Is Jerusalem expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Yes, Jerusalem is expensive, as Israel is one of the costliest countries in the Mediterranean region, with prices for hotels and restaurants close to those in western Europe. A budget traveller needs about ₪315 (roughly €80) per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about ₪760 and comfort about ₪1,720. Many holy sites are free, and street food such as hummus and falafel keeps daily costs down.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | ₪150 | ₪400 | ₪1,000 |
| Food & drink | ₪120 | ₪220 | ₪400 |
| Sights & tickets | ₪30 | ₪100 | ₪200 |
| Local transport | ₪15 | ₪40 | ₪120 |
| Per person, per day | ₪315 | ₪760 | ₪1,720 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Jerusalem day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Falafel in pita | roughly ₪15-25 |
| Plate of hummus | roughly ₪25-40 |
| Jerusalem sesame bread (ka'ak) | roughly ₪5-10 |
| Light rail or bus ride | about ₪6 |
| Train from Ben Gurion Airport | about ₪20 |
| Western Wall Tunnels tour | about ₪40-50 |
| Israel Museum | about ₪60-65 |
| Tower of David Museum | about ₪40-50 |
| Mid-range double in the city centre | ₪600-1,000 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Hotels are the largest cost: even hostels and simple hotels cost ₪300-500 for a double, and grand hotels by the walls ₪1,500 and up. Sit-down meals are expensive, often ₪200-350 per person with drinks, but hummus, falafel and market snacks are cheap. Many key sites, including the Western Wall, the Holy Sepulchre and Yad Vashem, are free; paid museums and tours add up over several days.
When it is cheaper
Prices drop in winter, from about November to February outside Christmas and Hanukkah, and in the hot summer weeks after the Jewish holidays, often by roughly 20-30%. Passover, Easter, the autumn High Holidays and Christmas are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Eat hummus and falafel for lunch in the Old City or around Mahane Yehuda.
- Visit the free sites: the Western Wall, the Holy Sepulchre, Yad Vashem and the Mount of Olives viewpoint.
- Take the train from Ben Gurion Airport (about ₪20) instead of a taxi or sherut.
- Use a Rav-Kav card or contactless payment on the light rail and buses.
- Stay in Old City hostels or near Jaffa Road for walkable, cheaper rooms.
- Shop at Mahane Yehuda on Friday afternoons, when traders discount before Shabbat.
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Common questions
Is Jerusalem expensive?
Yes. Budget travellers spend about ₪315 (roughly €80) a day, mid-range about ₪760. Many holy sites are free, which helps.
How much does a meal cost in Jerusalem?
Falafel costs about ₪15-25 and hummus ₪25-40; a sit-down meal with drinks is often ₪200-350 per person.
How much is the train from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem?
About ₪20, taking about 25-30 minutes to Yitzhak Navon station.