Car Rental in Eilat

Why rent a car in Eilat?

The southernmost city in Israel, Eilat is also one of the country’s main tourist destinations. Located on the Red Sea, it is a popular resort town and a paradise for diving, snorkeling, or simply enjoying the sun and the sea. More adventurous travelers will also want to use the opportunity to go on a tour into the surrounding Negev Desert at the tip of which Eilat is situated.

Top ways to enter Eilat

• Ramon Airport: Also known as Eilat-Ramon, it replaced the old Eilat Airport and is the main airport serving the city and the region. Although not very large, the airport has flights by around ten airlines and provides connections with destinations such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Russia. The airport is about 20km (12 miles) north of the city itself, and the trip between them takes 20-25 minutes.
• Tel Aviv Airport: By far the largest in the country, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport handled more than 24 million travelers in 2019. The airport has flights by tens of airlines, including low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air, and offers connections to destinations all around the world. Tel Aviv Airport is about 335 km (208 miles) north of Eilat; if you drive without interruptions the trip takes just under four hours.
• Aqaba King Hussein Airport: Located in neighboring Jordan on the other side of the border, Aqaba is practically a stone’s throw away from Eilat. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you cannot cross the border in a rental car. What you can do is take a taxi to the border, cross into Israel, take another taxi to Eilat Airport, and pick up a rental car there. 

Top sights and activities

• Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve. A national park, a coral reef, and a watersports hub, this place is one of the main reasons why people travel to Eilat. Whether you come here to dive among the underwater life, kitesurf the Red Sea waves or simply enjoy the natural scenery, you’re bound to have a good time. Coral Beach is about a ten-minute drive southwest of the city center, near the border with Egypt.
• Coral World Underwater Observatory. Located inside the nature reserve, but deserving special mention, the underwater observatory is another must-see highlight of Eilat. A large aquarium, it houses many species of fish found in the Red Sea, as well as exotic fish and other marine life from around the world. In addition to an aquarium, you’ll also find the Oceanarium (a 4D movie about sharks) and exhibits on conservation.
• Eilat Birding Center. Also known by its full name, the International Birding and Research Center is another great place to see wildlife. Millions of migratory birds travel through the area every year on their way to or from Europe, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. The center is just northeast of the city center and takes no more than ten minutes to reach by car.
• Beaches. While Coral Beach, where you can dive and explore the aquatic life, is a short drive south of the city center, several others, such as the busy North Beach, are very central and are always busy and fun places full of holidaymakers enjoying the sun, as well as home to coastal restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Traffic and parking

• Traffic in Israel drives on the right-hand side of the road.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits in Israel are: 120km/h (74mph) on Toll Highway 6; 110 km/h (68 mph) on specifically designated highways; 100km/h (62mph) on Highway 1, the road connecting Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; 90km/h (55mph) on non-urban roads with a built-up dividing area; 80km/h (49mph) on non-urban roads; and 50km/h (31mph) on all urban roads.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.024% for experienced drivers and 0.005% for novice drivers. Exceeding the limits can lead to a large fine, a license ban, and even imprisonment.
• It is required to have your headlights turned on non-urban highways from November to March, even during the day.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency numbers are 100 for the police department, 101 for the ambulance, and 102 for the fire department.

Toll roads

As of 2019, there is only one paid toll road in Israel, Highway 6. Also known as the Trans-Israel Highway and the Yitzhak Rabin Highway after the former Israeli prime minister, it is 179km (111 miles) long and passes a number of major cities like Be’er Sheva, Ramla, and Petah Tikva, letting drivers bypass the Tel Aviv region to the west of it.

There are no toll booths on Highway 6. Cars are registered either via an automatic license plate recognition system or via an electronic transponder inside a vehicle called “Passkal”. The exact fee depends on the type of vehicle, the distance traveled, and the time of day.

Some rental car providers do not permit the drivers to use Highway 6 - they will ask you to sign a contract that says that you are not allowed to drive on it. Others permit it and will either provide a vehicle with an electronic transponder inside or will charge you for the toll payment after receiving the electronic bill. In either case, the car rental company might add an additional service fee on top of the toll payment. Ask your rental car provider in advance about permission to drive Highway 6 and about the exact services and fees.

Ideas for day trips

• Red Canyon. Also known as Wadi Shani, the Red Canyon is one of the main natural attractions of the Negev Desert. The canyon gets its name from the reddish hue of its rocks which shines especially brightly during the sunset (although this is also when it gets most visitors). The canyon is about a 25-minute drive northwest of Eilat, near Highway 12. There is a parking spot where you can leave your rental and follow the trail toward the canyon.
• Timna Valley. Another very popular day-trip destination, Timna Valley and Park is both a natural and a historic attraction. Copper has been mined there for at least 2,500 years and, according to some stories, it was the location of the legendary King Solomon’s mines. The area also has an ancient Egyptian temple and carvings by the Romans, as well as some spectacular rock formations. All these things come together to create an ancient, otherworldly atmosphere. Located some 30 km (18 miles) north of Eilat along Highway 90, Timna Valley can be reached in 25 minutes.
• Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve. Located just north of the Timna Valley, the nature preserve of Yotvata Hai-Bar is home to many wildlife species characteristic of the Levant and North Africa. These include the red-necked ostrich, Dorcas gazelle, caracal, and Arabian leopard. The preserve can be visited by driving through it in a car, so it’s possible to see many of the animals close up; others are behind protective barriers. The trip from Eilat takes about 35 minutes.
• Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve. Located just a short drive west of Eiland and the beach, but a part of the Negev desert, this nature refuge is one of the most popular inland travel destinations in the area. Known for its rugged peaks and moon-like conditions, the area can be explored on a 4x4 tour (venturing deeper into the reserve should only be done with a knowledgeable guide), but there are also some hiking and cycling trails that visitors can explore to experience the landscape.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental in Eilat is the Kia Picanto, although many travelers also go for the Nissan Micra and the Hyundai i10. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and standard.

Car rental prices in Eilat

• SUVs - from $107 per day
• Premium cars - from $71 per day
• Vans - from $272 per day
• Small cars - from $70 per day
• Medium cars - from $69 per day
• Large cars - from $71 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are some good methods to save money on your rental car:

• Compare the rates of different rental car suppliers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Eilat is the cheapest in March when renting a car is about 33% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 57% cheaper than renting a vehicle in June.