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What is it like to travel Israel with kids in 2025
? This article, we are going to share our knowledge, experience and top tips for travelling Israel with kids. We explored Israel with our 3 children: Our oldest boy is 6 years old, our middle boy is 3 years old. Our youngest is a 6 months old baby. We will share the honest highs and lows.
Please do read this article carefully. No skim reading. These are not your average tips that you can find on any website. These are our expert tips that we have learned through years of family travel, with many mistakes and the occasional win. Following our tips and reading this guide carefully will save you lots of money and lots of stress.
We do highly recommend exploring Israel with kids. Israel is a wonderful country for family travel. It is a wonderful country for any kind of travel. However, we do also want to be honest that there are some real challenges traveling Israel with kids. Every parent is acutely aware of the importance of good preparation. This is even more important if you’re traveling somewhere like Israel.
The aim of this article is to tell you everything you need to know to travel Israel with kids. We will cover everything from what pack, where to go, when to visit and safe travel in Israel with kids. We will share budget tips and also give you an idea of prices.
Is it worth traveling Israel with kids?
In our opinion, the answer is a big, resounding yes! It is definitely worth traveling around Israel with kids. We absolutely loved our trip to Israel with our family. This was probably one of our favorite trips of all our travels, and we have traveled the world extensively. However, traveling around Israel with our kids was also very tiring and challenging.
Normally, when we travel to new locations, we tend to work it out as we go, or let’s be honest and call it winging it. However, before we traveled to Israel, we spent quite a bit of time researching the best places to go, the best things to do, and the best places to stay. As a relatively challenging country to travel, we really wanted to be well-prepared for our kids.
This is probably our biggest and most important tip for you: make sure you prepare for your trip thoroughly. Israel is a beautiful country packed with rich culture, history, amazing food, and beautiful people. It is a friendly, warm, and hospitable culture, and Israel is inherently diverse. This is one of the things that we particularly loved about the experience of traveling in Israel. We found people to be strong, honourable, and welcoming to families. We are so grateful that we had the opportunity to travel in Israel.
Sometimes booking a tour is the BEST option for busy families: Don’t miss this AMAZING family-friendly Jerusalem Tour on KLOOK
Budget Tips for Traveling in Israel with Kids
Before you read on, it’s worth recognizing that Israel is a relatively expensive country to travel to. It is much more expensive than Asia and is also one of the most expensive countries in the Middle East. The good news, however, is that it is still possible to travel around Israel on a budget with kids.
If you are hoping to travel Israel on a budget, it is possible to save money by using public transport, eating street food, and organizing your own trips independently. We have actually published a lot of articles to help you travel independently and on a budget in Israel:
- How to travel from the Tel Aviv Airport to Jerusalem by public transport
- Independent & low budget 3 day Jerusalem Itinerary
- FREE Self-guided Walking tour of the Jerusalem Old City
- How to get to Bethlehem on public transport
- Everything you need to know to plan an independent visit to The Church of the Nativity
AND we have much more than this. So feel free to explore our site for more awesome Israel content.
If you are willing to take public transport, this will make it very cheap to get around from place to place. And if you are willing to eat street food, you can also save lots of money on food in Israel.
If you’re traveling in Israel on a budget with kids, it is important to recognize that you will need to rough it from time to time. If you are able and willing to share beds, this will help reduce the cost of accommodation. We recommend looking for “triple rooms” or “quadruple rooms” rather than “family rooms.” When rooms are advertised as “family rooms,” they are often more expensive in Israel.
Another way to save money on accommodation with kids is to contact hotels in advance and ask if they are able to accommodate your kids for free in the room. Many hotels charge higher prices to include kids in rooms. However, if you contact the hotel in advance, they may let you include your children for free in order to secure your booking.
TOP TIP: A private room is likely to be cheaper for a family compared to dorm beds. Dorm beds start at around £20 or $25 per bed. For a family of three, this would cost £60 or $75. You can find private triples for less than this price.
How Much Does It Cost to Travel in Israel with Kids?
Here is a rough estimate of a daily budget for traveling in Israel with kids. We have shared an estimate for a low budget, mid-budget, and high budget family trip, assuming that you’re traveling as a family of three (two parents and one child). These cost estimates do not include flights or visas. We have just estimated the cost of food, accommodation, transport, and activities:
| Description | Rough budget per day (family of 3) | |
| Low budget | Stay in budget hostel, use local buses & eat street food | £70 – £100 |
| Mid budget | Stay in a mid-range room, use buses & taxis, eat street food & restaurants | £100 – £200 |
| High budget | Stay in a luxury or boutique hotel, use taxis and tours, eat in restaurants | £200 – £800 |
Here is a list of rough prices for things in Israel to give you a feel for your family budget in Israel:
- Triple rooms start around £40 or $50 per night. They may be very basic at this price.
- A nice A.C. triple room is likely to cost around £100 – £200 per night ($120 – $240).
- A luxury hotel is likely to cost £200 – £500 per night for a family ($240 – $600).
- Street food costs around 10 – 15NIS (£2 – £3 or $2.50 – $4).
- Restaurants cost around 25NIS – 50NIS per dish (£5 – £10 or $6 – $12).
- Local buses in Jerusalem cost 5.5NIS per person (£1 or $1.20).
- Taxis in Jerusalem cost 15NIS – 50NIS for most journeys around town (£3 – £10 or $4 – $12).
- Many attractions in Jerusalem are FREE. Kids under 12 are often half price. Kids under 2 or 3 years old are often free.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Israel with Kids?
It is important to recognize that there are not many custom-designed activities in Israel for kids. It is rare to find kids’ play parks, and we did not find any kids’ soft play centers. However, if you are open-minded, creative, and adventurous, there are lots of epic things to do in Israel with kids. Here is a list of our top pick activities for families in Israel:
- Visit Hezekiah’s Tunnel in Jerusalem.
- Visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
- Explore the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem.
- Play in the water fountains at Teddy Park in Jerusalem.
- Visit the Israel Aquarium in Jerusalem.
- Take a boat trip on Lake Galilee.
- Visit the Dead Sea (note: more appropriate for families with older kids).
- Visit the Beach in Tel Aviv.
- Visit Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv
- Visit Luna Park in Tel Aviv (theme park)
- Visit the Israel Children’s Museum (Tel Aviv)
- Visit the Mount Carmel National Park (Haifa)
- Visit the Sea of Galilee (take a boat ride on the lake)
Looking for more inspo? Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on the BEST things to do in Jerusalem with kids
What Is Food Like in Israel for Kids?
Let’s start by looking at some of the positive aspects of food in Israel for kids. Firstly, Israeli food is not too spicy, and it is not too unusual for a Western palate. You can get plenty of kid-friendly options, and some of the best options for kids are pretty cheap.
If you are traveling on a budget, you can find plenty of markets around Israel selling fresh fruit for very reasonable prices. You can also find plenty of bakeries selling fresh bread and cakes. Israel also has plenty of small convenience stores selling snacks such as ice cream, crisps, yogurts, and dried fruit. It is also generally easy to find drinks, including water, juices, and milk drinks.
There are some challenges in finding food for kids in Israel. Firstly, it is important to recognize that restaurants in Israel are relatively expensive. Many restaurants in Israel are at least as expensive as Western Europe. Not only that, restaurants in Israel do not tend to serve kids’ portions. We also noticed that baby chairs are very rare in restaurants in Israel, so if you’re traveling with a baby, you will need to be prepared to hold your baby during the meal.
When we visited Israel, our little girl was 6 months old and a few weeks off weaning onto solid food. Weaning a baby in Israel could be quite challenging. We were not very impressed with the hygiene standards of street food, so if you’re traveling at the budget end with kids, you need to be prepared that they may get tummy upsets.
This also brings us to an important point about making sure you have sufficient travel insurance to cover yourself and all of your kids during your trip to Israel. If your kids do have a tummy upset when you are traveling, we recommend keeping them hydrated and seeing a doctor as soon as possible.
Packing List for Traveling in Israel with Kids
Here is a packing list of things that you should consider bringing if you’re planning to travel around Israel with kids. Your personal packing list will be very specific to your family. For example, the clothes that you choose to bring for your kids, the toys, games, or books that you may bring – all of this will be quite a personal choice. This is not meant to be a comprehensive packing list; rather, we have tried to give you some ideas of things to help inspire you and get you started.
- A small day bag for kids’ stuff.
- Kid-friendly Factor 50 Sun cream.
- Sun hats and sunglasses.
- Plenty of loose, light clothing.
- A water bottle.
- Swimming stuff and towels.
- Comfortable lightweight shoes.
- Any special snacks that your kids particularly love.
- Toys, games, or books. This can be especially useful for long journeys and restaurants.
Here are a few things that we recommend if you’re traveling with a baby:
- Nappies and wet wipes.
- Some Sudocrem (babies sweat a lot in this climate – this can exacerbate nappy rash).
- A travel changing mat.
- Formula and a couple of feeding bottles.
- Baby-friendly snacks or pouches.
- An umbrella for shade.
- A small portable fan.
If you are traveling in Israel with a baby, we also recommend that you spend some time planning your sleeping arrangements. Some guest houses and hotels may offer a free cot on request. However, low-budget hostels are unlikely to offer this.
TOP TIP: We have found it very helpful to travel with a baby mosquito net tent. You can buy these very cheaply online. They are small, lightweight, and don’t take up too much room in your baggage. This is a relatively safe way to co-sleep with a baby on the bed. The baby is protected from the mattress, and the baby is also protected from insects. The mosquito net tent provides a shelter around the baby, creating a separated safe space for the baby to sleep. If you place the mosquito net tent on the bed next to you, you can also monitor your baby’s sleeping and feed them as necessary.
What Things Can You Buy in Israel for Kids?
The good news is you can buy plenty of things for kids in Israel. If you’re traveling in Israel with a baby or a young toddler, it is relatively easy to find packs of nappies and wet wipes in small convenience stores. It is important to be aware that nappies are relatively expensive in Israel.
It is likely to cost around 45 NIS (£9 or $12) for a medium-sized pack of nappies. A pack of wet wipes is likely to set you back around 5 NIS (£1 or $1.20). From market stalls in Israel, you can also buy kids’ clothes, toys, gifts for kids, and a wide range of sweets and candies to get your kids a little treat. We do recommend that you barter when you are buying things from local markets.
If you’re traveling in Israel with a baby, we do recommend bringing a sufficient supply of nappies to cover your trip. If your baby is on formula, we also recommend bringing a good supply of formula, as you may not be able to find your preferred brand in Israel. Always have an extra bag as a backup, and make sure you seal any formula bags very well when you’re not using them to protect them from moisture and insects.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Travel Around Israel with Kids?
The high season in Israel runs from September to November. During these months, Israel is relatively busy, and the weather is very pleasant. It is fairly warm, and many days are sunny. However, during the high season, Israel can be relatively busy and intense. If you’re traveling to Israel in the high season, we recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible because the best places book up very early. If you are unsure of your travel dates, just book the hotel anyway, so you have a reservation in your name, but make sure you get a free cancellation policy with your booking. Then you can cancel if you are unable to commit to your travel dates. During the high season, prices are a little bit higher, and you will find it slightly harder to barter and get good deals for things.
Things get a little quieter in December, January, and February. However, there is a small peak during December, lining up with the Christmas holidays. The months of January and February are relatively quiet in Israel, and the temperatures can actually be quite cold. It does snow from time to time. In the spring months of March, April, and May, Israel starts to get quite warm, and tourism also picks up a little bit.
In the summer months of July and August, Israel is extremely hot and can actually be quite unpleasant to travel in. It is a dry heat, and the temperatures can often reach into the high 30s. This can be very intense, especially if you’re traveling with young kids. If you do choose to travel in Israel during the summer months with kids, it is important to make sure that they remain hydrated. We also recommend that you take rest during the hottest hours of the day, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Family Travel on the Sabbath (Friday Afternoon & Saturday)
If you’re going to be in Israel during the Jewish Sabbath, which starts around midday on Friday and finishes on Saturday evening, it is important to recognize that travel can be quite challenging. Many shops, cafes, and restaurants are closed during this time, and public transport services may be limited or not running at all. It is also harder to find taxis if you are out and about, and you need to buy water or a snack on the go; that can also be quite difficult during the Sabbath. Many Jewish attractions are also closed during the Sabbath. So, if you are traveling in Israel with kids, we recommend not planning anything too ambitious during the Sabbath. Take time to rest.
How Do You Travel Around Israel with Kids?
Getting around Israel with kids can be challenging; however, it is possible to travel around Israel relatively cheaply using public transport. The public transport system in Israel is actually very efficient and well-organized. We also found the public transport to be cheap, reliable, and regular.
1 Bus and tram
If you’re traveling around Jerusalem, there is an extensive bus system, and there is also a tram system running around town. The local bus system in Jerusalem also extends to towns and villages outside of Jerusalem. For example, it is possible to take a bus from the Jerusalem Old City all the way to Bethlehem, and the bus stops a short walk from the Church of the Nativity.
Local buses and trams cost 5NIS – 10NIS (£1 – £2 or $1.20 – £2.40)
3 Walking
If you are hoping to explore the Jerusalem Old City, you will need to walk through the Old City. There are no buses, cars, or taxis allowed in the Old City. Many of the streets would be far too small for a car anyway. However, from time to time, you do see motorbikes riding through the Old City, so it is very important to supervise kids carefully on these narrow streets. We found the Old City to be a lot of fun with kids. The old city streets remain well-shaded throughout the day due to the tall buildings.
3 Taxis
There are also plenty of taxis available in Israel. It is important to recognize that taxis in Israel are relatively expensive; even a short journey around town is likely to cost at least 15 – 20 NIS (£3 – £4 or $4 – $5) A longer journey can easily cost 50 NIS or more (£10 or $12). If you get a marked local taxi, you can request that the driver uses the taxi meter; however, many drivers will want to agree on the price before they take you. If this is the case, it is very important to barter.
Alternatively, if you’re not confident bartering with a local taxi driver, you can use the Gett Taxi App in Israel. This allows you to call the taxis for local prices without needing to negotiate with a driver.
4 Trains and minibuses
If you’re taking longer trips around Israel between towns and cities, there are several options. Israel does have an extensive and efficient railway network. You can also take mini-buses around Israel, which are very reasonably priced.
Long distance journeys typically cost 50NIS – 100NIS (£10 – £20 or $12 – $25)
What Are the Amenities Like in Israel for Families?
It’s important to recognize that the facilities and amenities in Israel for families are actually quite limited. For example, it is rare to find toilets with baby changing tables; therefore, we recommend traveling with a changing mat. We have also already mentioned that many restaurants do not have baby chairs available, so you will need to be prepared to hold your child throughout the meal.
Is It OK to Breastfeed in Israel?
It is important to recognize that Israel is a conservative country and is highly multicultural. Most of the religious groups and subcultures in Israel are relatively conservative. However, it is acceptable to breastfeed in public in Israel as long as you are subtle and cover up using a scarf. This can be challenging for babies, especially if you have not done this before, and a baby may become distressed if you hold a scarf over them when they are feeding. Therefore, we recommend practicing this a little bit before you visit Israel.
You can help your baby adjust to this by holding the scarf over your head so it is not resting on your child as you feed. Once your child becomes more comfortable feeding under the scarf, you can then let it rest on them so you do not need to keep the scarf over your head. It does take some practice, but once your baby is able to feed comfortably underneath a scarf or cover, you’ll be able to breastfeed your baby anywhere in Israel.
Is It Safe to Travel Israel with Kids?
IMPORTANT UPDATE (OCTOBER 2023) We are very sad to learn of the problems in Israel. The FCO currently advises against all but essential travel to Israel including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. They also advise against all travel in Gaza and the South and in the border regions with Lebanon and Syria in the North. Remember if you travel against FCO advice you will not be covered by your travel insurance policy. If you are currently in these regions follow consulate advice and take care. Keep your eye on the FCO website for updates.
If you are like us, this will probably be one of your biggest questions before you visit Israel with your kids: Is it safe to travel around Israel with kids? We’re constantly hearing about tension and unrest in Israel on the news, and that can make it seem very scary and put you off family travel in Israel. However, we want to encourage you that we felt safe traveling around Israel as a family and did not experience any problems. Furthermore, many people visit Israel every year without any serious problems.
It is also important to be aware that any travel experience comes with inherent risks. We always recommend that you do your research carefully and weigh up the risks before you travel. We have found that the FCO website is a very good source of accurate, reliable, and up-to-date safe travel information; it also tells you which areas are restricted for travel. Remember, if you travel against the advice of your consulate, your travel insurance will probably not be valid.
We felt very safe traveling around Jerusalem and enjoyed exploring the Jerusalem Old City. The Jerusalem Old City is policed by a military police service who were friendly, approachable, and professional.
Tourists in Israel do sometimes become victims of petty crime. Things like small theft and pickpockets in touristy areas can be a problem. We recommend looking after your belongings carefully. This is particularly important if you are visiting crowded tourist hotspots. Don’t bring any more valuables than you need and keep your main valuables deep inside your day bag. We have found it very helpful to use a dry sack inside our day bag to keep valuables dry and also deter theft. We only keep a small handful of cash out and about to buy things like snacks and drinks and bus tickets. Remember, if you are traveling with kids, you are an easy target for theft because parents are often distracted by their kids, so it is important to remain vigilant.
For advice on vaccinations and health speak to your GP or a Travel Clinic. You can also find accurate and reliable travel health information on the NaTHNaC website
What Are Hotels in Israel Like for Families?
Many hotels in Israel are small independent hotels; it is relatively rare to find the bigger hotel brand names in Israel. Large hotel resorts are few and far between. As a consequence, many of the hotels have limited facilities and services for families. In Israel, it is rare to find kids’ clubs, babysitting services, playrooms, and kids’ swimming pools.
Many hotels do have triple rooms, quadruple rooms, and family rooms; however, it’s important to recognize that these rooms are often significantly more expensive than double rooms and single rooms. So, if you’re traveling in Israel as a family, you really do need to be prepared for the high accommodation prices.
If you choose a low-budget hotel in Israel, be prepared that the rooms are often very basic, relatively small, and may lack natural light. Budget hotels in Israel are often pretty grubby. So, if hygiene is important to you, you will need to pay a little more.
Some more upmarket hotels in Israel include breakfast with your stay. In most cases, hotels have a pretty nice kid-friendly menu, including things like bread, yogurt, and fruits. If you are willing to splash out on a more luxurious hotel in Israel, they may have additional services for families, such as a free cot on request and high chairs in the restaurants.
Israeli Culture and Family Travel
We found the Israeli culture to be warm, welcoming, and accepting of our family. Locals were very kind and welcoming to our children. In the market, local vendors would often give our children small gifts of fruit, candy, or bread. We genuinely have the sense that locals really loved seeing a family traveling in their beautiful country. Even when we visited more significant religious attractions, such as the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, we found the locals to be very friendly and welcoming towards us and our children.
The Israeli culture is strong, warm, and friendly. In our opinion, they have a very honorable culture. However, at times, it is important to be strong and confident yourself. Many locals will want to start a conversation with you, and they are often very friendly, asking questions like where you are from. In some cases, they want to draw you in to sell you a tour or to get you in their shop to buy things. Therefore, it is important to be friendly and confident.
Don’t feel like you need to stop just because someone is talking to you, and don’t feel like you need to buy something if you do stop to talk to someone. We often found that having kids gave us the perfect excuse to smile and keep moving rather than stop for every conversation.
We really did love traveling Israel with kids. The culture is warm, welcoming and friendly. This stunning country is packed with amazing things to see and do.
