Israeli travelers are showing they’re not just eager to fly again—they’re becoming some of the most travel-hungry people in the world. A new Google report reveals that, despite security concerns and rising costs, Israelis are embracing creative strategies to keep exploring the globe.
Flight searches are back to pre-October 7 levels, with a noticeable jump in early planning. More and more vacationers are locking in June trips to avoid July and August’s peak prices. Demand for vacation rentals has soared, and many families are now shifting their holidays to off-peak dates to save money while still enjoying full experiences.
3 View gallery
Pro-Palestinians in Dublin driving Israelis to seek vacation alternatives
(Photo: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne)
But it’s not just about saving money—it’s also about feeling safe. Google saw a dramatic increase in searches like “safest countries for Jews” and “how to prepare kids for antisemitism abroad,” with a staggering 5,000% rise in these types of queries. Israelis are especially curious about places like Greece, Thailand, the UK, Prague, Vienna and even destinations like Costa Rica and Tokyo. Prague, in fact, was a favorite for both Hanukkah and Christmas breaks.
Travel interest peaks after major regional events
According to Google, the busiest travel search days so far in 2025 were June 13 (as tensions with Iran escalated) and June 25 (just after a ceasefire). These moments reveal how closely travel plans are tied to Israel’s security situation—and how quickly people jump back into vacation mode when skies clear.
In a strong sign of rebound, Israel jumped to 8th place on the global leaderboard for travel-related searches—leaping from 27th last October and surpassing its 10th-place standing in early 2023.
New favorites, smarter tech and closer escapes
Some fresh destinations are catching Israeli eyes. Albania, boosted by new direct flights, saw a 500% rise in searches. Greece’s charming island of Kefalonia had an 80% bump. Meanwhile, short-haul travel from Haifa Airport grew by 70%, proving that even a mini-break can be magic.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
Israelis are also turning to AI to upgrade their vacation game. Travel-related searches involving AI tools are up 75% year-over-year—outpacing the global average. People are using them to plan entire trips, book hotels, pick flights and design detailed itineraries with a few clicks.
What’s hot for the holidays?
Looking ahead to the Tishrei high holiday time, Hanukkah and Passover, faraway favorites like New York, Bangkok and Tokyo are leading the charts. Athens is now the most popular nearby pick, while London is inching back into the mix. Paris didn’t crack the top 10, and Istanbul dropped out of the top 100 entirely.
Whether it’s a quiet beach in Albania, a city adventure in New York, or a family getaway to the Sea of Galilee (searches up 120%), Israelis are proving that, with smart planning and a bit of tech, vacation dreams are alive and well.
First published: 19:28, 07.14.25