Travel disruptions and heightened security restrictions have forced many families to cancel or reroute holiday plans ahead of Passover, driving up costs and pushing travelers to seek complex alternatives through neighboring countries.
Shira, a mother of two, said her family had planned a bar mitzvah trip to Thailand, with flights booked and preparations nearly complete, before the trip was canceled due to travel warnings and route limitations.
“We didn’t want to disappoint the children, especially our son who had been waiting for this,” she said. “Once we understood the restrictions were tightening, we started looking for any alternative.”
Instead of flying directly, the family explored options through Taba in Egypt or Aqaba in Jordan, significantly increasing both the cost and complexity of the journey. Some routes included multiple stops through Larnaca, Europe and onward to Asia, with prices reaching nearly $4,000 per passenger.
Other travelers described similar challenges. Dan and Gili said their flight to Budapest was canceled, prompting them to book a more expensive alternative that involves traveling by car from Haifa to Eilat, crossing into Taba and flying from there.
“It sounds extreme, but we’re not canceling the vacation,” they said.
The disruptions come as tighter limitations at Ben Gurion Airport reduce available flights, creating high demand for remaining routes and sharp price increases.
Flights to long-haul destinations such as Thailand now cost around 12,000 shekels ($3,200) or more, often requiring connections through Aqaba or Larnaca. Even shorter routes to Europe via Jordan have climbed to about 2,500 shekels ($670) per person.
Limited flights still departing from Ben Gurion are also significantly more expensive. A ticket to Bangkok with a stop in Aqaba is priced at about $3,848 in economy class, while business class fares can reach $6,500.
Many travelers are opting to depart overland via border crossings in Taba or Aqaba, adding an estimated $200 to $300 per person in fees and transportation, along with significantly longer travel times that can stretch to a full day.
Cheaper options exist on paper, including flights from Taba starting at about 518 euros to Budapest or 561 euros to Athens, though they often exclude luggage and require additional travel arrangements.
Flights from Aqaba to destinations such as Bucharest, Vienna and Montenegro are priced at around $1,174 round trip, while routes from Sharm el-Sheikh start at about $438 to Vienna but involve extended travel within Egypt and carry travel warnings.
High demand has also driven up prices for flights to the United States. One-way tickets from Taba to New York via Milan are selling for about $1,999, or roughly $4,000 round trip.
Domestic tourism has also surged. Hotels in Eilat are nearly fully booked for the Passover holiday, with prices rising sharply. Vacation rentals start at about 4,200 shekels ($1,100) per night, while a four-night stay for a family can reach 14,000 to 15,000 shekels ($3,800 to $4,100). Luxury hotel stays are significantly higher.
Some travelers are turning to closer destinations such as Paphos in Cyprus, with packages starting at about $699, though demand has also strained booking systems.
Despite the rising costs and logistical hurdles, many families said they remain determined to travel during the holiday period, even if it requires significantly longer and more expensive journeys.