Is Eilat Safe in May 2026?

Taxis from Ramon Airport to Eilat and from the older Eilat municipal airport (for domestic flights) to the resort strip quote flat rates to tourists that are significantly above the metered fare. The duty-free zone and tourist character of the city mean drivers frequently assume foreign visitors will not question quoted prices.

How to avoid: Use the Gett or Yango apps which operate in Eilat and provide metered fares. If using a street taxi, insist on the meter being used — this is your right under Israeli law. Ask your accommodation for the current expected fare before taking any taxi at the airport.

Eilat attracts divers to its Red Sea coral reefs, and a small number of dive operators offer prices significantly below the certified operators along the promenade. These below-market operators may lack proper PADI or SSI certification, use equipment that is not serviced to standard, and provide guides with incomplete training. Dive accidents in poorly regulated operations have occurred in the Gulf of Aqaba.

How to avoid: Only dive with operators who can show a current PADI Five Star or SSI certification. Check the Israeli Diving Federation registry for licensed operators. Do not choose a dive operator based solely on price — the price difference between licensed and unlicensed operators is rarely significant enough to justify the safety compromise.

Eilat is a duty-free zone and shops market this as a significant price advantage. In practice, the duty-free savings are modest and some shops mark up prices before applying the duty-free discount, resulting in prices similar to or higher than those in Tel Aviv duty-paid shops. Electronics and alcohol are the categories most frequently involved.

How to avoid: Research prices for electronics and alcohol in Israel before visiting Eilat so you have a reference point. The duty-free advantage is most significant for cigarettes and some spirits. Do not assume that duty-free automatically means the best price available.

Restaurants on the Eilat North and South Beach promenades add service charges of 10-15 percent to bills that are not clearly disclosed on the menu, charge for bread and salads placed on the table as standard Israeli restaurant practice (which is legitimate), and occasionally present bills with items added that were not ordered.

How to avoid: Ask whether bread or salads placed on the table carry a charge — in Israeli restaurants these often do, at a known rate. Confirm whether the menu prices include service charge. Request an itemised receipt and check it before paying.

Tour desks in Eilat hotels offer combined excursion packages to Wadi Rum in Jordan, Petra, and local activities at prices significantly above what is available from certified tour operators. Hotel commission margins of 20-30 percent are added to the operator rate and presented to guests as a convenience charge.

How to avoid: Research excursion prices from certified operators on TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide before agreeing to any hotel tour desk booking. For Petra and Wadi Rum, operators based in Aqaba on the Jordanian side of the border frequently offer the same packages at lower rates. Compare at least two prices before booking.