Everything you need to know about a vacation in Tel Aviv: how to find an inexpensive tour or organize your own trip. Prices for tours, hotels, tickets, food and excursions in 2021. How much do the groceries cost and what to try in Tel Aviv? What beaches are better for swimming?
Exchange rate: 1 Israeli shekel (ILS) ≈ 21 RUB.
Remember, the Israelites have Shabbat — they rest after Friday sunset until Saturday sunset. Transport also does not travel, keep this in mind.
Visa to Israel
You do not need a visa to Israel for a tourist trip, but you need to have the following documents with you:
- air tickets in both directions;
- confirmation of financial solvency;
- international passport;
- birth certificate for children;
- medical insurance;
- documents confirming the nature and purpose of the trip.
Medical insurance can be obtained free of charge when you apply for an All Airlines Tinkoff Bank card.
Prices for tours to Tel Aviv in 2021
Tour prices are indicated for two people with a departure from Moscow.
You can have an inexpensive vacation in Tel Aviv with a last minute tour - look for tickets on the websites of Travelata and Level.Travel. You can still save money if you buy tickets in advance. There are pleasant moments in an organized holiday - you do not need to worry about accommodation, transfer from the airport to the hotel, insurance and sometimes even food - everything is already included.
Before you travel, decide what you want to do on vacation. For the sake of cultural and sightseeing holidays in Tel Aviv, you need to go in the low season (from November to April) - during these months the prices for tours to Israel are lower. For the sake of a beach holiday - in high season, but tours are more expensive.
We have found the minimum prices for tours to Tel Aviv in hotels of different categories.
Low season (December):
| 7 nights | 11 nights | |
| Hotel 3 * | from 79 thousand | from 103 thousand |
| Hotel 4 * | from 79 thousand | from 104 thousand |
| Hotel 5 * | from 111 thousand | from 107 thousand |
In high season (in August):
| 7 nights | 11 nights | |
| Hotel 3 * | from 94 thousand | from 119 thousand |
| Hotel 4 * | from 108 thousand | from 139 thousand |
| Hotel 5 * | from 123 thousand | from 167 thousand |
Prices for flights to Tel Aviv
Prices are indicated for one person in both directions.
Have you decided to go on vacation to Tel Aviv on your own? The cheapest flight is from Moscow, a little more expensive - from St. Petersburg. Here are the ticket prices:
From Moscow:
- in low season - from 9 thousand rubles;
- in high season - from 12.5 thousand rubles.
From Saint-Petersburg:
- in low season - from 15 thousand rubles;
- in high season - from 18 thousand rubles.
Buying advice. Look for tickets not only from your city, but also from neighboring ones - this way you are more likely to find cheap ones. To save money, buy tickets in advance and keep an eye on sales. The price also depends on the luggage: if you choose a fare with hand luggage only, the ticket price will be reduced.
Prices for hotels in Tel Aviv - 2021
The city has a wide selection of hotels at different prices. It all depends on your preferences: choose the category, location and additional hotel offers if you need them. We recommend booking a room at Skyscanner Hotels. Hotel prices in Tel Aviv are high, but you can find budget options if you keep an eye on sales.
We have studied the minimum prices for one night in a double room in high and low seasons:
| 7 nights | 11 nights | |
| Hotel 2 * | from 95 $ | from 85 $ |
| Hotel 3 * | from 170 $ | from 125 $ |
| Hotel 4 * | from 195 $ | from 155 $ |
| Hotel 5 * | from 190 $ | from 185 $ |
Check out Airbnb for locals. Prices for a double room in the beach season start at $ 23, but for this money the conditions will be Spartan. If you are traveling with the whole family or a group of friends, it is more convenient to rent an apartment or house. Decent apartments start at $ 55.
Prices for excursions in Tel Aviv
Look for interesting excursions in and from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Eilat, Petra and the Dead Sea on Sputnik8 and Tripster. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
Here are the prices for excursions in Tel Aviv and other cities in Israel in 2021:
- walk in Tel Aviv - $ 115;
- Bethlehem and Jerusalem - $ 90;
- Caesarea, Jaffa, Akko - $ 95;
- a trip to the Dead Sea - $ 740;
- Jaffa - $ 220-270.
What to see in Tel Aviv on your own
You can find a lot of entertainment without spending money on excursions. For example, see the city from above from Azrieli Center or Migdal Shalom Tower. Take your family for a walk in Hayarkon Park with rock garden and Tsapari bird park or Sarona Park with galleries, alleys and ponds.
There are many wonderful museums in the city:
- Tel Aviv Museum of Art;
- Eretz Yisrael;
- Palmach Museum;
- Elena Rubinstein Pavilion;
- Rabbi Yitzhak Center;
- Independence Hall;
- Museum of the Jewish Diaspora and others.
When is the best time to go to Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv has more than 300 days of sunshine a year, with a regular rainy season in December and January alone.
The high season comes in spring. If you prefer cultural and sightseeing holidays, then it is best to come to Tel Aviv at this time. It gets warm in March, but it is too early to swim in the Mediterranean Sea at this time. In April it is also still cool, but the air temperature is rising. Pilgrims come this month for Easter. It gets even hotter in May.
Hot and dry weather (above + 30 ° C) is established in summer, the water in the Mediterranean Sea is ideal for swimming. On excursions, the heat can be difficult.
The high season continues in autumn: in September and October, the weather is about the same as in May. Holiday prices in Tel Aviv these months are still high.
Winter is good for pilgrimage. At this time, the rainy season comes, it is cool for swimming, but prices for tours and tickets are getting cheaper.
Tel Aviv beaches
For a beach holiday in Tel Aviv, April, May, September and October are ideal. It is hot in summer, but some tourists do not mind.
On the western side, the city is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. All beaches (except for Ha Tsuk) in the city are municipal and free. Rest here is perfect for children.
Ha-Tsuk, Matsizim and Tel Baruch are considered to be the beaches mainly for the locals. In orthodox Nordau, almost all days are divided into male and female.
We have made a selection of the most popular beaches in Tel Aviv:
- Dolphinarium beach is divided into two parts: Banana in the north and Drummers beach on South. The first is a serene beach, while the second is known for hosting "Welcome to the Weekend" parties and drummers.
- Gordon - clean equipped beach, suitable for athletes; there is a pool with sea water and children's slides.
- Rishon LeZion - a calm beach with fresh air, well equipped.
- Jerusalem - the most populous and largest beach, awarded the Blue Flag, it is chosen by travelers with children.
- Beaches Bugrashov and Frishman offer a relaxing holiday close to the center of Tel Aviv.
- Alma - a clean and unspoiled beach where you will enjoy the privacy and views of Old Jaffa.
- Hilton - a popular beach known for its calm waters. There is free parking and a surf center.
- Jaffa - one of the new beaches, but the infrastructure is not very developed, you will also need to walk a little to the nearest cafes.
- Charles Clore - a quiet place, there are playgrounds and gym.
Many beaches offer rental of umbrellas, sun loungers and other equipment; lifeguards are on duty here, there is where to dine. There are playgrounds for sports lovers. Surfer stations - at Hilton Beach, Tel Baruch Beach and Drummers Beach. Tel Aviv is one of the renowned diving centers where athletes will find many objects to explore.
Video - Tel Aviv Beach Coast
What to try in Tel Aviv
Israel's cuisine is very diverse and includes many dishes and traditions of the West and the East. It should be remembered that food here is prepared in accordance with religious rules, so pork or shellfish are prohibited. You cannot cook on Saturday, except for the food that was prepared in advance and which was languishing in the oven.
Things to try in Israel:
- Falafel - balls of crushed beans, fried with spices and garlic. They can be served with salad and sauce, potatoes and tortilla.
- Pita with hummus - a snack made with chickpea puree, olive oil, garlic, onion, lemon juice and spices. It can be with eggplant, pepper, egg and other ingredients.
- Shakshuka - a dish of eggs with tomatoes and spices, bell pepper.
- Burekas - pies made of thin unleavened or puff pastry stuffed with cheese, potatoes, spinach.
- Cholnt - a hearty roast made from meat, potatoes, beans, onions, chickpeas and spices.
- St. Peter's Fish - grilled tilapia.
- Sweets: baklava, donuts fondvore, pancakes, homentash, candied fruits, knafe, bamba.
Tel Aviv Food Prices - 2021
Eating in restaurants isn't cheap, but you can save money if you get away from tourist spots. Another option is to periodically sample street food, which is very popular here. This is beneficial, plus you will explore Tel Aviv's cuisine from every angle. But remember that fast food is unhealthy.
Here are some examples of prices in Tel Aviv restaurants:
- budget breakfast - 20-30 ₪;
- lunch or dinner at an inexpensive restaurant - 55 ₪;
- three-course lunch or dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant - 230 ₪;
- budget lunch (falafel, hummus or other local dishes) - 24-40 ₪;
- local beer (0.5 l) - 30 ₪;
- imported beer (0.33 l) - 29 ₪;
- a glass of wine - 20-30 ₪;
- cappuccino - 11.75 ₪;
- water (0.33 l) - 7 ₪;
- coffee to go - 8-12 ₪.
How much does street food cost in Tel Aviv:
- kebab - 10 ₪;
- large shawarma - 35 ₪;
- falafel - 7 ₪;
- hamburger - 12-16 ₪;
- grilled chicken with rice - 45 ₪;
- coffee or drink with a bun - 5 ₪;
- water in vending machines - 8-10 ₪.
Prices in supermarkets:
- milk (1 l) - 5.7 ₪;
- white bread (500 g) - 7.23 ₪;
- eggs (12 pcs.) - 12.5 ₪;
- local cheese (1 kg) - 45.5 ₪;
- apples (1 kg) - 9.23 ₪;
- bananas (1 kg) - 8.8 ₪;
- oranges (1 kg) - 5.66 ₪;
- tomatoes (1 kg) - 5.64 ₪;
- potatoes (1 kg) - 4.61 ₪;
- salad (1 pc.) - 6.25 ₪;
- water (1.5 l) - 4.1 ₪;
- a bottle of wine - 40 ₪;
- local beer (0.5 l) - 9.28 ₪;
- imported beer (0.33 l) - 11.16 ₪;
- a pack of cigarettes - 34 ₪.
Transport in the city
You can leave on Shabbat only by minibus - the rest of the transport does not work. Minibuses move faster than buses, and the ticket is cheaper.
Public transport
The city has a well-developed bus network - you can get on them almost anywhere in Tel Aviv or in the suburbs. They run from 5:00 to 00:00, and some even until 03:00. A trip around the city costs 6-6.4 shekels one way. Get directions on the Israel public transport website.
There is a travel card system. For a long time, a monthly pass for 213-250 shekels is beneficial. Read more about travel cards for a day, a week or a month on the official website of the Egged company.
It is convenient, but a little more expensive to travel by train. However, their route is limited - for example, it is impossible to reach the extreme south or north of the country. In addition, there are fewer stops than buses. A train ticket from the airport to the city center costs 13.5 shekels. Check timetables and prices on the Israel Railways website.
Taxi
Those who love comfort are advised to order a taxi. Prices in Tel Aviv are as follows: landing - 11.5 shekels, 3-kilometer trip around the city - 20-30 shekels, and from the airport to the city center - 140-175. Negotiate the price in advance or arrange a trip over the counter.
It is better to book a taxi from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv online using the Kiwi Taxi service.
Rent a Car
If you want to plan your own routes and not depend on public transport, then rent a car. Through the Rentalcars.com service, you can pre-book a car without overpayments - the rental costs from 117 shekels per day. A liter of gasoline in Tel Aviv costs 6.11 shekels.
Bicycle
For those who love sports activities and fresh air, we recommend renting a bike. The roads in the city are convenient, there are many bike paths. But be careful: put a lock on your bike and bring it indoors at night.
Vacation safety in Tel Aviv
The crime rate in Israel is low, it is a safe country. However, we recommend not to go on vacation in the area on the border with Palestine and in the Gaza Strip.
Be prepared for the police to check your documents - take your passport with you. In connection with the terrorist threat, they can inspect things. It is better not to photograph or film strategic objects (train stations, airport), this may be mistaken for espionage.
Beware of cheating when shopping and in taxis. Refuse unnecessary "help".
Wear sunscreen and drink water in hot weather. Choose beaches with lifeguards and beware of jellyfish. Get health insurance and a travel first aid kit before you travel.
