Eilat Prices Surprising Travelers as Israelis Reconsider Summer Abroad

As security worries and concerns about flying abroad push many Israelis to rethink summer vacations, Eilat is again emerging as a top local alternative. A C14 price check for a family of two adults and two children for August 9 to 13, 2026 found that in some hotels the cost is already nearing, and in some cases surpassing, 20,000 shekels for a four-night stay.

The comparison focused on one of the busiest periods of the year, mid-August, and showed sharp differences between hotels. Some properties still offered relatively lower prices, while others were priced close to what a family vacation abroad might cost. The article says this makes Eilat no longer automatically the cheaper option for families staying in Israel.

The study also compared current prices with those checked in December 2025 for the same dates. The results challenged the common assumption that booking early always saves money. In some hotels, rates rose by more than 20 percent in about half a year. One hotel became about 26.5 percent more expensive, and another rose by 23.5 percent.

At the same time, some hotels got cheaper as the travel date approached, with one dropping by more than 25 percent from the December price. The piece says this reflects a market shaped by promotions, demand changes and hotel pricing strategies. For families considering Eilat instead of foreign travel, the message is to compare prices continuously and watch for deals, because the gap between hotels and booking times can amount to thousands of shekels.