Israel is not a budget destination — costs sit closer to Western Europe than to its neighbours — but it spans every price point. Here’s what to expect.
Daily budgets at a glance
- Backpacker — ~$60–90/day. Hostel dorm, market and street food, public transport, mostly free and low-cost sights. See the backpacking Israel guide for hostel picks, sherut logistics and Shabbat planning.
- Mid-range — ~$150–280/day. A comfortable hotel, a mix of casual and sit-down meals, the odd guided tour, trains and taxis.
- Luxury — $400+/day. Five-star hotels like the King David or Mamilla, fine dining, private guiding and car hire.
For a deeper breakdown of what each tier actually looks like day-to-day — with itemised spending tables, hotel picks by price band and pro tips per travel style — see the Israel trip cost by travel style guide.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest line. Expect roughly $30–45 for a hostel dorm, $130–220 for a solid mid-range hotel, and $350+ for luxury, with sharp peaks around Passover, the High Holidays, Christmas and Easter. Compare options in each region’s where to stay section.
Food ranges widely: a market lunch or falafel/hummus is a few dollars, a casual restaurant meal $15–25, and a top-end dinner $60+. Markets like Mahane Yehuda and Carmel Market are both an experience and a money-saver.
Transport is cheap. Intercity train and bus fares are modest with a Rav-Kav; the airport–city train costs only a few dollars. A rental car runs higher once fuel and parking are added.
Attractions and tours vary. The Western Wall and many viewpoints are free; national parks and museums charge modest entry; guided day tours typically run $40–120, and the Petra day trip from Eilat is a premium $200+.
Sample one-week mid-range budget (per person)
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Hotels (6 nights) | $900–1,300 |
| Food | $350–500 |
| Transport (incl. airport) | $80–150 |
| Tours & entries | $200–400 |
| Total | ~$1,550–2,350 |
Tips to spend less
Travel in the shoulder seasons (see our best-time guide), eat from markets and bakeries, lean on public transport, prioritise the many free sites, and book hotels and tours early to dodge holiday surges. Then start planning with our itineraries.
Reclaim Israel’s 17% VAT. Tourists who spend ₪400 or more on a single receipt at a participating city store can reclaim a portion of the VAT at Ben Gurion Airport before departure. The net return is typically 5–11% of the purchase price — worthwhile on Dead Sea cosmetics or Judaica. See the Israel VAT refund guide.
Comparing Israel with another destination on cost? See the Israel vs Turkey comparison guide for a side-by-side on costs, beaches, history and visas.
Want a personalised estimate? Use the Israel trip cost calculator — set your trip length, group size and accommodation tier to get a cost range broken down by category in dollars and shekels.