💰 This page covers the street-level details of spending money in Jerusalem: card acceptance by neighborhood, where to find ATMs, how to pay for the light rail and taxis, and what to carry for Old City visits and market days. For Israel-wide ATM tips, tipping norms, and exchange rate advice:
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Order ILS → CEI Currency ExchangeDo You Need Cash in Jerusalem?
Yes, more than in Tel Aviv. The Old City bazaar is almost entirely cash-based, and Machane Yehuda Market vendors prefer cash for small purchases. Modern West Jerusalem (Mamilla, German Colony, Emek Refaim) is card-friendly. Carry ILS 100–150 when visiting the Old City, and ILS 50 for a Machane Yehuda visit.
Where You Will Need Cash
Old City bazaar (all four quarters, shops and food stalls). Ka'ak bread vendors outside Damascus Gate (ILS 5–10). Some Machane Yehuda Market stalls (spices, halva, dried fruit). Donations at holy sites (Western Wall, churches). Small restaurants in East Jerusalem. Shared taxis (sherut). Public restrooms at some sites.
Where Cards Work Fine
Mamilla Mall (open-air, card-friendly throughout). German Colony restaurants on Emek Refaim Street. Hotels across the city. Israel Museum (ILS 54, card accepted). Tower of David (ILS 40, card accepted). Yad Vashem (free, gift shop takes cards). Light rail (contactless). Supermarkets (Rami Levy, Shufersal). Many Machane Yehuda restaurants now accept cards.
Paying by Card in Jerusalem
Jerusalem's card acceptance is divided between the modern city and the historic quarters. West Jerusalem is increasingly cashless. The Old City and East Jerusalem remain heavily cash-dependent. Visa and Mastercard work where cards are accepted. Amex is limited to hotels and a few upscale restaurants. Contactless payments work at modern terminals.
Old City
The walled Old City is Jerusalem's top attraction and its most cash-dependent area. Bazaar shops in the Muslim, Christian, and Armenian Quarters are almost all cash-only. Haggling is expected. Restaurants inside the walls vary: a few tourist-oriented spots take cards, but most are cash. The Western Wall plaza is free (donations in cash). Church of the Holy Sepulchre: free. Bring ILS 100–150.
Mamilla & Jaffa Gate Area
The Mamilla Mall (Alrov Mamilla Avenue) is an open-air shopping street connecting the new city to the Old City. All shops, restaurants, and cafes accept cards. The David Citadel Hotel and Tower of David Museum (ILS 40, card accepted) are here. This is the most convenient base for Old City visits with card-friendly dining.
Machane Yehuda Market (The Shuk)
Jerusalem's vibrant market is a mix. Restaurants and bars inside and on the edges of the market accept cards (especially at night when it transforms into a bar scene). Produce vendors, bakeries, halva shops, and spice sellers often prefer cash for small purchases. Some now have card terminals. Budget ILS 50–100 in cash for a full market exploration.
German Colony & Emek Refaim
The trendy Emek Refaim Street is lined with card-friendly restaurants, cafes, and boutiques. The First Station (restored Ottoman railway station) has restaurants and shops that all accept cards. Weekend events here are card-friendly. A pleasant, walkable dining neighborhood that rarely requires cash.
East Jerusalem
Restaurants and shops along Salah ad-Din Street and in the American Colony area are mixed. The American Colony Hotel accepts all cards. Smaller restaurants, bakeries, and shops prefer cash. The Garden Tomb is free (donations in cash). Mount of Olives viewpoint is free. Budget ILS 50–80 in cash.
City Center & Ben Yehuda
The Ben Yehuda Street pedestrian mall has tourist shops and restaurants that accept cards. Jaffa Road shops and cafes accept cards. The light rail runs along Jaffa Road with contactless payment. Machane Yehuda is a short walk from here. Chain restaurants and cafes are fully card-friendly.
ATMs in Jerusalem
For Israel-wide ATM advice, see the Israel guide.
Look for these logos. Israeli bank ATMs work reliably with foreign cards.
Bank Hapoalim
Bank Leumi
Mizrahi TefahotKey ATM Locations
Jaffa Gate area: Bank Hapoalim and Bank Leumi ATMs just outside the Old City walls. Ben Yehuda Street: Multiple bank ATMs along the pedestrian mall. Mamilla: ATMs inside the mall. Machane Yehuda: Bank branches on Agrippas Street nearby. Withdraw shekels before entering the Old City, as there are no ATMs inside the walls.
⚠ No ATMs Inside the Old City
There are no bank ATMs within the Old City walls. The closest ATMs are near Jaffa Gate (west side) and Damascus Gate (north side). Plan ahead and withdraw cash before entering. Some Old City money changers offer exchange services but at poor rates. Always decline DCC at Israeli ATMs.
Paying for the Light Rail, Buses & Taxis
Jerusalem Light Rail
The light rail runs along Jaffa Road from Mount Herzl through the city center, with stops at Machane Yehuda, City Hall (near Jaffa Gate), and Damascus Gate. A single ride costs ILS 5.50. Tap your Rav-Kav card or contactless credit card at platform validators before boarding. Does not run on Shabbat.
Buses
Egged buses serve Jerusalem and connect to other cities. Pay with Rav-Kav or contactless credit card when boarding. Bus 480 to Tel Aviv costs ILS 16 (1 hour). Local buses cost ILS 5.50. Google Maps shows routes. Buses do not run on Shabbat. Arab bus lines from East Jerusalem to Bethlehem and Ramallah accept cash only.
Taxis & Ride-Hailing
White taxis are metered. Most accept cards but some prefer cash. Gett is the main ride-hailing app (card via app). Taxis to the Old City drop you at the nearest gate (Jaffa Gate is most common). During Shabbat, taxis operate at premium rates but are your only motorized option. A taxi from the Central Bus Station to the Old City costs ILS 25–40.
Airport Transfers
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is 50 km west of Jerusalem. Train to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon station: ILS 20 (30 minutes, Rav-Kav or contactless, does not run on Shabbat). Sherut (shared taxi/van) from the airport: ILS 65 (drops at multiple hotels, runs on Shabbat). Private taxi: ILS 300–350. Gett: ILS 250–300 (card via app).
Tipping in Jerusalem
The Israel guide covers general norms. In Jerusalem, 10–15% at restaurants is standard. At Machane Yehuda Market restaurants, tipping 10% is appreciated. Tip in cash even when paying by card. Tour guides at holy sites: ILS 50–100 per group for a half-day tour. Hotel porters: ILS 10–20 per bag. Cafe servers: round up or leave ILS 5.
Prices in Jerusalem
Jerusalem is 20–30% cheaper than Tel Aviv for dining and accommodation. Old City street food is very affordable. West Jerusalem restaurants are moderately priced. Holy sites are mostly free.
| Item | Price (ILS) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Falafel in pita | ILS 15–25 | $4–7 |
| Ka'ak bread (sesame ring) | ILS 5–10 | $1.40–2.80 |
| Hummus plate | ILS 25–40 | $7–11 |
| Shawarma | ILS 35–55 | $10–15 |
| Coffee (cafe) | ILS 12–18 | $3.40–5 |
| Lunch at Machane Yehuda | ILS 40–70 | $11–20 |
| Dinner (mid-range) | ILS 80–150 | $22–42 |
| Light rail / bus ride | ILS 5.50 | $1.55 |
| Taxi across town | ILS 25–50 | $7–14 |
| Israel Museum | ILS 54 | $15 |
| Tower of David Museum | ILS 40 | $11 |
| Yad Vashem | Free | Free |
| Train to Tel Aviv | ILS 20 | $5.60 |
| Budget hotel (per night) | ILS 250–450 | $70–125 |
USD estimates based on approximately ILS 1 = $0.28. Rates fluctuate.
Day Trips from Jerusalem
Tel Aviv (1 hour by train)
Fast train from Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon to Tel Aviv costs ILS 20 (50 minutes, Rav-Kav or contactless). Tel Aviv is highly card-friendly. A beach day, Carmel Market visit, and Jaffa exploration make a perfect day trip. The last train back to Jerusalem runs around 10 PM (not on Shabbat).
Bethlehem (30 minutes by bus)
Arab bus 231 from Damascus Gate costs ILS 7 (cash only, 30 minutes). Bethlehem uses Israeli shekels. The Church of the Nativity is free. Banksy's Walled Off Hotel gallery is free. Restaurants near Manger Square accept cards, but smaller shops prefer cash. Bring ILS 50–80. You will pass through a checkpoint (bring your passport).
Dead Sea & Masada (1.5 hours by bus)
Egged bus 486 to Ein Bokek costs ILS 42 (1.5 hours, Rav-Kav or card). Ein Bokek public beach is free. Masada cable car costs ILS 78 (card accepted). Ein Gedi nature reserve costs ILS 29 (card accepted). Bring water and snacks. Tours from Jerusalem cost ILS 200–350 and combine multiple stops.
Hebron (1 hour by bus)
Arab bus from near Damascus Gate costs ILS 10 (cash only). The Cave of the Patriarchs (Ibrahimi Mosque) is free. Hebron's Old City market is cash-only. There are security checkpoints. Guided tours provide context and logistics. Bring ILS 50 in cash. A half-day trip that offers a very different perspective.
Jerusalem Quick Reference
| Destination | Cards? | Cash Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old City bazaar | ❌ Cash mostly | ILS 100–150 | No ATMs inside the walls |
| Mamilla Mall | ✅ Everywhere | Not needed | Open-air, fully card-friendly |
| Machane Yehuda | ✅ Some / ❌ Some | ILS 50–100 | Restaurants take cards, stalls cash |
| Holy sites | N/A (free) | ILS 20 for donations | Western Wall, Holy Sepulchre free |
| Museums | ✅ Cards accepted | Not needed | Israel Museum, Tower of David |
| Light rail | ✅ Contactless | Not needed | Tap card at platform |
| Bethlehem day trip | ✅ Some places | ILS 50–80 | Bus is cash, sites free |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash in Jerusalem?
Yes, more than in Tel Aviv. The Old City bazaar is almost entirely cash-only. Machane Yehuda Market vendors prefer cash for small purchases. Modern West Jerusalem (Mamilla, German Colony) is card-friendly. Carry ILS 100–150 when visiting the Old City.
Is there an entrance fee for the Western Wall or holy sites?
The Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and most churches are free. Donations are in cash. The Tower of David Museum costs ILS 40 (card accepted). The Israel Museum costs ILS 54 (card accepted). Yad Vashem is free.
How do I pay for the Jerusalem light rail?
Tap a Rav-Kav card or contactless credit card at platform validators. A single ride costs ILS 5.50. The light rail runs along Jaffa Road with stops at Machane Yehuda, City Hall, and Damascus Gate. Does not run on Shabbat.
What currency do I need in the Old City?
Israeli shekels. Some vendors accept USD or euros but at poor rates. ATMs are outside the walls near Jaffa Gate and Damascus Gate. Withdraw shekels before entering.
Is Jerusalem cheaper than Tel Aviv?
Yes. Dining and accommodation cost 20–30% less. Old City street food is very affordable (falafel ILS 15–25, ka'ak ILS 5–10). Holy sites are mostly free.
What happens on Shabbat?
From Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, public transport stops, most shops close (except in Arab neighborhoods and the Old City), and ATMs still work. Taxis run at higher rates. Plan ahead: withdraw cash and stock up on Friday morning.
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