How much does it cost to travel to Jerusalem?
You should plan to spend around $107 (₪402) per day on your vacation in Jerusalem. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $31 (₪118) on meals
- $6.64 (₪25) on local transportation
- $127 (₪479) on hotels
A one week trip to Jerusalem for two people costs, on average, $1,492 (₪5,625). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Jerusalem has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Jerusalem expensive to visit?
Prices in Jerusalem are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within the Middle East, Jerusalem is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Amman or Petra.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Jerusalem Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Jerusalem?
The average Jerusalem trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Jerusalem travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
₪479
($127)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
₪25
($7)
|
|
Food 2
|
₪118
($31)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
₪32
($8)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
₪14 -
42
($4 - 11)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
₪29 -
88
($8 - 23)
|
Accommodation Budget in Jerusalem
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Jerusalem is $63 (₪239). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Jerusalem is $127 (₪479). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Jerusalem
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Jerusalem is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $6.64 (₪25) per person, per day, on local transportation in Jerusalem.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$6.64
₪25
How much does it cost to go to Jerusalem? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Jerusalem will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Jerusalem are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Jerusalem, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Local Bus
₪12
-
Light Rail Jerusalem
₪36
Food Budget in Jerusalem
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Jerusalem can vary, the average cost of food in Jerusalem is $31 (₪118) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Jerusalem should cost around $12 (₪47) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Jerusalem is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$31
₪118
Typical prices for Food in Jerusalem are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Jerusalem, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Orange Juice
₪10
-
Watermelon
₪15
-
Lunch
₪44
-
Food at Market
₪57
-
Juice
₪10
-
Bagels
₪30
-
Lunch for 2
₪54
-
Snacks
₪21
Entertainment Budget in Jerusalem
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Jerusalem typically cost an average of $8.43 (₪32) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$8.43
₪32
Typical prices for Entertainment in Jerusalem are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Jerusalem, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Cooking Classes for 2
₪126
Tips and Handouts Budget in Jerusalem
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Jerusalem
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Jerusalem is $1.33 (₪5.00), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$1.33
₪5.00
Alcohol Budget in Jerusalem
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $16 (₪59) on alcoholic beverages in Jerusalem per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$16
₪59
Typical prices for Alcohol in Jerusalem are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Jerusalem, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Water Budget in Jerusalem
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $3.94 (₪15) on bottled water in Jerusalem per day. The public water in Jerusalem is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$3.94
₪15
Jerusalem On a Budget
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, as well as one of the most historically rich cities in the world. It is also the largest city in the country. While Tel Aviv holds many of the responsibilities of a capital city, officially, Jerusalem is still considered the capital. It is important to note that most countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem.
As for travel, Jerusalem, and Israel in general, can be quite expensive for travelers. With European standards of living and many imported foods and goods, many travelers quickly realize that Jerusalem's overall costs of travel are definitely one the expensive side.
Jerusalem is also a holy city for three religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Many visitors come to Jerusalem as part of a religious journey. The city is filled with strong beliefs and passionate people with a rich and incredibly diverse culture. The main languages in the city are Hebrew, in western Jerusalem, and Arabic in eastern Jerusalem. English is also very common throughout the city, particularly in the Old City.
Jerusalem's climate is Mediterranean with hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters. January is the coldest month with the average temperature about 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow flurries may occur a couple of times a year and heavier snowstorms happen every few years, but snow does not linger on the ground for long. July and August are the hottest months with the average temperature in the mid 70s Fahrenheit. The summers are incredibly dry.
Sights
Jerusalem has an endless supply of sights that are significant to many different religions. It's virtually impossible to see every major sight in the city during one visit, so it is best to prioritize your options. Check out this
5-day Jerusalem itinerary for some ideas and suggestions on how to tackle everything. You should come prepared with a quality guide book that can give you information on each sight, its history, and its significance to various religions. Some of the must-see sights in Jerusalem include Mar Elias Monastery, Tantur Theological Center, St. Simeon Monastery, Ramat Rachel Archaeological Site, Monastery of the Cross, the
Israel Museum,
Yad Vashem (the holocaust museum), The Garden Tomb, The Palestinian Heritage Museum, The Biblical Zoo, and Mount Herzl. Within the Old City you'll find the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, The Temple Mount, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Qubbat Al-Sakhra (Dome of the Rock), and the Western Wall.
In addition to visiting the religiously important sights, you should also allow yourself time to simply walk through the Old City and other neighborhoods of interest. In addition to being a city of such religious significance, Jerusalem is also a fun city to explore in and of itself, and you should not miss this experience while you're here. With
plenty of unusual things to do in Jerusalem, visitors will not be bored. From the old markets with interesting shops (here's a
list of what to buy in Israel), to street food vendors, to great views over the city, Jerusalem offers something for everyone.
Neighborhoods
Jerusalem has many different districts, but as a tourist you are most likely to spend the majority of your time in the Old City. The Old City is still surrounded by a wall and has many places of significance for Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike.
West Jerusalem (or New Jerusalem) is the Jewish-Israeli part of the city as well as the commercial center.
East Jerusalem is considered by many Palestinians to be the capital of Palestine. It was claimed by Israel during the Six Day war of 1967 and taken from Jordan. Today there are approximately 200,000 Jews and most of the city's Muslim and Christian populations (about 250,000 people) that reside there.
Me'a Shearim is famous as the home of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish population. If you visit this area you should respect the population and dress modestly.
Ein Kerem is a neighborhood in West Jerusalem that has a unique village atmosphere. It is also a popular place for artists and sculptors.
Activities
Arranging a tour of Jerusalem can greatly enhance your experience. The city is filled with history, and without a proper guide or guide book, you'll miss out on much of the meaning of each sight. There are a variety of organizations that offer tours around the Old City. Many should be arranged in advance.
Food and Dining
Jerusalem is a large and culturally diverse city with food from all over the world. You can find restaurants that offer everything from Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, European, American, or even Ethiopian cuisines. Budget food options include the falafel stands that are found all around town, bagel shops, and fast food restaurants. Sit down restaurants are more expensive than you might expect and dining out can quickly drain your budget. If you want to prepare your own meals, there are several excellent markets around the city. There are also many smaller food shops concentrated in the Old City.
Transportation
Jerusalem is a city with many neighborhoods, and while it's easy to walk around most neighborhoods, especially in the "old" part of the city center, to go any significant distance you will need some other form of transportation. Taxis are readily available and generally reasonably priced. They operate on a meter so the price should be predictable.
Buses are another wonderful option for traveling around Jerusalem. They can be quite crowded, but they are frequent and cheap. Buses are usually dark green in color and the drivers stop frequently. The system is comprehensive and travels to most parts of the city.
Jerusalem also opened a light rail system in late 2011. It currently connects the northeastern areas to the southwestern areas along the western side of the city. There are plans for additional lines to open in the future. The system goes near several areas of interest for tourists including Damascus Gate, Saffra Square, Jaffa Gate, Ben Yehuda Street, and many of the city's main markets. There is a tram line that runs along Yaffo Street and passes by many cafes and shops as well.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.