Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Israel
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: ₪180-400 ($55-120) per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Israel
Accommodation
₪70-150 ($20-45) per night
Hostel dorms in Tel Aviv's Florentin area, basic guesthouses in Jerusalem's Old City vicinity, beachside hostels in Eilat
Food & Dining
₪60-120 ($18-35) per day
Falafel and shawarma from street stands, hummus at local joints, fresh produce from Mahane Yehuda or Carmel markets, occasional supermarket meals
Transportation
₪20-50 ($6-15) per day
Egged buses between cities, Jerusalem Light Rail, Tel Aviv buses, occasional sherut shared taxis
Activities
₪30-80 ($9-25) per day
Free walking tours of Old City, beaches in Tel Aviv and Eilat, hiking trails, markets, occasional museum entry
Currency: ₪ Israeli New Shekel
Money-Saving Tips
Shop at local markets like Mahane Yehuda or Carmel for groceries - typically 40-60% cheaper than tourist area restaurants
Use Israel's excellent public bus system (Egged) instead of taxis between cities - saves roughly 70-80% on transport
Book accommodation 2-3 months ahead for high season (April-October) to snag 25-40% early bird discounts
Eat lunch at hummus joints and falafel stands - lunch portions are massive and usually 50% cheaper than dinner prices
Get the Israel Pass for museums if planning 3+ museum visits - typically breaks even after third entry
Stay in kibbutz guesthouses outside major cities - usually 30-50% cheaper than city hotels with breakfast included
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Taking taxis everywhere instead of buses - a Tel Aviv to Jerusalem taxi runs 250-400 shekels vs 20-30 on the bus
Only eating in hotel restaurants or tourist areas - prices are typically double what locals pay two blocks away
Not accounting for Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening) when public transport stops - forcing expensive taxi rides
Skipping breakfast and relying on cafes - hotel breakfasts are usually excellent value compared to individual cafe purchases