Israeli Families Find Overseas Vacations Cheaper Than Domestic Trips

As the High Holidays approach, Israelis seeking affordable family vacations are increasingly finding that traveling abroad is significantly cheaper than staying within the country. This trend is driven by high prices in Israeli hotels, which can reach tens of thousands of shekels for a family trip.

Financial planner Harel Colden explained that Israeli hotels capitalize on high demand from local families who work hard throughout the year. He noted that these are private businesses allowed to set their prices, especially given the general high cost of living in Israel. Prices can range from thousands to tens of thousands of shekels depending on the type of accommodation, from boutique hotels to all-inclusive resorts.

For comparison, a weekend trip for a couple with two young children in late September to a hotel in Tel Aviv could cost between 7,755 and 9,421 shekels. A longer stay in Eilat in October for a family in a suite could cost over 16,000 shekels, while a three-night stay at another hotel was quoted at over 10,000 shekels.

In stark contrast, all-inclusive packages abroad for the same period and family size were found to range from approximately 4,388 to 6,666 shekels, including taxes. These packages often cover meals, drinks, and activities, eliminating the need for constant extra spending.

One traveler, Avi Nehama, recounted being quoted prices of 16,800 to 23,000 shekels for a five-day domestic trip, while he found a trip to Prague for 12,000 shekels to be more cost-effective. He highlighted that the savings are substantial when comparing the cost of food and amenities included in overseas packages versus the high prices charged in Israel, making the decision to fly abroad a simple calculation for many families.