Israel for families on a budget
darma'smom
recent trip to Israel for family with kids ages 12 & 14 - more expensive than anticipated but we ended up having more fun than anticipated
Jul 24, 2008
based on 0 votes
enjoy an authentic Israeli experience without breaking the bank, especially for groups of 4 or more. Focus on nature and blending in with locals. This list is not
for those requiring luxury or on an organized tour.
- Category: Recent trip
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1. apartment rentals
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| Consider renting an apartment. (Google short term apartment rentals in whatever city). It ends up being much less expensive than hotels and allows more space, kitchen facilities and the ability to immerse yourself in a neighborhood with locals. We stayed in a friend's apartment in Katamon in Jerusalem and found the whole experience of living amongst Israelis to be very gratifying. Using this apartment as a home base, we visited Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Mediterranean beaches, Dead Sea. We went to a local supermarket for food and beverages (although we usually ate our large meal out - this was a vacation after all). The fruits and vegetables are delicious. Homemade hummus and pita were available in supermarkets. Buying your own alcohol and water saves an enormous amount of money. The downside is that there is not usually a pool and you are further away from tourist attractions than hotels. We had a rental car for distant travel, walked a lot and took taxis when we were too hot or tired to walk back. Busses are also an option |
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2. rental car insurance
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| We discovered that we had to buy collision damage waiver insurance because none of our existing credit cards covered it. This doubled the price of the rental car. We wished we had opened a credit card with one of the few companies that do cover it. Even then, we would have had to pay for third party medical insurance but that was significantly less expensive than the full CDW |
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3. Israel nature and national parks protection authority passes
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| There are multiple options for buying money saving passes when you get to any of the sites belonging to this organization. What you choose will depend on how many sites you plan to visit and how large your family is. Since our family of four planned to visit Bet Shean, Hula, Tel Dan, Banias, Nimrod, Cesarea, Ein Gedi, Masada, Coral Reef and the Jerusalem wall ramparts, we opted for the annual family pass (even though we were only there for two weeks) and saved big bucks as compared to paying individually at each site. Their website doesn't talk about admission prices or package deals but when you get to the first location, they will have all the info. You can buy packages of 6, regional packages, annual passes among others. Check it out. |
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This organization is similar to the Audobon or Sierra Club in the US. It spearheads conservation efforts, nature research, leads hikes, offers educational programs and, best of all, accomodations. We did not participate in any hikes or educational programs but did stay in two of their field schools: Ein Gedi and Eilat. These accomodations were clean and simple, air conditioned, had comfortable beds and included breakfast. No fancy interior decorating, TV, or pools. Both of the ones we stayed in had refrigerators and pots to heat hot water in, bed linens and towels provided. In Ein Gedi, we had one large room with 2 bunk beds and one twin so it could sleep a total of 5. We had a private bath with shower and a gorgeous view of the Dead Sea. In Eilat, we had two small rooms, one full bath and one half bath. Again there were bunk beds and one twin so this one could accomodate 7. They averaged half to one third of the price of hotels in their respective areas. They charge by the person, not by the room. The downside is that they often host groups of students elementary to college aged so during the day, it could get a bit busy. We were never bothered by noise at night. Although the field school in Eilat did not have a pool, it was directly across the street from the Red Sea so we could get to the beach easily.
The staff speaks English although not as fluently as in hotel chains. We had no difficulty communicating. We made reservations for Eilat before leaving the states via email and easily added an extra night once we got there. We called Ein Gedi to make a reservation from within Jerusalem a few days before going. Both were on weekdays. I'm not sure if weekends are busier. |
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5. Water
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Bringing your own water with you will save a lot of money. Believe me, we drank enormous amounts of water while walking around. We emptied a bit of water out and froze 1 liter bottles to bring with us in over the shoulder, insulated 1 liter bottle sized carriers that you can buy in Israel. Since water doesn't come in this size and shape is the US, I couldn't find the carriers here. I borrowed some from a friend but saw them for sale everywhere.
We found buying one liter bottles by the six pack at gas stations to be the cheapest. |
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6. Cafe Aroma
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This chain of "fast food" restaurant franchises serves fresh, delicious food and coffees, most with outside and inside seating. There is no table service - you order, pick up your food choose your own table. The menu includes huge salads, sandwiches on your choice of breads(whole or half), appetizers like hummus, eggplant salad and many, many permutations of coffee. For lunch, our family of four typically shared one salad and two or three whole sandwiches that we split up amongst ourselves. Sometimes we went just to have coffee and watch the world go by in the evening. Our kids enjoyed their hot chocolate which comes as steamed milk with chocolate pieces floating in it that melt as you stir them.
Their signs are in Hebrew only but once you identify them, they are easily recognizable all over Israel. The background is black, the first row of lettering is white with red smaller lettering just below it. They do have English menus available although what is posted is in Hebrew.
Instead of eating in full service restaurants, we found this to be a much less expensive alternative. |
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7. food from supermarket or ready made stores
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Everywhere we stayed in Israel had a minimum of a refrigerator and hot pot. The apartment we used in Jerusalem had a full kitchen but we only used the microwave. Our first stop everywhere we went was the supermarket where we stocked up on fresh fruits, cucumbers, tomatoes, pita, hummus and other dips, cheese, yogurt, cereal, milk eggs to hard boil, beverages and snack foods. We bought paper plates and plastic utensils. (We also bought all our cosmetic items when we got there - shampoo, toothpaste, etc to avoid carrying it in luggage)
Fruits and vegetables there are unbelievably good. Local foods like hummus, tehina, babaganoush, etc are plentiful, exotic for us, and better than what you buy in American supermarkets.
Bakeries have yummy rolls and breakfast pastries.
In Jerusalem, we found a little "caterer" called "Take Me Away" on Rachel Immenu who provides ready made food for take out. We bought chicken schnitzel, home made hummus, stuffed grape leaves and fish for our dinner at half what it would have cost in a restaurant. We found there to be a larger selection on Thursday and Friday (just before the Jewish sabbath begins).
Israel produces some very delicious wines. Be sure to try them. |
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Compliment darma'smom
