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How to get internet in Israel: Prices, alternatives and coverage | May 2024

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Last update: May 6, 2024
Roams UK
Author: Roams UK
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In short

When it comes to internet in Israel we have several options: eSIM, SIM card, wifi and roaming. From Roams we recommend, in particular, the Holafly eSIM, as it has a good service-price-support ratio. It has a 3GB tariff for 7 days for £34 and 24-hour support in English. In addition, with the code ROAMS, you will get a 5% discount.

Get your Israel eSIM from Holafly

Internet in Israel: best alternatives

When we think of a country with a rich historical background, Israel is one that springs to mind. From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea, this part of the Middle East has plenty of mythical places to visit.

With this, the myriad of places with thousands of years of history has travelled in parallel with an improvement in network connectivity. The Internet in Israel is a very clear reality and the advances in terms of connection to the digital world are proof of this.

Our expert opinion

That said, when thinking about your trip, you should consider the internet connection you will need in Israel. There are several options, with more and less connectivity, and a wide range of prices. Therefore, throughout this article we will compare the different alternatives and advise you on the best one, in our opinion.

author's photo
Roams UK

For the time being, we have prepared a comparison table so that you can see all the alternatives for internet in Israel.

How much does it cost the internet in Israel
Service Price/Days Data plan
Israel eSIM from Holafly
  • From £34/7 days
  • 3GB
SIM card Israel
  • From £27
  • 100MB
Wifi in Israel
  • Portable
  • Public

  • From £6 per day
  • Free

  • 500MB per day
  • Unlimited
Roaming in Israel
  • EE
  • Vodafone
  • Three

  • According to your tariff
  • According to your tariff
  • According to your tariff

  • According to your tariff
  • According to your tariff
  • According to your tariff

At this point, we have an overview of the different offers for internet connection in Israel. As you can see, there are cheaper alternatives and others where you may get an unpleasant surprise on your bill at the end of your trip.

Be suspicious of companies you don't know and of the sale of SIM cards for Israel on unofficial platforms such as eBay. There are countless reports of people who have bought SIM cards for abroad and, when they received them, the data was partially or completely used up.

When it comes to the question of how to get internet in Israel, at Roams we compare provider reliability, quality of service and price to pay. The reason for this is twofold: we want to ensure that you choose the option that provides you the best service and that you save as much money as possible.


eSIM in Israel: Holafly is the best alternative

As mentioned above, comparing the different aspects of internet connectivity procurement in Israel, eSIMs are the best option. Secure payment platforms provide security for the buyer, as well as generating a unique QR.

This means that if you buy an eSIM, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you are the one using the entire data tariff in Israel. In addition, technical support in case of incidents is available, in some companies, 24 hours a day.

To give you a quick overview of the basic services of each company, we have prepared the following table:

Israel eSIM data plans
Provider Data limit Price/Days TrustPilot
Holafly
  • 3GB
  • £34/7 days
  • 4,5/5
Airalo
  • 1GB
  • £5/7 days
  • 3,7/5
Flexiroam
  • 500MB
  • £3/3 days
  • 3,9/5

When you are leaving your home country and want to sign up for mobile data in Israel you will need to consider a number of factors. How many days will you be away? Can you afford to run out of data? Does my carrier have good coverage in other areas?

When it comes to internet in Israel, we take into account the opinion of verified customers and the different services of each company. Especially, being a country far away from the UK, trusting our provider is vital so we can fully enjoy our trip.

At Roams, when considering the different options for internet in Israel, we recommend Holafly's eSIM for the following reasons:

  • Plan with more data: you don't have to buy another eSIM when you are in Israel, you just have to worry about enjoying your trip.
  • Customer service: it is available 24 hours a day in English, which is very important in case of any incident.
  • Easy activation: simply scan the QR code sent to your email and start enjoying your eSIM in Israel.
  • Immediate delivery: if you have left the internet in Israel to the last minute, don't worry, as soon as you make the purchase you will receive an email with your eSIM.

eSim Israel
Mobile
Prepaid: 7 days expiry
Data 3 GB

Coverage
AT&T
Connection speed 4G
Pay as you go£277 days expiry
taxes included

SIM cards and data plans in Israel: useful information

The SIM card market in Israel is varied to say the least. It ranges from suspiciously cheap products to companies that charge a huge amount of money for a very limited mobile data service.

It is possible to find SIM cards for Israel on reputable sites such as eBay that claim to offer great data rates at low cost. Be especially careful when buying from these platforms, as there are many reports of users receiving a SIM card that has already been used.

If you are purchasing a SIM card to connect to the internet in Israel, we recommend that you buy it in your own country. Avoid, as far as possible, buying from unofficial outlets in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.

Our expert opinion

From our experience, when travelling abroad, we need to feel reassured at all times. Whether is the guided tours, the restaurants we eat in or the internet we use. Running out of data abroad or being forced to buy a new tariff while abroad is the opposite of peace of mind. Holafly is the international eSIM company in Israel with the best service and peace of mind.

author's photo
Roams UK

Wifi in Israel: The two main options

Wifi is an alternative way to have internet in Israel. There are both portable wifi and open networks, which, although they may share some of the same name, are totally different.

Pocket wifi: portable internet in Israel

Pocket wifi is, in short, a portable router with which you can have secure access to the internet. It's simple to use: keep it charged, connect to it and take it with you wherever you need internet access in Israel.

The disadvantages of using a pocket wifi is the need to carry it with you wherever you go to access the internet and to keep an eye on the battery status. If the battery runs out, your internet connection will be terminated until it is recharged.

The service-price ratio is worse than the Holafly eSIM for Israel that we recommended earlier, but it is still more reliable than prepaid SIMs. However, don't forget to check for possible additional charges (data limit or shipping costs, for example).

The vast majority of companies offering portable wifi for mobile data in Israel do not include insurance against theft, loss or damage. In such a case, you would have to pay compensation to the company. This is another reason why we recommend Holafly's eSIMs: you cannot lose them as they are virtual and embedded in your mobile.

Gey your Israel eSIM from Holafly

Free wifi: what you must not do

Free wifi networks in Israel (or public wifi) are not at all secure and can compromise your personal data. For this reason, Roams strongly advises against accessing the network via free wifi.

Public wifi networks, such as those in a bar or square, are not encrypted. This means that data travels unprotected from one point to another. If, for example, you make a query on your bank account or email, a stranger can slip in between to steal your details and passwords.

Even if you have an antivirus installed on your mobile phone, your sensitive data is still compromised on such networks. You should only use them on real emergencies and for a short period of time.


Roaming in Israel: an expensive internet option

In this case, the only advantage of roaming is the reliability that can come from going to a foreign country with the support of your usual operator. However, you should check with whom you will have the network, as not everyone has their own connection there.

Roaming in Israel alternative is, usually, pretty expensive. Therefore, you may not be able to control your expenses as some of the companies charge you based upon data use.


Internet coverage in Israel: an advanced country

Despite the notions you might have imagined about Israel's coverage, it is a very advanced country in this regard. All major operators have 5G coverage in the main cities overlooking the Mediterranean.

One thing that may surprise you is that Gaza, despite all the conflicts in the news, has solid 4G and 5G coverage. Along with Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba, it is one of the most important places in all of Israel.


Benefits of having internet in Israel

Having internet in Israel means you can stay in touch with your loved ones right from the start. Sending them a WhatsApp or photos of the places you've visited won't be a problem if you have ample data during your trip.

Getting around Tel Aviv with Google Maps will make your day-to-day life much easier. This application provides you with information about points of interest, traffic conditions and public transport.

Don't forget that apps such as Morfix (Hebrew-English translator) or EatWith (local restaurants) require internet usage in Israel. Also, many apps consume mobile data even when you are not using them directly.


Tips before traveling to Israel

Israel is a country with a great deal of history and, on the other hand, many points that are different from UK. In addition to the internet, as we have discussed in this article, the sockets and the cuisine are totally different.

Also, her you have some tips so you enjoy even more your trip to Israel:

  • Bring an international power adapter: Wall sockets have a different voltage, frequency and plugs to the UK ones. Without it, you will not be able to charge your mobile phone..
  • Hire a car: The roads are modern and signposted in English. This allows you to move independently between the different points of interest.
  • Book excursions in advance: It is preferable that before taking off you have already bought the guided excursions you are interested in doing. This way you will avoid lack of availability and other unforeseen events.
  • Avoid border areas: The UK Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends avoiding travel in areas bordering Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
  • Respect religious feelings: Israel is the most important country for Judaism, Christianity and Muslims. Depending on the area you are in, you will have to adapt to the religious norms in question.

Likewise, as with any other trip, it is best to plan which places you want to visit and on which days you intend to visit them. This way you won't leave any places behind when you return home.

eSim Israel
Mobile
Prepaid: 7 days expiry
Data 3 GB

Coverage
AT&T
Connection speed 4G
Pay as you go£277 days expiry
taxes included

Frequently asked questions about the internet in Israel

How do I get mobile data in Israel?

The best option for mobile data in Israel is to sign up for an eSIM, because of its service-price-support ratio. On the other hand, the prepaid SIMs on offer are not as reliable and the different roaming tariffs are expensive, relative to the browsing offer they provide. Also, portable wifi is a more expensive option than eSIMs and entails additional charges in case of loss.

How much is a SIM card in Israel?

SIM card prices in Israel vary depending on where you buy them. eSIMs are a more cost-effective option by comparison. For example, Holafly's eSIM in Israel has rates starting at €34 for 7 days of service.

What is Israel's currency?

The currency of Israel is the New Shekel. The initials of this currency are ILS.

How good is the coverage in Israel?

Israel's major cities have 4G and 5G coverage. In particular, cities close to the Mediterranean Sea have high-speed mobile network coverage. Also, Israel's bandwidth has increased exponentially year on year.

Our methodology
Roams offers a free information and comparison service, which tries to help anyone find the product that best suits their needs. To ensure that the data presented is correct, extensive market research and product analysis is carried out. Our database of mobile phone and internet rates is updated every day. The content is frequently reviewed by a team of writers with previous experience and/or specific training in telephony.

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Actualizado por Roams UK

Roams offers its advice on recurring-use services to enhance consumer savings. Its expertise is already valued by thousands of users, who trust Roams comparisons in different sectors to hire the best option.

Laura Burón
Edited and revised por Laura Burón