After two years of uncertainty and last‑minute planning, travel for Passover 2026 is shaping up very differently. Skies are open, flight availability has increased, and tourism data show significant price drops for overseas vacations. Industry checks indicate that airfare and vacation package prices for Passover have fallen by up to 26% compared with last year, and most popular destinations are seeing discounts alongside a clear return of Israelis to early booking patterns.
One of the main factors driving cheaper overseas vacations this year is the exchange rate. As of early 2026, the U.S. dollar has been trading around 3.2 shekels, down from about 3.65 shekels at the same time last year — a drop of roughly 13%. Because many flight, hotel and package prices are quoted in foreign currency, a stronger shekel directly translates into lower final prices for Israeli consumers, even when base costs haven’t changed dramatically.
According to data from the Gulliver travel website, 9 out of the 10 most popular Passover flight destinations this year have seen price declines compared with Passover 2025. Vacation packages also are cheaper in most locations. Gulliver notes that, since the end of the war, most airlines have resumed activity in Israel, creating greater supply, increased competition and more affordable options for consumers.
The company also reports a clear return to early bookings: the share of reservations made well in advance is three times higher than last year. Gulliver attributes this to a combination of lower prices, broader availability and a heightened sense of confidence that allows Israelis to plan vacations far ahead.
Top flight destinations for Passover
Gulliver’s data show the 10 most sought‑after Passover flight destinations are: Dubai, Budapest, Tbilisi, Prague, Bangkok, Bucharest, Colombo (Sri Lanka), Rome, Miami and Larnaca.
Three countries — Thailand, Sri Lanka and the United States — are long‑haul destinations, reflecting an increasing willingness among Israelis to take longer vacations and use the holiday for more distant travel. About 9% of flight bookings went to Dubai, a similar share to Budapest, while the three far destinations together accounted for about 15% of total flight bookings.
Price drops were recorded for all three far‑flung destinations compared with last year, aided by the exchange‑rate effect. The largest decrease was in Budapest, with prices about 26% lower than Passover 2025. The only top‑10 destination that saw a price increase was Tbilisi, up around 19%.
The most popular destinations for Passover vacation packages are: Crete, Paphos, Batumi, Berlin, Baku, Budapest, Prague, Dubai, Rhodes and London.
Crete leads with roughly 15% of all bookings. Gulliver also highlights a surge in demand for Baku, which has climbed to fifth place with about 11% of bookings — notable given that no packages were sold to that destination for Passover 2025. In other destinations that sold packages both this year and last, prices have fallen between 4% and 7%.
Industry voices: Early planning and longer trips return
Tamar Garzon, CEO of Gullver, says Passover 2026 reflects a shift in Israeli travel behavior, with a return to early planning, preference for friendly destinations and using the holiday for longer trips — trends typical before the war.
“We’re seeing that vacation package prices during Chol Hamoed are generally lower compared with those around Seder night,” Garzon said. “And anyone who can return from vacation a day or two after children go back to school will enjoy even better prices. This is an important consideration for travelers who want to reduce costs without giving up a holiday.”
Other tourism companies report similar patterns. Shirley Cohen‑Orkaby, VP at Eshet Tours, says Passover demand this year is exceptionally strong, partly because the favorable exchange rate encourages early reservations. According to her, nearby destinations drawing strong interest include Greece, Albania, Georgia, Dubai and Azerbaijan, while long‑haul demand is noticeably rising for the U.S., Thailand and Vietnam.
“We are seeing very strong demand for Passover vacations, partly due to the low dollar rate encouraging early package sales at a higher pace than usual,” Cohen‑Orkaby said. “This year, since the holiday begins on Wednesday evening, there’s a great opportunity for a bridge of free days — ideal for longer trips.”
Yoni Waksman. C.I.O & vice chairman at Ophir Tours, adds: “For the upcoming Passover, there is high demand even for city destinations, especially in Eastern Europe.” He notes that cities like Budapest, Sofia and Bucharest offer a combination of high‑quality hotels, rich urban experiences and good value, making them popular holiday choices.
Booking peak already underway
Aviation Links VP Nir Mazor, VP of Aviation Relations, told ynet that “the peak booking period for Passover is already in full swing, especially for long‑haul destinations like the U.S., Thailand, Vietnam and even Zanzibar and the Seychelles, where planning begins very early and airfare prices are expected to rise later.” For other destinations, he said demand is particularly strong for the UAE, especially Dubai, where weather over Passover is expected to be ideal for a sunny getaway. Alongside these, major European capitals like Athens, Prague, Budapest, Rome and Paris are leading in demand.
Sample Passover prices (Most in demand, after seder)
A price check conducted at Gulliver ahead of the upcoming Passover, for the dates March 31–April 4, April 1–5, and April 5–9, shows that most demand is concentrated in the days after the Seder. Prices are for a family of four (two adults and two children
March 31–April 4:
Batumi: 5-star Euphoria hotel + flights with Israir — $769 per person
Paphos: 4-star Avlida hotel half‑board + flights with Israir — $618 per person
Dubai: 4-star Grand Excelsior Hotel Deira with breakfast + flydubai flights — $946 per person
April 1–5:
Batumi: 4-star Season Suite Apart hotel + El Al flights — $810 per person
Paphos:4-star Avlida hotel with breakfast + Israir flights — $512 per person
Dubai: 5-star JW Marriott Marquis hotel with breakfast + Arkia flights — $1,357 per person
April 5–9 (Chol Hamoed):
Batumi: 5-star Euphoria hotel half‑board + El Al flights — $627 per person
Paphos: 4-star Avlida hotel with breakfast + Israir flights — $502 per person
Dubai: 5-star V Hotel with breakfast + flydubai flights — $993 per person
Other Passover package examples
From Ofir Tours:
Bucharest: Flight + checked bag + 3 nights at 4-star International Hotel Bucharest City Center with breakfast — from €683 per person (April 2–5)
Sofia: Flight + bag + 3 nights at 5-star ANEL hotel with breakfast — from €570 per person
Budapest: Flight + bag + 3 nights at 4-star City Inn with breakfast — from €695 per person
From Eshet Tours:
Athens: 3 nights (April 2–5) at 4-star Brown Acropol hotel — from €524 per person
Batumi: 4 nights (April 5–9) at 5-star JRW Welmond Hotel & Casino — from $799 per person
Baku: 4 nights (April 2–6) at 5-star Sea Pearl Hotel — from $799 per person
Tirana: 4 nights (April 5–9) at 4-star Doro City — from $840 per person
New York – (April 3-10), starting at $1,399, with British Airways
Long‑haul flight packages (Passover):
Thailand (Etihad): March 30–April 14 (15 nights) with stop in Abu Dhabi, including 7kg hand luggage — from $1,899 per person
Thailand (El Al): March 30–April 14 direct, including 2 checked bags + 4kg hand luggage — from $2,619 per person
Miami (American): March 29–April 11 (13 nights) with stop in New York, including 23kg checked bag — from $1,689 per person
Miami (El Al): March 29–April 11 direct, including 23kg checked bag + 4kg hand luggage — from $3,429 per person
The Flying Carpet Company also offers Passover vacation packages at all-inclusive prices, suitable for families:
Crete: 3‑night all‑inclusive package (4-star Mediterraneo hotel) includes flights, luggage, hotel and transfers — $2,236 for a family of four (~$559 per person)
Rhodes: 3‑night all‑inclusive (4-star Avita Sun hotel) — $2,156 for a family of four (~$539 per person)