The Best Guide To Planning A Trip To Israel

Are you planning a trip to Israel? You have come to the right place!

After my first trip to Israel in November 2016 and falling in love with Tel Aviv, I ended up going again and again. In the last few years, I have visited Israel more often than I can remember – getting to know the local culture; making life-long friends; and slowly becoming more of a local myself. 

Israel is an easy country to travel to. It’s small and super easy to move around; literally everyone speaks English to a certain degree; the food is varied and delicious. But despite being so small, there are many places to visit, and an incredible variety of landscapes and sights. So you will want to plan your trip very carefully – especially if you have limited time for your vacation.

Trip to Israel

11 Steps To Planning A Trip To Israel

When to visit Israel

Any time of the year is good for a trip to Israel, if you ask me! But first timers will surely want to have a bit more information.

The weather in Israel is usually mild in the winter, but very hot in the summer. Keep in mind that although the country is small, there are several climates and environments – deserts, mountains, coast, etc. 

If you ask me, the best months to travel to Israel are October and November, when the temperatures are very pleasant in Jerusalem and it is still quite hot on the Mediterranean coast and in Tel Aviv – you can still go to the beach. March and April are quite warm too – with the occasional heat wave. May is just about perfect!

December and January are a bit colder – the average temperature in Tel Aviv is around 16 degrees Celsius, while it can be much colder in Jerusalem (9 degrees during the day), where it can even snow. Winter in Israel usually means rain, with terrible thunder storms that can last for days and often cause flooding – and will force you to change your plans. 

One more thing to consider is the religious (or even non-religious) holidays – theirs, not yours! The reason I say this is that if you visit during a local holiday, accommodation is often more expensive and it books up much faster. 

These are only a few of the Israeli / Jewish holidays to keep in mind:

  • Pesach (Easter) – it usually overlaps with Christian Easter.
  • Roshashana (Jewish New Year) – it takes place in September and it’s huge. That’s when most Israelis travel, either domestically or overseas. 
  • Yom Kippur and Sukkot – they fall right after Roshashana. 

Hopefully this will help you decide when to visit.

trip to Israel

How long to stay in Israel

Despite being a small country, there is a lot to see and do in Israel and it will take you multiple visits to get to know it. 

This is a place that you can truly appreciate even if you have a short break – in fact, one of the most successful marketing campaigns by the Israeli Tourist Board has been the “Two Cities, One Break” which ideally pairs Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as a perfect trip that combines culture, history, fun, glamor, sunshine and more.

Having said that, I would say that ten days to two weeks are ideal to get a proper feel for the country. With that amount of time, you can visit Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, Tel Aviv, the Galilee and the North, and you may even be able to stretch it all the way to Eilat and the Red Sea.

Traveling to and from Israel

Israel is well connected to the rest of the world through its Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport. Low cost flights land both in Tel Aviv (at terminal 1) and also in Eilat, in the Red Sea. This makes it incredibly easy and fairly cheap to travel to Israel.

Security for flights to and from Israel tends to be stricter than average, especially on El Al (Israel’s national airline) flights. Whether flying to or from Israel, plan to be at the airport well in advance.

In my experience, depending on the stamps you have on your passport, the questioning and searches are more thorough. The way to go about it is pretty obvious: answer the questions in all honesty and just be patient, as the security staff are just doing their job. 

trip to Israel

Crossing the border to and from Jordan

Many travelers try to join a trip to Israel with one to Jordan, either to just visit Petra for a few days, or to explore the rest of the country. You will be able to cross the border in 3 places: Wadi Araba, which is located between Eilat and Aqaba, in the South; Allenby / King Hussein Bridge, which is the closest one to Jerusalem and Amman; and Sheikh Hussein at the North, closer to Nazareth and Lake Tiberias.

Crossing the border is relatively easy and pain free (there’s a small exit fee on both sides, but in Jordan that depends on the duration of your stay). However, keep in mind that while it is possible to travel to Israel from the 3 borders, it is only possible to enter Jordan from the North and the South borders.

trip to Israel

How to move around Israel

My Israeli friends will likely disagree, but Israel has quite good infrastructure and the public transportation system is efficient yet cheap. Buses and trains go literally everywhere in the country.

A thing to keep in mind, however, is that public transportation doesn’t work at all during Shabbat, which pretty much signals the weekend in Israel and starts right before sunset on Fridays and ends right after sunset on Saturdays. 

On those days, do like the Israelis do and rely on sherut, or shared taxis, or use Gett – an app that is similar to Uber that allows you to book taxis for a cheaper price than those you commonly find in the streets.

Avoid flying to and from Israel on Saturdays, because getting to the airport then can be a real hassle – not to mention expensive.

Unless you are traveling alone and it ends up being expensive, renting a car is a great idea, and quite cheap to do (though gasoline isn’t).

Make sure to read my posts A Guide To Driving In Israel and A Guide To Renting A Car In Israel.

If you intend to move around by public transportation, make sure to get a Rav Kav. This magnetic card can be used on all public transportation in Israel. You can upload credit at kiosks, stations and bus and metro stops, and it makes traveling a bit cheaper.

Haifa Israel

Rough itinerary

Your itinerary around Israel will inevitably vary depending on a number of factors – first and foremost your interests, but also how long you are going to stay and on how you plan to move around the country.

Keep in mind that Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are pretty much at the heart of the country, and you can easily take many day trips from there – either with your own car or on organized day trips. However, there are places such as Galilee and Eilat that can’t really be visited on day trips. 

If you have 2 full weeks, I recommend splitting your time this way:

  • 5 nights in Jerusalem;
  • 2 nights in the Dead Sea;
  • 3 nights in Tel Aviv;
  • 4 nights in the Galilee, with a stop to Caesarea on the way. 

If you have 10 days, this is a good rough itinerary:

  • 4 nights in Jerusalem, with a day trip to the Masada and the Dead Sea;
  • 3 nights in Tel Aviv;
  • 3 nights in Galilee.

For shorter trips, I recommend only focusing on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and at opting for day trips from there. Keep in mind you don’t need a car in either of them.

things to do in Israel

Things to do

I can’t possibly go through all the things to do in Israel in this post, as there is simply too much to see and do. 

Having said so, there are some things that are simply unmissable – namely:

  • Visiting the Western Wall and Temple Mount;
  • Visiting Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum;
  • Exploring Old Jaffa;
  • Taking a walk on Tel Aviv Waterfront;
  • Taking in the view from the Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa;
  • Walking around Old Akko;
  • Floating on the Dead Sea;
  • Hiking to the top of the Masada.

The best way to experience the cities is to walk around – that’s how you discover the most hidden corners and the true local gems. Also remember that Israel is a fantastic hiking destination! Definitely take your time in appreciating each place, and look out for local tips (and come back to this blog) on what to see and do. 

tel aviv sunset

Where to stay in Israel

Israel has an incredible range of accommodation options – from campsites to hostels, from nice airbnbs to boutique hotels and large luxury chains. Deciding where to stay will mostly be a matter of budget. 

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv will have the largest choice of accommodation options. 

In Jerusalem you will find large historic hotels such as The YMCA and The American Colony. Inbal is a great affordable luxury option. The Post and Abraham are both excellent hostels in the center of town. And there are many good Airbnbs such as this one.

Discover more hotels in Jerusalem here and here.

In Tel Aviv, you will find some fantastic hotels right by the waterfront such as The Dan; or you can opt for fabulous boutique hotels such as Poli House. Abraham remains one of the best accommodation options in town for budget travelers and backpackers; and there are some great Airbnbs such as this one.

Find more hotels in Tel Aviv here.

If you decide to spend a couple of nights in the Dead Sea, look a good resort with a fabulous spa as that will be the highlight of your stay. In Galilee, there are plenty of hotels and smaller bed and breakfast-style accommodation usually called Zimmers. If you go to Eilat, there are plenty of large hotels too. 

Look for a room in Eilat here.

trip to Israel

What to pack for your trip to Israel

Remember to pack wisely. 

If you plan on visiting religious sites – Jewish, Christian or Muslims sites in Jerusalem – or even simply take a walk around certain neighborhoods, you will have to dress modestly. For example, if you go on this guided tour of the Ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem, you will need to cover your arms, knees, chest and shoulder, and on some occasions even your hair. 

Other than that, Israel is super easy going in terms of what to wear (unless you are a fashion victim visiting Tel Aviv, that is!) and casual wear is pretty much the rule here. I recommend packing according to the weather you expect to get, and make sure to bring comfortable shoes and a swimsuit – no matter the season, because chances are you’ll swim in the Dead Sea. A light jacket may come in handy even in the summer months – air conditioning in some restaurants may cause you to freeze.

Make sure to also read my post What To Wear In Israel.

planning a trip to Israel

Getting online in Israel

Good news! Wifi works really well in Israel, and it is basically available in the entire country. Hotels, hostels, restaurants, bus and train stations, buses and trains usually have wifi. Even most cities have free wifi.

Yet, I believe it’s better to get a local SIM card once you get to Israel – it will make your life much easier, especially if you need to use apps such as Google Maps, or even just Gett to urgently call a taxi.

You can get a local SIM card directly at the airport for a convenient price. Just opt for a plan that gives you data only and just for the duration of your stay. 

Masada Fortress

Other useful things to know before planning a trip to Israel

I bet that before planning a trip to you will be wondering a few more things. 

Is Israel expensive?

I can’t really sugar coat it: Israel is an expensive country and you really can’t expect to visit Israel on a $10 USD per day budget. Keep in mind that a bed in a dorm costs around $25 USD; a meal in a local fast food chain (think stuffed pita, or hummus and pita) is around $10 USD; and a pint of beer costs around $7 USD. 

The official currency in Israel is the Israeli Shekel (NIS). At the time of writing, the exchange rate is NIS 3.25 to $1 USD and NIS 3.5 to €1 euro.

Is the food in Israel good?

To make a long story short, yes. You will find food to accommodate any taste, diet, and craving. If you are vegan, it will be a feast.

If you care to know more, make sure to check out my posts A Complete Guide To Israeli Food, Tel Aviv Vegan Food Guide – The Best Vegan Restaurants In Tel Aviv and The 17 Best Restaurants In Jerusalem.

Is Israel safe?

This is the most common questions I get asked. And yet, I have left it at the very end of the post. You see, despite what many foreign affairs government websites say about Israel being a high risk area, this is actually a very safe country, even for solo female travelers – you will realize this the moment you arrive. 

Final Considerations

Israel really is an incredible place. It’s my home away from home, my favorite place outside of Italy, and I promise you – you will love it. Go to Israel with an open mind, and you will meet many fantastic people; you will experience a country that is so underrated, enigmatic and beautiful. You will hopefully grasp a but more of its difficult past and present, and end up having the time of your life. 

Further Readings

These posts will be useful to plan your trip:

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Discover how to plan the perfect trip to Israel - via @clautavani

40 thoughts on “The Best Guide To Planning A Trip To Israel”

  1. I’m traveling to Israel in June! I’ve no decided yet what to do but for sure your guide will help me to choose the best…

  2. Oh you will love it. I am sure though, it will end up being the first trip to Israel of a loooong series, especially if I know you well 🙂

  3. Thank you Claudia for sharing your obvious love for this country. We are traveling to Israel in July and I will be studying your posts and have saved many of the suggestions already!

  4. Is it that obvious 😉

    You will love it. I am already planning another trip to Israel. Yes yes, ANOTHER!

  5. Ciao, Claudia, thanks for this handy guide. I’m especially excited for the wine tour. Do you have any recommendations for wineries to visit?

  6. Shalom, Claudia! What an informative article! Great job! VERY different grim any I’ve read! We’ve fallenin love with Israel as well…we’ve been 3 times. And, you’ve mentioned several places and sites we’ve not visited. You’ve gotten me itching to visit again! Thank you so much for your extensive information!

  7. Shalom!! That’t what happens when you go on a trip to Israel: you become addicted to it!! 🙂

  8. Hi Claudia,

    My wife and I just concluded an amazing trip to Israel, and we have you to thank for it! Your articles were fantastic and very helpful! Our travels in Israel were heavily inspired by your writings – all the way from the tours we took to the places where we ate!
    Thanks again, and now we know where to come when planning our future travels!
    Cheers,
    Archie and Maanas Agarwal

  9. Oh I am so glad to know this!! I love knowing that my readers are finding my posts useful and have great experiences in the places I love 🙂 thank you for your comment!!

  10. hi,

    lovely write up! am planning to go there dec. 25th on but my biggest worry is either completely empty cities or not being able to visit monuments due to hannukah or completely crowded with tourists over Xmas :/. any idea of what the feel is like during these holiday periods up until New Year’s Eve?

  11. I was there from 24 December to 9 January exactly last year, and I didn’t feel it was too crowded, or that I was unable to visit the tourist sites. If I were you, I’d spend the 25th in Tel Aviv and go to the other places on the other days!

  12. Hello from South Africa! Thank you so much for your great article! We are spending about 2 weeks in Israel (10-24 Dec). We are not sure which way to travel: Tel Aviv-Jerusalem-Tiberius-Haifa-Tel Aviv (fly home) or the other way around? What do you recommend? And if we had to spend slightly longer in one place … would that be Jerusalem?

  13. Hi! Thank you for your comment. I got back from South Africa yesterday (my third time in your gorgeous country!). As to your question, to be honest I can’t really tell you where you should spend more time – it’s totally up to what you like the most. If nightlife and restaurants are your thing, then Tel Aviv is your place. If you are into historical sites, Jerusalem is better. Haifa and Tiberias can be done as day trips, unless you want to see the whole of Galilee on a short road trip!

  14. I love Israel, it’s the best country in the world, there is soo much to do so little time.

  15. HI,I AM PLANNING TO VISIT ISRAEL IN APRIL WITH TWO KIDS ( 5 AND 7) FOR AN EIGHT DAY STAY. YOUR ADVICE IS HIGHLY NEEDED.THANKS

  16. Standing at the Western Wall it truly felt like the Center of the World! And I have been all over this Planet!

  17. We are traveling to israel in a week. The first tour I booked was safed… but I don’t see this on your list. Should we forgo this and have our guide take us somewhere?

    Thx in advance! My sis just forwarded me your link so I didn’t see your website until now.

    Many thx, Lauren

  18. Hi Lauren, thank you for your comment. I can’t comment on your first tour as I really don’t know which one it is!!

  19. Hey David, thank you for your comment and your input. I have been to Israel 3 times already, but I have never been to the Golan! The good news is that I am visiting again (already booked my flights!), so I will definitely be going to the Golan. Stay tuned for updates 🙂

  20. What a wonderful site, Claudia! What are your thoughts on driving from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee – looks like a 2-hour drive, and from there’s we’re heading to Haifa for a few days (so won’t be able to do a bus tour). Thx!

  21. A road trip around Galilee – not just the Sea of Galilee but the various sites and villages around there – sounds just about perfect. Haifa is a lovely city, but I think you don’t need more than 2 full days there. Make sure to also visit the Golan!!

  22. I will be in Haifa 19-20 Jan, 2020, arriving on the Queen Mary 2. I would very much like to visit Acre (Akko) and Masada. Any suggestions as to how to put that together? I’m 76 and traveling solo. Thanks in advance, Marcia

  23. My understanding is you will be there on a cruise. If so, your best bet is enquiring with them to see if they can put your trip together. Generally speaking, you can easily get to Akko from Haifa. Masada though is a good 3 hours drive so you have to plan it more carefully.

  24. Amazing that the word Palestinian or Arab is not mentioned even once in your writings. I don’t want to be political but painting such a rosy picture and ignoring the occupation is cynicism at it’s worst.

  25. As an Israeli, the question of when to visit in my opinion is different:

    Avoid: The Jewish holidays of September-October, and the period that includes Passover and Memorial Days in April (varies according to the Hebrew calendar). Apart from the fact that the atmosphere can be like that of Shabbat on another weekdays (in all terms. Including open businesses and public transportation) and in a period called “Chol HaMoed” once in September-October and once in April when all the attractions are very crowded in local travelers. The ability to enjoy Israeli cuisine was also limited on Passover because flour products are prohibited during this period in the Jewish law. On the memorial days who comes after, these are national days of mourning in which everything closes in the evening, and a siren of remembrance is suspended (which can frighten a tourist who is not ready for it).

    Not recommended: The summer between mid-June to mid-October. No matter where you travel in Israel, it will be very hot and you will just want to escape into a place with an air conditioning (even at night). Without a hat, sunscreen and at least 3 liters of water it is a danger of dehydration everywhere. Even in cities.

    In winter (December to February): You can have a sunny and pleasant days (with more than 20 degrees celsius) that perfect for hiking, or days of heavy rain (a dozens of millimeters of rain in a day) that you cannot do annyting. Places like dead sea are with real danger of floods after rains.

    In my opinion, the best time to visit is in March, especially if you are planning to arrive for Purim. In adiition it still cood enough so that there will be no problems of modesty in holy places. November is also a good month even though it gets dark early and it can rain. And also the spring months (except for the period that I wrote to avoid it) are recomand with pleasant weather that allows both bathing and hiking.

  26. I have been to Israel 6 times, for very prolonged periods of time. I have been there once during Pesach, and I was craving bread / pastries, whatever had yeast. I have been in September – it was hot, but not unbearable (I am from Sardinia). It was before the Roshashana though. I have been there in December and January and it rained A LOT but I still loved it. I have been in March and April and I enjoyed all the hikes. I have been in November and while Jerusalem was chilly, Tel Aviv was just about perfect! In short: thank you for your comment, it really adds value to the post 🙂

  27. Hello. I am planning a trip to Israel during Spring Break (April 1-8th ,2023). How will you organize the trip. We are taking our teenager daughter. Thank you.

  28. Excellent advice for arranging a trip to Israel I like that you included information about the ideal time to visit Israel, the length of stay, and the available modes of transportation. I’ve never been to Israel, but your post has persuaded me to put there on my vacation wish list. It’s helpful to know that the nation is compact, accessible and that English is widely spoken. I appreciate the reminder that religious holidays might have an impact on lodging and travel arrangements. It’s also useful to and know about your experience passing through security and crossing the border. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and perspectives!

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