Jericho: Day Trips and Tours from Tel Aviv

From ancient biblical stories to modern-day attractions, a day trip to Jericho from Tel Aviv is the ultimate exploration into the history and culture of Palestine.

Known to be the oldest city in the world, Jericho enables visitors to take a peek back in time to the Holocene epoch, more than 11,000 years ago.

Whether you want to shop for dates, learn about the battles fought through the centuries or discover the city’s association with Christ, you’ll find something in Jericho to suit your tastes.

Here's all you need to know about Jericho, one of the most exciting day trips from Tel Aviv.

How to get to Jericho from Tel Aviv?

Jericho is located in the Jordan Valley of Palestine. It is approximately 100 kilometers from the city of Tel Aviv.

From Tel Aviv to Jericho by car

The journey to Jericho from Tel Aviv takes approximately 1.5 hours by car and follows Route 1 all the way.

From Tel Aviv to Jericho by bus

In order to make the jaunt to Tel Aviv by public transport, you’ll take a bus from the capital city to Jerusalem. From there, you can board another bus bound for Jericho. The entire journey takes around 2 hours.

Guided tour to Jericho from Tel Aviv

Alternatively, book a guided excursion to Jericho. These day trips last approximately 10 hours and most include a complimentary hotel pickup service.

What is the typical itinerary?

After a convenient hotel pickup, you’ll make your way through the vast deserts of Israel to the ancient city of Jericho.

Here, you’ll see key monuments that have secured their place in the history books, such as Zaccheus' Tree and the Tell es-Sultan archaeological site.

Once you’ve dived into the city’s 11,000-year past, you’ll continue to your next destination. Some Jericho day tours travel to the holy cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, while others explore Mount Temptation, and the Dead Sea.

The majority of excursions make a stop at Qasr al-Yehud — a popular site among religious pilgrims.

What kinds of tours are available?

Day trips to Jericho usually visit a host of other fascinating landmarks. This enables you to select an excursion that aligns with your other interests.

Guided tour to Jericho plus Bethlehem and Qasr El Yahud from Tel Aviv

On this Jericho day trip, you’ll begin by visiting a myriad of monuments in the ancient city. These include Zaccheus' Tree, which is estimated to be 2,000 years old.

Journeying on, you’ll visit the birthplace of Christianity — Bethlehem and see where Mary is thought to have given birth. Before returning to Tel Aviv, you’ll see the sacred baptism site of Qasr al-Yehud.

Day trip to Jericho plus the Jordan River, Mount Temptation and the Dead Sea from Tel Aviv

Alternatively, step back in time at the Tell es-Sultan archaeological site in Jericho before visiting the Monastery of the Temptation, carved out of the surrounding eponymous mount’s cliffs.

From here, you’ll witness the holy site of Qasr al-Yehud before admiring the Jordan River. End your Jericho day tour floating in the saltiest lake in the world — the Dead Sea.

How much does a day trip to Jericho from Tel Aviv cost?

Jericho day trips tend to range in price from US$110 to US$140 per person. Entrance fees and a knowledgeable guide are included in this fee.

What will you see and do?

As the oldest city in the world, Jericho has plenty of fascinating sights to be seen.

These include its archaeological site — Tell es-Sultan — which is a UNESCO-listed landmark where many remnants of civilization have been found, dating back to 11,000 years ago. Among these artifacts are microlith tools and statues.

Zaccheus' Tree is another must-see spot — mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Luke as the sycamore Zaccheus climbed in a bid to see Jesus passing through.

Other attractions to see on a Jericho day tour include Hisham’s Palace, St. George’s Monastery and the Jericho Cable Car.

When is the best time to visit Jericho?

The best time to visit Jericho is outside of the peak tourist season, during the spring or fall months when temperatures range from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Are there any tours to Jericho from other cities in Israel?

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

• Day Trips to Jericho from Jerusalem

Travel tips

• Make sure you keep your shoulders and knees covered on your Jericho day trip. Women should also carry a headscarf with them.
• Remember to take your passport with you to cross the border from Israel into Palestine.