Territory capital · Israel
Samarסמר
Spend a half‑day in Samar for dunes, desert kites and the Hay Bar Yotvata nature reserve; skip overnight unless you bike the desert.
Samar is a tiny kibbutz in the Arava Valley, best explored in a few hours. Its main attractions – sand dunes, ancient desert kites, petroglyphs and a nearby nature reserve – are within walking or short‑bike distance. Overnight stays are optional and mainly for cyclists.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ILS
- Best months
- Oct–May (cooler desert days)
- avoid Jun–Sep (very high temperatures)
- Airport
- ETM
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Samar100 ▾
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 Samar, 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
- SafetySamar is low‑risk; main concerns are heat and limited medical facilities.
- Emergency numbers100 police · 101 ambulance (mda) · 102 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportETM Ramon Airport (Closest airport, about 45 km (28 mi) north; bus or rental car to Samar.).ETM Ramon Airport (Closest airport, about 28 mi (45 km) north; bus or rental car to Samar.).
- Getting aroundWalk or rent a bike from the Samar Bike Hotel; the main sights are within 2 km (1.2 mi).Walk or rent a bike from the Samar Bike Hotel; the main sights are within 1.2 mi (2 km).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))₪70–90
- Budget bedSamar Bike Hotel dorm bed, a night, per personILS 120
- Mid-range bedSamar Bike Hotel private room, a night, per roomILS 350
- High-end bedSamar Bike Hotel private room, a night, per roomILS 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ILS 150 · Mid ILS 300 · High ILS 500
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
- ETM Ramon Airport (Closest airport, about 45 km (28 mi) north; bus or rental car to Samar.)ETM Ramon Airport (Closest airport, about 28 mi (45 km) north; bus or rental car to Samar.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Oct–May. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Samar: 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
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Jun
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 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
Walk or rent a bike from the Samar Bike Hotel; the main sights are within 2 km. Private car or Egged bus (lines 394, 397, 444) can reach Samar Junction on Road 90.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hay Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Bus Egged line 397 to Yotvata stop (≈1 h), then walk 5 min
Entry ₪28 for adults, ₪14 for children; open 08:30–17:00 (summer).Entry ₪28 for adults, ₪14 for children; open 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (summer).
Sands of Samar dunes
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Walk or bike west from kibbutz centre (≈10 min)
No entry fee; bring water.
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.
Samar Bike Hotel
Bike‑rental hostel; simple rooms, good for cyclists; price around ₪200–300 per night (check).
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
- ₪150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₪250–400 excl. bed
- High
- ₪400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Samar Bike Hotel dorm bed1 × 1 night × ILS 120 | ILS 120 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ILS 150 | ILS 150 |
| Bike rental, one day1 × ILS 150 · check | ILS 150 |
| Egged bus Tel Aviv → Samar, one way1 × ILS 120 · check | ILS 120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ILS 54 |
| Trip total≈ ILS 594 per person per day, bed included | ILS 594 |
check
2026 estimate in ILS; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Date basket (local) | ₪30–50 |
| Water bottle (500 ml) | ₪5–8 |
| Taxi (5 km) | ₪70–90 |
| Egged bus ticket (Tel Aviv → Samar)check | ₪120 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat can exceed 45 °C (113 °F); carry water and sun protection.Summer heat can exceed 113 °F (45 °C); carry water and sun protection.
- Limited food and fuel services in the kibbutz; plan meals ahead.
- Desert kite sites are fragile; stay on marked paths.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance (MDA)
- 101
- Fire
- 102
- Home Front Command
- 104
Pocket card
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Samarסמר
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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לכתובת הזאת, בבקשהTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Ambulance (MDA)101
- Fire102
Embassy
US consulate is in Eilat (check address); other nations use the embassy in Tel Aviv.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Egged bus Tel Aviv → Samar: about ₪120, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Bike rental day: ≈₪150 (check)
Say or show
- סליחה — Excuse me / Sorry (sliḥa)
- תודה — Thank you (toda)
- כמה זה? — How much is it? (kama ze?)
- איפה השירותים? — Where is the toilet? (eifo ha-sherutim?)
- אפשר מים? — Can I have water? (efshar mayim?)
- אני רוצה לשכור אופניים — I would like a bike rental (ani rotzeh lishkor ofanayim)
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 Samar. 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: Oct–May (cooler desert days) · avoid Jun–Sep (very high temperatures)
- 1 airport and 1 area 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 bike‑rental package to Samar Bike Hotel (incl. guide).
- Create desert‑kite interpretive trail with signage.
Sources
Ask about Samar
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