Israel is one of my favorite countries to visit in the world. It has a wonderful climate, delicious local cuisine, gorgeous natural beauty, and even more beautiful people. But what attracts most visitors to the country is its incredible history and culture. 

At just 8,550 square miles, Israel packs a lot into its small landscape, which changes dramatically from region to region. Within one short trip in Israel, you could swim in the Mediterranean, ride a camel through the Negev Desert, pick farm fresh fruit from trees in the lush north, and climb the peaks of a snow-capped mount Hermon.

On top of the incredibly diverse landscape, Israel is home to a unique blend of religions and cultures. The country (Jerusalem in particular) is known as one of the most important religious sites for the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Baha’i people, housing some of the most important historical biblical sites on the planet, alongside sixteen cultural and geographical UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Of course, we can’t ignore the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has caused massive distress throughout the region. I recommend doing some brief research on current affairs to assess the state of conflict in the country before you visit. That said, you are unlikely to notice any signs of war if you stay within the big cities.

I’ve been visiting Israel since I was a young child. With family living in both the north and the urban center of Tel Aviv, and countless friends dotted across the small country, I would say that I know Israel pretty well. My favorite cities have to be Tel Aviv / Jaffa, as well as Jerusalem, which is buzzing with excitement and local charm. I’m also a big fan of the northern parts of Israel, which are much lusher than the desert landscape down south.

Israel has been a pretty pricey place for as long as I can remember. Even when visiting with family, I have always been conscious of what I purchase and how much I spend along the way. Naturally, the cost of travel in Israel has only increased with time. So, to manage your expectations, ensure you’re prepared to spend more than you might expect.

Accommodation and food will likely be your most significant expenses while in Israel. Depending on the time of year you visit, accommodation prices soar during spring and summer to account for the influx of tourists. 

It’s always best to know what to expect before visiting a foreign country, and being blindsided by unexpected Israel travel expenses is a sure way to ruin a good vacation. To make your trip more pleasant, I have used my personal experience to put together a detailed budget for the cost of travel in Israel.

The Cost of Accommodation in Israel

As mentioned, Israel is by no means a budget holiday destination. The country holds the unpopular title of having one of the highest costs of living in the world, with Tel Aviv ranking as the most expensive city from numerous sources.

These high prices can be attributed to many factors, which are far too complicated to get into here. But the premise is that with so little land to work with (and even less fertile land to farm), the country has to import much of its fresh produce from across Europe. On top of this, over 60% of the country is covered by a barren desert, and other parts are covered by lakes and seas, leaving only a small portion to be habitable by humans.