Ein Gedi: Day Trips and Tours from Tel Aviv
Journey to the largest oasis in Israel, Ein Gedi, a natural sanctuary in the Judean Desert, with springs flowing year-round. This reserve spans approximately 14 square kilometers, with waterfalls, hiking trails, and wildlife. Suitable for the whole family to enjoy, Ein Gedi is one of the most popular nature reserves in Israel. Discover adventure, beauty, and history on a day trip to Ein Gedi from Tel Aviv.
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Journey to the largest oasis in Israel, Ein Gedi, a natural sanctuary in the Judean Desert, with springs flowing year-round. This reserve spans approximately 14 square kilometers, with waterfalls, hiking trails, and wildlife.
Suitable for the whole family to enjoy, Ein Gedi is one of the most popular nature reserves in Israel. Discover adventure, beauty, and history on a day trip to Ein Gedi from Tel Aviv.
Here's all you need to know about Ein Gedi, one of the most exciting day trips from Tel Aviv.
How to get to Ein Gedi from Tel Aviv?
Ein Gedi is located approximately 140 kilometers southeast of Tel Aviv.
From Tel Aviv to Ein Gedi by car
Ein Gedi is about a 2.5-hour drive from Tel Aviv. Rent a car in the city and drive along Route 1 and Al Bahr Al Mayet beside the Dead Sea for the fastest route.
From Tel Aviv to Ein Gedi by bus
With stops located at Ein Gedi, it’s relatively straightforward to take a bus from Tel Aviv. You may have to make a changeover, but these buses also offer a cheaper alternative to renting a car.
Guided tour to Ein Gedi from Tel Aviv
For peace of mind, guided tours from Tel Aviv offer pickup and drop-off at a meeting spot, and will ensure a smooth journey to Ein Gedi and other nearby attractions.
How much does the entrance ticket to Ein Gedi cost?
To access the beautiful sites of Ein Gedi, you will have to pay the following entrance fees:
- Adult: ILS28 (US$8)
- Child: ILS14 (US$4)
- Student: ILS24 (US$7)
- Adult in group: ILS24 (US$7)
- Child in group: ILS12 (US$3)
What is the typical itinerary?
On a day trip to Ein Gedi from Tel Aviv, you can expect a day full of adventure. If you’re joining a guided tour, start with pickup from a meeting point in the city before embarking on the approximately 2-hour drive.
Ein Gedi is dotted with hiking trails, springs and waterfalls. Join a short hike through the reserve and swim in the cool waters of one of the springs.
Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife in the area, including Nubian ibexes, rock hyraxes and vultures.
Make a stopover at Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a cable car to the top of the plateau to discover ancient ruins and views across the region.
Conclude your journey with a jaunt to the Dead Sea, and float in the salt waters or have a mud bath.
At the end of the day, head back to Tel Aviv and return to your original meeting point, having discovered both natural and historical phenomena.
What kinds of tours are available to go to Ein Gedi?
All of the day tours to Ein Gedi include stops at Masada and the Dead Sea, which are in close proximity. With small to larger group tours available, you can also tailor your tour based on the itinerary.
Sunrise tour to Ein Gedi plus Masada and Dead Sea
For a more adventurous start to the day, you can join a sunrise tour. After getting picked up at a meeting point in the early hours of the morning, you will hike to the top of Masada for incredible sunrise views.
Depending on the tour, you will either head to Ein Gedi or the Dead Sea next. You will be dropped back off in Tel Aviv by the afternoon.
Day trip to Ein Gedi plus Masada and Dead Sea
On a day trip to Ein Gedi from Tel Aviv, you can expect to be picked up and dropped off at a meeting point in the city in a van or alternate vehicle. A guide will accompany you throughout the day.
A day trip tour will start with a cable car trip up to the top of Masada. After spending time at the ruins, you will head to Ein Gedi for a short hike before ending the day at the Dead Sea and returning to your meeting point.
Jeep tour to Ein Gedi plus Masada and Dead Sea
Join a small jeep tour for a thrilling jaunt to Ein Gedi, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.
On this tour of up to six people, you will journey by 4x4 to the Dead Sea and Nabi Musa mosque.
You will then visit Ein Gedi before ending the day with a cable car trip up and down Masada, with the entire excursion taking approximately 12 hours.
How much does a day trip to Ein Gedi from Tel Aviv cost?
Both regular day trips and sunrise tours to Ein Gedi from Tel Aviv can start at approximately US$70 per person for a large group, including transportation.
A jeep tour can start at US$600 per person for a maximum group of six.
What will you see and do?
While Ein Gedi is filled with natural attractions, it is also home to an archeological site. These are just some of the experiences you may have at the reserve, and its nearby locales.
Hiking
The best way to experience Ein Gedi is by hiking it. With trails ranging from short and easy to long and moderate, along the way you will discover springs and waterfalls to swim in and a plethora of fauna and flora.
Some notable stops include the David Waterfall, Ein Gedi Spring, and Dudim Cave.
Archeological site
Near the Ein Gedi reserve is the Ein Gedi Antiquities National Park. Here you will find the remains of an ancient synagogue dating back to the 6th century with a preserved mosaic floor.
Dead Sea
Ein Gedi is located on the edge of the Dead Sea. After a hike in the reserve, you can soothe your muscles in the salty waters of this lake located at the lowest point on Earth. Alternatively, cover yourself in mud for a mineral-rich bath.
Masada
Located just a 20-minute drive from Ein Gedi, Masada is a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the top of this plateau lie the ruins of Herod the Great’s palace and complex, which were excavated in the 1960s.
You can hike to the top of this site for a spectacular sunrise overlooking the Dead Sea, or take the cable car.
What are the opening times?
The Ein Gedi Reserve is open at the following times:
Summer:
- Sunday–Thursday and Saturday: 8 AM to 5 PM
- Friday and holiday eves: 8 AM to 4 PM
Winter:
- Sunday–Thursday and Saturday: 8 AM to 4 PM
- Friday and holiday eves: 8 AM to 3 PM
- Holiday eves: 8 AM to 1 PM
- Yom Kippur eve: 8 AM to 1 PM
When is the best time to visit Ein Gedi?
The best time to visit Ein Gedi would be in the spring (March to May) or autumn (October to November). This is when temperatures are moderate enough for hiking, as summer temperatures can reach highs of over 30 degrees Celsius.
Are there any tours to Ein Gedi from other cities in Israel?
Yes, there are tours departing from another city in Israel:
Travel tips
- Ensure you pack comfortable walking shoes for a hike through Ein Gedi.
- Bring along a swimming costume for a relaxing dip in one of the springs.
- Wear a hat and sunscreen, as Ein Gedi is exposed and can get hot.