I have always been interested in traveling to Israel, even though I had heard that the country is incredibly expensive and almost impossible to travel through on a tight budget. But after a couple of weeks there, I learned that thanks to amazing Israeli hospitality and some careful planning, it is absolutely possible to travel through Israel on the cheap!
1. Transportation in Israel
Israel has excellent public transportation. The buses are reliable and long-distance buses even have wifi – the only problem is that they are pretty expensive. In Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem Danielle and I relied on buses to get around, but in the north and south of Israel we found it very easy to hitchhike.
Hitchhiking of course is a bit of a gamble and can take a long time, but we always eventually found rides, and it was a great way to meet more locals!
Our longest wait for a ride was about two hours, when we were trying to get from Eilat up to Ein Gedi. While we were waiting, one driver who couldn’t take us was nice enough to offer us some snacks, and another gave us his number to call in case we couldn’t find a ride so that he could arrange accommodation for us for the night on his kibbutz. Israelis are so nice!
2. Budget accommodation in Israel
Danielle and I have used Couchsurfing a fair amount in the past, but with dorm beds in Israeli hostels costing at least $20/night, we became huge fans of Couchsurfing while backpacking in Israel.
All of our Israeli hosts were incredibly welcoming and hospitable, and having new local friends to show us around was a definite plus! I can’t imagine what our time in Israel would have been like had we been staying in hostels, but I’m sure at least there would have been a lot more lazing around on our parts without our new friends telling us about special local spots we just had to wake up early to go check out.
We did pay for accommodation for one night, when we stayed at the women’s Heritage House in Jerusalem, which offers cheap accommodation for Jewish travelers (my mother is a Russian Jew, didn’t you know? Funny, neither did she…). At $6 a night for dorm beds in the center of the Old City, we decided it was worth the fib.
We did meet a lot of other backpackers who had been staying at hostels in Israel. Their top picks for best hostels in Israel were:
ROB’S PLACE // Jerusalem
People were obsessed with this hostel. The atmosphere is really nice, it’s central but also quiet at night, and their dorm beds are really cheap (they also have slightly more expensive private rooms). You just have to book this one well in advance, as it can fill up. Check current rates and availability
MILK & HONEY HOSTEL // Tel Aviv
This one is also really popular, and for good reason – it’s one of the cheapest, yet also nicest places to stay in Tel Aviv. It’s near the beach, bars, and restaurants, as well as a bus stop, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Check current rates and availability
VILLA CUSTO // Eilat
Okay, this isn’t a hostel, but it isn’t too expensive and even has a pool! Check current rates and availability
EIN GEDI CAMP LODGE // Ein Gedi National Park
This basically THE place to stay in Ein Gedi when you’re on a budget. They have mixed dorm accommodation on a Kibbutz right by the park. Check current rates and availability
3. Drinking and going out in Israel
If you plan to drink in bars and clubs, you’ll probably end up consuming your entire budget. Drink prices rival those of New York or even Tokyo.
At corner stores the cheapest bottle is often between $20-$30, and that’s bottom shelf (though we once found a liter of vodka for $14, risky business).
P.S. The tap water is potable, so no more expensive bottled water!
4. Eating on a budget in Israel
You’re probably thinking of delicious falafel sandwiches and succulent shwarma, right? But Israel’s version of fast food, ranging from $3-$10 isn’t the cheapest you can do (though it’s certainly worth trying). We got our food almost exclusively from supermarkets and markets, known locally as shuks.
From supermarkets we usually purchased a giant container of hummus and a can of beans to mix in for extra protein. And of course the ubiquitous pita. Canned pickles, cottage cheese and chocolate milk in a pouch were also among our favorites.
At the shuk you can stock up on super cheap produce. Tomato basil sandwiches? Mixed olives? We got fancy.
We also got really obsessed with gummy candy, which is literally everywhere and not cheap at all (think $30/kilo). I think at the height our addiction we were each spending anywhere from $2-$4 per day. Consider yourself warned.
5. Visit Palestine
Palestine (or the West Bank, whatever you prefer – we’re not here to get political) was such an interesting place that I devoted a separate blog post to it. We decided to put it on this list because goods and transport there are just a fraction of the price they are in Israel. Plus it was a great place to stock up on gummy candy!
6. Plan around Shabbat
As most of you know, Israel is a Jewish state, and once a week everything shuts down for Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. This means that from just before sunset on Friday until just after sunset on Saturday public transport ceases and most (but not all) shops and restaurants close. Make sure you stock up on food and plan your travel accordingly.
It is possible to take private minibuses, known as sheiruts, around Tel Aviv and between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem but they are not so common, and you’ll most likely end up paying for a taxi, especially if you plan on going out Friday night.
7. Do Shabbat dinner while in Israel
While Shabbat can be a bit of an annoyance it’s also an opportunity to learn more about Jewish customs and share a delicious homemade meal with a local family (and rest, obviously). Hanging out with Danielle had already taught me quite a bit about Jewish culture, but celebrating Shabbat really took that to the next level!
If you’re Jewish finding a Shabbat meal will be incredibly simple, especially if you ask around the Old City or stay at the Heritage House. That being said, I wasn’t turned away, and another non-Jewish friend Alejandra enjoyed a special Shabbat meal with her Couchsurfing hosts.
8. Make friends
While Couchsurfing was a great resource for us to find accommodation in Israel, we also found places to stay simply by having friends put us in touch with people they knew living in areas we would be passing through. Can’t find someone on Couchsurfing to host you at your next destination? Try asking a current or former host if they know anyone.
This was also a little easier for us because Danielle had been in Israel several times before, so she already had a lot of connections there. We stayed with a friend of hers in Tel-Aviv and another friend in Jerusalem for Shabbat.
For our trip to Ein Gedi, a national park along the Dead Sea, a friend of a friend put us in touch with some guys working at the park, who generously offered up their apartment even though they were going to be heading out of town.
As they worked at the park, they were also able to let us in for free, after which we walked down to a public beach on the Dead Sea to hunt for some mud (find it, don’t buy it!) and float in the salty water.
9. How to pack for backpacking in Israel
In most of Israel it’s fine to dress in shorts and tank tops. However, some areas do require more conservative dress, so pack appropriately to avoid an unnecessary shopping trip while in Israel!
For religious sites such as the Western Wall, you’ll have to dress conservatively, keeping your knees and shoulders covered.
That being said, if you want a real cultural experience you should visit Mea Shearim, an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem. Some people say that a trip to Mea Shearim is like traveling back to 19th century Poland.
Women: elbows covered, long skirts and don’t even think about showing your collar bone. Something like this dress with a scarf would work perfectly.
10. Spend time outside of the center
For the 16 days we spent in Israel, we averaged just under $20 a day. However, the bulk of that was definitely spent while we were in Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv. In the north and south of Israel we spent about $5 a day.
Life outside of the center is also fairly different from the big cities, with everything seeming to move more slowly and the culture a bit bohemian. I especially enjoyed visiting a kibbutz in the north, and would recommend it to any traveler wanting to see a special side of Israeli culture.
11. Kibbutzes
While Danielle and I were traveling through Kyrgyzstan we met a lot of Israelis, including Yohai and Yair, both of whom live on kibbutzes along the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel.
When Yohai invited us to stay for a few days on his kibbutz, we of course said yes!
Kibbutzes are collective communities that were traditionally based on agriculture, but in recent years most of them have become more privatized. Most people seem to long for the old socialist days but recognize that it’s pretty impossible to sustain a capitalist economy.
There are more than 250 kibbutzes in Israel, and a bit of online research will quickly turn up several kibbutzes looking to host volunteers, usually with a few week minimum stay.
We had so much fun relaxing, enjoying the community atmosphere, swimming (and swinging) in the Jordan River, playing with baby cows, eating in the dining hall (freshman year throwback!) and of course, spending time with old friends. It was the perfect ending to our time in Israel!
BONUS: Get travel insurance
Okay, maybe this one is obvious, but the easiest way to blow ALL your money while traveling in Israel is for an accident to happen and you have to pay a huge hospital bill or something.
I never, ever travel without travel insurance and it has saved me on multiple occasions – like that time I was bedridden in Beijing. My personal pick for travel insurance is World Nomads, and I have done a ton of research on different providers.
World Nomads is incredibly affordable, and when I have had to use them I simply sent my hospital receipts and had a check in the mail within a couple of weeks. So easy, and totally worth it.
Agness says
What, what a great news. I actually didn’t know Israel could be so cheap. I love the idea of taking local transportation!
Silvia says
Yeah, we were super strict with our budget because we knew Israel is expensive. Though considering that we didn’t pay for accommodation and ate supermarket food, I was surprised we still ended up spending nearly $20 a day. I’m in Albania now and the low prices are such a relief!
Jelle Tronnaer says
Silvia! Thanks for the great information. You are a great girl with great stories. Me and my girlfriend are maybe going to Israel because of you. Great traveling on low budget. Love it, love you! Xx
Catherine says
I didn’t realise that Israel could be so expensive! Some great tips for keeping the budget down though. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Silvia says
Me neither! It’s incredibly expensive though, especially compared to other countries in the region. I think part of it might be due to high taxes, because the government needs a lot of money for its army.
James says
Not to mention education, universities, health care, welfare for orthodox religious sects, infrastructure including world class water recovery and desalination. Israel spends about 4.7 % of its GDP on military which compares to Saudi Arabia at 10.4 per cent of GDP, Jordan at 4.8%,Iran about 3.2%, Russia at 4.5%, the USA at 3.5%. My main message is this: Peace is cheaper than war and of the cuff comments are not necessarily accurate and infer subjective perspectives.
Corinne says
Silvia and Danielle, It looks like you had a great time in Israel. I love your food jaunts, and I think it is a great place to stay with people and learn more about the cultre…thanks to Couchsurfing.
Silvia says
We did have a great time! And you’re right – I think Israel was an ideal place to Couchsurf as a way to get to know the country beyond its government.
Victoria says
Israel. Oh yes please. I’d still be concerned about security issues but I’m with you in spirit LOL! In fact, it was Israel that go me started re travelling as I was just about to learn Hebrew and go to a kibbutz when “the troubles” started up again in Jerusalem. This was in the mid 90′s so I decided to go to Eastern Europe instead LOL and here I am!
Silvia says
Wow, what a change of plans! Well, I hope that you can still make it to Israel though. I think it’s very safe to travel there now, and super interesting!
Katy says
I can’t say I’ve ever had any desire to go to Israel, but your photos are really pretty! Loved the one of the guy in the mountains!
Silvia says
Thanks – Israel really surprised me! I’d definitely recommend it to other travelers 🙂
Katie says
I’ve never really thought much about visiting Israel (probably because it was always in the news when I was growing up), but these photos look great. Seems like such an excellent place to visit.
Thanks for sharing, and for all the advice! 🙂
Silvia says
Israel hadn’t been on the top of my list either, but going there and seeing the country beyond its political image was a really great experience! And it was beautiful – sort of crazy how diverse the landscape was for such a tiny country.
Matthew Glassman says
for Jewish students looking to stay for free in Jerusalem’s old city check out the Jerusalem Heritage House, simular to the place mentioned in this post but free with no curfew. only for students 18-30 and Jewish but highly recommended stop. check out Heritage House free housing, with no curfew
Freedom Espinosa says
I googled “couchsurfing blog Israel” and found this. Looks like I’ll be hitchhiking in your footsteps just over a year later – I have a ticket to Tel Aviv leaving LAX July tenth. I’ve done as much nonpolitical research as I can, but I still wondered what travel was like for a BLONDE travel. It does have relevance, as I’m sure you are well aware of. My question to you is this… In terms of general respect (because I honor deeply at least three religion/faiths in the area), would covering my hair with a scarf offend some people? I want to make a hat with veils to protect from the sun, and I generally only care about practicality, but this time I actually have reasons for the “What should I wear?” question. What is you insight on this? I’ve heard great things about being blonde and hitchhiking, but never from a religious standpoint, I always get “Oh you don’t have to worry about it.” But I DO. And it’s personal for me.
Silvia says
Hmm I’m not an expert, but I think wearing a scarf to protect your hair probably wouldn’t be a problem. There are so many religions where women cover their hair to varying degrees, or for cultural reasons instead, so your doing the same wouldn’t be an obvious ‘copycat’ to any particular one. At least that’s my guess!
Didi says
How far ahead of time would you recommend starting to look into hosts via couchsurf? I haven’t figured out my route yet but I leave to Israel on Sept 8th.
Thanks for this article!
Silvia says
A week is usually enough, but sending out requests now probably wouldn’t hurt! I think in Israel we sent out one the day before and found someone, but we were probably lucky. Good luck, and have fun!
Cindy Carter says
Can you tell me some of the best off the beaten path spots you found and that some of your hosts told you about? My sons and I love these types of adventures. Also do you have to stay on the kibbutz to swing on the rope swing? What other things were your favorite parts of the trip. I am trying to put together an itinerary.
Silvia says
It’s not really off the beaten path, but I loved En Gedi! I don’t think the rope swing was part of the kibbutz – we went to a river nearby and the swing was set up! I’m certainly no expert on Israel and mostly just stumbled on places I liked, but I think you can enjoy it wherever you go. Have fun!
Joseph says
I am headed to Israel by myself in May 2016! Im just planning my trip now! Im glad to hear that you were able to hitchhike! That sounds fun.. and cheap lol. I was just wondering where that rope swing is, because I want to go there haha
Silvia says
The rope swing was at a Kibbutz on the River Jordan, though I bet there are a lot of them along the river 🙂 Have fun in Israel!
Esther W says
Thanks for your blog!!! Originally i thought couchsurfing is not possible in this side of the world, and it felt dangerous to do backpacking at all..was gonna give up and do an expensive hotel tour until i saw your blog…Thanks a lot for inspiring me..now a backpacking trip in Israel & Jordan is definitely possible!!!
I’m a solo female traveller…do you think it’s generally quite safe?
Silvia says
I felt quite safe when I was there, though I guess the situation is always changing. I hope you’ll have an amazing time!
hugo says
hi. what is your tourist company in Israel ?
Charel says
Nice blog very detailed, I worked in a Kibbutz for 4 months in 2013 and was one of the best travel experience I have had.
Silvia says
Oh I bet that was amazing!
Lucero says
I’m planning a trip to Jerusalem and want to visit the dead Sea, how was the transportation to get to the Dead Sea (time,price, passport issues?)
Thanks
luis says
I almost forgot, what type of energy connection do they have over there?
I am taking my cel, would be same type or I have to buy one there?
thanks
Sarah says
Hey,
I just read your blog about your Israel trip. I am also depending on a low budget and as I am a blond solo traveling girl I am a bit nervous about hitchhiking and couchsurfing in Israel in constrast du for example Canada. That’s why I wanted to ask you die advice on hosts. Can you recommend any hosts for couchsurfing and maybe other places where you stayed?
Thanks a lot for your help 🙂
Btw I will travel there next weeks so I would be super thankful for fast help! 🙂
Merbs says
I am traveling soon in israel, if you wan’t i can be your travel buddy. Though i am quite afraid too. I live for a moment in new zealand.
Harry Lown says
Hi,
How early should you book hostels and what time of year did you go? planning to go for a month in July. Two 21 year old males and previous travels eg south east asia it was easy to book hostels on the day? Any advice?
Silvia says
I was there in May and only booked a few days in advance, though I think you’d be better off booking earlier, if possible. Have fun!
Shlomit says
Hi, I’m from Israel (Tel Aviv) and I really like the post. So interesting how you see us “locals”. And it looks like you traveled around Israel more than I ever did 🙂
Gamba Emma says
Hi there, i am from Uganda in Africa and i am planning to travel to israel for just 21 days right from 20th-11-2018 to 10th-12-2018……..however i would like to inquire if i can be able to get some cheap accommodation for as low as usd$15 per for all the 21 days.
Elia says
Kudos to you for your modest outfit in Meah Shearim. You really look the part. Even though it’s not relevant right now, travelling by bus is very cheap in Israel. You have to be very careful hitch hiking, and personally wouldn’t recommend it. I live in Israel and only hitchhike in an area I know well with a population I am familiar with. As for the name, I know that you are trying to be non-political, and it’s not your fault, but the real name is Yehuda veShomron, Judah and Samaria. Any other names for these areas have been artificially imposed to erased the Jewish connection, but this is the heartland of Israel, and just as much the real Israel as Tel Aviv or Haifa, if not more so. And btw if your mother is Jewish, daughter of a Jewish mother etc, you too are Jewish.