Dead Sea: Day Trips and Tours from Jerusalem

Located between Jordan and Israel, the Dead Sea is known to be one of the most unique, and remarkable locations in the world. With its high salinity levels, anyone who takes a dip in the lake's healing waters can enjoy the novelty of floating to the surface immediately.

Day trips to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem are easy to arrange and are a must on any nature lover's bucket list while in Israel.

Here's all you need to know about Dead Sea, one of the most exciting day trips from Jerusalem.

How to get to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem?

The Dead Sea straddles the borders of Israel and Jordan, and is situated within the Jordan Rift Valley. It is approximately 100 kilometers from the holy city of Jerusalem.

From Jerusalem to the Dead Sea by car

The journey to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem takes between 1 and 1.5 hours by car, depending on which part of the lake you wish to see.

You’ll follow Route 1 traveling east out of the city, continuing along the shores of the Dead Sea as the highway turns into Route 90.

One of the best spots to enter the lake is Ein Gedi Beach, which is easily reached along this route. Alternatively, continue following the road to reach Ein Bokek Beach.

From Jerusalem to the Dead Sea by public transport

You can also make the jaunt to the Dead Sea via public transportation. There is a direct bus that travels to the lake from the Jerusalem Central bus station, which takes approximately 1.5 hours.

It is worth noting that this bus does not run during the weekly Shabbat, from Friday evening until the end of the day on Saturday.

Guided tour to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem

Alternatively, book a guided excursion to the Dead Sea. These tours last around 10 hours and you can choose between a handful of additional destinations.

You’ll meet at an easy-to-reach location in the center of Jerusalem in the morning and return to the city in the early evening. Depending on the trip you book, you may benefit from a convenient hotel pickup and drop-off service.

What is the typical itinerary?

The itinerary of Dead Sea day trips differs substantially, depending on the other locations you choose to visit. You’ll usually begin by leaving the city of Jerusalem in the morning to travel to your first stop.

Some tours begin extremely early and head to Masada National Park to catch the sunrise. Others begin later and journey to Bethlehem to witness the supposed birthplace of Christ.

Another destination that is popular among tourists to visit on a Dead Sea day tour is the ancient city of Jericho — thought to be the oldest town in the world.

Alternatively, you may choose to stay closer to home and explore the many outstanding landmarks of Jerusalem before traveling to the Dead Sea.

Once you’ve been guided around these cities, you’ll journey to the Dead Sea during the afternoon, where you’ll have free time to spend as you wish before returning to Jerusalem.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the Dead Sea?

Day trips to the Dead Sea are usually paired with other fascinating destinations across Israel. Select your excursion based on your must-see spots while in the Holy Land.

Guided tour to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem

If you’re looking for a slice of relaxation on your busy sightseeing vacation, take a day trip to the Dead Sea.

Leaving Jerusalem behind, you’ll make the journey through the lofty dunes of the Israeli desert to the land-locked lake. Here, you’ll spend the afternoon basking on the Dead Sea’s sunny shores and floating in its salty waters.

Cover yourself in mineral-rich mud from the lake’s bed to feel the benefits of this healing lake. After an afternoon spent lounging in the sun, you’ll return to Jerusalem in the early evening.

Day tour to the Dead Sea and Jerusalem from Jerusalem

This Dead Sea day tour enables you to explore the many wonders of Jerusalem before leaving the city to witness one of Israel’s natural phenomena.

These excursions usually begin on Mount of Olives, from which you can gain a panoramic view across the Old City. Journeying down the mount, you’ll pay a visit to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is thought to have prayed before his arrest.

Discover the 16th-century walls surrounding Jerusalem, once used to protect the city from intruders.

From there, you’ll wander through the Armenian Quarter and set your sights upon the Western Wall — one of the most famous monuments in the Jewish faith.

Before leaving the city, you’ll travel through the Christian Quarter to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — believed to be the spot of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

After this action-packed tour of Jerusalem, you’ll head to the Dead Sea to relax and recharge in its warm waters.

Day trip to the Dead Sea plus Masada and Ein Gedi from Jerusalem

Combine spectacular Israeli nature with rich history on this excursion.

Starting your day tour in the pitch black, you’ll travel to the archaeological site of Masada National Park. Here, you’ll ascend 700 steps along its renowned Snake Path, which cuts through impressive dunes to reach the fortress built by Herod the Great.

At the top of the rock formation, you’ll witness a colorful sunrise as you gaze out across the Judean Desert.

Explore the palace ruins, which date back to the 1st century B.C. before descending the mount and continuing on to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.

Admire roaring waterfalls and exotic desert plants as you move through the reserve, keeping your eyes out for the multitude of birds of prey that fill the skies overhead. Travel to the Dead Sea and rest your weary legs after an active yet rewarding day.

Day tour to the Dead Sea plus Bethlehem from Jerusalem

Walk in the footsteps of Christ as you see where the Bible reports that Jesus made his entrance into the world.

You’ll begin this day trip to the Dead Sea by visiting Shepherd’s Field, where it is said that the shepherds keeping watch that fateful night 2,000 years ago saw the star of Bethlehem.

Here, you can step into the chapel where — according to the Christian faith — the Son of God’s birth was first announced.

Moving on, you’ll explore the highlights of central Bethlehem, which include the Church of St. Catherine, where Jesus is said to have visited a young Catherine during the 4th century.

Tour the Milk Grotto before moving on to the most exciting building in Bethlehem — the Church of the Nativity. Inside this exquisite chapel, you’ll find a silver cross marking the place where it is said Mother Mary gave birth.

Lastly, unwind at the Dead Sea, which is referred to throughout the Bible.

Day trip to the Dead Sea plus Jericho and the Jordan River from Jerusalem

Another option for a Dead Sea day tour is to travel further out to the ancient city of Jericho, which is brimming with ancient architecture and ruins.

Reaching the 11,000-year-old city, you’ll discover Zaccheus' Tree, which features in the Bible and is thought to have been growing for over 2,000 years.

See the extraordinary artifacts that show early human settlement in Jericho at the Tell es-Sultan archaeological site. Here, you’ll find an assortment of objects, including tools and statues.

Moving on, you’ll wander the holy Monastery of the Temptation, located on the cliffs of an eponymous mount. See the Qasr al-Yahud baptism site, where Christians believe Jesus himself was baptized by his friend, John the Baptist.

Here, you can watch as pilgrims are christened in the sacred waters of the Jordan River, before journeying to the Dead Sea.

How much does a day trip to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem cost?

Day trips to the Dead Sea cost between US$40 and US$90 per person. Those on the higher end of this range include a knowledgeable guide who will escort you to the lake and fill you in on its history.

Excursions that include Masada National Park and Ein Gedi Nature Reserve cost between US$70, and US$100 each. Depending on the tour you select, you may be responsible for covering entrance fees.

You’ll pay US$90 each for a day trip to the Dead Sea and Bethlehem — the birthplace of Christ.

If you wish to include Jerusalem in your Dead Sea day tour itinerary, you’ll pay approximately US$110 per person.

Alternatively, participate in a day trip that includes Jericho and the Jordan River for around US$120 each.

What will you see and do?

The Dead Sea is not a sea after all, but a land-locked lake that sits along the border between Jordan and Israel. This fact is surprising to many visitors who expect to head to the coast to bathe in its salty waters.

Located in the Jordan Rift Valley, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and sits over 430 meters below sea level.

The salinity level of the lake is over 34%, which is 10 times that of any ocean on earth. This astounding salt content led to its name, as marine life and sea flora cannot thrive in these harsh waters.

However, it makes a remarkable visiting spot for tourists, who can spend their afternoon bobbing along the lake’s surface without any effort at all.

Despite the inhospitable environment of the Dead Sea, it has healing properties that have been enjoyed since the 1st century B.C. Many bathers have reported a reduction in pain for a number of conditions, including arthritis.

This is because of the lake's unique blend of minerals, which includes a high concentration of magnesium, known to fight inflammation.

Visitors can scoop mud from the Dead Sea's banks to smother on their bodies and faces, and enjoy an improvement in skin conditions, ranging from psoriasis to acne.

When is the best time to visit the Dead Sea?

The best times of the year to plan a day tour to the Dead Sea are during the spring months — from March to May — or the fall months of October and November.

During this time, the climate is comfortable, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.

These months are also outside of the peak tourist season, meaning you can experience the natural phenomenon undisturbed by hordes of other visitors.

Consider visiting the Dead Sea in the early morning or after 5 PM when the hot Israeli sun has subsided for the day.

Are there any tours to the Dead Sea from other cities in Israel?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in Israel:

• Day Trips to Dead Sea from Tel Aviv
• Day Trips to Dead Sea from Eilat

Travel tips

• Remember to bring your swimsuit and a spare towel on your Dead Sea day tour.
• While it is acceptable to wear swimwear at the Dead Sea, all other locations on your trip will require you to dress modestly. You’ll be expected to cover your knees and shoulders, and women should carry a headscarf with them.
• Much of Israel’s population observes Shabbat every week. As such, many businesses including shops and restaurants are closed between sunset on a Friday, and nightfall on a Saturday.
• You must enter the Dead Sea at one of the designated beaches along its shores. This is because several sinkholes have appeared throughout recent years, which can be dangerous.