Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: Everything You Need To Know (2026)

Renting a car in Tel Aviv, Israel? You’re in the right place!

I’ve rented a car in Tel Aviv more than once, and lived in Israel for around two years, most of that time in Tel Aviv. I have tips to share including where to rent a car, the best way to rent a car, driving tips, insurance tips, parking tips, common scams to look out for and much more to help you prepare!

I highly recommend renting a car in Tel Aviv for multiple reasons, which I’ll cover later in this post as well!

👉 What is the best place to rent a car in Tel Aviv?

• If you’re flying into Ben Gurion Airport, it’s easiest to get the car at the airport for easier transportation into the city or other locations. Otherwise, you’ll need to use public transportation or hire a car (I recommend using the Gett app for taxis in Tel Aviv).

• While it’s nice to have a car in Tel Aviv during your stay for Shabbat (when public transit is hard to come by), you can also rent a bike or scooter, get a taxi or more options, and use the bus or new light rail during your stay in the city itself, and then rent a car for day trips. If you’re not at the airport, you can rent a car from other locations in Tel Aviv that may be less crowded.

• If you’re traveling from Jordan or Egypt into Israel and crossing the border by land, it will depend on where you cross and what’s closest for car rentals (you are not allowed to drive a rental car over the border in either direction).

👉 Read more about renting a car in Jordan here.

Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: What To Do Right Away & More Driving Tips for Israel & TLV

👉 When You Get Your Rental Car in Tel Aviv

Here are the steps to know once you arrive at the airport or other car rental place in Tel Aviv:

• First, find the car rental area. The rental counters at Ben Gurion Airport are located outside of security checkpoints in both Terminal One and Terminal Three, and are accessible from the arrivals hall.

• You can also find outside vendors located on the perimeter road of the airport, near Terminals One and Three. To rent from these, your trip in Israel needs to be less than 3 months, and you’ll need a US or Canadian driver’s license. These locations offer cheaper rentals, but aren’t covered by the Israeli government for insurance.

• Make sure you have your driver’s license, passport and credit card on hand, plus written information as needed from your credit card or travel insurance. I recommend using a credit card, and not not debit because when they place a hold on your credit card, nothing gets taken out of your bank account, while with the debit card, it does.

• Do you need an international drivers license to rent a car in Israel? If your drivers’ license is not from the US or Canada, you’ll need an International Drivers’ License (IDP) (and you can still check to be sure). You can get one here for around $30 (there’s also an urgent option that takes just around 15 minutes). Make sure you have both your regular license and your IDP with you in Tel Aviv.

• Get the number of the car rental place in case you need to call them.

• At the car, check for scratches and any dings or damage of any kind, no matter how small (outside and inside) and take photos on your phone (to avoid possible charges upon return).

• Make sure everything is working (especially the AC if it’s summer and heat in winter)!

• Check to make sure your smartphone is connected and you understand the audio.

• Record the fuel level before you drive – this is the level you’ll want to return it with. If it’s not full, ask the rental people to make sure they don’t want to fill it up first.

• Get the Waze App to use for directions (you can also use Google Maps, but Waze was invented in Israel and most people there use it). Waze shows road names in Hebrew, but reads in English – and since other signs are also in Hebrew in Israel, it’s a good idea to learn the aleph-bet (Hebrew doesn’t use vowels for the most part in writing)!

• Get a SIM card or eSIM (I recommend GigSky) to make sure you have data. eSIMs are needed with certain newer phones that don’t take physical SIM cards, and they’re less hassle: you can connect sooner, and if you’re traveling from/to Israel and/or other countries on your trip, it’s way less hassle!

• If you end up adding to the length of your trip and need to rent another car, make sure to rent one from the same rental place before your first rental expires if possible, to avoid any added fees. You can upgrade your rental to a “drop-off” pickup from the same company (i.e., Hertz or Sixt).

👉 Parking In Tel Aviv

You can park in parking garages, underground lots, and on the street in Tel Aviv. It’s good to plan for around $15-$20 a day for parking in the city. Make sure to ask about the street parking rules because it’s confusing (my family got a parking ticket once because we didn’t know)! The colors and lines on the side tell you about parking rules.

Here are some more quick tips for Tel Aviv:

👉 Getting Gas In Tel Aviv

Getting gas in Tel Aviv is super confusing, because everything is in Hebrew! When I returned by rental car once, I had missed the airport exit a few times and was running super late – I had to get gas, and it was a nail biter trying to figure out if I’d get the car back in time to avoid a fee (I did)! I recommend going inside the store to ask for help.

You can tell them you want to use your card and pay in full (“mah-leh”) and let them know which pump you’re using.

⚠️ Common Scams to Avoid when Renting A Car In Tel Aviv

Scam 1: Dark garages

If you’re picking up your rental car in a garage, ask to look at it outside the garage and take photos there. In the garage, it’s harder to see any surface dings or dents, which they might try to charge you for upon return.

Scam 2: Insurance

Sometimes, the rental company might not provide documents to your insurance company for their damage because they don’t plan to fix it, but want the insurance payment. Dispute the charge – don’t pay them out of pocket.

Scam 3: Mechanical Issues

If your car has mechanical issues down the road that you didn’t spot when you rented the car, you can get reimbursed. Ask about roadside assistance options, and if the car seems off when you start driving it, return it to the rental place immediately.

Renting A Car In Tel Aviv

Here is what to do and know about when renting a car in Israel:

👉 Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: Book online in advance

The first thing to know when renting a car in Tel Aviv is getting a good deal for the car you want, which means booking in advance with a reputable car rental company!

It’s especially important to book your rental car in advance if you’ll be traveling during the Jewish holidays, or during peak travel season (which is summer). During these times, rental cars can completely sell out. Renting in advance is safe when you have free cancellation – you don’t pay until you pick up the car, so there’s literally no downside to booking as early as possible to secure your car!

You’ll also avoid waiting in long lines, getting stuck with a car or prices you don’t want, and more issues by renting early.

Where to rent a car in Tel Aviv depends on your arrival location and travel plans:

• If you’re flying, Ben Gurion airport is a great option if you want a car right away.

• If you’re crossing the border, there are places closer to the borders.

• Lastly, if you don’t want a car the entire time in Tel Aviv, but want to pick one up for a day trip or more travels outside of the city, there are locations throughout the city that might be less crowded than the airport. I’ll talk more about specifics later in this article, so keep reading!

Note: Aggregate search services check all the rental car companies in Tel Aviv at once to find you the best deals overall, so you can get the best prices from the best companies available.

This type of service helps you as well as the car rental companies, so it’s a win-win! It’s easy to book, and as long as you’re 25 or over, you’re good to go. If you have a driver’s license and are younger than 25 (you have to be 21 or over to rent a car in Tel Aviv), check to see if the rental company charges a fee before booking.

👉 Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: Always Get Full Coverage Insurance

The reasons to always get Full Coverage when you rent a car in Tel Aviv are (these details apply to Discover Cars rentals):

• Israel has requirements for car rental insurance that can be somewhat confusing, and this helps make it easy (I go into the details in this further down in this article)

• It’s a reasonable price, at around $17-$18 a day (Tel Aviv is expensive, so this is a good price for the location)

• Full coverage will refund you up to US $3300 for any damages, or if your car is stolen

• It covers: Deductible/excess charge for damage or theft; Repair costs, including windows, mirrors, wheels; Towing and taxi expenses; Lost keys or lockout fees; and Administrative charges

• There are great customer reviews of people getting easy and fast refunds for any issues

• You can cancel Full Coverage before your rental (not after) if you change your mind

👉 Here’s how to rent your vehicle in Tel Aviv with Discover Cars:

This is the aggregate I recommend for car rentals because they have the cheapest prices with no hidden fees and are the most trusted rental car aggregate that I’ve found!

The second reason they are my top pick for Tel Aviv car rentals is because they offer FREE cancellation up to 48 hours before your rental reservation start date.

• You’ll need to check that the car rental company you’re booking is reputable!  Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar and Thrifty are some of the big-name rental cars that are in Tel Aviv that generally are trustworthy (be sure to check for your exact rental car location, because they’re all franchises).

• I recommend booking from locations with no less than 7 out of 10 on their customer ratings.

• Go to the Tel Aviv homepage here.

• Input your dates and times for car pick up and drop off, plus the exact location (or you can leave it at all tel Aviv locations if you don’t have a preference).

Important Tip: Many rental companies are closed on Fridays because the weekend starts on Fridays in Tel Aviv – make sure you choose a day on or before Thursday (at the airport this is likely different).

• Click on search and wait for the results to populate. Here’s what it will look like once it populates:

• Once you have the results, you can use the left sidebar to filter the results for your own preferences – things like type of car, cost, passenger capacity, supplier rating (which I recommend) & more!

• Note: It’s not recommended to add on baby seats, but instead to bring your own! This is for many reasons, from Israel not having baby seats for cars to people not getting the seats (they’re not guaranteed anyway), to the seats being gross… so, it’s probably best not to risk it!

• Once you’ve chosen your vehicle, click the view button:

• The next screen has a place for your name, title, phone number, date of birth, country information – as well as adding on extras and insurance – and more extras, but it doesn’t yet ask for payment information. You’ll also get to see mileage and some insurance that is included:

• Check to include rental car damage protection (around $18 per day), which I recommend (I’ll explain the next section).

• After you check the option to add insurance, you’ll enter your driver details and then click “Book Now” to be taken to the payment screen:

• You’ll then be taken to the secure booking screen where you’ll need to enter your information, including payment info (but your payment won’t be due until rental), to complete your car rental booking, plus check more details. You’ll need to click “Book now” on this page as well to complete your booking.

• You’ll then get a confirmation email with all your details. Be sure to keep it!

Begin booking your Tel Aviv Rental Car Now ▶️

👉 Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: Insurance Options, Explained

Do you need car insurance in Israel? Should you get the CDW? Does your credit card have you covered? Here’s what to consider when deciding what to do for car rental insurance in Tel Aviv (it’s not the same as other countries):

The first thing to know is your options. There are three required options for all car rentals in Tel Aviv and Israel, and a fourth option that can be added. They are:

• CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): This is mandatory
• Super CDW, which is the CDW but with no deductible: This is mandatory
• 3PLC (3rd Party Liability Coverage): This is mandatory
• TP (Theft Protection): This is optional

Here’s a bit more explanation on what these are:

• CDW does not include damage to the tires, windshield, roof or underbody. The Super CDW covers those things, which means you’ll have $0 deductible with the Super CDW.

• TP covers theft of the car.

• 3PLC covers tire blowouts, tire or trim damage not caused by theft, and it covers vandalism and other damage that is not caused by a collision or damage by another object, like a tree.

What about credit cards?

Your credit card may or may not cover your car rental insurance in Israel. It depends on which card you have, and you’ll need to check to make sure (don’t just take my word for law!).

If your card does cover you, you will still need to obtain written proof of coverage. You’ll need to get a letter or email sent from your credit card company stating explicitly that they cover CDW and TP insurance, and that Israel is included in this coverage (many credit card companies don’t include Israel, unfortunately).

If you have a Chase Credit Card, you should be covered for car rental insurance in Israel (Visa and MasterCard) – Just call the number on the back of the card!

I recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card, which is what I use, because:

• You get car rental insurance (just make sure to get the written proof) in Tel Aviv & Israel with $0 deductible in Israel (which will save you a bit of money from adding on the Super CDW!)
• You don’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees when you travel (there aren’t any)
• You don’t have to inform Chase before you travel
• You get points from regular purchases which gets you free or very discounted flights, hotels, airport meals and more (depending on your points)
• They have a beginning point bonus (with required spending in the first few months) to give you a major head start!

Note: Credit cards don’t cover 3PLC coverage, which is mandatory in Israel, so you’ll still need to purchase that.

Beyond the above required car insurance types for Tel Aviv, many travel insurance companies offer “car rental insurance excess waivers”.

Travel insurance is a requirement in Israel anyway (I recommend and use Allianz), which covers medical and possibly some flight and baggage insurance (note: your credit card might also cover some flight and baggage insurance), and can save you money on the Super CDW as well if your credit card doesn’t cover you in Israel by adding the waiver!

Note: Travel insurance is required to enter Israel! For travel insurance, I always use Allianz. If you’re not from the US, check out SafetyWing!

👉 Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: Check what’s covered

Here’s what the $17-$18 (in general) for the Full Coverage per rental day covers:

• Refundable theft deductible
• Bodywork and roof
• Windshield and windows
• Mirrors
• Wheels and tires
• Undercarriage
• Lost keys or lockout fees
• Taxi expenses
• Towing expenses
• Administrative charges
• Fees for supplier’s loss of use during repair

What’s not covered:

• Damages that occurred while not complying with the terms of your rental agreement
• Damages resulting from unforeseeable or uncontrollable events
• Cleaning costs or damage to the car’s interior
• Third-party damages

👉 The other good thing about checking the option for Full Coverage is that the policy is cancellable with 100% premium refund up until your car pick-up time, so if you’re not sure about your credit card or travel insurance, you can always change it later!

👉 Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: At the Counter

Once you’re at the counter of the rental car place in Tel Aviv, they may try to get you to add on the collision damage waiver (CDW) or more insurance. It’s best to already have it to lock in the best price (by checking the option when booking your rental, as described earlier).

At the counter, just let them know you’re already covered (and show written proof if you’re using your credit card or travel insurance).

They will place a hold on your credit card for a deposit (which is why you’ll need one with you even if you’ve pre-booked everything), which will be returned in full when you return the car free of damage.

If there is damage to the rental car upon its return, they will take it out of your deposit, and then you’ll need to make a claim.

👉 If you need to cancel or extend your TLV rental car

You can cancel bookings by going to this page.

If you need to extend your rental, make sure to contact Discover Cars so your Full Coverage can be extended without extra fees.

👉How to make a claim

You can make a claim if you have any issues that need compensation by sending and application, and they’ll review and approve it within 48 hours on average.

Take the following steps to file a claim:

• Go to the My Booking page
• Click the button in the Full Coverage
• Upload documents within 28 days of dropping off the car: rental agreement you signed (you can request a copy if you don’t have this); rental company assessment of the condition of the rental at pickup and return; the invoice from the rental company for any damage or fees; statement or receipts of payment for these charges; your bank account details or PayPall address; a detailed account of the incident with photos and videos if you have them; and a written police report if there is one.

Looking for the best places to stay in Tel Aviv? Check out my guide here!

Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: FAQs

👉 How much does it cost to rent a car in Tel Aviv?

Renting a car in Tel Aviv is generally $66 per day on average, but of course the price will depend on where you rent from, time of year, if you’re renting on a holiday, how close to your trip you rent and more factors.

• Small cars: $35+ per day
• Medium cars: $46+ per day
• Large cars: $48+ per day
• SUVs: $35+ per day
• Premium cars: $95+ per day
• Vans: $170+ per day
• Station Wagons: $449+ per day

Get the cheapest price for the best quality cars by filtering for only 7-10 customer ratings, then search for the best prices in the results. Make sure to book well in advance to secure the best deals, know your fuel and mileage requirements, and plan to visit during the shoulder seasons.

👉 What is the most popular rental car in Tel Aviv?

The most popular rental car types in Tel Aviv are economy, mini and compact cars. Most people in Tel Aviv drive smaller cars, too. The most popular cars are the Kia Picanto, Hyundai i20 and Ford Fiesta.

👉 Is it advisable to rent a car in Israel?

Renting a car in Israel is a great idea for many reasons! For one thing, Israel is a small country with a lot to see, so driving is ideal to see all kinds of sites. There are trains and buses, but on Shabbat it’s more difficult to find public transportation.

In addition, public transportation doesn’t go all the way to many of the archaeological sites worth seeing. Getting a tour or renting a car are the best ways to see many of the major sites in Israel, plus the hidden gems!

👉 Can I rent a car in Israel and drive to Jordan?

It is not allowed to drive across the border either way from Israel to Jordan, or Jordan to Israel. You’ll need to drop off your rental, take a shuttle across the border and rent another car in Jordan. Check out my guide with more information on getting from Israel to Jordan and back here!

👉 Can I drive in Israel with my US license?

Yes, you can drive in Israel with a US license, and you do not need an International Drivers’ License with a US or Canada license! Just make sure to keep your license, passport and rental car documents with you!

👉 Is it safe for tourists to drive in Israel?

Yes, it is absolutely safe for tourists to drive in Israel! While Israeli drivers are aggressive and traffic gets backed up in the cities during rush hour, it’s a bit closer to driving in a US city like New Orleans than a place like Amman or Cairo (I drove in Amman, too, but Cairo is something I don’t desire to attempt!).

👉 Which side of the road do you drive on in Israel?

In Israel, driving is on the right-hand side of the road, like in the US.

👉 How difficult is it to drive in Israel?

Israel in general is not too difficult, but in the cities (especially Tel Aviv) you’ll need to be more cautious, as well as certain areas where there are winding roads up a hill (for example, Haifa or archaeological sites like Belvoir Fortress). Roads are usually being worked on, but they’re high quality in most places and there are ample road signs. Rush hour in Tel Aviv can get backed up, and drivers generally are aggressive in their driving style.

👉 What is the best way to get around Israel?

A tour, private driver or rental car are all the ways I recommend to get around Israel if you’re on your own and trying to see all the major sites in one short trip! You can also do a mix of these, and add in some public transportation in and between cities.

There are trains from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and Haifa, and those cities have the best public transit options. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have a light rail, and Haifa has an underground subway, as well as a cable car. All three cities have buses and taxis, though on Shabbat and holidays it’s really difficult to find public transportation.

Going to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv? Check out my guide here for all your options and more tips!

Beyond these, in Tel Aviv especially there are electric bikes and scooters for rent, and these are widely used by people. You can also walk to many places in the cities, but in Haifa the mountain can be a challenge and you’ll likely need a car.

Day trips and other tours are a great option if you don’t want to bother with logistics, and if you want higher quality information and to meet other travelers. Check out this guide to the best Day Trips from Tel Aviv for ideas!

👉 Do US citizens need travel insurance for Israel?

Since the pandemic, travel insurance is requirement to enter Israel for everyone, including US citizens. I always use and recommend Allianz for travel insurance for US citizens.

👉 Which credit card covers rental car insurance in Israel?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card covers rental car insurance in Israel and more benefits for travel (not many credit cards cover rental car insurance in Israel). Besides car rental insurance with $0 deductible (make sure you get written proof, which is required in Israel), the card has zero foreign transaction fees, you don’t have to inform Chase of your travels beforehand, and you get points on regular purchases (plus a sign-up bonus) that you can use for free flights and more!

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the card I use and highly recommend!

👉 How far is Petra from Israel border?

From the border near Eilat, Israel, Petra is a 2-hour drive. Read more information on distances between Israel and Jordan from various borders and more travel tips in my guide here!

👉 How do I get from Tel Aviv to Dead Sea?

The best way to get from Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea is by car or on a tour. If you’re driving, the best way is Highway 1 through Jerusalem to Route 90, or Highway 6 toll road to Route 31 and then Route 90 (the latter is more scenic).

Note: Some rental car providers do not allow cars to use Hwy 6 (also called the Trans-Israel Highway or Yitzhak Rabin Highway), because there are no toll booths and cars must be registered. However, if you are allowed to use it, your rental car company will likely charge an added fee on top of the toll.

More Quick Tips for Visiting Tel Aviv

👉 Transportation Apps: For Israel public transport, use the Moovit app. Be aware that some places will only be searchable in Hebrew, so Google Translate is your friend! For diving, use Waze. For taxis, use Gett.

👉 For all over Israel, get a Rav Kav, which is the public transit card for the bus (and trains, but you have to buy the ticket at the train stations for that). You can fill it up at stations and stores around the city. If you don’t get one and fill it up outside of the bus, you’ll have to buy one for one ride on the bus, but it’s more expensive. So be sure to pick one up at the airport.

👉 Passport Stamp: Instead of stamping passports, Israel gives travelers an entry card (but they reserve the right to stamp your passport). Keep your entry card! If you don’t, you can get charged the VAT tax.

👉 Electrical Outlet Type: Israel uses plug types C, H and M, a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Check Prices & Details on this Universal Power Adapter with Type C Plug + More

👉 Visa: Travelers from the US typically are granted a 3-month tourist visa upon arrival (which is free of charge), that can be extended.

🇮🇱 Book a Private Arrival Transfer From Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv City Center Here

All In All: Renting A Car In Tel Aviv, Israel

I hope this guide helps you plan your car rental and more details for Tel Aviv & Israel! Quick disclaimer: I can’t know what your experience will be like with Discover Cars, and I can’t guarantee anything (because I’m not them)! You can always check out their help center here for more information.

Book your Israel Rental Car Now ▶️

For more guides on Israel & the Middle East, check out these posts:

👉 Is Israel Safe For Travel? Important Advice Amidst War
👉 Four Quarters In Jerusalem Old City: 29 Places To Visit (With Map + History)
👉 Is Jerusalem Worth Visiting? 26 Things To Do To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (with pros & cons)
👉 8 Best Tours From Tel Aviv To Jerusalem To Check Out
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Winter (Dec-Feb)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Spring (March-May)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Summer (June-Sept)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Fall (Oct-Nov)
👉 Winter in Jerusalem: Weather, Things To Do + Travel Tips
👉 Israel Archaeology: Volunteer On An Excavation
👉 Jerusalem to Galilee / Galilee to Jerusalem: All You Need To Know
👉 Tel Aviv to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: All You Need To Know
👉 Rome to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Rome: All You Need To Know
👉 The 20 best day trips from Tel Aviv
👉 31+ Best Things To Do In Tel Aviv (With Map)
👉 Is Cairo Worth Visiting? 23 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile
👉 43 Best Places For Photography In Cairo (plus tips for how to get amazing photos)
👉 The best time to visit Tel Aviv
👉 Where To Stay In Tel Aviv: Best Places for Every Budget (Neighborhoods, Hotels + More)
👉 Is Tel Aviv Worth Visiting? 18 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (+ Pros & Cons)
👉 Is Haifa Worth Visiting? 38 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (+ Pros & Cons)
👉 Israel Archaeology List: learn about famous sites
👉 Renting A Car In Amman: All You Need To Know
👉 Israel & Palestine, and the Conflict: A Beginner’s Guide (History, Maps & Resources)
👉 The 17 Best Israel Souvenirs
👉 Top 25 Biblical Sites In Israel
👉 Captivating Scenes: A Photo Journey Through Historic Jerusalem
👉 10+ Unique and Captivating Photos of Tel Aviv, Israel
👉 The 61 Best Photography Spots In Tel Aviv

👉 For more International Travel guides, check out this page!