3 Cheap(er) Ways to Visit Eilat (That They Don't Want You to Know)

So far, Eilat has been one of the highlights of my time in Israel. I saw beautiful sunsets while drinking amazing strawberry daiquiris at the beach. I had the best pasta and wine pairing of my life at one of Israel's top restaurants. I got to come close to wild dolphins and see all kinds of rare, tropical fish.

Unfortunately, my trip to Eilat was also my most expensive Israeli excursion to date. By a long shot.

The truth is that Eilat is incredibly expensive because it's a highlight. While I wouldn't recommend anyone (who can afford it) skip the fancy restaurants and water sports, there are ways to have an amazing trip to Eilat for cheap(er).

Don't miss out on a trip to the Red Sea just because cash is tight. Here are my three recommendations:

1. Standard Advice: Make sure to go snorkeling or scuba diving with the wild dolphins at Dolphin Reef. It's the only way to see them! Budget Advice: Just pay the entrance fee and hang out at the pier. Very sneaky... It's not clear from the official website that you can see wild dolphins at Dolphin Reef Beach without booking snorkeling (expensive) or a SCUBA dive (even more expensive!). But for the price of an entry fee, you can sit on the pier and watch the dolphins swim so close to you that you can almost touch them.
   

The beach itself is also pretty magical, but not for the reasons you'd think. So even if you can't afford to dive, this is a must-see for any animal lover.

1. Standard Advice: If you want to see the tropical fish and reef, you have to go to the underwater observatory or snorkel. Budget Advice: Take yourself to Coral Reef Beach, and look down. There's no denying that any underwater attraction will be better underwater, so I'm in no way deterring anyone who can afford it from enjoying the reef to its fullest. However, as with Dolphin Reef Beach, for just the price of entry you can head to the Coral Reef Pier and see some amazing sites. This is made possible by the fact that the water is very, very clear.

My friend and I spotted all kinds of tropical fish, and even managed to see a wild octopus! It's truly a very special experience.

1. Standard Advice: Rent a car, or drive the one you have. Budget Advice: Take the bus. Eilat has an excellent bus system. And unlike in other parts of Israel, it runs just as well on Shabbat as during the week (most cities in Israel shut down public transportation between Friday and Saturday nights). Just as an example of how much money you would save without a car: Gas alone will cost you almost $70 USD each way. A bus from Jerusalem is less than $25 USD. And Eilat is compact. The only situation where a car might be cheaper is if you're sharing it with at least three people. And even then, a rental still likely wouldn't be cost-effective.

BONUS: If you actually need clothing, buy it in Eilat. I want to make myself clear: If you're on a tight budget and don't need new clothes, STAY AWAY FROM THE MALL. However, because Eilat has no sales tax, it is by far the cheapest place to shop in Israel. So if you wore out your only pair of sneakers, or desperately need a warm sweater, the malls in Eilat are where you want to be.

Sound off! What are your budget-friendly tips for Eilat?