EILAT FAQ'S

How do I get to Eilat?

The Eilat Ramon International Airport is located in Timma near Eilat, about a 20-minute drive from the city. There are buses, rental cars, and taxis available. There are also free shuttles from the airport provided 24/7. The Ouvda Airport is another option to reach the city, located 37 miles north of Eilat. There is a bus from Ouvda to Eilat, the journey can take up to an hour.

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. Rental cars are available at the Shalom Center which is located across from the airport, with several well-known international companies and only a short 20-minute drive to the city.

Taxis can be found outside the airport terminal and a ride to the city will coast around NIS100.

Shuttles from the airport depart every 15 minutes and travel to various hotels in the city.

There are four bus lines that operate from the airport to the city.

How do I get from the train and bus station to my hotel?

The Central Bus Station in Eilat is located on HaTemarim Boulevard, which is close to the center of town where the road meets Ha-Arva Road. There are taxis available outside the station. Or some hotels may be within walking distance.

How do I get around by public transportation?

The main form of public transportation in Eilat are buses, bus no. 15 runs from the bus station and serves the North Beach, and South Beach areas, as well as hotels, then travel south toward the Taba border crossing with stops at the beach and other attractions along the way. Bus no.16 travels the same route in the opposite direction. The main local buses in the city are numbers 1,2,15, and 16, departing around every 20-30 minutes from the early morning until around 8 pm. There are night buses that operate in the city. A single bus ticket costs around NIS4.20, there are Rav Kav cards available at the Bus Station which you can load tickets on for daily NIS8, or 5 days at NIS33.50.

Should I rent a car in Eilat?

Renting a car when visiting Eilat is a great idea as the airports offer rental cars and the drive is short, making it easy to reach your destination. A car is a great option when you wish to visit some of the surrounding areas including Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Arad, Aqaba, and more. There are parking opportunities available in the city costing around 5NIS per hour or 25NIS per day, parking spaces are meters and only accept coins. A day ticket can be used all over the city.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

There are taxis all over the city, distances in the city are quite short and taking a cab is an easy option. There are taxis on the streets, outside shopping malls, and other main attractions and they can be ordered over the phone.

Is Eilat a walking city?

The city center is walkable and the promenade area and central square are great to visit on foot. Walking the beaches is a beautiful relaxing experience, but can get very hot during the summer months. To get from the city center to the beaches will require a bus or taxi ride. There are opportunities for hiking in the Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve, which is just outside the city.

Can I ride a bike in Eilat?

There are plenty of opportunities to rent a bicycle in Eilat including bicycle rental Eilat, www.bicycleeilat.com. They have several options to hire regular bicycles and mountains bikes at affordable prices. There are some great areas to cycle around in the city, especially along the promenade and down by the beaches.

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

Eilat 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 some great shopping opportunities in Eilat, which is a tax-free zone offering many duty-free shops along the boardwalk and the Mall HaYam (The Mall of the Sea) shopping center where top brands can be found. The city is a popular place to go shopping with various shopping centers and malls available including the BIG Eliat Complex which is the largest shopping complex in the city covering over 10,000 square meters with more than 50 shops to explore, including outlet stores selling international brands and food options. The Mul Hayam Mall is set in the heart of the city across from the Red Sea shores on the northern boardwalk. There are over 100 stores here. The Ice Mall has an Olympic size ice skating rink on the ground floor along with 150 stores, restaurants, cafes, and dozens of other attractions. The Eilat Promenade is located in the northern part of the city and is one of the busiest shopping destinations in Eilat. There are brand-name stores, a bustling bazaar with over 60 market stalls, and food courts. The Marina extends from the promenade to the Ice Mall offering brand name shops and local low-cost stores. Hatemarim Boulevard is the primary shopping and entertainment destination in the city, home to many different shops and restaurants.

Where can I go to the beach in Eilat?

There are several wonderful beaches nestled along Eilat’s coast, there are plenty to choose from with some connected to hotels and other more remote locations. Eilat’s beaches sit on the historic famed Red Sea and many offer some great amenities such as sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, snack bars, and restaurants. These beaches are great for swimming and water sports including jet skis which can be rented. Snorkelers will be in heave at Princess beach which has stunning underwater views with vibrant coral reefs and plenty of fish. Dolphin lovers will rejoice at Dolphin Reef which is an interesting ecological site complete with floating boardwalks for up-close views of the dolphins swimming, eating, and playing in their natural habitat. Coral Beach is one of Eilat’s most famous beaches, a nature reserve, and one of the most beautiful and well-known reefs in the world. Beachgoers can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in the clear waters here with lots of fish and water plants. Mosh’s Beach is a great location for dining, live music, and fantastic views. A popular location at night.

What is the language spoken in Eilat?

The official language spoken in Eilat 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 Eilat?

The climate in Eilat is arid with hot summers and high humidity, and relatively cool yet comfortable winters. Temperatures can soar into triple digits during the summer months in Eilat, and winter temperatures can be quite pleasant, making the city a popular year-round destination for family vacations. Winter temperatures can be comfortable on average in the mid-’70s, a great time of year to enjoy the Eilat Mountains and attend dozens of Winter Festivals and other outdoor events. The summer months of June through August are peak season in Eilat filled with tourists seeking out the beaches and water, there are daily temperatures that can reach up to 104 degrees.

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 plenty of dining options to choose from in Eilat, with a long list of recommended restaurants with options for Israeli, Italian, Chinese, Asian, hamburger joints, and fish and seafood options. There is such a wide range of food and restaurants to check out and enjoy in the city, the vacation capital is filled with endless options. There are many new fusion kitchens in the city along with kosher restaurants and plenty of International and Western-style options too. Lots of fast-food restaurants can be found in the city as well as Israel favorites selling falafel, shawarma, and hummus. Restaurants can be found throughout the city including on the promenade, along the beaches, in the tourist area of Derekh Yotam, and at the shopping centers and malls. The beaches are great for dining and cocktails, there are excellent options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, many restaurants offer outdoor seating and great views. Hotels are another dining option that welcomes not only guests but walk-ins and at some hotels non-guests can walk in for a flat rate and enjoy the breakfast buffets, which in Eilat are some of the largest and most varied anywhere.

What is the nightlife like?

There is a wide variety of bars, and pubs in Eilat many are located along the popular promenade, along the beaches, and in the central area around the main square. The city has some of the liveliest nightlife in the region especially during the summer when the city is regularly the host of festivals and events. It is easy to find a place to sit back and relax in the evening time, the beach and promenade are great for sunset cocktails with a view, and there are plenty of lively bars and pubs scattered around town. There are themed evenings at night including stand-up shows and live sports broadcasts.

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:

Yoseftal Medical Center tel.972-8-635-8011

Yoseftal Hospital