EIN BOKEK FAQ'S

How do I get to Ein Bokek?

There are two airports that allow visitors access to Ein Bokek and the Dead Sea area; the Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport which is located almost 100 miles from the city which is around a 2-hour drive. You can catch an Egged bus from Jerusalem which is just 24 miles away from Ein Bokek. Bus lines 486 and 487 costs around 44 shekels to Ein Bokek, buses can be caught from the main bus station in Jerusalem.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

If you have not booked a private transfer through us then you have a few options to reach your hotel. Renting a car at the airport is one of the easiest ways to reach Ein Bokek, it could be up to a 2-hour drive if you are flying into Tel Aviv, but the main highways are easy to navigate.

At the Merkaz-Tsentralnaya railway station in Tel Aviv, there are trains that travel in the direction of the Dead Sea from 5:35 pm to 11:35 pm the journey takes around an hour with tickets costing around 13.5 shekels.

The Arlozorov bus station is located across the street from the train station with one direct route on bus No. 421 Tel Aviv Arlozorov-Ein Gedi with Egged, the bus runs twice a day on weekdays at 9:00 am and 12:00 pm, Fridays only at 9:00 am. The bus ride takes 2 hours and 40 minutes costing around 42.5 shekels. There are taxis available from Jerusalem.

There are buses between Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek that take about 30 minutes to travel 21 miles, buses are operated by Egged and buses depart from Kibbutz En Gedi Intersection arriving at Hod Hotel.

Egged buses 486 and 444 both leave from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station and stop at Ein Boke as well as Ein Gedi and Masada with several other stops in the area. The buses travel seven times a day from morning to afternoon.

A private tax from Jerusalem to Ein Bokek will cost around 350ILS.

How do I get around by public transportation?

The only way to get around the hotel area of Ein Bokek is by taxi, rental car, or on foot to nearby attractions. There are many tours and shuttles available in the area to reach the Dead Sea.

Should I rent a car in Ein Bokek?

Renting a car is one of the best ways to travel to Ein Bokek; Highway 1 and Highway 90 travel through the West Bank from Jerusalem. Highway 90 is a relatively easy drive traveling downhill through scenic landscapes. Highway 90 also connects from the south to the road from Beersheva via Arad.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis are one of the main ways to get around once you arrive in the hotel area of Ein Bokek, many things will be within walking distance from your hotel, but reaching the Dead Sea will require a taxi ride. Taxis must be booked in advance to reach the Dead Sea and there are many private taxi companies who offer this ride.

Is Ein Bokek a walking city?

Yes walking around the hotel area of Ein Bokek is easily done with hotels, restaurants, shops, bars, and other small attractions located within walking distance.

Is Ein Bokek a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?

Ein Bokek is a very safe destination for tourists with crimes against visitors being very rare. Although the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is ongoing, most travelers will see few sights of it aside from Israeli soldiers going about their business. There is no need for travelers to take any further precautions when traveling here other than common sense in a foreign country. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas especially on board public transport. Keep your valuables close, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t wander around alone at night. If you rent a car be sure to take extra precautions and lock your vehicle and remove any valuables.

What are some popular areas for shopping?

There are shops in Ein Bokek where travelers can purchase the famous Dead Sea mud and the world-famous Ahava Dead Sea Products. The Ahava Factory is located at Kibbutz Shalem which is located directly across Route 90 from Mineral Beach. Local gift shops sell cultural artifacts and handicrafts as well as unique souvenirs.

The Ein Bokek Mall is situated in the heart of the popular hotel zone, a great location to purchase Dea Sea beauty products as well as other shops selling beach supplies, shoes, clothing, and more. A new larger mall; Kanyon Yam HaMelach is located next door. The Dead Sea Mall is also located in Ein Bokek on the seafront spread over two stories with high fashion, designer stores, footwear, cosmetics, cafes, and restaurants to explore. The mall features an amazing private beach offering a wide range of activities including Segway, Razor trikes, a bar, sun loungers, and umbrellas. There are dining, leisure, and entertainment options available until 11 pm.

What does the mud from the dead sea consist of in Ein Bokek?

The mineral mud of the Dead Sea is extracted from the seabed and has long been known for its healing properties; it accelerates metabolism and cleanses the body of toxins, promotes vasodilation and improves blood circulation, it has bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects, and improves the condition of the skin and creates a rejuvenating effect. The hotels in the hotel zone all have Spa complexes and wellness centers that have qualified medical staff and offer therapeutic baths, massages, inhalations, as well as a variety of cosmetic procedures with mineral mud. There are some areas on the beaches where the healing mud can be found and beachgoers are known to cover themselves in the mud and then wash off in the beautiful waters which are saturated in minerals and salts, the consistency is similar to vegetable oil due to the high volume of salt in the waters. The high salt content allows swimmers to float in the water without exerting any effort. The water and mud are the cure for chronic diseases like psoriasis, respiratory ailments, and arthritis.

Where can I go to the beach in Ein Bokek?

There are beautiful beaches dotted all along the coast of the resort town of Ein Bokek, one public beach, and around seven private hotel-owned beaches. These beaches can get very busy during the peak season. The beaches here are clean and well maintained many feature half sand and half salt along with areas that have healing mud. There are plenty of walking paths by the beaches, benches to sit and soak up the scenery, sports, and playgrounds, free showers, toilets, changing rooms, and drinking fountains. The entrance to Ein Bokek public beach is free, there are large tents and deck chairs on the beach for a fee. Private hotel beaches are more comfortable and allow guests a little more privacy and quieter surroundings with sunbed rentals and umbrellas. There are certain times of the year when camping is allowed on certain beaches in designated areas, as well as barbecue areas.

What is the language spoken in Ein Bokek?

The official language spoken in Ein Bokek is Arabic and Hebrew. Many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants, and many locals speak Italian. We recommend you get a good English-Hebrew guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

What is the best time to visit Ein Bokek?

The climate in Ein Bokek varies depending on the season with summer temperatures soaring into the high 80’s up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The area receives an average of 330 days of sunshine per year with some rain during the winter months. Due to the low altitude of the Dead Sea area, the sunlight is weaker than in other areas in the country. There is a risk of floods on rainy days during the winter and springtime due to the low altitude here, the Dead Sea basin received rainwater from relatively far-off areas like the Jerusalem Mountains. Floods can suddenly and unexpectedly occur. The seawater never drops below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The best months to visit the area are said to be from mid-March to mid-November when day and nighttime temperatures do not differ that much. The high season is usually from March-April and then September to November.

What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Israel is the Israeli Shekel (NIS or ILS). You will need to exchange your currency for the Israeli Shekel, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus.

What is the food like?

There are several restaurant options located in the town of Ein Bokek many are located at the two shopping malls with fast food options, several Falafel bars. The majority of restaurants are located at the resort hotels serving up delicious local cuisine. The Taj Mahal restaurant is one of the few free-standing dining options along the hotel strip of Ein Bokek, a unique establishment with bedouin vibes and an exotically decorated interior. There are low tables with pillows to sit on the floor which is the traditional way to eat in Israel. Authentic Israel and Arabic cuisine are served here including a mixed grill with vegetables, salads, and assorted grilled meats including chicken and beef accompanied by hummus and pita bread.

The Ranch House is located at Isrotel Hotel and offers diners a unique American dining experience with meats, salads, side dishes, and desserts on the menu. Herods Restaurant is located on the Ein Bokek boardwalk serving up a variety of tasty dishes including fresh grilled fish, meats, skewers, salads, and sandwiches. There is a popular Moroccan restaurant on Biankini beach serving up chicken, beef, and fish dishes.

What is the nightlife like?

Many evenings in Ein Bokek will be spent at your hotel or resort enjoying a meal and some drinks. After a busy day of activities and adventures, many will just want to rest and relax. However, if you do feel like a night out there are a few options to choose from including bars and restaurants where drinks and live entertainment can be enjoyed. The bar at the Binakini restaurant the Moroccan-style restaurant turns into a fun-filled dance bar at night with karaoke nights, dance parties, live music, and belly dancing shows. Muza Pub is located in Arad which is around 30 minutes away offers a traditional pub experience with soccer scarves of Israeli and International teams covering the ceiling. They regularly play soccer games and broadcast live games on huge TVs. There are over 30 types of whiskey available and 7 draft beers as well as food.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

In case of an emergency dial 100 for police, 101 for an ambulance, 102 for fire.

Hospital: There is a clinic located in Ein Bokek. The nearest hospital is in Arad.