Quick answer: A trip to Israel typically costs US$60-100/day backpacker, US$160-280/day mid-range, US$400-1500+/day luxury. Currency: New Israeli Shekel (NIS) — roughly NIS 3.7 = US$1.
Israel is more expensive than most travelers expect — restaurants and accommodations rival Western European prices, and Sabbath shuts down public transport from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, complicating logistics. Here is what an Israel trip actually costs.
Cost tiers — budget / mid / luxury
Cost breakdown by category
- Accommodation: US$30 hostel → US$180 mid-hotel → US$500+ boutique
- Meals: US$8 shawarma + drink, US$20-35 mid restaurant, US$50+ fine dining
- Rental car: US$35-60/day economy
- Public transit: US$1.50-3 bus rides; Rav-Kav card simplifies payment
- Tour: Masada+Dead Sea: US$80-100 from Jerusalem
Sample 7-day budgets
- Backpacker 7 days: ~US$650 (hostels + buses + street food + 1 organized tour)
- Mid-range 7 days: ~US$1800 (hotels + car + restaurants + Dead Sea spa)
- Luxury 7 days: ~US$4500+ (boutique hotels + spa + fine dining + guides)
How to save money in Israel
- Sabbath (Fri afternoon to Sat evening) — book accommodation in walkable old town areas
- Buy Rav-Kav transit card on arrival — saves vs single fares
- Hummus + pita meals at Abu Hassan or Hummus Said cost US$6 — among the world’s great cheap meals
- Skip touristy Tel Aviv beach restaurants; eat in Florentin or Levinsky Market
- Visit Dead Sea on weekday (lower entry, fewer crowds)
A local insider tip
If you want Israel at honest mid-range cost, base in Tel Aviv (cheaper accommodation than Jerusalem old city), rent a car for 3 days for Galilee + Dead Sea + Masada day trips, eat lunches at hummus institutions (Abu Hassan in Jaffa, Lina in Jerusalem), and stay in walkable Mamilla area in Jerusalem for the old-city Friday-Saturday window. ~US$1800 for 7 days vs US$3000+ in luxury hotel packages.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a week in Israel?
Backpacker: US$650-850. Mid-range: US$1800-2500. Luxury: US$4500-8000+. Tel Aviv is more expensive than Jerusalem.
Is Israel more expensive than Greece?
Yes — 20-40% more expensive. Israeli wages are higher and tourist infrastructure is denser in Tel Aviv.
Can I get around without renting a car?
Yes — Egged and Israel Railways serve Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Eilat well. Rental car is faster for Galilee or Negev exploration.
When does Sabbath affect travel?
Friday 1 hour before sunset to Saturday 1 hour after sunset. Most buses and trains stop. Many restaurants close. Tel Aviv stays more open than Jerusalem.
Is the Dead Sea worth a day trip?
Yes — easy day from Jerusalem (90 min). Combine with Masada sunrise for the most spectacular day. Public Ein Gedi beach is free; nearby spa hotels charge US$30 day pass.
Plan your Israel trip
Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.