Passover 2026: last-minute destinations still open to Israelis

Flight disruptions and security concerns are driving Israelis toward nearby, flexible getaways this holiday, with Cyprus and select European cities still offering bookable family breaks

👁 Cyprus (Photo: Deputy Ministry of Tourism Cyprus)

👁 Arkia (Photo: Ronen Fefer/ Shutterstock)

Arkia halts Jordan flights after sudden ban, leaving thousands of passengers stranded

👁 Koli National Park (Photo: fokke baarssen / shutterstock)

World’s happiest country offers free Lake District vacation — here's how to apply

👁 Photo: Delta Air Lines

Delta halts Israel flights until Sept. 5, United through June 14

👁 Nature will wait for quieter days (Photo: Gilad Carmeli)

Israel closes forests, parks and beaches ahead of Passover as war drags on

Travel

👁 Photo: Dana Elazar

Stranded in Thailand, Israeli traveler turns to monastery life: 'It sounds like a dream — but it’s much more complicated'

Dana Elazar, 30, traveled to Thailand for a vacation, but war left her stranded with canceled flights and dwindling funds; as she waited for evacuation, she made an unusual choice: moving into a jungle monastery, where she admits, 'I was supposed to meditate at 5 a.m., but I kept sleeping'

Assaf Kamar | 05:46 | 04.04.26

👁 Photo: Alex Vog / shutterstock

Leave the swimsuit at home: the world’s top 10 nude beaches, from Miami to the Dead Sea

From a full-fledged naturist village to a secluded bay reached by 500 steps and a hidden beach beyond an abandoned tunnel, these are the 10 best nude beaches for 2026 — from California and Miami to quiet Mediterranean shores near Israel

Roi Alman | 09:29 | 04.02.26

👁 Police officer in Thailand, a popular destination for young Israeli travelers (Photo: Shutterstock)

'Avoid Passover events in public spaces,' NSC warns Israelis abroad

National Security Council warns of an increase in the terrorist threat abroad during the Spring holidays, and recommends staying away from unsecured Jewish gatherings and open events, which could be targeted by terrorists

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 10:48 | 03.25.26

👁 Photo: Shutterstock

Life expectancy of 54 years: the country you wouldn’t want to live in

Global life expectancy is about 73 years, with countries such as Japan and Switzerland exceeding 84; Nigeria trails at just 54.5; how does a resource-rich nation rank among the world’s lowest, nearly two decades below the global average?

Eitan Gefen | 03:33 | 03.25.26

👁 Waxler in Iraq

Dangerous game: Haredi Israeli risks life traveling through Iraq during war, aims for Iran next

Jerusalem tourism consultant Benny Waxler visits Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Hezbollah strongholds, hiding his Jewish identity while seeking lost heritage sites and navigating constant risk of exposure

Assaf Kamar | 01:51 | 03.25.26

👁 Ben Gurion Airport (Photo: Aviation Authority)

Passover travel crunch: sky-high flight prices and costly Eilat vacations leave few options

Travelers are rerouting through Jordan and Egypt, facing long overland journeys, limited flights and surging demand, with some routes requiring daylong trips and added costs despite already high holiday prices

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 11:26 | 03.24.26

👁 El Al aircraft (Photo: Jack Guez/ AFP)

El Al cuts flights to 7 destinations, shifts to essential operations as Ben Gurion Airport limits tighten

Flights reduced to a minimum as Ben Gurion caps departures and passenger numbers; El Al limits service to major hubs while Israir operates only nearby routes, prioritizing humanitarian cases

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 17:26 | 03.23.26

👁 Photo: Aviation Authority

Arkia shifts flights abroad, El Al scales back amid wartime airspace limits

Airlines shift operations to Aqaba and Taba and limit Ben Gurion flights to humanitarian routes as new rules cap passengers at 50 per flight and one departure per hour, leaving many travelers stranded ahead of Passover

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 10:15 | 03.23.26

👁 מפגש עם חבר רנדומלי באמצע מדבר סהרבה

From fake identities to Israeli pride: 20-year-old’s journey across 40 countries

He traveled the world with no money, hiding his Israeli identity; now, at war and nights under rocket fire in Tel Aviv, Tal Dooreck Aloni says he’s done hiding and is using his platform to show Israel as it is

Assaf Kamar | 04:41 | 03.23.26

👁 Sheila Negrin

'I suddenly felt a slap to my face': Israeli tourist attacked in Thailand fights back

A routine girls’ trip to Koh Samui turned violent when Sheila Negrin of Ramat Gan was suddenly attacked on the street — but fought back, saying, 'She took a beating,' in an interview with ynet

Assaf Kamar | 21:10 | 03.22.26

👁 BGA during war (Photo: Airport authority)

Israel cuts Ben-Gurion traffic to one flight an hour, slashes passenger limits

Transportation Minister Miri Regev and senior officials have ordered further restrictions at Ben-Gurion Airport, cutting outbound passengers from 120 to about 50 and reducing overall flight activity

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 21:05 | 03.22.26

👁 Cherry blossoms in Gush Etzion (Photo: Gush Etzion Tourism)

It's cherry blossom time from the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights to Gush Etzion

Spring has officially arrived and the cherry blossoms are blooming across the country: Check out our spectacular photos

Ilana Curiel | 06:20 | 03.22.26

👁 Ofri Kark (Photo: Ofri Kark)

From war to ski slopes: Israeli traveler’s 20-hour escape to the French Alps

Ofri Kark’s flight was canceled at war’s outset, but she set out on a 20-hour journey via three countries and Sinai to reach the French Alps — from bomb shelters to ski parties, and a puzzling ski confiscation in Egypt

Assaf Kamar | 08:57 | 03.20.26

👁 Findland's Koli National Park (Photo: Fokke Baarssen / Shutterstock)

The happiest country in the world is offering a free vacation: pack your suitcase for Finland

Finland is inviting six pairs to compete for a nature vacation in the largest lake region in Europe; Saunas, a private car and log cabins are part of the trip; here's everything you need to do to win

Roy Elman | 22:14 | 03.19.26

👁 Aqaba Airport: a creative solution, but far from cheap (Photo: KELENY / shutterstock)

Pricey Exodus: Passover travelers turn to Aqaba and Taba due to wartime flight cuts

Amid tighter limits at Ben Gurion Airport and a severe seat shortage, Israelis seeking Passover travel are turning to routes via Jordan and Egypt, including Arkia flights through Aqaba; they face fares topping $1,100 as Israir cancels flights and freezes sales

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 19:20 | 03.19.26

👁 מטוסי אל על בנתב"ג

Israel’s flight nightmare begins as summer prices hit records

As war uncertainty lingers, limited flights, slow airline returns and surging demand could drive Israeli airfare to historic highs this summer, with experts warning delays or cancellations remain possible if security risks persist

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 14:26 | 03.18.26

👁 נתב"ג בזמן מלחמה

Inside Ben Gurion under fire: ‘No airport has operated like this under war conditions’

Duty-free sits nearly empty as missiles fly; runways are swept for shrapnel after every interception and flights pause midair; A rare look at how Ben Gurion Airport keeps operating under fire, where every takeoff depends on seconds and strict limits

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 12:03 | 03.17.26

👁 Despite rocket and missile fire, Israelis are flocking to Eilat (Photo: Shutterstock)

Up to $9,000 for a holiday vacation: even under missile fire, Israelis flock to Eilat

Those who haven't booked in advance ahead of the Passover holiday are having trouble finding a room for Seder night; we looked at how much a vacation in the southern resort city will cost

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 10:52 | 03.17.26

👁 Dubai airport (Photo: AFP)

Ignoring warnings, Israelis stranded at Dubai airport after Iranian drone attack snarls flights

Travelers transiting through the UAE say emergency procedures at Dubai International Airport left them stuck for hours amid confusion, flight disruptions and little information, despite Israeli warnings against using the Gulf state as a travel route

Nina Fox, Reuters | 15:39 | 03.16.26

👁 מטוס חופשה טיסה

Who is benefiting as war drives tourists away from the Middle East?

For years, the Middle East and Gulf drew Europeans in search of winter sun, but the Iran war has disrupted flights and prompted travel warnings, pushing tourists toward southern Europe, the Caribbean and other alternative destinations

Roy Elman | 09:04 | 03.16.26

👁 Yonatan 'Kimi' Kimelfeld and Omer Hikri

‘Come on a drone to Eilat’: The viral war parody taking Israeli social media by storm

Between air raid sirens and runs to the shelter, two neighbors in Tel Aviv’s Florentin grabbed a guitar and recorded a parody of ‘Come to Eilat’; within days, the clip drew hundreds of thousands of views; 'Sometimes people recognize me in the shelter,' one said

Assaf Kamar | 16:44 | 03.15.26

👁 Shany swimming in the icy waters of Antarctica

Among penguins and ice, Israeli woman swims in Antarctica’s near-freezing waters to fulfill lifelong dream

Between the war-torn Middle East and Antarctica’s frozen silence, Israeli swimmer Shany Goldental, 38, plunged into waters below 1°C and swam 750 meters among icebergs and penguins, raising Israel’s flag; 'The war showed me how fragile life is,' she said

Assaf Kamar | 14:15 | 03.15.26

👁 Photo: Photofex_AUT / Shutterstock.com

Passover travel blow: Flydubai extends Israel flight cancellations until end of April

Foreign airlines continue to suspend flights to Tel Aviv after the outbreak of war and the closure of Israeli airspace, with Flydubai extending cancellations through the end of April and disrupting travel plans for thousands of Israelis

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger, News Agencies | 10:28 | 03.15.26

👁 מטוס אייר ניו זילנד

Airlines raise ticket prices as jet fuel costs surge; United CEO warns fares could climb quick

Jet fuel prices have nearly doubled within days amid Middle East war, pushing airlines to raise fares and fuel surcharges; Air New Zealand, Qantas are already passing costs to passengers, while United’s CEO warns ticket prices could rise rapidly

Reuters | 05:10 | 03.11.26

👁 The dubbed 'Shadow Beach' draws nude tourists after viral travel videos (Photo: Shutterstock)

Hidden Thailand beach turns into viral nude sunbathing hotspot, sparking backlash from locals

Remote stretch of sand dubbed 'Shadow Beach' draws nude tourists after viral travel videos; locals protest while authorities warn public nudity could lead to fines under Thai law

Assaf Rozen | 16:38 | 03.10.26

👁 Rescue flight from Dubai (Photo: Danny Sadeh)

First rescue flight from Dubai lands in Israel with 330 passengers

About 330 Israelis stranded in the UAE since the war began arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on the first rescue flight organized by the Transportation Ministry with Emirati partners; additional evacuation flights expected

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 08:42 | 03.09.26

👁 Yasmin Behar and Armia

Israeli woman and Iranian DJ who fell in love in Amsterdam stranded in Bangkok plan peace party

The couple, who met in Amsterdam and faced suspicion from both families, are stuck in Thailand after Middle East flight cancellations and now hope to bring Israelis and Iranians together for a party promoting solidarity

Assaf Kamar | 16:35 | 03.08.26

👁 Photo: Ronen Fefer / shutterstock

Rescue flights to Israel go on sale: $425 from Athens, $495 from Budapest

Previously limited to airline customers stranded abroad, the rescue flights are now open to all travelers; prices are relatively high and do not include a carry-on trolley or checked baggage

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 18:10 | 03.07.26

👁 Photo: Photofex_AUT / Shutterstock.com

Flydubai to operate rescue flights for Israelis stranded in UAE

Tourism Ministry said about 9,000 foreign tourists have left Israel since the start of the military campaign against Iran, while about 28,000 remain in the country, down from nearly 37,000 at the start of the operation

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger, Nina Fox, Sivan Hilaie | 16:37 | 03.06.26

👁 An Iranian attack on Bahrain (Photo: Video obtained by Reuters/via REUTERS)

Israel warns citizens abroad to avoid Chabad houses amid terror fears

National Security Council urges Israelis to conceal Jewish symbols, avoid transit through the UAE and exercise heightened caution worldwide as Iranian-linked threats rise and attacks target Jewish sites in North America

ynet | 22:27 | 03.05.26

👁 Photo: Kobi Koankes

Outgoing flights from Israel to resume Sunday

Transportation Minister Miri Regev says move 'subject to security reality'; it comes shortly after the first rescue flights bringing stranded travelers back to Israel landed; El Al won't operate rescue flights on Shabbat

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 10:02 | 03.05.26

👁 Photo: AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

First rescue flights land in Israel after five days of total airspace closure

El Al plans rescue flights from about 22 global destinations, while Israir will operate from Rome, Berlin, Rovaniemi, Athens and Batumi

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 07:22 | 03.05.26

👁 El Al planes at Ben Gurion Airport (Photo: Shutterstock)

Rescue flight plan for Israelis stranded abroad begins: this is how it will work

The rescue flight operation to repatriate Israelis stranded abroad is expected to begin Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, with Israeli airlines preparing to operate dozens of flights to Israel: this is how it will happen

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 18:32 | 03.04.26

👁 El Al planes at Ben Gurion Airport (Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

Ben Gurion Airport to reopen Thursday with limited inbound flights

Beginning early Thursday, Ben Gurion Airport will reopen in phases with one inbound flight per hour at first, then two, operating 24/7; ten percent of seats will be reserved for humanitarian cases; for now, only arrivals are permitted; departures remain unclear

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 20:03 | 03.03.26

👁 Ben Gurion Airport on the eve of the war (Photo: Kobi Koanx)

Flights to Ben Gurion Airport may resume Thursday pending security approval

Israel’s airspace remains closed, but advanced talks are underway on a large-scale rescue plan that would see two full flights land every hour around the clock, pending final security approval

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 17:44 | 03.03.26

👁 מטוס בואינג 787 של אל על (צילום: Ronen Fefer / Shutterstock)

Dan Hotels offers 25% discount in New York as Israeli airlines plan rescue flights

NoMo SoHo in Manhattan extends special rate to stranded Israelis; El Al outlines broad rescue plan from US, Europe and Asia once Ben Gurion Airport reopens

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 12:21 | 03.02.26

👁 Photo: Sailor Yacht Club

Stranded Israelis pay thousands for yachts back into war

With flights grounded by Iran war, Israelis stuck abroad are chartering private yachts from Cyprus for grueling 30-hour crossings home, braving rough seas and no cellphone service to return to a country under fire

Roy Elman | 02:06 | 03.02.26

👁 Photo: Assaf Kamar

'This is our third war here': the tourists stranded in Israel as war erupts

Orlando Lopez arrived from Mexico for his first seven-day vacation in Israel and woke to a blast and siren, while Jeffrey and Debbie Freeman of London returned for a nostalgic visit only to see it upended, joining dozens of stranded tourists waiting for the skies to reopen

Assaf Kamar | 23:09 | 03.01.26

👁 Smoke rises from Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Photo: REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi)

UAE extends stranded Israelis’ hotel stays, covers costs as Israel aids tourists at home and abroad

Abu Dhabi orders hotels to extend stays for guests unable to depart due to airspace closures and says it will cover the costs, while Israel’s Tourism Ministry activates emergency operations to house evacuees and assist tourists seeking to leave

Itamar Eichner, ynet Global | 20:11 | 03.01.26

👁 Photo: Ronen Fefer / shutterstock

Arkia launches special Athens-Taba flights starting at $359 amid Israel airspace closure

With Israel’s airspace closed and flights canceled, bypass route through Sinai is opening; Arkia will operate special flights between Athens and Taba, Egypt, allowing passengers to combine air travel with an overland crossing into Israel

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 09:19 | 03.01.26

👁 US refueling aircraft at Ben-Gurion Airport (Photo: Kobi Koankes)

Israel airspace closure strands thousands overseas

Many travelers, with no immediate way to return home, are now searching for alternative routes back, primarily through neighboring Jordan

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 20:24 | 02.28.26

👁 Ynet photographer Gil Yohanan takes a dip in the sprin (Photo Assaf Kamar)

From secret cave springs to desert oases: Israel’s best hidden swimming spots revealed

From a cool cave in the Jerusalem Hills to natural water slides near Beit She’an and a lagoon in Nitzanim’s dunes, discover the country’s most refreshing off-the-radar places to swim this summer

Assaf Kamar | 13:57 | 02.27.26

👁 Maya and Adir Halevy-Ben David (Photo: Courtesy)

They left Israel for van life in Europe — with two border collies and a dream

She left a comfy office job, he logged hundreds of days in reserve duty, until post–Oct. 7 anxiety and burnout pushed them to act; Maya and Adir packed two suitcases, took their dogs and bought a one-way ticket to Europe — with no return date in sight

Roy Elman | 10:23 | 02.27.26

👁 Photo: Shutterstock

Passenger accidentally taps into pilots’ private cockpit chatter, hears unfiltered mid-flight banter

Instead of music, a passenger on an Airbus A319 says he got 2.5 hours of uncensored cockpit audio, from air traffic control exchanges to personal stories and profanity, offering a rare, unscripted window into what really happens behind the flight deck door

Roy Elman | 19:15 | 02.26.26

👁 Photo: Assaf Kamar

Desert oasis escape: inside the serene Moa Living retreat in the Arava

In the heart of the Arava, Moa Living offers a carefully curated desert wellness retreat with a slower pace and prices starting at NIS 1,400 per night — delivering calm that lingers beyond the stay

Assaf Kamar | 11:53 | 02.26.26

👁 Photo: shutterstock

KLM suspends Amsterdam-Tel Aviv route amid regional tensions

Lufthansa and Swiss extend modified night flights via Athens through March 6, while Austrian and Brussels Airlines fly direct; Iberia Express operates one daily flight to Tel Aviv

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 22:04 | 02.25.26

👁 Photo: Jack GUEZ / AFP

Facing $63 million fine threat, El Al launches aggressive flight sale

Discounted round-trip fares for April through June include Europe from $179 and New York from $979, as the airline contests competition authority allegations over wartime pricing and hangar access

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 04:43 | 02.25.26

👁 מטוס של חברת אייר אינדיה

Frightening: 82.5% of inspected Air India planes had recurring technical defects

Internal document shows a sharp spike in technical incidents at Air India, with January reporting 4 times more cases than December, including fuel leaks and engine warnings, as the carrier works to recover from a deadly June crash that killed 260 people

Reuters | 14:30 | 02.24.26

👁 Photo: Arnoud Raeven, @Koninklijke Luchtmacht / facebook

Why did F-35 jets escort a KLM flight? New footage emerges

Passenger jet packed with athletes, flanked by two stealth fighter jets in European skies: special welcome awaiting the Dutch delegation yesterday as it returned from 2026 Winter Olympics

Asaf Rozen | 11:08 | 02.24.26

👁 500 passengers were forced to spend the night aboard grounded aircraft (Photo: Brocreative/ shutterstock)

500 passengers were abandoned overnight on planes after snowstorm hits Munich

Flights were canceled amid heavy snowfall, but strict overnight curfew rules and a shortage of buses left hundreds stuck on five aircraft until morning, with limited food and no way back to the terminal

Roi Alman | 08:47 | 02.23.26

👁 שנה על אי שקט? אתם מוזמנים להגיש מועמדות

Win your own private island for a year in bold new global contest

New Swedish tourism campaign will name 5 global winners as ‘island custodians’ for 12 months, offering free use of remote islands to promote quiet, simplicity and deeper connection to nature

Roy Elman | 11:25 | 02.22.26

👁 'We constantly have to prove we’re good enough' (Photo: Shahar Avivi)

‘There is no glass ceiling, only altitude’: the women breaking into Israel’s cockpits

From ultra-Orthodox homes to costly training abroad, these women invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to earn their wings and build a network of more than 170 pilots, proving the sky has no glass ceiling

Assaf Kamar | 08:23 | 02.21.26

👁 The departures hall at Ben Gurion Airport (Photo: Miki Schmidt)

'We can’t stop living': Unfazed by Iran threats, Israelis keep flying

Despite fears of a possible strike on Iran and concerns Israel’s skies could close, Ben Gurion Airport remains packed, with travelers refusing to give up their vacations, saying 'we need this break' — and if war erupts, 'we’ll come back and hit the Iranians hard'

Maya Cohen | 20:57 | 02.19.26

👁 US military aircraft (Photo: Flightradar24.com)

Warplanes and airliners: How to track the drama unfolding in the Middle East skies

Once we could only guess where a plane overhead was headed, but a modest Swedish project changed the game, turning millions into aviation sleuths tracking everything from El Al flights to spy planes and live international dramas in real time

Roy Elman | 17:41 | 02.19.26

👁 Luftansa's special overnight flight format will add travel time to Israel (Photo: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock)

Airlines adjust schedules to Israel amid fear of US attack on Iran

Luftansa extends special overnight flight format to Israel, which includes a stopover in Athens, and Switzerland's flag carrier also adopts the policy over concern Iran will respond with attack on Israel

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 14:28 | 02.19.26

👁 'Free Palestine' sticker (Photo: Anzz Media / shutterstock)

'Free Palestine' stickers placed on 140 El Al passengers’ suitcases

Stickers placed on passengers’ luggage at Los Angeles airport triggered security checks, a two-hour delay and the removal of 140 bags from the flight to Israel, according to travelers

Itamar Eichner | 21:57 | 02.18.26

👁 Photo: REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Aviation sector threatens strike over Wizz Air Israel base

Histadrut labor federation says more than 11,000 aviation workers could take action within two weeks, warning the planned Wizz Air base was approved without consultation and could threaten job security and sector stability

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 14:37 | 02.18.26

👁 Valletta, the capital of Malta (Photo: Shutterstock)

Planning a Mediterranean getaway? Direct Israel–Malta flights set to take off this summer

The island’s national carrier will begin regular service from Tel Aviv in summer 2026, opening the door to beaches, natural landscapes and historic towns — even on a short escape; we checked what a ticket will cost

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 22:16 | 02.17.26

👁 Four Seasons I (Photo: Four Seasons)

Sailing with the 1%: A glimpse aboard the new superyacht cruise for the global elite

With just 95 suites, a one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio and a midship deck that opens directly onto the sea, Four Seasons launches its first floating hotel, crowned by a four-level mega-suite priced like a small apartment and set to debut in the Mediterranean soon

Roy Elman | 20:20 | 02.16.26

👁 Arkia (Photo: Ronen Fefer / shutterstock)

Arkia launches business class to Europe, starting with Paris

Arkia unveiled its spring-summer schedule with about 40 global destinations and announced it will introduce business class to Europe for the first time, launching the service on flights to Paris

Iris Lifshitz-Klieger | 13:33 | 02.16.26

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⇱ ynetglobal - Travel News: Latest Updates, Trends and Travel Tips

Passover 2026: last-minute destinations still open to Israelis

Arkia halts Jordan flights after sudden ban, leaving thousands of passengers stranded

World’s happiest country offers free Lake District vacation — here's how to apply

Delta halts Israel flights until Sept. 5, United through June 14

Israel closes forests, parks and beaches ahead of Passover as war drags on