Local time Eilat

Currency

Getting around Eilat

Public transport

Eilat is compact and the areas around the promenade are best traversed on foot.

Egged (tel: + 972 3 914 3711; www.egged.co.il) is the largest bus company in Israel and runs an extensive network in Eilat. Line 1 is popular as it makes a loop around tourist areas such as Mul HaYam Mall. A single journey within the city is 4.90 shekels. Apart from routes within the city, there are buses from the Central Bus Station on HaTemarim Boulevard to other destinations, including Ovda Airport (line 392), Be’er Sheva (line 392/397) and Tel Aviv (line 390/393). Please note that buses don’t run during Sabbath, from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall.

Taxis

Taxis are widely available with official taxis carrying the Taxi+ logo sticker. You can flag one down on the road, however, it is best to ask the driver to turn on the meter or agree on a price before starting the journey. Several companies including Taba (tel: +972 8 633 3333) offer pre-booking as well. For visitors who prefer to book with an app, the GETT app connects you with the nearest taxi.

Driving

Driving in Eilat is easy as traffic is generally smooth running. The compact size of Eilat also helps to keep the journey time low. The roads are in great condition and all signs are in Hebrew, English and Arabic.

Car hire

Hire a car is particularly useful if you intend to travel out of Eilat to the stunning desert in the north or other destinations. All international car hire companies are well presented in Eilat including Avis (www.avis.com), Hertz (www.hertz.co.il) and Sixt (www.sixt.com). Although hiring a car and driving around Eilat is easy, petrol stations tend to display text in Hebrew only.

Bicycle hire

Bicycle Rental Eilat (tel: +972 52 906 6880; www.bicycleeilat.com) is a reputable company from which visitors can rent a bike on an hourly basis. There are also several companies in the region offering mountain bike tours to the desert. Alternatively, you can also rent a bike using the IsraBike app.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Related Articles

22 things you must know before visiting Eilat

Israel’s beach resort on the Red Sea Coast promises sun and fun, and these useful travel tips will help you make the most out of your holiday in Eilat

22 things you must know before visiting Eilat (part 2)

Israel’s beach resort on the Red Sea Coast promises sun and fun, and these useful travel tips will help you make the most out of your holiday in Eilat

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

SEE MORE

Isrotel Riviera Club

A relaxed 3-star hotel with all the touches of comfort. Reasonably-priced self-catering apartments with kitchenettes are the biggest draw, though studios are also available. The location is ideal, as the beach is only two minutes' walk away.

C Hotel

Right in the heart of Eilat amid a myriad of cafés and shops, this friendly hotel has 153 rooms in various sizes and offers good-value facilities such as two pools, a kid’s club and a wet sauna.

Comfort Hotel

This budget hotel is well-equipped with a swimming pool and a spa centre offering services from reflexology to deep-tissue massage. It is also just around the corner from the Central Bus Station, giving you quick access to local and regional bus services.

Dan Eilat Hotel

A leading hotel brand in Israel, Dan lives up to its reputation by providing five-star service, facilities and setting in Eilat. All 375 rooms have sea views and each room features a painting by Israeli artist Natan Yosef. Checking into a suite provides you with access to the VIP lounge on the 14th floor, where you can enjoy free food and drinks with unbeatable views across Eilat.

Royal Beach

This 364-room luxurious resort enjoys an exclusive spot overlooking the Red Sea. Facilities include three swimming pools, two saunas and a spa offering more than 70 body, health and beauty treatments. The dining options and nightly entertainment are superb too. Reserving a suite gives you access to the VIP lounge by the pool.

Aviv Motel

Located about 2km (1.2 miles) from the Marina, this motel is clean, comfortable and affordable. Accommodation ranges from standard rooms to suites with a kitchen. Other facilities include a swimming pool and free WiFi.