Israel is an amazing place to visit, no matter if you are traveling with friends or family, or on your own. Solo travel in Israel offers a unique way to explore the country and its culture in a safe and enjoyable environment. With stunning landscapes, ancient sites, vibrant cities, and delicious food, the best time to travel to Israel is anytime, whether solo or accompanied.
In this article, we’ll show you where to stay, eat, and go when traveling solo in Israel to make your experience unforgettable.
Is it Safe to Travel to Israel By Yourself?
Israel is one of the safest countries in the Middle East. It has an excellent infrastructure for tourists and the country’s security services are top-notch. One of the safest ways to travel, however, is with a day tour or package tour, especially when you’re traveling in Jerusalem or the West Bank, which is home to some of the most important landmarks in the country. They give you the benefit of being part of a group while allowing you to explore on your own.
Here are a few tips for staying safe while solo:
- Stick to the main roads and tourist areas.
- Keep your valuables on you at all times.
- Always trust your instincts – if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Getting Around Israel Solo
Public transportation in Israel is excellent, making it easy for solo travelers to get around the country. There are a variety of buses and light rail lines in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as well as the Israel Railway system that connects major cities as well as smaller towns. The Rav Kav card is a convenient way to pay for public transport throughout the country. It can be purchased at most stations or online and allows you to add credit with ease.
Joining a Tour as a Solo Traveler
One of the best ways to make the most of your solo travel experience in Israel is to join an organized tour. This can offer you confidence to get to places you might not be able to get to alone, like Bethlehem or even further afield to Petra in Jordan. Joining a group tour as a solo traveler is an amazing opportunity to make new friends on your journey in Israel. For the introverted travelers, it can be great just to have some quiet companionship, as well as someone to take pictures of you!
Travel is also included with most tours, and if you choose a multi-day tour your hotel will be included, as well, which can make it cost effective. Whether you’re traveling for 3-5 Days, 6-8 Days, or 9-13 Days, there’s a tour with convenient and comfortable travel accommodations and hotel options.
Get to Know the Culture
When traveling solo in Israel, it’s important to understand the local customs and culture. The most important custom to understand in Israel is Shabbat (the day of rest), which is observed from Friday night to Saturday night. Most businesses will be closed during this time. Public transportation does not run at all or only partially run on Saturdays, making it a great time to take a tour to see the most of Israel on Saturday.
Prepare yourself for the culture of the places you’re planning to visit by reading guides, like this one. Check out some handy travel guides to prepare for your solo adventure in Israel:
- Israel itineraries
- Ultimate Israel bucket list
- Israel hotel guide
- Steps to plan your trip
- and an Israeli food guide!
These guides will help you navigate the country respectfully. The best way to immerse yourself in the culture, however, is by visiting hidden gems of Israel.
Best Regions in Israel for Solo Travel
The two must-visit solo travel Israel locations are Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. But we’ll also look at some other exciting locations to travel to.
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is the most vibrant city in Israel and a great spot for solo travelers. It has plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops, and bars. You can explore while making friends through Tel Aviv tours, like the Tel Aviv Pub Crawl – Nightlife Tour. Travel to and from Tel Aviv is made easy by light rail. There are also plenty of luxurious hotels where you can spend the night.
It’s also home to some excellent beaches where you can relax and soak up the sun. The nearby Jaffa port is full of fun activities. You can see both Jaffa and Tel Aviv on the Best of Tel Aviv and Jaffa Walking Tour, which includes food and city highlights.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city of amazing history and culture. It has some of the most important sites in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths. You can see the hotspots of religious pilgrimage with most Jerusalem tours, like the Best of Jerusalem Day Tour.
Beyond these sites, there are also plenty of incredible restaurants and things to do that make Jerusalem a perfect weekend trip. Or you can stay longer than a day at one of their comfortable hotels. Perhaps then you’ll even have time to take a tour of the West Bank, which will take you near Jordan and the Dead Sea.
Other Popular Locations
Golan Heights: With stunning mountain views, this region is perfect for adventure seekers. You can learn how to best visit the area with this helpful guide.
Negev: This desert region offers a unique cultural experience with stunning views, such as in the picture above, which can be truly spectacular to take in by yourself. There’s also plenty of hidden gems for you to enjoy.
Haifa: Located on the Mediterranean coast, Haifa has plenty of attractions for everyone, from religious sites to museums. You can see this and similar nearby sites, Caesarea and Akko, on this tour.
Galilee: A region of beautiful lakes and rivers, Galilee is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. It’s also an important religious site, which you can learn about along with Nazareth and the River Jordan on this tour.
And if you want to venture further, you can take a tour to Petra from Israel to explore a lost city and archaeological marvel.
Best Places to Stay While Solo Traveling in Israel
It’s important to prepare for where you’re going to stay before traveling to Israel solo. This is so you know for certain that you’ll have a place to stay at night. The best way to do this is by looking at a hotel guide. You can look through all of our Israel hotel picks. Or you can narrow it down to Jerusalem hotels, Tel Aviv hotels, or even further afield to the North or South of Israel.
Stay Safe and Prepared While Solo with Tourist Israel!
Traveling solo in Israel can be an experience like no other. With its incredible landscapes, fascinating culture, and hospitable people, Israel is a great destination for anyone looking to explore the Middle East solo. To have the most fun and safe trip, however, it’s always a good idea to book a tour with Tourist Israel.
We offer day tours, package tours, and multi-day tours that are anywhere from 3-5 days to 9-13 days. They make for a fun way to explore with guidance and are a perfect way to make friends. Or if you’d like to truly go solo, take advantage of our many guides, like this one!
