I never thought the drive from Jerusalem to Eilat would become one of the most peaceful parts of my trip. Jerusalem had been everything I expected — intense, historic, full of stories in every corner. But after five days of walking uphill, ducking through markets, and dodging tour groups in the Old City, I was ready to do something different. I wanted to rest. To breathe. And to see the Red Sea with my own eyes. So I booked a short getaway to Eilat.

It’s Not “Close” — But It’s Definitely Worth It

Let’s be real: this isn’t a one-hour trip. Eilat sits nearly 300 kilometers south of Jerusalem. That’s about 4–5 hours by road, depending on traffic. You can fly, of course, but after checking the schedules, transfers, airport wait times, and the cost, I figured I’d spend nearly the same amount of time — just more stressed. I considered the bus. It’s cheap. But buses from Jerusalem to Eilat don’t run all day, and I didn’t love the idea of spending hours without a break or air conditioning that’s too cold to adjust. So I chose to book a car with a driver. Private, quiet, and flexible.

The Road South Was Surprisingly Beautiful

The moment we left the hills of Jerusalem behind, everything changed. The terrain opened. The sky stretched wider than I’d seen it all week. Beige turned to gold. Then to orange. We passed through the Negev Desert — a landscape I hadn’t expected to love so much. Flat expanses. Lonely hills. The occasional goat. My driver offered to stop for coffee or a view — I said yes, of course. It wasn’t just a ride. It was therapy.

And Then — The Water

After hours of desert, Eilat hits you like a postcard. Deep blue water, palm trees, coral reefs just beneath the surface. It’s small but full of life. I had booked a hotel by the marina, went snorkeling the next morning, and watched the sunset from a rooftop bar.

But you know what stuck with me most? That drive. It reminded me that the journey is part of the trip — and when done right, it can be the best part. If you’re planning your own trip from Jerusalem to Eilat and wondering about transport options, you can find more practical details here. I didn’t regret choosing comfort, and I don’t think you will either.

A Few Tips If You’re Planning the Same Route

If this sounds like something you want to try, let me leave you with a few tips based on my experience:

Leave in the morning. The desert is beautiful, but by early afternoon it can get hot — even inside a car. Morning light also makes the scenery feel more alive.
Ask your driver if you can stop along the way. Mine was happy to pull over near Mitzpe Ramon for 10 minutes so I could take in the crater and stretch my legs. That stop became one of my favorite moments of the entire weekend.
Bring snacks and water. Especially if you don’t want to rely on gas stations or rest stops.
Charge your phone beforehand. Not because you’ll need it for emergencies (though that too), but because you’ll want to take photos. And maybe put on some music or an audiobook to match the landscape.

The Shift in Atmosphere Is Real

Leaving Jerusalem is like walking out of a crowded museum into open air. It’s not that I didn’t love the intensity and complexity of the city — I absolutely did — but there was something cleansing about watching all that stone and noise slowly fade into sand and silence. Eilat, in contrast, feels like an entirely different country. Flip-flops, sunglasses, people eating ice cream at midnight. It’s lighthearted in a way that Jerusalem rarely is. That contrast is what makes the journey feel so meaningful. You’re not just changing geography — you’re switching moods, rhythms, and even perspectives. That 4–5 hour ride is a kind of decompression chamber, helping you shift from spiritual exploration to coastal relaxation.

Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely — and next time, I’d even consider extending the road trip and stopping overnight somewhere along the way. There’s something magical about slowing down in the desert. I used to think of travel as just moving between points. But now I realize that when the in-between part is done right — when you give yourself time, comfort, and space — it becomes more than just logistics. It becomes a memory. So if you're planning a trip south and debating how to get from Jerusalem to Eilat, I’ll say this: don’t rush it. Choose the option that gives you space to breathe. And maybe — like me — you’ll find that the road is where your vacation actually begins.

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