Types of Temporary Housing
Short-Term Vacation Rentals
Short-term rentals have become increasingly popular in Israel, offering flexibility and often better value than hotels for extended stays. These fully furnished accommodations come equipped with kitchens, Wi-Fi, and household amenities, making them ideal for stays ranging from a few days to several months.
Airbnb and Similar Platforms: Israel hosts over 6,000 vacation rental listings across major platforms. Rent from people in Israel from $20/night for budget options, though the average price of a night in a vacation rental in Israel is $218. Prices vary significantly by location and season, with the price of a vacation rental in Israel are less expensive in May: $199 per night on average and most expensive during peak season at around $262 per night.
Corporate Housing and Serviced Apartments: Companies like Blueground offer premium furnished apartments specifically designed for longer stays. Blueground’s temporary housing in Tel Aviv can be rented by foreigners, expats and individuals that move to Israel to make Aliyah. These apartments include high-speed internet, dedicated workspaces, and modern amenities, with some buildings offering gyms, pools, and private parking.
Monthly Rentals: For stays of 30 days or longer, monthly rental platforms offer significant savings compared to daily rates. Fully furnished rentals include a kitchen and the amenities you need to live comfortably for a month or longer, with simplified booking processes and single monthly payments.
Traditional Accommodations
Hotels: Israel offers accommodations across all budget ranges. Budget (Hostels and Basic Hotels): $30–$60 per night for dormitory or basic hotel rooms. Mid-Range Hotels: $100–$200 per night, suitable for travelers seeking comfort without luxury while visiting Israel. Luxury Hotels: $250–$500+ per night, common in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Hotel prices are generally highest in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with more affordable options in smaller cities and towns.
Hostels: Israel’s hostel scene caters to budget travelers and social experiences. Quality hostels like Abraham Hostel in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv offer both dormitory beds and private rooms, with many featuring rooftop terraces, social events, and tour services. A seasonal outdoor pool is featured at this hostel, along with free WiFi in public areas and a terrace. Hostel prices typically start around $67 Cheap Hostel Deals for basic accommodations.
Boutique and Specialized Hotels: Israel features numerous boutique hotels and unique accommodations, including converted historical buildings, kibbutz guesthouses, and desert lodges. These options often provide distinctive experiences alongside comfortable accommodations.
Immigration-Specific Housing
Absorption Centers (Merkaz Klita)
For new immigrants to Israel, absorption centers provide specialized temporary housing designed to ease the transition into Israeli society. An absorption center is a temporary housing facility designed to help new immigrants acclimate to life in Israel. These centers typically offer subsidized apartments along with on-site services such as Hebrew classes, employment support, and social integration programs.
The Jewish Agency’s 18 absorption centers include classrooms for lessons in Hebrew, preparation for life and employment in Israel, events, activities, and cultural presentations, and serve several thousand olim each year. These centers operate throughout Israel, with locations in major cities and development towns.
Services Provided: Absorption centers offer comprehensive support beyond housing. Most residents stay between six months and one year. Nearly all absorption centers offer on-site ulpan — intensive Hebrew classes designed to build foundational language skills quickly. These courses are typically free for eligible new immigrants. Additional services include employment counseling, social activities, and integration workshops.
Notable Centers: Yeelim (Be’er Sheva) – A large center serving diverse populations, including Ethiopian immigrants. Barnea (Ashkelon) – Family-focused housing with on-site services and ulpan. Kibbutz Tzuba (near Jerusalem) – A unique setting offering Hebrew study in a communal kibbutz environment.
Application Process: Due to limited space, prospective Olim are advised to register for this option with their Jewish Agency emissary (Shaliach) before making Aliyah. Applications should be submitted well in advance of planned arrival dates.
Financial Assistance for New Immigrants
New immigrants receive substantial government support for housing costs. New Olim who have made Aliyah to Israel are eligible for a local municipality property tax payment (Arnona) discount of 70-90%, applicable to properties of up to 100 square meters for a duration of 12 months. The Sal Klita (absorption basket) provides monthly financial assistance for living expenses, including rent, during the first 6-12 months in Israel.
Regional Options and Pricing
Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area
Tel Aviv offers the most diverse selection of temporary housing but commands the highest prices. In Tel Aviv, a three-room (two-bedroom) apartment at Devorah HaNeviah Street in the Revivim neighborhood is available for rent at NIS 8,000 ($2,123) per month. The city’s vibrant cultural scene, beaches, and business opportunities make it popular despite high costs.
Short-term rentals in Tel Aviv range from budget options in Florentine and southern neighborhoods to luxury accommodations in Neve Tzedek and along the beachfront. The city’s excellent public transportation and walkable neighborhoods make car-free living feasible for many residents.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem combines historical significance with modern amenities, offering varied temporary housing options. Government-subsidized housing and numerous immigrant-focused services make it attractive for new arrivals. The city features distinct neighborhoods catering to different communities, from religious areas in Mea Shearim to secular neighborhoods like German Colony.
Jerusalem’s Old City area offers unique accommodations for those seeking historical immersion, though options are limited and tend to be smaller spaces. The city’s light rail system connects most areas, making location decisions more flexible.
Haifa and Northern Regions
The north offers more affordable housing options with beautiful natural settings. In Haifa, A three-room (two-bedroom) apartment at Harav Maimon Street in Neve Shaanan is available for rent at NIS 3,700 ($983) per month. Coastal cities like Haifa and Netanya provide Mediterranean beaches with lower living costs than central Israel.
Northern regions appeal to those seeking quieter lifestyles, outdoor activities, and close-knit communities. The area’s proximity to Lebanon requires consideration of security situations, though most areas maintain normal daily life.
Southern Israel and Development Towns
Southern cities like Be’er Sheva offer the most affordable housing options, with government incentives encouraging settlement in development areas. Price Range: You can rent a small apartment for ₪2,000 to ₪3,500 ($550 to $900 USD) per month in smaller cities and development towns.
Desert accommodations like those in Eilat provide unique experiences, combining urban amenities with access to outdoor adventures. Eilat specifically caters to tourists and offers numerous short-term rental options along the Red Sea coast.
Booking Platforms and Resources
International Platforms
Airbnb: Offers the largest selection of vacation rentals, with options ranging from shared rooms to entire luxury apartments. The platform’s filtering systems allow searches by amenities, location, and price range.
Booking.com and Expedia: Provide comprehensive hotel and apartment listings with competitive pricing and flexible cancellation policies. These platforms often feature last-minute deals and package options.
VRBO and Vacation Rental Websites: Specialize in longer-term vacation rentals and often provide better value for extended stays than daily hotel rates.
Local Israeli Platforms
Flatio: The most affordable rental offer in the Israel area is available for only 29 € for 30 days and the price already includes all utilities and Wi-Fi. This platform specializes in medium-term furnished rentals specifically designed for professionals and longer-stay visitors.
Sublet.com: Furnished Israel apartments for rent, sublets, temporary and corporate housing rentals. Search short term and month to month lease apartments, houses and rooms in Israel. The platform offers extensive filtering options by region, with significant listings in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other major cities.
Janglo: A community-based platform popular with English-speaking residents, offering everything from holiday rentals to roommate matching. The site features local knowledge and community recommendations.
Specialized Services
Feelhome: Newly furnished, fully equipped modern holiday apartments waiting for you in the best locations of Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Bat Yam and Jerusalem. This local company specializes in luxury vacation rentals with hotel-level services.
Hotel and Hostel Chains: Major international chains like Hilton, InterContinental, and local chains like Dan Hotels operate throughout Israel. Abraham Hostels provide quality budget accommodation with strong social atmospheres.
Budget Considerations and Cost-Saving Tips
Budget Accommodation Options
For truly budget-conscious travelers, Israel offers various low-cost options. You’ll pay a mere 41 shekels ($10.80) a night for a cool cabin opposite a stunning desert landscape in Moshav Zofar, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Eilat at certain desert camps, though such options are limited and often quite basic.
Budget Traveler: $800–$1,200, covering hostels, public transport, and street food represents realistic daily budgets for economical accommodation combined with basic living expenses.
Mid-Range and Luxury Options
Cost: Furnished rentals are typically ₪500 to ₪1,500 ($130 to $400 USD) more expensive per month than unfurnished options, but provide immediate move-in capability without furniture purchases.
Cost: Expect to pay higher rates for short-term stays, typically between ₪6,000 and ₪15,000 ($1,600 to $4,000 USD) for a month in major cities for fully furnished, short-term accommodations.
Money-Saving Strategies
Seasonal Timing: Avoid peak holiday periods including Jewish holidays, summer months, and major conference seasons when prices increase significantly.
Location Flexibility: Consider staying in adjacent cities or neighborhoods with good transportation connections to major centers. Places like Ra’anana or Herzliya for Tel Aviv access, or communities outside Jerusalem proper.
Length of Stay Discounts: Most accommodation providers offer significant discounts for weekly or monthly stays compared to daily rates.
Group Bookings: Sharing larger apartments or houses among multiple people often provides better value than individual accommodations.
Practical Considerations
Documentation and Requirements
Most temporary housing requires passport identification, and some landlords prefer international credit cards for security deposits. New immigrants should have their temporary resident certificates and Sal Klita documentation readily available.
Security and Safety Features
Israeli accommodations increasingly feature security measures including bomb shelters (mamad) and reinforced safe rooms. UPDATE: SHELTER IN THE APARTMENT notes appear in many rental listings, indicating the presence of protective spaces. While this may seem concerning to newcomers, these features are standard and contribute to overall safety.
Utilities and Internet
Most short-term rentals include utilities and Wi-Fi in quoted prices. Longer-term arrangements may require separate utility setup, which can involve bureaucratic processes for non-residents. High-speed internet is widely available throughout Israel, with many accommodations offering fiber connections suitable for remote work.
Transportation Access
Consider proximity to public transportation when choosing accommodations. Tel Aviv’s comprehensive bus system and Jerusalem’s light rail provide car-free living options. Inter-city transportation via bus and train connects most major areas, though some remote locations require private vehicles.
Cultural Considerations
Israel observes Shabbat from Friday evening to Saturday evening, when public transportation ceases and many services close. Accommodations in religious neighborhoods may have specific expectations regarding Shabbat observance, while secular areas maintain more flexibility.
Understanding Israeli apartment terminology helps in searches: “zimmer” refers to rooms, “salon” means living room, and “mamad” indicates the reinforced safe room that’s standard in newer construction.
Application and Booking Process
Advance Planning
Popular accommodations, especially in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, book well in advance during peak seasons. Immigration-related housing requires even earlier planning, with absorption center applications ideally submitted months before arrival.
Documentation Required
Standard documentation includes valid passport, contact information, and often a security deposit equivalent to one month’s rent. New immigrants should prepare additional documentation including Sal Klita approval letters and temporary resident status confirmation.
Payment Methods
Most platforms accept international credit cards, though some private landlords prefer bank transfers or cash payments. Understanding Israeli banking systems helps for longer stays, as local bank accounts often provide better exchange rates and lower transaction fees.
Contract Terms
Read rental agreements carefully, particularly regarding cancellation policies, damage deposits, and utility responsibilities. Israeli rental law provides tenant protections, but understanding terms beforehand prevents misunderstandings.
The temporary housing market in Israel accommodates diverse needs, from budget backpackers to luxury business travelers to new immigrants beginning new lives. Success in finding appropriate accommodations depends on understanding the various options available, planning appropriate timelines, and choosing platforms that match specific needs and budgets. Whether seeking short-term vacation rentals, immigration support services, or extended professional accommodations, Israel’s temporary housing market provides solutions across all price ranges and lifestyle preferences.