Which place is cheaper, Varanasi 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Tel Aviv or Varanasi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tel Aviv or Varanasi, 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 Varanasi?
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.
Varanasi
Known to be one of India's holiest cities, many come to Varanasi on a spiritual pilgrimage looking to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Dating back to the 11th Century BC, it is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Centuries old temples make up the backdrop, as many come and come again to perform their holy rights at the edge of the historic river.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Israel, The Best 3-Day Tours from Jerusalem, The Best Bicycle Tours in India, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in India.
-
Tel Aviv Prices
Israel PricesVaranasi Prices
India Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTel Aviv $179Varanasi $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Tel Aviv is $179, while the average daily cost in Varanasi is $33. 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 Varanasi in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTel Aviv $97Varanasi $15
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTel Aviv $194Varanasi $30
Compare Hotels in Tel Aviv and Varanasi
Looking for a hotel in Tel Aviv or Varanasi? 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 Varanasi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tel Aviv $9.78Varanasi $4.69
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$1.77
-
Taxi to Airport$45
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: $53
- Tel Aviv to Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- Tel Aviv to Jerusalem - Private Intercity Transfers: $80
- Tel Aviv Private Transfer to Tel Aviv Airport TLV in Business Car: $299
- Tel Aviv Private Transfer To Amman: $215
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV Private transfer to Tel Aviv in Luxury Van: $299
- Tel Aviv Airport TLV Private Transfer to Tel Aviv in Business Car: $299
- Tel Aviv Airport Private Transfer To Jerusalem : $80
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $89
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv Hotels - Private Transfer: $43
- Tel Aviv Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Varanasi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Varanasi:
-
Tuk Tuk Through Town$0.91
-
Rickshaw Ride$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Varanasi
Also for Varanasi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3-hours Temple hopping with transfers: $35
- Delhi Private Arrival Transfer From New Delhi Airport To Hotel In Delhi: $34
- From Agra: Budget One Way Transfer Agra to Varanasi: $160
- From Agra: One-Way Private Transfer to Varanasi: $166
- Private Departure Transfer from Varanasi Hotel to Airport: $28
- Private Transfer from Lal Bahadur Shastri (VNS) Airport to Varanasi: $45
- Private Transfer: Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotel: $12
- Varanasi - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $24
- Varanasi Airport Transfer: $14
- Varanasi Airport to Varanasi Hotels drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi Hotels to Varanasi Airport drop: Private Transfers: $23
- Varanasi hotel to Bodhgaya hotel private transfer: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Tel Aviv or Varanasi?
Prices for flights to both Varanasi 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 dayTel Aviv $54Varanasi $12
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$25
-
Dinner for 2 at Vatroshka$146
-
Lunch at Segev Sarona$38
-
Aroma Iced Coffee$4.20
-
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.
- Carmel Market Food Tour: $49
- Levinsky Market Food Tour : $130
- Try Your Hand At Israeli Home Cooking: $185
Typical Food Prices in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner In Town$3.92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $17
- 3-hour street food tour: $33
- Cooking Class with Sona: $42
- Private Food Tour with Ganga Aarti Ceremony: $42
- Ultimate 2 Days in Varanasi - Fully Guided Tour - Rooftop Dinner on Ganges: $121
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tel Aviv $26Varanasi $9.96
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$88
-
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:
- Carmel Market Tour: $200
- Self-guided Graffiti tour in Tel Aviv in your own time and your own pace: $24
- (From Tel Aviv) One-day Tour Bethlehem, Jericho & Jordan River / Qasr alyahood: $109
- 1-Day Tour Jerusalem and the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv: $129
- 30-minute Sightseeing Cruise of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Skyline : $29
- Best of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Walking Tour - 1 Day: $99
- Bethlehem, Jericho & Jordan River Tour from Tel Aviv: $119
- Bethlehem, Jerusalem Desert and Monasteries Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv: $100
- Caesarea, Haifa And Akko Tour: $99
- Carmel Market Highlights Tour A Culinary Journey in Tel Aviv: $60
- City tour Tel-Aviv-Yafo : $200
- Daily Shuttle Tour - From Tel-Aviv & Jerusalem to Petra: $115
Typical Entertainment Prices in Varanasi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Varanasi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Boat Ride$0.79
Tours and Activities in Varanasi
For Varanasi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra Tour by Gatimaan Express Train: $2.82
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $3.95
- Agra: Taj Mahal Tour with Professional photographer & Guide: $5.64
- Spiritual Tour in Varanasi with a local- Experience true essence of spirituality: $12
- Cultural & Spiritual Trails of Old Town Varanasi Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Spiritual and Heritage Walking Tour in Varanasi: $12
- Temple Walk Tour Varanasi: $12
- Sunrise in Banaras with Ganga Aarti (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $14
- Mysticism of Varanasi Tour with a local including free Guided Boat Ride: $18
- Sunrise in Varanasi Tour with a local with free Ganga Aarti and Boat Ride: $18
- Marigold Boat Tour in Varanasi: $19
- Same Day Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Baby Taj Tour from Delhi by Cab: $20
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTel Aviv $24Varanasi $7.45
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tel Aviv and Varanasi, we can see that Tel Aviv is more expensive. And not only is Varanasi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tel Aviv is in Middle East and Varanasi 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 Varanasi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Varanasi 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 Varanasi.
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 Varanasi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tel Aviv or Varanasi?
Varanasi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tel Aviv. When comparing the sizes of Tel Aviv and Varanasi, 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.