Car hire in Israel

Israel has many world-class tourist sites spread across its territory, with self-driving one of the best ways to explore. From Haifa in the north to Tel Aviv in the centre and Elat in the south, there is plenty to see. Roads inIsraelare well-maintained and signposted in Hebrew, Arabic and English, making driving easy. Traffic tends to be heavy in the cities, so it is best to use a car rental to explore the areas outside the major cities. Compare car hire prices today for the best deals.

Car hire driving tips in Israel

Hiring a car in Israel is easy and can be a cost-effective way to explore the country. April to October, the summer season, is the peak visitor season and booking car hire in advance is a must to ensure availability. There are plenty of car rental options available at the major airports and in the major cities. Use our site to compare prices, get the best deals and book your vehicle in advance.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: it is possible to drive in Israel with a foreign driving license as long as you are over 18 and the license has been issued six months prior to arrival. If staying in Israel for more than a year, visitors are required to convert their foreign driving license into an Israeli one.

Which side does Israel drives on: the right.

Speed limits:

Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 110kph

National or provincial roads: 80-90kph

Local roads: 80kph

Urban roads: 50kph

Alcohol limits: 0.05 per cent or 50mg/100ml. Drunk driving laws are strictly enforced inIsrael.

Driving age: drivers must be at least 21 years of age to hire a car in Israel. Most agencies will require an International Driving License, which needs to be obtained prior to arriving inIsrael.

Compulsory items: while driving in Israel, visitors are required to have with them at all times their driving license, insurance documents and registration documents. Cars are required to be equipped with a reflective vest, so make sure your rental vehicle has one. It is also compulsory to have car lights turned on from November to April. Child seats are mandatory for children up to four years of age.

Seatbelts: front and rear seatbelt usage is mandatory at all times and this regulation is strictly enforced by the police.

Mobile phones and GPS: mobile phone usage is illegal while driving; however, it is possible to use a mobile phone with a hands-free device. There are no rules on GPS devices.

Cost of fuel in Israel: petrol is cheaper in Israel than in the UK. Self-service petrol stations sell fuel at about 10 to 20 per cent cheaper than serviced stations.

Car hire and fuel payment: car hire companies require the hirer to hold a valid credit card and show a passport as proof of identity. Most petrol stations accept credit cards, but not all.

Insurance: full cover with minimal excess is highly recommended. The risk of collision and the fact that many locals drive without the compulsory third-party insurance makes good cover essential.

Traffic and parking: city centres tend to have heavy traffic, but are still driveable. However, visitors need to be aware of military check-points where they are required to slowdown and stop. Parking is simple: red and yellow stripes mean no stopping or parking; blue and white stripes mean parking is allowed with a parking ticket; and red and white stripes mean no parking.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

Golan Heights – the northern part of Israel is known for its volcanic scenery and beautiful nature. It is home to the single ski resort in the country and some of the best rivers.

Outside Jerusalem – visitors who want to get back to nature should head to the hills via Route 1, which passes around Jerusalem and connects many kibbutz and rural communities. Exploring this rural area by car is the best way to have a down-to-earth experience.

Tel Aviv to Haifa – the coastal Route 2 is one of the most scenic drives in Israel. Between these two cities lies the port city of Caesarea, which dates back to 13 BC.

Jerusalem to the Dead Sea – no visit to Israel would be complete without visiting the Dead Sea. This route goes through some of the most barren areas of Israel, with the Dead Sea looming in the background. Make sure to stop for a quick dip and see if you float!

Israel travel tips

Israel offers a wonderful mix of historic sites, natural attractions and unspoilt nature. However, the country remains in turmoil. Simple measures will allow visitors to enjoy a safe and memorable journey. Keep up on current events, avoid driving in rural areas at night and avoid politically sensitive areas, such as East Jerusalem.

Israel weather and tourist seasons

Israel’s climate is characterised by long, warm summers that go from April to October, the most popular time to visit. Temperatures during the summer range from 16°C to 24°C, but can get up to 35°C in July and August, especially in Tel Aviv. There is no real winter to speak of and from November to March the weather is generally cool. Temperatures can range from 5°C to 18°C at this time. The Golan Heights area can sometimes get snow and is a few degrees cooler than other areas inIsrael.

Israel contact numbers (+972)

Emergency services – 100

Tourist Police – 972 3 516 5382

British Embassy – 972 3 725 1222

US Embassy – 972 3 510 3822

Irish Embassy – 972 3 696 4166

Canadian Embassy – 972 3 636 3300

Australian Embassy – 972 3 693 5000

Holidays and festivals

National holidays in Israel are primarily religious in nature. The main national holidays are: Independence Day (10 May), Pentecost (8 June), Rosh Hashana (29-30 September), Yom Kippur (8 October), Sukkot (13 October), Simchat Torah (20 October) and Hanukah (20 December). For Passover, 19-26 April, only the first and last days are national holidays, although businesses may close for the entire period.

Money matters

The currency used in Israelis the shekel. There are 100 agorot in one shekel. Shekel bank notes come in denominations of 20, 50, 100 and 200. Coins come in denominations of 5, 10 and 50 as well as 1, 5 and 10 shekels. Money exchange is easy in Israel and there are plenty of ATMs around. For visiting the Old City of Jerusalem, it is recommended to have small US dollar bills as some places only accept US dollars. A passport is necessary to cash traveller’s cheques.

Health and safety

Although no specific vaccinations are required for travel to Israel, if travelling during the summer months, it is best to carry plenty of mosquito repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid being bitten, especially in the early morning and early evening hours. There is a risk of contracting West Nile virus from mosquito bites inIsrael.

Fitting in…

Israelis tend to be overly friendly and hospitable. Politely decline, if you are being harassed, but do not turn down invitation from friends. Be sensitive to religious beliefs and always dress conservatively in religious areas or buildings. For Muslims, feet and the left hand are considered dirty, so avoid passing things with these body parts.

Visas for Israel

Israel requires visitors to have a passport that is valid for at least six months. Those travellers who want to travel to other Arab countries should ask the immigration official not to stamp their passport. It is possible to receive an immigration stamp on a piece of paper instead. An immigration stamp from Israel in your passport may prohibit you from entering certain other Arab countries, although not Jordan or Egypt. Visitors from Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US do not require a visa and can stay in Israel for up to 90 days. Please check for visa requirements from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs if you are not from a country that is not listed above.

Electricity

The power supply in Israel is 220 Volts and 50 Hertz. Most plugs have three prongs, but the two round prong (European-type) plugs can also be used in these outlets. Those with two flat prong plugs (US-style) or three-prong (UK-style) plugs will require a plug adaptor.

Business hours
Most businesses in Israel are open from Sunday to Friday, with many closing early on Friday (at around 14:30) to observe the Sabbath. Otherwise, businesses and stores are open from 08:00 to 19:00. Most businesses close on Saturdays, apart from restaurants and shopping centres.

Helpful phrases

Shalom - Hello

Bevakasha - Please

Slicha - Sorry

Rav todot – Thank-you

Ken/lo – Yes/no

Ani lo mevin (male)/ani lo mevinah (female) – I don't understand

Ata medaber anglit? - Do you speak English?

Kama ze ole? – How much is this?

Ey foe… – Where is… ?

Resources online

www.gov.il

www.wikitravel.org/en/Israel

www.tourism.gov.il