Major city · Israel
Masada
Spend a half‑day for sunrise via the Snake Path or a half‑day using the cable car; one full day lets you see the site and the sound‑light show.
Masada is a compact UNESCO site on a desert plateau. The main attractions – the palace ruins, museum and sound‑light show – fit into a half‑day, but a full day allows a relaxed climb, cable‑car ride and evening show.
advisory country
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ILS
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- TLV
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Israel before…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Israel ↗Check your own government travel advice for Israel before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Israel ↗Entry rules, including any pre-arrival authorisation, depend on your passport and on the current border and security position; check the Population and Immigration Authority.
- Israel ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Israel before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Masada100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Masada, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cards work nearly everywhere; see Insurance & payments above for the insurance point that matters more.Israel-wide
- SafetyMasada is safe for tourists; main risks are heat, steep paths and occasional bus delays.
- Emergency numbers100 police · 101 ambulance (mda) · 102 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTLV Ben Gurion International Airport (≈150 km (93 mi), about 2 h drive to Masada).TLV Ben Gurion International Airport (≈93 mi (150 km), about 2 h drive to Masada).
- Getting aroundBuses from Jerusalem (486/444), Tel Aviv (421) and Beer Sheva (384) stop at the eastern entrance.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedArad Tandem tent mattress, a night, per personILS 95
- Mid-range bedEin Bokek mid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomILS 500
- High-end bedEin Bokek mid‑range hotel double room, a night, per roomILS 750
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ILS 120 · Mid ILS 200 · High ILS 350
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TLV Ben Gurion International Airport (≈150 km (93 mi), about 2 h drive to Masada)TLV Ben Gurion International Airport (≈93 mi (150 km), about 2 h drive to Masada)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Masada: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses from Jerusalem (486/444), Tel Aviv (421) and Beer Sheva (384) stop at the eastern entrance. Cable car runs 08:00–16:00 (Oct‑Mar) or 08:00–17:00 (Apr‑Sep). The Snake Path takes 40 min–2 h from the east; the Roman Ramp from the west is a 15‑20 min walk.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Drive 15 km (9.3 mi) south on Road 90Drive 9.3 mi (15 km) south on Road 90
Waterfalls and wildlife near the Dead Sea.
Dead Sea beach
goDoor to door: ≈35 min
Drive 20 km (12 mi) south on Road 90Drive 12 mi (20 km) south on Road 90
Float in the hypersaline water after the site.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Massada Guest House
Dorm bed from ₪145, closest to the park entrance.
Arad Tandem
Bed‑in‑a‑tent from ₪95, 25 km (16 mi) west of Masada.Bed‑in‑a‑tent from ₪95, 16 mi (25 km) west of Masada.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₪200–300 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₪300–500 excl. bed
- High
- ₪500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Massada Guest House dormitory bed2 × 3 nights × ILS 165 | ILS 990 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × ILS 200 | ILS 1,200 |
| Trip total≈ ILS 365 per person per day, bed included | ILS 2,190 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Water bottle refill (top of site) | ₪5–10 |
| McDonald's meal (visitor centre) | ₪30–45 |
| Bus ticket Jerusalem → Masada | ₪30–40 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Snake Path closes after 10:00 in summer; bring water and sun protection.Snake Path closes after 10:00 AM in summer; bring water and sun protection.
- Cable‑car may be full in peak season; arrive early.
- Desert heat can be severe; carry at least 2 L water per person.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance (MDA)
- 101
- Fire
- 102
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MasadaMasada
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
לכתובת הזאת, בבקשהTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Ambulance (MDA)101
- Fire102
Embassy
US consulate in Tel Aviv; other embassies in Jerusalem.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Jerusalem → Masada bus (486/444): ≈ ₪35, 1 h 30 min (check schedule)
- Cable‑car one‑way: ₪25, runs 08:00–16:00 (Oct‑Mar) or 08:00–17:00 (Apr‑Sep)₪25, runs 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (Oct‑Mar) or 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Apr‑Sep)
Say or show
- סליחה — Excuse me / Sorry (sliḥa)
- תודה — Thank you (toda)
- כמה זה? — How much is this? (kama ze?)
- איפה השירותים? — Where is the bathroom? (eifo ha-sherutim?)
- אפשר מים, בבקשה? — Can I have water, please? (efshar mayim, bevakasha?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Masada. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Ein Bokek for Dead Sea spa options.
- Combine with a sunrise hike at Ein Gedi for a full‑day loop.
Sources
Ask about Masada
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