Prices of travel in Israel

Israel is generally cheaper than most Western European countries or large cities in the US or Canada. However, sometimes prices offered to tourists, either by travel agents or by the actual car rental companies and hotels are higher than they should be. Knowing what price range to expect and how to obtain it are essential for an affordable trip to Israel.

Prices of hotels in Israel

The price of a hotel in Israel is affected by its location, popularity, standards and extra services. You should expect a very high standard when traveling to Israel. Therefore, if you payed $150 a night and up, you should expect a very nice room and very good service. Generally speaking the price of a five-star level hotel in Israel ranges around $250 a night. However, by price shopping and knowing which hotels offer which deals you can obtain a much better price (sometime as low as half that sum). Another popular means of stay when traveling in Israel are rural rooms, locally known as “Zimmers” (from the German word for room). These are many times family operated. Sometimes they offer a theme room and at other times rooms are standard. When staying in Zimmers you should expect a very good breakfast to start your day.

Prices of food in Israel

Israeli food is much cheaper than it is in Western Europe or in North-America. High quality vegetables and fruit can be found for very reasonable prices at local supermarkets, grocery stores and vegetable stands. You should learn to pay no more than $1-$1.5 for a kilogram of prime product.
The price of food in Israeli restaurants depends on the type, amount and time of day. Israeli restaurants can typically be divided into three kinds:

• Low end (local food) -Local Israeli food is not something that is easy to describe.  However, most times when someone refers to “Israeli food” they actually mean Arab food.  Arab food consists of the famous humus but also of a large variety of salads and meets (mainly lamb and chicken).  A very hearty meal in such a restaurant should not cost two dinners more than $40 (after tipping).  You can read more about Israeli local food in our post.
• High end (Gourmet restaurants) -Israeli gourmet food is versatile.  One can find a range of dishes and styles to suit any need and passion.  Some boutique restaurants (especially in the Negev or up north in the Galilee)  offer specially prepared meals but require pre-ordering.
• Caffe’s (Where most Israeli’s and young people dine) – Israeli streets are filled with places to eat.  One can find many styles of places and menus just by walking up and down the main streets of most Israeli cities and towns.  Regular pasta based dishes are common as are bagels, salads, quiches and toast.  Most places offer good value for your money.  A meal for two might cost around $50.  Another popular caffe option is to eat a good sandwich with a drink on the side.  Such a meal should not cost more than $7-9 per person.
• Israeli street food – Israel boasts a collection of fine street food.  Walking down a street in Israel you will be greeted by an assortment of sounds, sights and smells.  The most famous street dishes are of course falafel and shawarma (giro) but one may find anything from fish and chips stands to sandwiches to quickly made hamburgers.  Prices range around $4-10 per person.

Car rental price in Israel

Car rental prices in Israel are similar to what they are anywhere else in the world. The major car rental companies have branches in Israel and generally speaking they offer the same deals they do everywhere else. Gas prices, on the other hand, are similar to what they are in Europe, meaning they are much more expensive than they are in the US. As of 2010 a liter of gasoline (a quarter of a gallon) costs around $1.5.