Israel

Overview and Things to Consider

Israel packs a lot into a small country: ancient history, modern cities, Mediterranean beaches and one of the world's most contentious political situations. In March 2026, it also means active military conflict. On February 28, the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran. Iran has retaliated with direct missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, and air defense systems are engaged. The risk isn't theoretical. It's happening now.

Travel to Israel in 2026 is possible, but know what you're signing up for. It takes serious risk assessment and constant attention to security developments.

Getting There and Around

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv is the main international hub, with direct flights from North America and Europe, though airspace closures and military activity are disrupting schedules. Arrival means one of the world's most thorough security screenings. Be ready for hours of questioning, bag searches and detailed personal questions.

Once you're in Israel, trains, buses (Egged and Dan are the main carriers), shared taxis (sherut) and ride-hailing (Gett, Bolt) work throughout the country. You can drive, but the driving is aggressive. Expect military checkpoints, particularly approaching the West Bank. Security barriers and walls are part of the landscape, and movement in certain regions requires passes or prior arrangement. Taxis with yellow license plates are for locals; white plates are rental cars.

Getting around is manageable in normal times. In March 2026, expect disruptions from military activity and potentially closed roads.

What's Changed Since 2016

A lot. In 2016, the occupation of Gaza was a humanitarian crisis but the tourism industry functioned. In 2024-2025, conflict intensified dramatically. Then in February 2026, the conflict expanded geographically when Israel launched strikes on Iran. Iran's retaliation has brought missile strikes directly into Israeli cities - Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Eilat. This is a qualitative shift from the regional conflict. Tourism has largely frozen. Flights are disrupted. The feeling on the ground is one of active wartime.

Ideas to Consider for Your Visit

If you come to Israel now: know why. Most visitors come for the history (Jerusalem's Old City, Masada, the Dead Sea), the archaeology (museums in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv), or the Mediterranean beaches. But visiting during active missile strikes means choosing to be in a conflict zone deliberately. If you do come, stick to cities with better air defense infrastructure like Tel Aviv. Jerusalem is experiencing air defense operations directly.

Realities to Be Aware Of

Cost: Israel is expensive by Middle East standards. Budget travelers spend $50-70/day, mid-range $120-180+. Food is dear - dinner in a restaurant runs $15-30.

Language: Hebrew is the official language. Arabic is spoken by Palestinian Israelis and Palestinians. English is widely spoken, especially in Tel Aviv and among younger Israelis.

Security: Air raid sirens are active in 2026. Buildings have safe rooms (mamads), and when alarms sound you have limited minutes to reach shelter.

Visas: US, EU, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens get 90 days visa-free, but since January 2025 they need an ETA-IL electronic travel authorization (25 shekels in 2026) before they travel. Israel stopped stamping passports in 2013 and prints a small paper entry card instead.

Conflict: The occupation of Gaza is ongoing. The West Bank situation is complex - some areas are accessible to international travelers, others aren't. The Palestinian experience and the Israeli perspective are deeply divided. Travelers are often kept separate from the conflict, but it's impossible to ignore if you're paying attention.

If Israel Is Part of a Longer Trip

Israel connects to Jordan (across the Allenby Bridge), Egypt (Taba crossing), and the Palestinian territories (multiple checkpoints). All crossings require checking security situations carefully. The typical route is Israel-Jordan-Egypt, or combining Israel with a quick Palestinian territories visit (Bethlehem and Ramallah via checkpoint from Jerusalem).

Yearly Things to Consider

Israel's climate changes a lot by region. Tel Aviv is Mediterranean, with mild winters (12-17°C/54-63°F) and hot summers (26-30°C/79-86°F). Jerusalem sits higher, so it's cooler in summer and you'll want a coat in winter. The Dead Sea is desert and extremely hot. The best months are April-May and October-November. Summer (June-August) is hot but manageable on the coast and exhausting in the desert.

Security shifts through the year with geopolitics, not weather. As of March 2026, the situation is active and unpredictable.

Ideas for Itineraries

3 Days in Israel

Focus on Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Day 1: arrive in Tel Aviv, walk the beachfront and Jaffa's old town. Day 2: take the train (or bus) to Jerusalem for the Old City (Christian, Muslim, and Jewish quarters), the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Day 3: more of Jerusalem - the Israel Museum, the Arab east side, or Bethlehem if you're comfortable with checkpoint crossings. Three days is very tight for this much history.

5 Days in Israel

Tel Aviv (1-2 days) - beaches, nightlife, Jaffa, museums. Jerusalem (2-3 days) - Old City, Mount of Olives, the Israel Museum, West Bank day trip to Bethlehem or Ramallah. Add Masada if you want a day trip from Jerusalem (the ancient fortress overlooking the Dead Sea) or the Dead Sea itself for a day of floating and surreal landscape.

1 Week in Israel

Tel Aviv (2 days) - take time to sit in cafes and get a feel for the city. Jerusalem (3 days) - slow exploration of the Old City and museums. Day trips to Masada, the Dead Sea, Jericho, Bethlehem. Or split your time between Tel Aviv and the Galilee region in the north - Tiberias, the Sea of Galilee, Safed. A week lets you explore instead of checking boxes.

2 Weeks or More in Israel

Two weeks lets you breathe. Split time between Tel Aviv (cultural hub, beach, nightlife), Jerusalem (history), and either the Dead Sea and Masada in the south or the Galilee in the north. Add a few days in the West Bank - Ramallah, Jenin, Bethlehem - not as a traveler attraction but as a reality check. If you're interested in Jewish heritage, Safed and the north have deep history. Two weeks is enough to see how complex this country is.