Israel Travel Guide

• Jerusalem: Visit the Old City shrines and markets, climb the Mount of Olives, tour Yad Vashem, and explore the Israel Museum.
• Tel Aviv & the Coast: Relax on Mediterranean beaches, sample café culture and nightlife, visit Jaffa’s port, and walk Bauhaus districts.
• Dead Sea & Judean Desert: Float in the Dead Sea, ride the Masada cable car or hike at sunrise, and bathe at Ein Gedi springs.
• The North - Galilee, Haifa & Acre: Visit Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa, tour ancient Acre, explore Nazareth and boat or stroll around the Sea of Galilee.
• South - Eilat & the Negev: Go diving or snorkeling in Eilat, jeep or hiking trips in the Negev and visit desert towns.

Most international travellers fly into Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv; Ramon Airport (ETM) serves southern Israel (Eilat). Overland crossings from Jordan and Egypt are possible at selected official border points, with variable opening hours and procedures.

Typical daily spend ranges $70-180, with Tel Aviv and Jerusalem among the priciest places and the north or small towns often cheaper.

• Hostel dorm bed: ₪80-160
• Budget hotel room: ₪220-350
• Mid-range hotel: ₪350-800
• Upscale hotel: from ₪760
• Market or street-stall meal: ₪20-40
• Bottle of local beer: ₪18-35
• Organised tour or activity: ₪80-300
• Local bus or tram ride: ₪6-16

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Israel cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• Use public transport: Buses and trains are far cheaper than taxis and cover most routes between cities.
• Eat where locals eat: Market stalls and local bakeries offer filling meals at a fraction of restaurant prices.
• Buy a multi-site pass: Museum or attraction passes and combined tour tickets can reduce per-site costs in cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Full trip budgets are in Israel Itineraries.

Cards are widely accepted across Israel and cash is mainly used for markets and small vendors; ATMs are easy to find in cities and tourist areas. Expect broad card acceptance in shops, restaurants and hotels, with cash useful in markets and some religious sites.

• Tipping: At sit-down restaurants and bars with table service, 12-15% is expected unless service was bad; say you want to add it before the card is run, or leave cash. Don’t tip at counters or fast-food places, and taxi drivers are not tipped.
• VAT: 18% VAT is included in shop prices. Foreign tourists are normally exempt from VAT on hotel rooms and car hire when they show their passport and entry slip, Eilat is a VAT-free zone, and larger purchases from participating shops can be refunded at Ben Gurion before check-in.
• Cards & Cash: Visa, MasterCard and American Express are commonly accepted at most businesses; smaller market stalls and some buses/taxis may prefer cash. Credit cards are commonly used for larger purchases and bookings.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are plentiful in cities and tourist hubs; local ATM operators and your bank may charge withdrawal and foreign-transaction fees. Local instant-payment app Bit and bank mobile apps are widely used for quick transfers and some merchant payments.
• Banknotes: ₪20, ₪50, ₪100, ₪200
• Coins: ₪0.10, ₪0.50, ₪1, ₪2, ₪5, ₪10

Religious observance and national holidays shape public life; modest dress and quiet behaviour are expected at holy sites. Locals are generally pragmatic and forgiving of tourists who show basic respect and follow posted rules.

Israel has generally high mobile and fixed connectivity in cities with widespread 4G and expanding 5G coverage. Urban broadband is reliable and well suited for streaming and remote work; smaller towns and some rural areas may see reduced speeds and signal strength.

• Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz; plug types C, H.

Mostly safe for visitors in normal circumstances, but regional security incidents and checkpoints create real and fast-changing risks.

Staying healthy is straightforward in cities with high-quality care; main issues are heat, dehydration and limited specialist services in peripheral areas.

A country with deep historical layers and high contemporary diversity: religious significance, immigrant cultures, and a lively cultural and tech scene shape daily life. Public space reflects both ancient sites and modern civic institutions.

Israelis eat a big breakfast, often a spread of salads, cheeses, eggs and bread that hotels include in the room rate. On weekdays many restaurants offer a “business lunch” deal from about noon to late afternoon, which is the cheapest way to eat at a good place. Dinner starts around 8pm, later in Tel Aviv.

• Kosher or not: kosher restaurants never mix meat and dairy, so a meat restaurant won’t serve milk in your coffee or a cheeseburger, and most close from Friday afternoon until Saturday night. Many non-kosher places stay open over Shabbat, especially in Tel Aviv, and Arab towns such as Nazareth keep normal hours.
• Street food: falafel, shawarma, sabich (pita with fried aubergine and egg) and bourekas are cheap and filling. Hummus is a morning and lunchtime dish, and the best hummus bars often shut by mid-afternoon or when they run out.
• Markets: Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem and the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv are good for snacks by day and turn into bar and restaurant strips at night; both get very crowded on Friday mornings before Shabbat.
• Vegetarian and vegan: easy everywhere, and Tel Aviv has one of the world’s biggest vegan scenes.
• Passover: for the week of the holiday (March or April), many restaurants and supermarkets in Jewish areas stop selling ordinary bread, pasta and beer.
• Paying: add 12-15% at sit-down places, and tell the server before they charge the card. Tap water is safe to drink.

Israel’s dense concentration of sacred sites and water‑stressed environment requires considered travel; respecting religious norms, conserving resources and supporting cooperative initiatives reduces tourism’s footprint.

• Respect religious sites and sensitivities: At sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Old City, follow dress and photography rules, be mindful of prayer times, and obey security and site‑authority instructions.
• Conserve water and protect nature: Israel experiences water scarcity-use hotel amenities sparingly, follow guidance in national parks and reserves managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and avoid taking water from fragile springs.
• Political sensitivity & safety: Be aware of checkpoints, local travel advisories and areas with restricted access; respect local laws and the rights of all communities and follow guidance from local authorities to stay safe.
• Support cross‑community initiatives: Choose tours and businesses that foster cooperation between communities-look for NGOs and social enterprises that promote joint economic benefit and environmental restoration, and consider groups such as Friends of the Earth Middle East.

Long-term living in Israel attracts immigrants (notably via Aliyah), tech professionals, and families seeking strong public services. Expect high living costs in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, a dynamic startup ecosystem, and routine bureaucracy for visas and residency processes.

Long-Term Visas: Aliyah for Jews grants immediate citizenship; work and student visas available for others with employer or institutional sponsorship.

Working There: Strong high-tech sector and startups, English often used in tech jobs, Hebrew usually required for many local positions.

Cost of Living: Tel Aviv is expensive - expect 1BR city-center rents around ILS 5,500-8,000/month; groceries and services pricier than regional averages.

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive universal healthcare via four Kupot, high medical standards, private insurance common for supplementary coverage.

Banking & Finance: Major banks (Leumi, Hapoalim), account opening easier with residency or Teudat Zehut; credit cards widely used.

Taxes: Progressive income tax with high earners effectively facing rates approaching 50% including national insurance contributions.

Popular Places to Live in Israel

Choosing where to live involves tradeoffs between nightlife and career (Tel Aviv), religious and cultural life (Jerusalem), and affordability (Haifa or southern resorts). Coastal cities give easier outdoor access; inland centers offer history and lower day-to-day costs.

• Tel Aviv - Energetic tech and social scene, excellent beaches and nightlife, high housing costs and fast pace
• Jerusalem - Historic and spiritual center, rich culture and diverse communities, calmer nightlife than Tel Aviv
• Haifa - University city with lower living costs, good coastal access, quieter than central Israeli metros
• Eilat - Red Sea resort town, great for diving and winter sun, limited long-term professional scene
• Beersheba - Growing tech and academic presence, more affordable housing, gateway to the Negev region

Israel is a compact, highly connected place for digital workers, with Tel Aviv as the main hub for startups and networking. High living costs and security considerations factor into decisions, but strong internet, vibrant tech meetups, and an English-friendly professional scene attract remote professionals.

Nomad Visa: None exists; usual workaround is tourist visa (up to 90 days) or applying for temporary residence depending on circumstances.

Long Term Rentals: 1BR in Tel Aviv city-center often ILS 5,500-8,000/month; Jerusalem and Haifa generally more affordable.

Internet: High-speed fiber widely available in cities, typical consumer speeds 100-500 Mbps, mobile 4G/5G coverage solid.

Monthly Cost: Expect US$2,000-3,500/month in Tel Aviv for comfortable living including rent, food and coworking; cheaper elsewhere.

Coworking: Plenty of coworking spaces in Tel Aviv with monthly passes commonly ILS 500-1,500, active event calendars.

Fitness & Wellness: Gyms, beaches, hiking trails, and wellness studios readily available, prices higher in Tel Aviv compared with other cities.

Community: Strong startup and expat communities centered in Tel Aviv, frequent professional meetups and networking events.

Time Zone: Israel observes Israel Standard Time UTC+2, shifts to UTC+3 during daylight saving (summer months).

Popular Nomad Hubs in Israel

Nomads congregate where tech, beaches, and nightlife meet. Tel Aviv leads for networking and nightlife, Jerusalem for culture, and Haifa for lower costs and university-driven energy. Eilat appeals in winter months for sun and diving.

• Tel Aviv - Startup and coworking capital, nonstop social life, very expensive rents and lively digital community
• Jerusalem - Historic and cultural hub, quieter tech scene, suitable for those seeking culture over nightlife
• Haifa - More affordable coastal city, strong academic presence, good compromise between cost and services
• Eilat - Warm southern resort town, great for winter months and diving, limited year-round nomad community