Book cheap flights to Israel

The coastal and northern regions of Israel experience a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters; while the southern and eastern regions experience an arid climate. The rainy season spans October to early May (peak months are December to February), with the highest rainfall falling in the northern and central parts of the country. Temperatures can range from 31 degrees Celsius in summer to 8 degrees Celsius in winter. If you are visiting Israel for the beaches, the best time to visit is during summer (June to August) as the weather is deliciously hot and the beaches abound with watersports and beach bars. For sightseeing (without the heat) the best time to visit is during spring (April to June) and autumn (October and November). Temperatures are balmy and the crowds aren’t as dense. For cheap flights to Israel, the best time to visit is between January and February.

South African passport holders do not require a visa to visit Israel for stays up to 90 days. A visa will be issued upon entry. You will need to ensure your passport has a validity of at least six months and two empty pages for entry stamps. All travellers are subject to background checks and security screening.

The South African Embassy is located in Tel Aviv.

Address: Sason Hogi Tower, 17th Floor, 12a Abba Hillel Silver Street, Ramat-Gan, 52506

Phone: 972 3 525 2566

Although areas within Israel have been plagued by conflict in recent years, security throughout the country is extremely tight and overall it is considered a safe travel destination. If you use common sense and avoid conflict zones, there is no reason why you should not experience a safe and memorable trip. Travel insurance to cover theft and medical expenses is recommended.

It is important that you familiarise yourself with emergency procedures and local laws and customs before arriving. Avoid any forms of civil unrest and remain vigilant on public transport and in areas frequented by foreigners. Remain extra vigilant around Jewish holidays, after Friday prayers, and during religious holidays, as tensions are generally high during these times. Avoid all travel to the West Bank and Gaza and follow the local media and travel reports for security updates.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are travelling from an infected area. Immunisation against hepatitis A & B and rabies is recommended. Other vaccinations include MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, meningitis, varicella, polio and influenza. Bottled water is recommended.

Accommodation in Israel ranges from budget-friendly hostels and pilgrim guesthouses to sleek boutique hotels, historic khan conversions and some of the most luxurious urban hotels in the Middle East — and as one of the world’s most historically and spiritually significant destinations, Israel offers South African travellers an extraordinary range of experiences, from the ancient stone alleyways of Jerusalem’s Old City to the buzzing beachfront boulevards of Tel Aviv.

In Jerusalem — the spiritual heart of Israel and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world — the choice of neighbourhood profoundly shapes your experience of this extraordinary city. Staying within or immediately adjacent to the Old City places you steps from the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock — the most sacred sites in Judaism, Christianity and Islam respectively. The Jewish Quarter and the Armenian Quarter offer the most atmospheric and well-maintained accommodation options within the walls, including the intimate Hashimi Hotel overlooking the Old City rooftops. The East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah and the West Jerusalem area of Rehavia and the German Colony offer a wider range of mid-range and luxury options outside the walls. The iconic King David Hotel — a grand limestone landmark overlooking the Old City walls since 1931 and one of the most celebrated hotels in the Middle East — is Jerusalem’s most storied address, having hosted heads of state, royalty and dignitaries for nearly a century. Well-regarded mid-range options include the Harmony Hotel in the Nahalat Shiva neighbourhood and the design-led Mamilla Hotel, whose rooftop terrace offers one of the finest views of the Old City walls in Jerusalem.

In Tel Aviv — Israel’s vibrant, secular and cosmopolitan Mediterranean city — the beachfront Hayarkon Street strip and the adjacent Dizengoff neighbourhood are the most popular bases for international visitors, offering easy access to the city’s famous beaches, the Carmel Market and the outstanding restaurant and nightlife scene for which Tel Aviv has become globally renowned. The historic neighbourhood of Neve Tzedek — Tel Aviv’s oldest Jewish neighbourhood, a charming enclave of renovated Ottoman-era townhouses, art galleries and excellent cafés — is a particularly atmospheric base for independent travellers. The recently revitalised Florentin neighbourhood offers a grittier, more creative experience with excellent street art, independent restaurants and boutique accommodation. Well-regarded properties include the Norman Tel Aviv — a beautifully restored 1920s Bauhaus building widely regarded as one of the finest boutique hotels in the Middle East — the Setai Tel Aviv in a converted Ottoman-era building in Old Jaffa, and the contemporary luxury of the David Intercontinental on the beachfront.

Old Jaffa (Yafo) — the ancient port city now incorporated into greater Tel Aviv — deserves special mention as one of Israel’s most extraordinary places to stay. A UNESCO-listed ancient harbour city of 4,000 years of continuous history, Jaffa’s beautifully restored stone buildings, flea market, art galleries and extraordinary seafood restaurants make it one of the most atmospheric neighbourhoods in the entire Middle East. The Setai Tel Aviv and several boutique guesthouses and Airbnb properties within the old city walls offer unique and memorable stays.

In Eilat — Israel’s Red Sea resort city at the southern tip of the Negev Desert — a wide range of beach hotels, all-inclusive resorts and diving-focused accommodation line the waterfront, catering to South African travellers who combine Israel’s historical and cultural sites with world-class Red Sea diving and snorkelling. The Isrotel Royal Beach and the Dan Eilat are among the most well-regarded properties on the beachfront. Note that Eilat is a free-trade zone with no VAT — making shopping and dining notably more affordable than elsewhere in Israel.

For South African travellers on a pilgrimage or spiritual journey — visiting Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River and the sites of the New Testament — the Galilee region in northern Israel offers a range of guesthouses, Christian hospices and boutique hotels set among olive groves, vineyards and the extraordinary biblical landscape of northern Israel. Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee is the most practical base for exploring the region, with a good range of mid-range hotels and guesthouses on the lakeshore.

Ready to book? Search and book accommodation in Israel at Travelstart and find the best deals across all budgets.

Getting around Israel is considerably more straightforward than many South African travellers expect — the country is compact (roughly the size of Mpumalanga province), well connected by modern infrastructure and has an excellent public transport network that makes navigating between its extraordinary diversity of destinations efficient and affordable. English is widely spoken throughout the country and road signs are in Hebrew, Arabic and English.

Important note for South African travellers: Given the ongoing conflict situation in Gaza and the broader regional security context, it is essential to check the latest South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) travel advisories and the Israeli government’s current security guidelines before and during your visit. Avoid all travel to areas designated as conflict zones, including Gaza and the immediate border regions. The vast majority of Israel’s tourist destinations — Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Galilee, the Dead Sea and Eilat — are not in conflict zones and remain open to tourists, but the security situation can change rapidly and vigilance is always required.

Trains operated by Israel Railways (Rakevet Yisrael) are the most comfortable and efficient way to travel between Israel’s major cities. The network connects Tel Aviv with Jerusalem (approximately 30 minutes on the high-speed A1 line — a remarkable engineering achievement tunnelling through the Judean Hills), Haifa (approximately 1 hour from Tel Aviv), Beer Sheva in the Negev and Ben Gurion International Airport (approximately 20 minutes from Tel Aviv on the airport express). The train from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem takes approximately 40 minutes — a convenient and affordable option for arriving South African travellers. Book tickets through the Israel Railways website or app. Note that trains do not operate from Friday afternoon until Saturday night in observance of Shabbat — an important logistical consideration when planning travel days.

Within Tel Aviv, the city’s excellent bus network operated by Dan and Egged covers virtually every neighbourhood and is very affordable. The Tel Aviv Light Rail (Red Line) opened in 2023 and connects the northern suburbs with the city centre and on towards the southern Gush Dan area — a significant addition to the city’s urban transit network. Ride-hailing apps including Gett and Yango (both widely used in Israel) and Uber operate throughout Tel Aviv and are the most convenient door-to-door option. Cycling is extremely popular in Tel Aviv — the city has an extensive network of cycling paths and the Tel-O-Fun bike-sharing scheme offers affordable short-term bicycle hire from stations throughout the city.

In Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Light Rail (currently being expanded significantly) connects the city’s major neighbourhoods and the Central Bus Station. Buses operated by Egged cover the wider city and surrounding region. Within the Old City itself, walking is the only option — the ancient alleyways of the Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian quarters are entirely pedestrianised and best explored slowly on foot, allowing the extraordinary layers of history to reveal themselves at every turn. Gett and Uber operate in Jerusalem for trips beyond the Old City walls.

For travelling between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the high-speed train (approximately 30 minutes) is by far the fastest and most convenient option. Shared taxis — known in Israel as sheruts — also operate between major cities on fixed routes at fixed fares, departing when full and operating seven days a week including Shabbat when regular public transport is suspended. Sheruts are particularly useful for Shabbat travel between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem when trains and most buses are not running.

For exploring Northern Israel — the Galilee, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret), Caesarea, Akko (Acre) and the Golan Heights — a hire car is by far the most practical and rewarding option. Public transport to many of the Galilee’s biblical sites, nature reserves and hilltop towns is limited and infrequent, and a hire car gives you the freedom to explore the Jezreel Valley, the Upper Galilee forests, the dramatic Ramon Crater in the Negev and the spectacular Negev Desert landscapes at your own pace. Roads throughout Israel are generally excellent — well-maintained, clearly signposted in three languages and with good facilities. Israel drives on the right, the same as most of continental Europe.

For reaching Eilat in the far south, domestic flights operated by Arkia Israeli Airlines and Israir connect Tel Aviv’s Sde Dov Airport (currently transitioning operations) and Ben Gurion Airport with Eilat’s Ramon Airport (ETH) — a journey of approximately 1 hour that saves the 4–5 hour drive through the Negev Desert. The desert drive itself, however, is spectacular and well worth doing at least one way.

The Dead Sea — the lowest point on earth at 430 metres below sea level — is approximately 1 hour’s drive from Jerusalem and easily combined as a day trip. Route 90 running along the western shore of the Dead Sea is a dramatic and memorable drive through the Judean Desert past ancient fortresses including Masada, Ein Gedi nature reserve and the Qumran caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. A hire car gives you the flexibility to stop at these extraordinary sites at your own pace rather than being tied to a tour bus schedule.

Planning to explore Israel’s desert highways, ancient biblical landscapes and Mediterranean coastline at your own pace? Search, compare and book a car hire in Israel at Travelstart and find the best rate for your journey through the Holy Land.