A taxi from Jerusalem to Eilat covers 346 km in about four hours — roughly 244 minutes of driving — and a regular taxi for up to four passengers starts at ₪1,780 by day, ₪2,010 at night and ₪2,240 on a Shabbat or holiday night, according to the official 2026 meter tariff. For a family of four that is about ₪445 each, door to door from your Jerusalem address to the hotel in Eilat.
How much does a taxi from Jerusalem to Eilat cost in 2026?
Israeli taxi fares are set nationally by the Price Supervision Order for taxi fares (5786-2026), in force since 1 April 2026, and a pre-booked intercity ride is metered like a street-hailed one. Distance and time are billed simultaneously, not whichever is greater. Over 346 km and 244 minutes, Tariff A — the daytime rate — breaks down like this:
- Meter start (flag drop): ₪12.46
- First 10 km: 10 × ₪1.95 = ₪19.50
- Remaining 336 km: 336 × ₪3.79 = ₪1,273.44
- 244 minutes of driving: 244 × ₪1.95 = ₪475.80
- Pre-booking surcharge: ₪5.78
That is about ₪1,787 on the meter, rounded down to from ₪1,780. Prices are in shekels (₪, ILS) and include VAT; a Highway 6 toll of about ₪20 is added at cost if that road is used. The 2026 tariff is 2.8% lower than the 2025 one, with the next update due on 1 April 2027 — detail in our 2026 meter tariff guide.
What Tariff A, B and C mean
Tariff A is the daytime rate. Tariff B, at night, adds 20% to the per-minute and first-10-km rates and about 10% to the rate beyond 10 km — roughly 14% more on a long intercity trip. Tariff C, the Shabbat and holiday night rate, adds 40% and about 21%, so roughly 28% more.
Jerusalem to Eilat price by tariff
| Tariff | Regular taxi (up to 4 passengers) | Per person, family of four | Difference vs. daytime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tariff A (daytime) | from ₪1,780 | about ₪445 | — |
| Tariff B (night) | from ₪2,010 | about ₪503 | +₪230 |
| Tariff C (Shabbat / holiday night) | from ₪2,240 | ₪560 | +₪460 |
Those prices cover a regular taxi with up to four passengers and three large suitcases, and the price agreed in advance is what you pay, whatever the traffic does. You hire a vehicle, not a seat: ₪1,780 is about ₪445 each for four and ₪890 each for two. See the 2026 price list and our Jerusalem to Eilat page.
The two routes south: Route 90 or Route 40?
Two roads run south, both about 346 km, so the price is the same either way: Highway 1 to the Dead Sea and then Route 90, or Highway 6 and Route 40 through Beer Sheva. The driver picks by hour, traffic and weather — ask for a particular road if you want a stop on it.
Route 90: the Dead Sea and the Arava
Highway 1 drops east to the Dead Sea, where Route 90 turns south past Ein Gedi, Masada and the Ein Bokek hotels, then down the Arava to Eilat. Pick it to break the journey: Ein Gedi is about an hour from Jerusalem, Masada roughly 95 km. A long stop changes the fare, since the meter bills per minute as well as per kilometre — mention one when you book. Our Masada and Dead Sea planner covers that trip.
Route 40: Beer Sheva and Mitzpe Ramon
The inland option runs on Highway 6 and Route 40 through Beer Sheva and Mitzpe Ramon before dropping into the Arava; Highway 6 is a toll road, about ₪20 at cost. Going only as far as the Negev capital is far shorter — 104 km, about 92 minutes, from ₪570 by day: see taxi from Jerusalem to Beer Sheva. Mitzpe Ramon and Arad have no starting price of their own; they are priced by the same meter tariff — get an instant price in the calculator.
When a taxi makes sense — and when it does not
For one traveller with hand luggage a taxi is rarely the cheapest way to Eilat: intercity buses serve the route and there are domestic flights. It earns its price when you add passengers, luggage or a fixed hour:
- Families with children. Car seats and boosters are fitted in advance at no charge — see travelling by taxi with kids.
- Luggage. Up to three large suitcases and no luggage surcharge — it was abolished in 2020. Flag diving gear or a stroller at booking.
- Awkward hours. Almaxpress runs 24/6, Sunday to Friday, so a pre-dawn start is simply a booking — before 06:00 the night tariff applies.
- Friday travel. A morning departure reaches Eilat in the early afternoon, before Shabbat stops the trains and most buses.
Flying into Ramon Airport (ETM)
Flights to Eilat land at Ramon Airport, about 18 km north of the city, so a ride is still needed at the far end. Price the whole chain: a taxi from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion is 54 km and about 48 minutes, from ₪290 by day, then check-in, the flight and the transfer from Ramon. Fares and schedules change, so check the operator's site.
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Timing your departure: saving ₪230 to ₪460
The hour you leave decides the tariff band — the one variable entirely in your hands. The tariff day runs 06:00 to 05:59, so a departure after midnight belongs to the previous day:
| Departure from Jerusalem | Tariff | Price (up to 4 passengers) | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday, 06:00–21:00 | A | from ₪1,780 | Cheapest window; 20:30 counts as day. |
| Sunday–Wednesday, 21:01–05:59 | B | from ₪2,010 | Overnight run. |
| Thursday, 21:01–23:00 | B | from ₪2,010 | Tariff C from 23:01. |
| Thursday night, 23:01–05:59 | C | from ₪2,240 | Priciest band. |
| Friday, 06:00–16:00 | A | from ₪1,780 | Arrives before Shabbat. |
| Saturday night, until 19:00 | B | from ₪2,010 | Pre-booked; departs after Shabbat. |
| Saturday night, from 19:01 | C | from ₪2,240 | Pre-booked; departs after Shabbat. |
On a weekday evening, leave by 21:00: a 21:15 start costs ₪230 more than a 20:45 one. Friday steps up at 16:01, but Almaxpress does not drive after candle-lighting, so a four-hour drive south has to start in the morning. And on Saturday night the Shabbat tariff day is still running: a ride that starts once Shabbat is out is billed Tariff B until 19:00 and Tariff C from 19:01, so in winter an 18:30 departure saves ₪230.
Groups, luggage and larger families
Five passengers will not fit in a regular taxi, nor will four passengers with more than three large suitcases. A 6-seat large taxi takes roughly 6–8 suitcases, a 10-seat van about 10–12, a 19-seat minibus 19 and more with a luggage hold or trailer. None carries a published price, because it depends on route, hour and vehicle: book a 6-seat large taxi, 10-seat van or 19-seat minibus and we confirm the price within minutes. Choosing between them is a suitcase question more than a headcount one; our group transfer guide covers what to do with seven passengers. A vehicle with a wheelchair lift can be arranged in advance, with notice at booking.
The return trip, Shabbat and Jewish holidays
Most travellers return a few days later, so book both legs at once: the driver is at your hotel at the agreed time, and the return is metered for its own day and hour.
Almaxpress operates 24/6 — around the clock, Sunday to Friday — with no service on Shabbat or Jewish holidays, from candle-lighting until the day ends. A Motzei Shabbat (Saturday night) return is pre-booked and departs only once Shabbat is out; that hour moves with the season, so check the Havdalah time for your date. Holiday eves follow Friday's rules and holiday days follow Shabbat's: Rosh Hashanah (12–13 Sep 2026), Yom Kippur (21 Sep 2026, no service), Sukkot (26 Sep 2026), Simchat Torah (3 Oct 2026), Pesach (22 and 28 Apr 2027) and Shavuot (11 Jun 2027) — more in our guide to taxis on Saturday night and Jewish holidays.
How to pay, and how cancellations work
Pay cash to the driver, by credit card charged in advance by phone or payment link, or by bank transfer; a deposit may be requested on a trip this long. A full tax invoice is issued for every ride and emailed, and companies can receive a monthly consolidated one. Cancellation is free more than 24 hours ahead, up to 50% between 24 and 6 hours, and 100% under 6 hours or for a no-show — in writing, as set out in our service terms.
Bottom line
- 346 km, about four hours: from ₪1,780 by day, ₪2,010 at night, ₪2,240 on a Shabbat or holiday night, per the official 2026 meter tariff.
- About ₪445 per person for four, door to door, with no luggage or child-seat surcharge.
- Leaving by 21:00 on a weekday evening saves ₪230, as does leaving before 19:00 on a winter Saturday night.
- Two roads — Route 90 past the Dead Sea, or Route 40 via Beer Sheva — at the same price.
- Five passengers or more: large taxi, van or minibus, price confirmed within minutes. Service is 24/6, never on Shabbat or holidays.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taxi from Jerusalem to Eilat cost?
From ₪1,780 by day for a regular taxi with up to four passengers, from ₪2,010 at night and from ₪2,240 on a Shabbat or holiday night, per the official 2026 meter tariff, VAT and booking fee included. The final price is confirmed at booking.
How long is the drive from Jerusalem to Eilat?
About four hours — 346 km and roughly 244 minutes of driving. A comfort break adds minutes; mention a longer stop at booking, since the meter bills per minute as well as per kilometre.
What is the cost per person for a family of four?
About ₪445 each by day, ₪503 at night and ₪560 on a Shabbat or holiday night. You pay for the vehicle, not the seat: two passengers pay ₪890 each for the same daytime ride.
Which route does the taxi take, the Dead Sea or Beer Sheva?
The driver chooses between Route 90 along the Dead Sea and Highway 6 with Route 40 via Beer Sheva; both are about 346 km and cost the same. Ask for one if you have a stop in mind.
Can I book a taxi to Eilat at night or on a Friday?
Yes — Almaxpress runs around the clock from Sunday to Friday. Tariff B applies from 21:01 Sunday to Thursday and Tariff C from 23:01 on Thursday night; on Friday Tariff A runs until 16:00 and rides finish before Shabbat, and there is no service on Shabbat or Jewish holidays.
What does a large taxi or minibus to Eilat cost?
The 6-seat large taxi, 10-seat van and 19-seat minibus have no published price, because it depends on route, hour and vehicle. Send your date, passenger and suitcase count through the large taxi page, the calculator or WhatsApp on +972-50-912-2133 and we confirm within minutes.
How much is the return taxi from Eilat to Jerusalem?
The same starting prices apply in reverse — from ₪1,780 by day — because the distance and time are identical. The return is metered for the day and hour you leave Eilat, so booking both legs together fixes that price before you travel.
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Official 2026 meter tariff, agreed in advance, door to door — Book now / get an instant price
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