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Voykit pocket guide · Israel
Samar
סמר
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.
- Country
- Israel
- Local name
- סמר
- Best months
- Oct–May (cooler desert days)
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (very high temperatures)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ILS
- Money
- Cards work nearly everywhere; see Insurance & payments above for the insurance point that matters more.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₪150–250 excl. bed · Mid ₪250–400 excl. bed · High ₪400+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Ambulance (MDA) 101 · Fire 102
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Date basket (local) | ₪30–50 |
| Water bottle (500 ml) | ₪5–8 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | ₪70–90 |
| Egged bus ticket (Tel Aviv → Samar) | ₪120 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ETM · Ramon Airport
- Closest airport, about 45 km (28 mi) north; bus or rental car to Samar.Closest airport, about 28 mi (45 km) north; bus or rental car to Samar.
Typical fares
- Egged bus Tel Aviv → Samar
- about ₪120, 1 h 15 min (check)
- Bike rental day
- ≈₪150 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk or rent a bike from the Samar Bike Hotel; the main sights are within 2 km (1.2 mi). Private car or Egged bus (lines 394, 397, 444) can reach Samar Junction on Road 90.Walk or rent a bike from the Samar Bike Hotel; the main sights are within 1.2 mi (2 km). Private car or Egged bus (lines 394, 397, 444) can reach Samar Junction on Road 90.
See and do
Known for
- Date production
- Sands of Samar dunes
- Desert kites
- Petroglyphs
- Hay Bar Yotvata nature reserve
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hay Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve | Bus Egged line 397 to Yotvata stop (≈1 h), then walk 5 min | ≈1 h 15 min |
| Sands of Samar dunes | Walk or bike west from kibbutz centre (≈10 min) | ≈15 min |
Sleep
- Samar Bike Hotel
- Bike‑rental hostel; simple rooms, good for cyclists; price around ₪200–300 per night (check).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | סליחהsliḥa |
| Thank you | תודהtoda |
| How much is it? | כמה זה?kama ze? |
| Where is the toilet? | איפה השירותים?eifo ha-sherutim? |
| Can I have water? | אפשר מים?efshar mayim? |
| I would like a bike rental | אני רוצה לשכור אופנייםani rotzeh lishkor ofanayim |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer heat can exceed 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.
Samar is low‑risk; main concerns are heat and limited medical facilities. Carry a basic first‑aid kit.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Samar yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Date production
- Sands of Samar dunes
- Desert kites
- Petroglyphs
- Hay Bar Yotvata nature reserve
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Kibbutz Samar official site: kibbutz-samar.com
- Wikivoyage: Samar (Israel), revision 5251663 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5251663
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/samar-israel). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.