Israel to USA: ESTA Guide, Best ILS Travel Cards & Complete Planning

Visa requirements

Flights from Israel to United States

Money, cards & forex fees

ATMs in United States

Top cities in United States

ESTA for Israeli passport holders: a new era of US travel

Israeli nationals joined the US Visa Waiver Program in September 2023 — the culmination of years of diplomatic negotiation. Previously, Israelis needed a B1/B2 visa for the USA (an interview process at the US Embassy Tel Aviv). Now, the requirement is simply an ESTA: a $21 online application at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, valid for 2 years and multiple entries, with a 90-day maximum stay per visit. The application takes 10–15 minutes. You will need your Israeli e-passport (biometric chip), US travel address, and payment. Most applications are approved within minutes. Important caveats: the ESTA may be denied if you have dual nationality with certain restricted countries, have prior travel to restricted countries (Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen since 2011), or have a criminal record. If ESTA is denied, a B1/B2 visa application at the US Embassy Tel Aviv remains available. Israeli passport holders with Jordanian or Lebanese entry stamps may face additional scrutiny at the CBP interview but are not disqualified from VWP travel.

Applying for ESTA from Israel: step by step

Go to esta.cbp.dhs.gov (the official CBP website — avoid third-party sites charging ₪100+ for a $21 service). Click 'New Application'. Enter your Israeli passport details exactly as shown on the passport — name, date of birth, passport number. Enter your US travel address (hotel). Answer eligibility questions about criminal history, health conditions, and restricted country travel. Pay the $21 fee by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Save your ESTA Application Number. Receive approval (typically instant or within 72 hours). Your ESTA is automatically linked to your passport — airlines verify it at check-in. Apply at least 72 hours before your flight. If you renew your Israeli passport, you need a new ESTA (tied to the passport number).

Best flights from Israel to the USA

El Al Israel Airlines offers the most direct routing from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to the United States, with daily direct flights to New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, Miami MIA, Chicago ORD, San Francisco SFO, and Boston BOS. Flight time TLV to New York approximately 11 hours. El Al's Business Class 'Matmid' product has improved significantly with new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. United Airlines operates TLV–EWR (Newark) direct daily. Delta flies TLV–JFK and TLV–ATL. American Airlines connects TLV to JFK, MIA, and PHL. Economy fares Tel Aviv to New York start around $650–850 return booked 6–8 weeks ahead. Prices spike around Jewish holidays (Rosh Hashana, Passover, Sukkot) — book months in advance for these periods.

Where to go in the USA: Israeli traveller highlights

New York City is the definitive US destination for Israelis. The Jewish community of 1.8 million, the kosher restaurant scene across Manhattan (Upper West Side, Midtown, Crown Heights), and the cultural institutions (Museum of Jewish Heritage, 92nd Street Y, Jewish Museum) make New York feel deeply connected to Israeli visitors. Miami's Aventura–Hallandale Beach corridor is a second home for many Israelis — Hebrew signage on businesses, Israeli-owned restaurants, and a warm climate matching Tel Aviv's combine for an immediate comfort. Los Angeles' Pico-Robertson neighbourhood (between Pico Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard) is the heart of LA's Israeli community — outstanding hummus, shawarma, and falafel restaurants. Silicon Valley has a significant Israeli tech presence — companies like Mobileye, Waze (acquired by Google), and dozens of startups were founded by Israelis.

Travel money and ATMs for Israelis in the USA

The ILS/USD exchange rate (approximately 3.7 ILS per USD in mid-2026) makes US prices feel broadly comparable to Israeli prices — a $250 New York hotel is about ₪925, similar to a mid-range Tel Aviv hotel. Standard Israeli bank cards (Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Discount Bank, Mizrahi-Tefahot) charge approximately 2% on international transactions. Max credit card charges 1.5% — better. Wise charges zero. US ATMs add $3–5 per withdrawal. For a $3,000 US trip: Max card saves ₪111 over standard cards; Wise saves ₪222. Allpoint ATMs (CVS/Walgreens/Target) surcharge-free for Wise users. Avoid airport ATMs and hotel lobby machines.

Best travel cards for Israelis spending in USD

Israeli bank cards are functional for international use, but the 2% forex markup adds up. Max credit card (formerly Leumi Card, now operating independently) charges 1.5% — better than standard Israeli bank cards. Bank Leumi Visa Infinite and Bank Hapoalim Visa Infinite premium cards have travel benefits (insurance, lounge access) but still charge 2% forex. Wise Multi-Currency Card is the zero-fee option — convert ILS to USD at mid-market rate, load onto the card, spend with zero transaction fees. Bit and PayBox (Israeli P2P payment apps) do not work in the USA — use Wise or Max card for all US transactions.

Budget guide for Israeli visitors to the USA

At approximately 3.7 ILS per USD, US prices are broadly comparable to Israeli prices. A 10-night New York trip: return El Al flights TLV–JFK economy ₪4,500–6,500. Hotel $220/night × 10 = $2,200 (₪8,140). Food/entertainment/tips $150/day × 10 = $1,500 (₪5,550). Total approximately $4,000 (₪14,800) excluding flights. Shopping — many Israelis shop extensively in the USA for fashion and electronics — adds significantly. Travel insurance for the USA is essential.

Kosher dining in the USA

The USA — particularly New York, Los Angeles, and Miami — has exceptional kosher dining infrastructure. New York's kosher restaurant scene is the most diverse outside Israel: kosher sushi, kosher steakhouses, Israeli street food, and traditional Ashkenazi cooking all within a few blocks of each other. The OU (Orthodox Union) and Star-K certification marks are the most widely recognised kosher symbols in the USA. Apps like Kosher Near Me and IsKosher.com provide real-time kosher restaurant maps in US cities. Whole Foods and many US supermarkets stock extensive kosher products. For travellers keeping glatt or chalav Yisrael standards, New York offers the most options; other US cities have more limited but still adequate kosher infrastructure.

Arriving in the USA from Israel: immigration and customs

Israeli passport holders with ESTA can use Automated Passport Control kiosks at US airports — faster than the officer queues. El Al typically lands at JFK Terminal 1 or Terminal 4. Immigration is generally smooth for Israelis — the ESTA approval combined with the VWP's low-risk classification means questions are minimal. Have your accommodation address and return flight details ready. At customs, declare all Israeli food items — packaged Za'atar, sealed hummus in commercial jars, and other sealed foods should be declared. Fresh produce is prohibited. Cash over $10,000 declared. From JFK: AirTrain + subway $8.50 to Manhattan. Activate your Wise or Max card and enjoy direct access to one of the world's great Israeli-diaspora cities.

On-arrival tips

• 1Israel joined the Visa Waiver Program in 2023 — apply ESTA at esta.cbp.dhs.gov; you no longer need a B1/B2 visa
• 2El Al flights land at JFK Terminal 4 — the airport has a large Israeli passenger flow and immigration is generally smooth for Israeli passport holders
• 3Aventura and Hallandale Beach in Miami have extensive Hebrew-speaking Israeli communities and Israeli-owned businesses
• 4New York's Upper West Side and Crown Heights have outstanding kosher dining options — from Levantine to Ashkenazi cuisine
• 5Tech sector Israeli visitors to Silicon Valley will find a large network of Israeli-founded companies and Israeli executive communities in the Bay Area
• 6Security screening at Israeli airports (Ben Gurion) is thorough on departure — arrive 3 hours early for international flights