Getting Israeli Shekels for Your Trip
Israel is a modern, developed country with excellent payment infrastructure. Card acceptance is widespread, especially in Tel Aviv, and many visitors find they use surprisingly little cash. That said, having some Shekels on hand is useful for markets, smaller establishments, and tipping. UK visitors have needed an ETA-IL since 1 January 2025. Apply online before you fly; the fee is 25 NIS and it is valid for two years, for stays of up to 90 days.
The Israeli New Shekel (ILS or NIS, symbol ₪) comes in banknotes of ₪20, ₪50, ₪100, and ₪200. The ₪200 note features the poet Nathan Alterman. Coins include 10 agorot, 50 agorot (half-Shekel), ₪1, ₪2, ₪5, and ₪10.
Key insight for 2026: Israel's tech-forward culture means contactless payments, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are common. Tel Aviv especially runs on cards. If you have a fee-free travel card, you might barely need ATMs at all.
Best Ways to Get ILS Before You Travel
Israel makes accessing money easy. The best approach depends on your payment preferences:
- Multi-currency travel card (Wise, Revolut) - Best overall option. Excellent exchange rates for both card payments and ATM withdrawals. Essential for Israel's card-friendly economy.
- Withdraw from ATMs on arrival - Ben Gurion Airport has multiple ATMs. Pick a machine run by a bank: Tel Aviv's tourist website says private ones charge more. Just pay attention to your card's foreign ATM policy.
- Exchange at Israeli bureaux - "Change" shops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem offer competitive rates. At Ben Gurion, the exchange counters are Bank Hapoalim branches.
- Order Shekels from UK bureaux - Available but rates are typically poor for ILS. Only useful if you specifically want cash before arrival.
Using Cards in Israel
Israel has excellent card acceptance. You can live almost cashless in Tel Aviv, though other areas may require more flexibility.
Where cards work well:
- All hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals
- Restaurants, cafes, and bars throughout Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
- Supermarkets (Shufersal, Rami Levy, AM:PM)
- Shopping malls and most retail stores
- Buses and light rail (Rav-Kav card or phone payment apps such as Moovit and HopOn)
- Gett taxi app (Israel's Uber equivalent)
- Museums, attractions, and tour companies
Where you'll need cash:
- Mahane Yehuda Market (Jerusalem) - many vendors cash only
- Carmel Market (Tel Aviv) - smaller vendors prefer cash
- Old City Jerusalem - many shops and street vendors
- Tipping (cash tips are preferred)
- Street sherut (shared taxis)
- Some smaller restaurants in traditional areas
Pro tip: Contactless payments (tap to pay) work nearly everywhere cards are accepted. Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely supported.
Withdrawing Cash from ATMs in Israel
ATMs are readily available throughout Israel. The banking system is modern and international card-friendly.
Best ATMs to use:
- Bank Leumi - Israel's oldest bank, ATMs everywhere. Good English interface.
- Bank Hapoalim - Major bank with widespread ATMs. Reliable for foreign cards.
- Israel Discount Bank - Common in cities, works well with international cards.
- Ben Gurion Airport ATMs - Multiple options in arrivals hall, convenient for initial cash.
ATM tips:
- Bank-run machines are usually cheaper than private ones, which take a higher commission; read any fee on screen before you accept
- Always choose to be charged in Shekels (ILS), not your home currency
- Withdrawal limits typically ₪2,000-5,000 per transaction
- 24-hour ATMs are common, including at gas stations
- Notify your bank before travel to avoid blocked transactions
Shabbat note: From Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, many Israeli businesses close. ATMs remain operational, but some services may be limited.
Exchanging Money in Israel
If you prefer exchanging cash rather than using ATMs, Israel has options:
At Ben Gurion Airport:
Ben Gurion's currency exchange is run by Bank Hapoalim, according to the Israel Airports Authority. Its Terminal 3 departures branch, inside duty free, never shuts; the arrivals branch opens to match incoming flights. Hapoalim cash machines in the arrivals and baggage halls are an alternative.
In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem:
- "Change" bureaux - Found on main streets, these offer competitive rates. Compare a few before exchanging.
- Post offices (Doar Israel) - Exchange services at reasonable rates
- Banks - Can exchange but require passport and may charge commissions
- Hotel desks - Convenient but typically poor rates
Best currencies to bring:
USD typically gets the best rates for cash exchange. EUR is also widely accepted. GBP is accepted but rates may be slightly worse. Shekels are always the best value for transactions.
Money Safety Tips for Israel
Israel is generally very safe for tourists, with low crime rates in tourist areas. Standard precautions apply:
- Pickpocketing is rare but exists - Take normal care in crowded markets and transit
- Use hotel safes - Store excess cash and documents securely
- ATM safety - Use ATMs in well-lit, busy areas or inside banks
- Keep copies of documents - Passport copy stored separately from original
- Card security - Monitor statements for unauthorized transactions
- Be aware of scams - Overcharging in tourist areas happens; agree prices upfront for services
Financial crimes against tourists are uncommon. Check the FCDO's Israel advice when you book and again shortly before departure, as it follows the security situation, including any disruption to Ben Gurion flights.
Best Exchange Options for ILS
Top providers by category:
Bank Leumi
Largest Israeli bank. ATMs everywhere.
Bank Hapoalim
Major bank with good coverage.
Change Spot
Good rates in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Ben Gurion Airport
Bank Hapoalim counters; Terminal 3 departures open 24/7.
Old City Changers
Jerusalem Old City has poor rates.
Compare ILS Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Ben Gurion Airport is the convenient option: Bank Hapoalim runs the exchange counters, and the arrivals branch adapts its hours to incoming flights. In Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, compare a few "Change" shops, but avoid the changers in Jerusalem's Old City, where rates are poor. A travel card with excellent exchange rates remains the best overall option, since Tel Aviv largely runs on cards.
Probably very little. Card acceptance is excellent and contactless, Apple Pay and Google Pay are common, so Tel Aviv can be done almost cashless. Cash is still useful at Mahane Yehuda and Carmel markets, in Jerusalem's Old City, for street sherut shared taxis, some smaller traditional restaurants and tipping, where cash is preferred.
Bank Leumi, Bank Hapoalim and Israel Discount Bank machines are widespread and work well with international cards, and Ben Gurion's arrivals hall has several. Machines run by banks usually cost less than privately operated ones, whose commission is higher, so check the screen for any fee before accepting. Limits are typically ₪2,000-5,000 per transaction, and always choose Shekels rather than your home currency.
Not really: UK bureaux sell Shekels but usually at poor rates, so pay by card and draw cash on arrival, where Bank Hapoalim runs the exchange counters and the ATMs in the arrivals and baggage areas. Arrange the ETA-IL in advance, required for UK visitors since 1 January 2025; it costs 25 NIS online and covers two years of visits lasting up to 90 days.
If you plan to exchange cash, USD typically gets the best rates, EUR is also widely accepted and GBP is taken but may fetch slightly worse rates. For actually paying, Shekels always give the best value. In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem compare a few "Change" bureaux; post offices offer reasonable rates, banks need a passport and may charge commission, and hotel desks are poor.
Yes: crime in tourist areas is low, so take normal care in crowded markets, use ATMs in busy, well-lit places or inside banks and keep spare cash in the hotel safe. Many businesses close from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset for Shabbat, though ATMs stay on. Read the FCDO's Israel advice at booking and shortly before you fly: it covers areas to avoid and possible Ben Gurion flight disruption.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
Egypt
Cyprus
Turkey