Your Complete Car Rental Guide for Exploring Jerusalem with Ease
Jerusalem is the official capital of Israel, the center of three world religions (the holy place of Islam, Judaism and Christianity).
Located in the saddle Judean Mountains, approximately 800 meters above sea level. The area is characterized by a frequent alternation of hills, which gives the city a special picturesqueness. In the vicinity of Jerusalem there are three seas at once: the Red, the Black and the Dead; This fact annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to the city.
Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world (one part of the city was inhabited in 4000 BC). The first written mention of Jerusalem dates back to the 19th-18th centuries BC, around this time the city was indicated in the record of ritual curses for the enemies of Egypt.
The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by hot summers (average temperature 25°C) and mild winters (average temperature – 5°C). There is a significant difference between day and night temperatures. The population of the city is about 900 thousand people. The area is 125 km2.
Highways connect Jerusalem with other cities, for ease of movement it is recommended to rent a car.
Detailed information about the life of Jerusalem can be found on the city's official website at the link: https://www.jerusalem.muni.il
What to see in Jerusalem
Jerusalem is rich in sights that are somehow connected with religious themes. Below is a list of places worth seeing when visiting the city:
Sorrowful Way (Via Dolorosa). Via Dolorosa is a street in the Old Town. According to legend, the path that Jesus walked to the place of his crucifixion (to the top of Golgotha). The entire journey is marked by 14 stops, which symbolize the torment of Jesus Christ.
Wailing Wall (Western Wall / Ha-Kotel ha-Maaravi). The Wailing Wall is part of the ancient wall of the Old City, which survived the destruction of the Temple and has survived to this day. This landmark is considered a great religious monument. Length - 450 meters, height- 19 meters.
An interesting fact:The Wall got its name after the destruction of the Temples; Jews gathered around her and mourned the loss.
At present, there is a tradition of writing notes with requests to the Almighty and leaving them in the Wall. This custom has existed for about 300 years.
The Dome of the Rock (Kubbat al-Sahra) is an octagonal mosque located on the Temple Mount in the Old City. The modern appearance of the mosque has been preserved since the time of the Ottoman Empire. The heightof the building is about 34 meters.
Dead Sea - Not far from Jerusalem is the Dead Sea - a drainless salt lake. It is the lowest point in the world (430 meters below sea level, falls by a meter every year). It is almost impossible to drown in this reservoir, the concentration of salt is so high that even a person who cannot swim keeps on top. The place has a lot of factors that are beneficial to health (healing mud, sulfur springs, healing air).
Where to go near Jerusalem
There are several interesting places in the vicinity of Jerusalem that you can visit in a day.
Bethlehem is a city on the banks of the Jordan River, located 10 km from Jerusalem. The history of the city begins approximately 3800 years ago. Bethlehem is considered a holy city for three world religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. A variety of attractions, their religious affiliation and historical significance have provided the city with the status of a tourist center.
Jericho is a city in the northern part of the Judean Desert, located 30 km from Jerusalem. There is an opinion that it got its name from the Hebrew “Yeriho”, which means “fragrant” (in ancient times, aromas (oils) were produced in the city from plants that grew near the city).
An interesting fact: Jericho is considered the oldest existing city on the planet, the first settlement in this place appeared 10,000 years before the birth of Christ.
Qasr al-Yahud or Vivafara - the place of the Baptism of Jesus Christ on the Israeli bank of the Jordan. The journey from Jerusalem will take about half an hour.
When traveling around Jerusalem and its environs for several days, the most profitable option for getting around is to rent a car (Bookingautos website).
Food: the best restaurants in Jerusalem
Jewish cuisine is very diverse. Dishes include a large amount of dairy and plant foods. National Israeli cuisine includes a combination of oriental flavor and European traditions.
Traditionally, Jewish cooking is divided into two groups:
Sephardic;
Ashkenazi.
From the features - no pork on the table, separate serving of meat, fish and dairy products.
Several Jerusalem establishments recommended for visiting:
Deja Bu (1 Menashe Ben Yisra'el, Jerusalem 9459400 Israel + 972 2-624-0002)
Where to park in Jerusalem
Currently, there are many car parks in Jerusalem, both paid and free. Of the most ambitious and convenient, we can distinguish:
Safra Parking (Shivtei Israel, 7, Jerusalem, Israel) urban underground parking in the Old City. For parking, located on Shivtey Yisrael Street and operating from 5 am to 11 pm, car tourists will pay $ 3.28 / hour, there are discounts from 4 pm, and parking is free on Saturday night.
Mamilla Parking (Shlomo A-Meleh, 11, Jerusalem, Israel). The first hour of parking is free, subsequent hours are $3.28, the whole day is $10.93.
Small free parking lots are Ben Yosef, Rav Kook, Ahimeir, Yaad Avner, Lavon.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
24 € / Day
Best price
17 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€194
February
€129
March
€135
April
€149
May
€186
June
€222
July
€246
August
€256
September
€162
October
€121
November
€115
December
€158
* The average cost of renting a car in Jerusalem for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Jerusalem in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in Jerusalem is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €17 for a Compact car.
In summer, the demand for car rental reaches its peak. The choice of available cars is decreasing. At the same time, the price of the service almost doubles! For example, in July, the average rental price of the popular car model Toyota Camry reaches €34 per day.
We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every budget:
Economy cars - a great solution for everyday trips;
Premium segment - for those who love quality and comfort;
Business class is ideal for people who are used to being first.
Convertibles, SUVs and station wagons, as well as minivans and sedans are in demand among customers. The choice of car depends not only on personal tastes, preferences and its cost. Rental conditions are important, which in some cases should be taken into account in the first place.
Car rental costs in Jerusalem depend on its duration, car class and specific season. A budget category Opel Corsa or Fiat Pandaare available for just €42-€43 per day. When booking through Bookingautos.com, the price will be from €12. The higher segment will cost more. The daily fee for Toyota Camry, Opel Mokka, BMW 5 Series Estate will be about €42. There are also available minivans, luxury cars, electric cars and business class cars. Their rental starts from €51 and can reach several hundred euros per day.
Recently, in Jerusalem has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Jerusalem, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Renault Zoe.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental
Download Google maps offline
Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.
Book a car in advance
Jerusalem is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Jerusalem. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose for rent
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Fiat Panda or Opel Corsa. These models are the most popular with our customers in Jerusalem.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. BMW 5 Series Estate will cost €34 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in Jerusalem may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel prepayment terms
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Jerusalem for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Unlimited mileage
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Jerusalem, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Jerusalem - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Getting a car at a rental office
Getting a rented car in Jerusalem is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
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Car rental reviews: Jerusalem
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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