Meet the Shekel, the Israeli currency :
20 Shekel note | |
50 Shekel note | |
100 Shekel note | |
200 Shekel note | |
Shekel coins |
How much does it cost to Visit Tel-Aviv ?
Israel is in the top 20, in the list of countries, regarding the cost of living.
Tel-Aviv is the most expensive city in Israel.
Some prices of products in Tel-Aviv in the year 2024 :
in Shekels | In U.S dollars, (Approx) |
|
Falafel sandwich | 20 Shekels | 6 $ |
A drink with the Falafel | 10 Shekels | 3 $ |
Big Mac meal at Mac Donald’s | 45 Shekels | 13 $ |
Beer (33 cl) in a bar or cafe | 25 Shekels | 7 $ |
Cappuccino (small) in a coffee chain | 12 Shekels | 3 $ |
Bus ticket inside Tel-Aviv | 6 Shekels | 2 $ |
Bus from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem – one way | 18 Shekels | 5 $ |
Dormitory in a good hostel – one night | 120 Shekels | 35 $ |
Double room in a good Hotel – one night | 1000 Shekel | 290 $ |
A movie in the cinema – Popcorn not included | 40 Shekels | 12 $ |
The biggest expense you will have in Tel-Aviv would be the Hotel.
To get a feeling of the hotel prices, look here in Booking. Do a filter of the prices you want with the menu on the left. See my suggestion, where to Stay in Tel-Aviv.
- You can use XE Currency Converter to get the prices in your local currency.
- You can use Numbeo to compare the cost of living between many cities in the world (from the menu “cost of living”, choose : “cost of living comparison”).
ATM in Tel-Aviv
Yes, there are ATMs, and you can withdraw money from them (Shekels) with an international credit card.
The banks involved in the transactions (hopefully, just 2) will take commissions in the process.
In the picture you see an ATM machine beside flowers but usually there are no flowers next to them and they are attached to a bank office.
Currency Exchange in Tel-Aviv
It’s easy to exchange money in Tel-Aviv. There are many private offices in the town center, around Dizengoff mall.
They don’t take a fix commission for the process, but there is, of course, a difference of price between “buy” and “sell”, that’s how they make a living.
The difference between “buy” and “sell” is fair, you don’t loose too much.
(In “La Rambla” in Barcelona, you loose a lot if you exchange money).
Try to bring with you cash from a popular currency like the Dollar or Euro, you will get better exchange rates.
Don’t worry too much about frauds, these businesses have a license and they will not jeopardize it with foolish maneuvers. Anyway, they give you a receipt with a printed report (the serial number of the bills). Count your bills.
You may get better exchange rates if you will compare a few offices.
In Allenby street the rates are usually the lowest. If you exchange a large amount, you may get a better exchange rate (negotiate).
Use ATM or bring cash to Tel-Aviv ?
You need to find an equilibrium between these two.
The ATM are very safe and convenient but the banks charge commissions for each withdrawal.
Bringing Dollars in cash (or other currencies) may leave you more of your money, but it is unsafe because of the risk of theft and loss.
Anyway, you need to bring some cash with you, as a backup, for any case.
Try to stay in hotels that have a safe box in the room or at the reception.
When you withdraw money from the ATM, do it for a medium or large sum because each withdrawal has a fixed commission.
If you are travelling for a short period, you can afford to bring with you more cash than if you are travelling for months.
Can I pay in Tel-Aviv in foreign currency like with the dollar ?
Not really. Maybe at the hotel but anywhere else the expected currency is the Israeli shekel. You can also pay by credit card. Use this Currency Converter to know the rates.
How to carry the cash during the trip
I recommend this type of Hidden Pocket. You hang it vertically on your belt (yes, you need a belt) and inside your trousers. Nobody sees it and it is very comfortable because one side is made with a soft tissue. There are 2 strong loops, so it is very safe. I have two of these because sometimes I travel for a long period and it gets thick, so I divide the cash and put one pocket on each side. You can buy this hidden pocket on Amazon , they ship it worldwide.
How to stay on low budget in Tel-Aviv
Tel-Aviv is, relatively, an expensive city but you can also live on low budget :
The hotel : You can stay in a dormitory or a private room in a hostel.
Look the page : Where to Stay in Tel-Aviv.
Food : Look at the page : Vegetarian options in Tel-Aviv. I am describing the good budget places that exist in Tel-Aviv town center.
Transport : Just walk in town. Tel-Aviv is not huge in size.
If you think you may get “tourist luck”, you may try to buy a lottery ticket in Tel-Aviv, but I think it’s them who are usually gaining in the process.
More on Tel-Aviv :
- Where to Stay ? – Potential zones for the Hotel
- What to Visit ? – Beaches, Walking streets…
- What to Pack for the Trip ? Hidden Pocket for cash…
- Tour – How is Tel-Aviv, get the feeling of the city
- Transport – About the Airport, Buses, Trains…
- Cost – What prices to expect in Tel-Aviv ?
- Internet and Phoning – Pre-Paid card, how is the Internet…
- Maps – Google maps with points of interest for tourists.
- Frequently Asked Questions – Weather, Feasts, Costs…
- Vegetarian – Where to eat good Humus, Falafel, Sabih…
- Photos – Nice photos of the city.
- Travel Insurance (Health) – Points to know
On Haifa :
Haifa – What to Visit and where to Stay ?
On Jerusalem :
Jerusalem – What to Visit and where to Stay ?
If you have specific questions about Tel-Aviv or Israel, you can ask them in this TripAdvisor Forum
On Thailand :
- Bangkok – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
- The Islands in Thailand – Which one to choose, Where to stay, How to arrive ?
- Chiang Mai – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
- Pattaya city – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
Other Stuff :
- What to Pack ? the visual list that will help you prepare the suitcase.
- Visit my Vegetarian Page. Why be Vegetarian ? What to eat ?
- Visit my Salsa Dance Page. Salsa main Styles. Why Dance Salsa ?
- See City Information about 1 more cool city: Barcelona.
- Listen to nice Songs with translation in French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew.
- Listen to basic Words In Spanish, French, Hebrew
If you find incorrect data on this page, like a restaurant that has closed or a big river that has moved or you want to tell me something, please write me to contact.