Israel — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“A holy land of three faiths, the Dead Sea and Tel Aviv beaches”
Israel is a land of history and faith packed into a small space — the holy Old City of Jerusalem sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, the Dead Sea where you float, the beaches and nightlife of Tel Aviv, the Red Sea coral at Eilat, and Mediterranean food that ranks among the world's best — all within a few hours' drive of each other.
Israel at a glance
Choose a city in Israel
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Israel right for you?
Why people love Israel, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
The holy city
The Old City of Jerusalem, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the golden dome — the heart of three religions.
The Dead Sea
The lowest point on Earth, where the intensely salty water lets you float, plus skin-nourishing mud.
Tel Aviv
Sandy beaches, nightlife, Bauhaus architecture and modern cafes.
The Red Sea at Eilat
Snorkeling and diving over clear coral, seaside resorts and sunshine all year.
Wonderful food
Hummus, falafel, shakshuka and the Mahane Yehuda market.
The Negev Desert
The Ramon Crater, the Masada fortress and stunning desert landscapes.
Israel vs its neighbors
| Israel | Jordan | Egypt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $70–145 | $55–115 | $45–85 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | e-visa / consult the embassy | VOA/e-visa | Apply ahead/VOA |
| Known for | Religion · Dead Sea · food | Petra · Wadi Rum | Pyramids · Nile cruise |
| English | Widely spoken | Good in the cities | Workable at tourist sites |
| Getting around | Trains, buses, car rental | Car rental, tours | Flights, cruises, tours |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Pilgrimage and history
Base yourself in Jerusalem — the Old City, the Via Dolorosa, Bethlehem and a Dead Sea day trip over 3–4 days.
See this plan → 🏖️City and beach
Tel Aviv beaches, nightlife, cafes and the old town of Jaffa, for the laid-back city crowd.
See this plan → 🐠Sea and nature
Diving the Red Sea at Eilat plus the Negev Desert and Masada, for nature and adventure seekers.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
1 ranked reviewsNo reviews match these filters — try removing some.
- 1🧆
Hummus
Mashed chickpeas drizzled with olive oil, scooped up with pita — a breakfast classic.
📍 Nationwide - 2🥙
Falafel
Fried chickpea balls in pita with salad and tahini — a hugely popular street food.
📍 Nationwide - 3🍳
Shakshuka
Eggs poached in a tomato-and-pepper sauce — a warm, comforting breakfast.
📍 Nationwide - 4🥗
Israeli salad
Diced cucumber and tomato dressed with olive oil and lemon — fresh and bright.
📍 Nationwide - 5🍖
Shawarma
Meat grilled on a rotating spit, wrapped in pita with vegetables and sauce.
📍 Nationwide - 6🍯
Knafeh
A crisp cheese pastry soaked in syrup — warm, sweet and fragrant.
📍 Dessert
- 1🕍
Western Wall
The holiest site in Judaism, in the heart of the World Heritage Old City.
📍 Jerusalem - 2⛪
Holy Sepulchre
The Christian church at the site of the crucifixion and burial, the end of the Via Dolorosa.
📍 Jerusalem - 3🧂
Dead Sea
The lowest point on Earth, where you float on the salty water and coat yourself in nourishing mud.
📍 Eastern region - 4🏰
Masada
An ancient clifftop fortress and World Heritage site — watch the sunrise over the Dead Sea.
📍 Desert - 5🏖️
Old Jaffa
An ancient port with stone alleys, galleries and a view of the Tel Aviv skyline.
📍 Tel Aviv - 6🐠
Coral Beach
Clear Red Sea coral reefs for snorkeling and diving among colorful fish.
📍 Eilat
🚆 Getting around Israel
Trains
Conveniently link Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and the airport (no service on Shabbat).
Egged buses
Cover the whole country cheaply — use a Rav-Kav card.
Car rental
Great for the Dead Sea, the Negev and Eilat; good roads and clear GPS.
Sherut (shared van)
Popular shared minibus routes that even run on Shabbat.
Flying in
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv is the country's main gateway.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Israel
Shabbat
From Friday evening to Saturday evening, many shops and public transport stop — plan ahead.
Dress for holy sites
Cover shoulders and knees; men cover their heads at the Western Wall — respect all faiths.
Security and checks
Bag checks are common at major sites, so carry your passport.
Tipping ~10%
Tip 10–12% in restaurants (often not included in the bill).
Strong sun
Bring a hat, water and sunscreen, especially at the Dead Sea, Eilat and the desert.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Hostel / guesthouse $35–70
Eat falafel and hummus, take the bus and walk the Old City for free (Israel is pricier than its neighbors).
Comfortable
🛏️ 3–4★ hotel $85–155
Rent a car for the Dead Sea and Masada, take a Jerusalem tour, and enjoy good restaurants.
Premium
🛏️ Dead Sea / Eilat resort $170+
Dead Sea spas, Red Sea resorts and a private guide.
🗓️ When to visit Israel
Spring
Mar – MayLovely weather and blooming flowers, good for traveling everywhere — the best time.
Autumn
Sep – NovWarm and comfortable, crowds thinning out and still good for the beach.
Summer
Jun – AugVery hot (the Dead Sea and Eilat are scorching), but Tel Aviv's beaches are buzzing.
Winter
Dec – FebCool and rainy in the north and Jerusalem, but Eilat stays warm and sunny.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Israel — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.5👨👩👧 Great for your trip
★ 9.3👑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Israel?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Israel
How many days do I need in Israel?+
7–9 days — Jerusalem 3 days (+ Dead Sea and Masada) + Tel Aviv 2–3 days + Eilat or Haifa and the north 2 days.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
Check the latest requirements with the Israeli embassy before you travel (the e-visa/visa system may change) — have your documents ready.
Does Shabbat affect travel?+
From Friday evening to Saturday evening many shops and train/bus lines stop — plan your shopping and travel ahead, or use a sherut or rental car.
Is it safe?+
The main tourist areas are generally fine to visit, but follow the news and your foreign ministry's announcements, and avoid border areas under advisories.
Tips before you go to Israel
- Carry your passport (security checks are common at major sites).
- Plan around Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening).
- At the Dead Sea, don't shave and avoid getting water in your eyes (the salt stings badly).
- Dress modestly when entering holy sites of any religion.
- Bring water and sunscreen — the sun is very strong at the Dead Sea and Eilat.
- Follow the news and travel advisories before you go.