Tishrei Holidays 2026: Is it really more cost-effective for families to fly abroad?

A family vacation during the Tishrei holidays is not cheap. In Israel, the holiday period is considered one of the most in-demand times of the year, and prices reflect that. When adding another child or two to a double room, the price can change significantly and sometimes require upgrading to a larger room or a suite. On the other hand, in various destinations abroad, packages including flights and hotels, and sometimes meals, can be found at prices that put local vacations in question.

A price comparison for this year's Tishrei holidays cannot, of course, determine that every vacation abroad is cheaper than a vacation in Israel. The destination, hotel, number of guests, and board basis vary from vacation to vacation. However, several concrete examples do illustrate the gaps, especially when it comes to families.

Vacations in Paphos during Rosh Hashanah, from September 10 to 13, including three nights at the four-star Kapetanios Aqua Resort on an all-inclusive basis for a couple and two children, cost $580 per person, totaling NIS 6,933 for the family.

In Crete, on the same dates, a three-night vacation at the four-star Gouves Water Park hotel, also on an all-inclusive basis for a couple and two children, costs $715 per person, totaling NIS 8,550 for the family.

In contrast, a three-night vacation in Eilat during Rosh Hashanah at the Leonardo Royal Resort hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis for a couple and three children reaches NIS 9,881 for the family.

Even for couples, staying in Israel is not always cost-effective. Three nights during Rosh Hashanah in Budapest at the four-star Leonardo Hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis cost $579 per person, totaling NIS 3,460 per couple. During the same period, a three-night vacation at the Dead Sea at the Isrotel Kedma hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis costs NIS 10,158 per couple.

Gaps can also be found during Sukkot. Three nights in Prague, from September 24 to 27, at the four-star Panorama Hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis costs €748 per person, or NIS 5,180 per couple. In Athens, three nights at the Play Theatrou hotel on a room-only basis cost $698 per person, totaling NIS 4,175 per couple.

On the other hand, going abroad does not win out over Israel in every case. A seven-night vacation in the Tatra Mountains during Sukkot, for example, at the Maladinovo hotel on a room-only basis, costs €911 per person for a family of a couple and three children, totaling NIS 15,775 for the family. Meaning, the comparison depends greatly on the type of vacation and what is included in the price.

Yet, for families looking for a holiday vacation, these numbers explain why more Israelis are considering traveling abroad specifically during the period when vacations in Israel reach peak demand.

"The Israeli consumer is smart and knows how to calculate the costs," says Yoni Waxman, deputy chairman of Ophir Tours. "When comparing vacation prices in Israel to a vacation abroad, they see that a vacation abroad is more cost-effective, cheaper, and offers added value that they do not get from a vacation in Israel. In certain cases, such a vacation is even more cost-effective if another child or person is added."

According to him, the consideration does not end with hotel prices alone. "If you also think about other expenses during the vacation, the choice becomes extremely logical. If you add the fact that abroad they will not stand in holiday traffic jams and lines, it becomes a very easy decision."

This is another consideration that cannot be ignored. The Tishrei holidays are the main vacation period for families in Israel, which is why local tourist sites, roads, beaches, and restaurants are expected to be crowded. Abroad, however, many countries experience a transition period between summer and autumn, meaning some destinations are not at peak congestion.

Weather also plays a role. September and October can be particularly comfortable for traveling in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. While very hot days can still be found in Israel, temperatures in many destinations are better suited for walking tours, visiting sites, and outdoor seating without the heavy heat characteristic of peak summer.

For families, there is also a difference in the vacation experience itself. A vacation abroad allows combining a hotel with a city, attractions, local food, and cultural sites, sometimes turning a three- or four-day trip into an experience that feels completely different from routine. In Israel, by contrast, high demand during the holidays concentrates in the same familiar hubs: Eilat, the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and the North.

Trip preparations have also changed. The Rikushet retail chain reports that ahead of the Tishrei holidays, there is an increase in demand for travel and hiking equipment, with families preparing in advance by purchasing suitcases, backpacks, daypacks, and various accessories designed to make travel more comfortable.

"The vacation starts at home," says Hanoch Lupu, CEO of Rikushet. "We see that Israeli families today plan their vacations abroad much more broadly. It is not just about where to sleep and which flight to book, but also how to make the vacation more comfortable and pleasant."

Ultimately, there is no simple rule stating that a vacation abroad is always more cost-effective. A family choosing an expensive hotel, a highly demanded date, and adding flights, suitcases, transfers, and attractions can easily reach a much higher price than a vacation in Israel. However, the examples for the 2026 Tishrei holidays show that the old formula claiming "on holidays you stay in Israel because abroad is too expensive" is no longer necessarily true.

For those willing to compare destinations and check the total price rather than just the room price, an overseas family vacation can become not only an attractive option this year, but also one worth calculating.