers (Arrival/Departure): $239
- Herzliya to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Private Departure Transfer: $56
- Private Airport Transfer - Dead Sea Hotels from or to Tel Aviv (TLV) Airport: $165
- Private Arrival Transfer: From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center: $48
- Private Ben Gurion Airport Transfer To/From TelAviv: $70
- Private Round trip Airport Transfers - Airport to Tel Aviv Area and return: $174
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Tel Aviv?
Prices for flights to both Tel Aviv and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Tel Aviv $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- 4h Jeep Tour + Bedouin Night (Dinner & Breakfast): $61
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $84
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
- Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
- From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
- Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
- Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425
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$25
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Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$146
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Lunch at Segev Sarona$38
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Aroma Iced Coffee$4.20
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Lunch at the airport$35
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
- Levinsky Market Food Tour : $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Tel Aviv $26
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
- Turgut camp with tour: $15
- Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
- Wadi Rum Jeep Tours - Full Day Jeep Tour: $24
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $30
- 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Nature Desert morning or sunset: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $30
- Saraya Aqaba Waterpark entrance tickets: $33
- Discover Aqaba in Style: A 3-h City Tour by Car with meal: $37
- Wadi Rum: Explorer Jeep Tour PASS + Local Food + Optional Stay: $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$88
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Etzel museum$4.50
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: $8.35
- The White City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the History of the Bauhaus Style: $9.99
- Self-guided Graffiti tour in Tel Aviv in your own time and your own pace: $24
- 30-minute Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline : $29
- Exclusive Private Tour in The Israel Diamond Exchange: $40
- Hatikvah Market Interactive Behind-the-Scenes Tour: $50
- Tel Aviv; Jaffa Old City, Port & Shuk Hapishpishim Walking Tour : $50
- Discover Jaffa in a Private Guided Walking Tour : $50
- Jaffa Sunset Skyline Walking Tour : $50
- Highlights of Central Tel Aviv Walking Tour : $50
- Explore Modern Contemporary Tour in Jerusalem New City : $53
- Jerusalem Half-Day Tour from Holy Sepulchre and Western Wall: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Tel Aviv $24
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: $24
When comparing the travel costs between Aqaba and Tel Aviv, we can see that Tel Aviv 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. Since both cities are in Middle East, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Tel Aviv Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Tel Aviv?
Tel Aviv has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Tel Aviv, 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.