Israel Family Tours: Private Trips for All Ages

Short answer: The best way to tour Israel as a family is a private, custom tour: your own licensed guide and vehicle, hotels that suit your family, and an itinerary paced for your kids (and grandparents). Shalom Israel Tours plans family trips as 100% custom private tours, written from scratch for each family. As a guide, an 8-day private family tour with 4-star hotels, all site fees, a private guide and vehicle typically runs $20,000–24,000 for a family of 4 and $26,000–30,000 for 6 (grand total, land only).

Why families choose a private tour

Family trips are private tours only; we don’t put families on our scheduled group tours, because a family’s needs are different. A private tour gives you:

  • Your own pace. Late starts after a long flight, a pool afternoon, an early night: the day bends around your family, not a group schedule.
  • A guide who connects with kids. Our licensed guides bring stories, hands-on activities and a sense of adventure to every site, so children experience Israel instead of just hearing about it.
  • Door-to-door transport. Your private vehicle and driver carry the bags, the snacks and the tired little ones.
  • Every generation together. Grandparents, parents and kids can all travel at a comfortable pace, with gentler options planned where needed.
  • Room to celebrate. A Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a family milestone or a first visit can be built right into the trip.

What families love doing in Israel

Jerusalem

The Western Wall, the Old City’s four quarters, the Western Wall Tunnels and the City of David, where kids can explore ancient water tunnels. Jerusalem is often the heart of a family trip, and especially meaningful for Bar and Bat Mitzvah families.

Masada and the Dead Sea

Ride the cable car (or climb!) to King Herod’s mountain fortress, then float in the Dead Sea. It is a highlight for every age.

The north: Galilee and Golan

Jeep tours, kayaking on the Jordan River, orchards and farms, and some of Israel’s most beautiful landscapes, plus the mystical old city of Tzfat.

Tel Aviv and the coast

Beaches, the old port of Jaffa, markets and modern Israel, often a relaxed way to start or finish the trip. Our kosher restaurant guide for Tel Aviv and Jerusalem help with family meals.

What a private family tour costs

Every program is 100% custom, so the final price depends on your dates, hotels, group size and length. As a realistic starting point, a robust 8-day private tour using 4-star hotels, including all site fees, chauffeurs, private guide and vehicle, usually runs:

  • Party of 2: $16,000–18,000 grand total
  • Party of 4: $20,000–24,000 grand total
  • Party of 6: $26,000–30,000 grand total

We can create any length tour, for any number of people, and larger extended families bring the per-person cost down. Share your target budget and we will build a trip that works within it. More detail on our private Israel tours page.

Planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah trip

Many of our families travel for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at the Western Wall, at Masada, or at another meaningful site, followed by touring together. We help plan the ceremony, the celebration and the whole itinerary around it. See our custom Bar and Bat Mitzvah tours and the 14-day Bar/Bat Mitzvah sample itinerary.

Sample family itineraries

Every family trip is written from scratch, but these samples show what is possible:

Tips for touring Israel with children

  • Pick the season with the kids in mind. Spring and fall are comfortable for walking; summer is hot, so plan early starts, water hikes and pool time.
  • Mix big sites with play. Balance a morning in the Old City with a jeep ride, a beach or a hands-on activity in the afternoon.
  • Plan around Shabbat. Most of Israel slows down from Friday afternoon to Saturday night. We build that into your itinerary.
  • Keep hotel moves few. Two or three bases (for example Tel Aviv, the north and Jerusalem) are easier on kids than moving every night.
  • Read up before you go. Our pre-tour information covers entry rules, phones, money, health and more, and our Israel safety page answers common questions.

How to start planning your family trip

Send us a few details using the form on this page or our create a custom tour page:

  1. Your tentative travel dates to and from Israel
  2. The total number of adults and children (with ages), and how many per hotel room
  3. Your target budget for the full land package

We will send you a sample itinerary and then write a program for your family. Anything and everything is possible.

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer family group tours to Israel?

Our family trips are private, custom tours rather than group departures. That way the pace, hotels and activities fit your children and your family, and you travel with your own guide and vehicle.

What is the best age to bring kids to Israel?

Children of any age can enjoy Israel with the right pacing, but many families find that ages 8 and up get the most from the history and hikes. Bar and Bat Mitzvah age is a very popular time to visit.

How long should a family trip to Israel be?

8 to 12 days lets most families see Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Masada, the north and Tel Aviv without rushing. We can build a shorter or longer trip around your schedule.

Can grandparents join a family tour?

Absolutely. Multigenerational trips are some of our favorites. We plan comfortable touring days and accessible options so every generation enjoys the trip together.

Let’s plan your family’s Israel adventure

Tell us about your family using the form on this page, or call us from the USA at 1-800-763-1948. We are based in Israel, and we will build a trip your kids will remember for the rest of their lives.

Shalom Israel Tours

Let’s Go Touring!

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