Hotels in Israel

Hotels in Israel: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in Israel cost?

The price depends on the standard, the city and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. The cheapest month is usually December, while April and the Jewish holidays are the priciest. Booking ahead usually brings better rates.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Israel: most popular cities

Israel splits between historic Jerusalem, seaside Tel Aviv and resorts by the seas. These are the destinations travellers choose most often:

• Tel Aviv. The most searched city, with beaches, museums and nightlife. A wide choice of hotels and, surprisingly, often the lowest rates in the country.
• Jerusalem. The Old City and the key sites of three religions. Hotels from boutique to 5-star.
• Eilat. A Red Sea resort with diving and all-inclusive hotels. Popular all year.
• Ein Bokek. A zone of spa hotels by the Dead Sea, known for floating and therapeutic mud.
• Tiberias. A base by the Sea of Galilee, good for exploring the north.
• Mitzpe Ramon. The Ramon Crater in the Negev desert, the priciest and most intimate stays.

Nightly rates vary between cities. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in Israel

Israel combines religious sites, beaches and desert in a small area.

• Beaches. Tel Aviv, Eilat on the Red Sea and floating on the waters of the Dead Sea.
• The Old City of Jerusalem. Narrow streets and quarters with thousands of years of history, one of the most famous sites in the world.
• Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The birthplace of Jesus, a frequent stop on pilgrimage trips.
• Tel Aviv museums. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History.
• Food. Local hummus, falafel and food markets worth working through one by one.

How much does a trip to Israel cost

Beyond the room, daily costs are high for the region. Meals and transport cost much like in Western Europe. Cards work almost everywhere, but cash is handy at markets. ATMs are common. Note that on the Sabbath (from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday) many shops and some transport do not run.

When is the best time to visit Israel

The most pleasant months are September to November and March to June, when the weather is mild. During Jewish holidays (Passover, Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah) prices rise and rooms are harder to find, though it is also a chance to experience local culture. April tends to be the most expensive, December the cheapest. Summer is hot, especially by the Dead Sea and in Eilat.

Getting to and around Israel

Most international flights land at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, with a second hub at Ramon near Eilat. Security is more thorough than elsewhere, so arrive early. Around the country there are Israel Railways trains and buses, and in cities taxis and shared "monit sherut" minivans. Trains and most buses do not run on the Sabbath. You can also rent a car on your local driver's licence.

Example hotels in Israel

A few recognisable properties from different cities for reference:

• Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem and The Inbal Jerusalem in Jerusalem (upper tier, from approx. ₪1,200).
• The Carlton Tel Aviv and Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv Beach in Tel Aviv (beachfront, from approx. ₪800).
• Dan Eilat in Eilat and Leonardo Plaza Tiberias by the Sea of Galilee (from approx. ₪700).