Cheap Car Rental in Tel Aviv

Car Rental in Tel Aviv: Driving the City that Never Sleeps

This Mediterranean city is booming, offering its visitors activities around the clock, whether you come to shop, lounge on the beach, or explore. While downtown Tel Aviv can pose some problems in terms of parking, the area is typically easy to access with well-maintained roads. Make the most of your visit by exploring the region in depth via rental car. Book your car today!

The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are the best times to visit Tel Aviv, particularly during the months of March, April, and September through November. Be aware of religious holidays’ influences on the tourist industry during these months.

Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages of Israel. English is widely spoken and most Israelis learn English in school. Many other European and Asian languages are also widely spoken due to the large immigrant and foreign working populations of Israel. Highway signs are typically tri-lingual, in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

Tel Aviv is in the Israel Time Zone, UTC+3.

The currency is the Israeli shekel. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments and ATMs are widely available.

Automobile hire is available in 11 locations throughout Tel Aviv, including Ben Gurion International Airport, Atarim Station, and at a number of the city’s hotels.

While most visitors to Israel will certainly spend some time in Jerusalem as well as Tel Aviv, consider exploring other facets of the area as well, whether you travel to the ancient city of Akko and nearby vibrant Haifa (circa 100 km to the north) or travel to Kibbutz Ein Gedi for some spa days (on the Dead Sea, 200 km to the southeast).

Visa Regulations

Citizens from most countries in Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, as well as a number of African and East Asian countries can visit Israel visa-free for up to three months. If you’re planning on travelling on to a country with large Arab populations, be wary of receiving an Israeli border stamp directly in your passport. Citizens of other countries will have to apply for a visa before they arrive, so be sure to double-check visa regulations for your nationality before you depart.

Driving in Tel Aviv

Driving in Tel Aviv and Israel generally is not for the faint-hearted. Drive defensively and keep an eye out for quickly changing road conditions.

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road in Tel Aviv, as throughout the rest of the Arabian Peninsula.

Speed Limits

• In the city: 50 km/h
• On undivided intercity highways: 80 km/h
• On divided intercity highways: 90 km/h
• Major freeways: 90 to 110 km/h
• Speed, parking, and other traffic laws and restrictions are strictly enforced by the Israeli police.
• Avoid morning and evening rush hours Sunday through Thursday, when roads will be packed with commuters.

Other Regulations

1. Parking is a challenge in Tel Aviv, especially if you don’t read Hebrew. While street parking is less expensive than parking lots, time restrictions and fees vary greatly depending on the street you’re on, and most of the signs explaining how to park will be in Hebrew. Payment is typically made via mobile app or by purchasing parking tickets from a kiosk in the area.
2. An international driver’s permit is recommended in addition to your valid driver’s license for renting and driving a car in Israel.
3. Highway 6, the Carmel Tunnels, and the fast lane from Ben-Gurion Airport to Tel-Aviv are the toll roads of Israel. Have cash on hand to pay tolls at tollbooths, with the exception of Highway 6, which is tolled electronically. You can expect those tolls to be added to your rental car fees.
4. The minimum driving age in Israel is 17, though you will likely have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car and will face young-driver surcharges to the age of 25.

Cheap Car Rental in Tel Aviv

Automobile hire in Tel Aviv typically starts at around $15 a day. Here are some of the best deals in Tel Aviv:

• Suzuki Alto or similar (economy class) – $17/day
• Hyundai I10 or similar (compact class) – $18/day
• Suzuki Swift or similar (intermediate class) – $19/day
• Mazda 3 or similar (standard class) – $27/day
• Mazda 6 or similar (fullsize class) – $42/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Tel Aviv

For the best prices, book your rental cars in the weeks or months before you intend to arrive in Tel Aviv. You’ll pay about $5 more a day if you book your car more than 4 months in advance.

The best prices in Tel Aviv are available at the Ben Gurion airport, though prices are typically only $1 more expensive at Atarim Station. Dollar Thrifty, Budget and Cal Auto are by far the cheapest rental agencies in the city.

You can also typically save more than $2 a day by extending your rental period to over a week.