A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jerusalem vs. Xi'an for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jerusalem or Xi'an?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem 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: Jerusalem or Xi'an?

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, as well as one of the most historically rich cities in the world. It is also the largest city in the country. While Tel Aviv holds many of the responsibilities of a capital city, officially, Jerusalem is still considered the capital. It is important to note that most countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem.

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 Religious Tours in Israel, The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Jerusalem?

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 Jerusalem is $146, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $105. 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 Jerusalem and Xi'an in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jerusalem $72
    Xi'an $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jerusalem $144
    Xi'an $122
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Xi'an

Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem 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.

Hotels in Jerusalem


Hotels in Xian


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: Jerusalem Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jerusalem $7.51
    Xi'an $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Local Bus
    $3.54
  • Light Rail Jerusalem
    $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:

  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Allaenby Bridge: $85
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Amman: $150
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Amman: $195
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Petra: $290
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Tel Aviv Airport: $85
  • Jerusalem to Tel Aviv (TLV) Airport-Private Departure Transfer: $61
  • Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
  • Jerusalem to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $96
  • Private Transfer from Dead Sea Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $160
  • Private Transfer from Jerusalem to Airport: $149
  • Private Transfer: From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: $95
  • Reliable Private Transfer: Allenby Bridge to Jerusalem / Tel Aviv: $170

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:

  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Xi'an Central Train Station: $21
  • Private Departure Transfer to Xi'an International Airport from City Hotels: $22
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian City - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Xian City to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) to Xian - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
  • Xian to Xian Xianyang Airport (XIY) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Private Airport Transfer:Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Xi'an Hotel: $29
  • Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
  • Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Departure Transfer from City Area : $29
  • Xi’an Xianyang International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $29
  • Xi’an Railway Station Private Departure Transfer from City Area: $29
  • Private Arrival Transfer:Any Xi'an Railway Station to Xi'an City Hotel: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Xi'an?

Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Jerusalem 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
    Jerusalem $61
    Xi'an $22
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of dining costs in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Orange Juice
    $3.00
  • Watermelon
    $4.50
  • Lunch
    $13
  • Food at Market
    $17
  • Juice
    $3.00
  • Bagels
    $8.99
  • Lunch for 2
    $16
  • Snacks
    $6.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jerusalem

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

  • Mahane Yehuda Market food tour jerusalem: $99
  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant from Dead Sea: $107
  • The Best Food Tour in Jerusalem-Perfect for Viral Travel Content: $117
  • Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Dead Sea: $127
  • Experience Shabbat With Dinner In Jerusalem: $206

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
  • Skip the Line: Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket & Dumpling Dinner or Royal Banquet: $37
  • Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
  • Xi'an Homemade Food Cooking Dumplings / BIANGBIANGNoodles: $58
  • Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
  • Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
  • Xi'an Muslim Quarter Walking Food Tour: $61
  • Private Xi'an Food Tour: $65
  • Xian: Morning Food Tour of the Muslim Quarter: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jerusalem $9.53
    Xi'an $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Cooking Classes for 2
    $38

Tours and Activities in Jerusalem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Jerusalem are as follows:

  • A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Jerusalem's Old City: $9.99
  • Skip the Line:1.5Hour AudioTour - Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center Ticket: $11
  • Jerusalem Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum Tour: $12
  • Classic Jerusalem Old City Tour - Dguide Self Guiding App : $13
  • In The Footsteps of Jesus Day Tour - Dguide Self Guiding App: $13
  • Bethlehem Half Day Guided Group Tour : $30
  • Bethlehem Christian Guided Tour: $30
  • Jerusalem Half Day Tour: Holy Sepulchre and Western Wall: $50
  • Jerusalem Jewish Orthodox Neighborhood Walking Tour: $52
  • Jerusalem Mount of Olives Tour: $55
  • Hebron City Tour: $55
  • Jerusalem Day Tour: $69

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
  • Xi'an Virtual Tour: Emperor Qin Shi Huang and His Terracotta Army: $15
  • Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: $17
  • Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options: $20
  • Private Car Tour to Terra-cotta Army and Xi'an Ctiy Attrations: $22
  • Xian Day Tour, Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda, Muslim Bazaar: $24
  • Xi'an Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour with Local Family Lunch: $24
  • Terracotta Army Ticket Booking - Optional Guide Service: $25
  • Private Half Day Tour to See The Tomb of Emperor Jingdi: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jerusalem $18
    Xi'an $7.34
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Beer
    $5.40

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 Jerusalem and Xi'an, we can see that Jerusalem is more expensive. And not only is Xi'an much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Xi'an?

Xi'an has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Jerusalem. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem 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.