Israel Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Israel uses the New Israeli Shekel (ILS), cards and ATMs are widely available, and tipping is modest but expected in some situations. Bring a mix of cash and cards, avoid airport exchange counters, and always choose to be charged in shekels when paying.

The official currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS / ILS, symbol ₪), divided into 100 agorot, and it’s the only currency accepted for everyday purchases. As of early 2026, many banks and currency guides report USD–ILS hovering around 3.5–3.8 ILS per US dollar, while 1 SGD is roughly 2.75 ILS, making conversions fairly straightforward for travellers from Singapore, according to recent travel currency guides.

You’ll find ATMs, credit card terminals, and contactless payments across major cities, tourist areas, and most businesses, but cash is still useful in markets, small cafés, and for tips. For exchanging money, it’s better to use licensed money changers or bank ATMs in the city instead of airport or hotel counters, which usually have poorer rates and higher commissions.

To keep spending under control, the Hello app can track all your expenses in ILS and automatically convert them to your home currency using live exchange rates, helping you stay on budget without manual calculations. Combined with an eSIM from Hello for instant data access, you can manage money and connectivity smoothly throughout your Israel trip.

Israel’s currency is the New Israeli Shekel (ILS), and travellers from Singapore can estimate roughly 1 SGD ≈ 2.75 ILS in 2026, making it easy to convert prices for everyday budgeting during a trip. Shekels are essential for local payments, especially in cash-only spots and markets.

The New Israeli Shekel (NIS / ILS, symbol ₪) is the official currency overseen by the Bank of Israel, and one shekel is divided into 100 agorot coins. You’ll see prices written as "₪" or "NIS" on menus, tickets, and shop signs. Shekels come in coins (typically 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10) and banknotes (20, 50, 100, 200). Shekels are the best and most practical currency to use while travelling in Israel, and most everyday transactions are expected to be in ILS.

For Singapore travellers, recent guides note that as of early 2026, the exchange rate typically fluctuates around 1 SGD to 2.75 ILS, which means a 55 ILS restaurant meal is about 20 SGD, and a 10 ILS coffee is about 3.5–4 SGD. For US dollar comparisons, many travel resources and currency guides cite rates around 3.5–3.8 ILS per USD between 2023–2026, giving an easy mental rule of thumb: think 3.5 ILS ≈ 1 USD, so 35 ILS ≈ 10 USD.

Because rates change daily, it’s wise to check a reliable currency app or the Hello app’s multi-currency expense tracker before big purchases. Hello automatically converts expenses logged in shekels back to your home currency using live rates, which is handy when you’re splitting costs or tracking a trip budget.

The best way to get shekels in Israel is to use bank ATMs and licensed money changers in city centres, while avoiding airport and hotel exchange counters that usually offer poorer rates and higher fees. Combine this with a low-fee card to keep your Israel money costs down.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks, post offices, hotels, and licensed exchange agencies in major cities, according to Israel’s official tourism information. However, most independent travel guides recommend skipping Ben Gurion Airport exchange counters except for a small amount for immediate transport, because their rates tend to be the worst. A practical strategy is to exchange $50–100 USD worth or the equivalent at home or at the airport, then rely on ATMs and city money changers for the bulk of your cash.

In Jerusalem, some of the best rates are found at licensed change bureaus near Jaffa Gate, Damascus Gate, Jaffa Road, Ben Yehuda Street, Zion Square, and Agrippas Street by the Mahane Yehuda shuk, often advertising "Change / No Commission". In Tel Aviv, look for reputable changers along Allenby Street or near the Central Bus Station, and always ask for the final amount you’ll receive after fees before handing over your notes.

Bank ATMs from major institutions like Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, and Mizrahi Tefahot usually give competitive rates, with a small withdrawal fee and any foreign transaction fee from your home bank. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to reduce per-transaction charges, and plan ahead, as many banks and exchange offices close Friday afternoon to Saturday night for Shabbat.

To keep track of how much you’ve spent and exchanged, the Hello app can log expenses in ILS and auto-convert them to your base currency, avoiding surprise overspending even if rates fluctuate mid-trip.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Israel, especially Visa and Mastercard, and contactless payments and chip-and-PIN terminals are common in cities and tourist areas. You’ll still want some cash for markets, small kiosks, and tips, but cards will cover most bigger purchases.

Israel has a modern banking and payment ecosystem, and most hotels, restaurants, car rentals, and shops accept major international cards. Travel banking guides recommend carrying a primary card plus a backup from a different network in case one fails, alongside some cash in shekels for small transactions and emergencies. Contactless payments via card are increasingly standard, particularly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

ATMs are widely available in city centres, malls, petrol stations, and near tourist sites. Using a bank ATM (e.g., Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi) is recommended over independent exchange machines, which may charge higher fees. When the ATM or card terminal asks whether to charge you in shekels or your home currency, always choose shekels (ILS); this avoids dynamic currency conversion, a hidden markup that can add 3–7% to your transaction, according to several Israel currency guides.

Local digital wallets exist, but international wallets like WeChat Pay and PayPay are not widely used for everyday tourist spending; most visitors rely on physical cards and cash. Some places may support global mobile wallets linked to your card, but this can vary by merchant.

Staying connected makes it easier to check balances, freeze cards, and confirm real-time rates. An eSIM from Hello gives instant mobile data when you arrive, so you can use your banking apps securely without hunting for Wi‑Fi, especially important when you’re using ATMs or approving card notifications.

Tipping in Israel is moderate but common, especially in restaurants, where 10–15% is standard for good service, while rounding up or leaving small change is typical in taxis and casual situations. Understanding these norms helps you budget realistically and avoid awkward moments.

In sit-down restaurants and cafés with table service, leaving 10–15% is customary if service is good, and more for exceptional experiences. Some organised tours suggest tipping USD 7–10 per person per day for guides and drivers, according to popular Israel tour advice videos, though this can be adjusted based on group size and satisfaction. For fast-food counters and coffee stands, tipping is optional—many locals simply drop a few coins into the jar.

Taxi drivers are not usually tipped heavily; most travellers simply round up the fare to the nearest convenient amount in shekels. Hotel staff such as porters might receive 5–10 ILS per bag, while housekeeping tips are appreciated but not strictly expected, especially on shorter stays. Keep a stash of small notes and coins (5–20 ILS) for these moments, plus for public restrooms that sometimes charge a small fee.

Israel’s overall cost level is often compared to Western European countries: meals at mid-range restaurants can run 50–90 ILS per person (around 20–33 SGD or 13–25 USD) in 2026, while simple street food like falafel or sabich might be 20–35 ILS. To avoid overspending, use cash for small impulse buys and cards for larger ones, and negotiate prices politely in markets—starting at 50–60% of the asking price is a common bargaining tactic in bazaars.

The Hello app can be a quiet safety net here: you can snap a photo of receipts with AI scanning, log tips and cash payments, and see automatically how much your daily spending in shekels translates back to SGD, USD, or any home currency.

The most common Israel money traps for travellers involve poor exchange rates, hidden dynamic currency conversion fees, and high ATM markups, rather than street scams. Staying alert to fees and using only reputable providers is the key to keeping your Israel spending under control.

Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) is a major pitfall: when a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency instead of ILS, it often adds a hidden markup of a few percent on top of normal card fees, according to multiple Israel banking and travel guides. Always select “charge in shekels” to avoid this. Similarly, airport and hotel currency desks often use wide buy/sell spreads and commissions, making them one of the most expensive ways to get cash.

Other issues are more about carelessness than scams: independent ATMs with high fees, money changers that advertise "no commission" but give poor rates, or forgetting to notify your bank so your card is blocked for suspicious activity mid-trip. Use only licensed exchange bureaus in busy areas, check the full amount you’ll receive, and consider withdrawing a minimum of 200–400 ILS from a bank ATM on arrival for taxi or bus fare.

In markets and crowded areas, standard travel precautions apply: keep wallets zipped, avoid flashing large wads of cash, and split your cards and cash between your person and your hotel safe. Israel is generally safe, but petty theft can happen anywhere tourists congregate.

For saving money and staying organised, the Hello app offers multi-currency budget tracking, AI receipt scanning in any language, and expense splitting with automatic exchange rate conversion. If you’re travelling with friends, you can log a shared taxi in ILS, let Hello split it across currencies, and avoid messy calculations or overpaying each other.

Travellers to Israel most often ask about the local currency, tipping rules, exchange rates, and whether cards or cash are better. In short: use shekels, tip 10–15% in restaurants, choose ILS at ATMs, and carry both cards and some cash for a smooth trip.

Q: What currency does Israel use?
Israel uses the New Israeli Shekel (NIS / ILS, symbol ₪) as its official currency, divided into 100 agorot. Shekels are the standard for all everyday transactions.

Q: What is the Israel exchange rate from SGD and USD in 2026?
As of early 2026, many travel currency guides quote around 1 SGD ≈ 2.75 ILS, while recent data since 2023 shows 3.5–3.8 ILS per USD as a typical range. Always check a live rate app or your bank for the latest figures.

Q: Are credit cards widely accepted in Israel?
Yes. Major cards like Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, shops, and tourist services, and contactless payments are common in big cities. Cash is still useful for markets, taxis, and small cafés.

Q: How much should I tip in Israel?
In restaurants, 10–15% of the bill is standard for good service. For tour guides, some operators suggest USD 7–10 per person per day. Taxi drivers are usually tipped by rounding up the fare.

Q: What’s the best way to get shekels?
Using bank ATMs and licensed city money changers generally gives the most competitive rates. Avoid exchanging large amounts at airport or hotel counters, and always choose to be charged in ILS at ATMs and card terminals.

Q: How can I track my Israel travel budget easily?
The Hello app lets you record expenses in ILS, scan receipts with AI, and automatically convert and split costs in multiple currencies, so you can keep your group trip on budget without juggling spreadsheets.

Question	Short Answer	Why It Matters
Official currency in Israel?	New Israeli Shekel (ILS / NIS)	Needed for all local payments
SGD to ILS in 2026?	1 SGD ≈ 2.75 ILS	Helps Singapore travellers price meals, transport, and hotels
Typical restaurant tip?	10–15% of bill	Ensures you follow local etiquette in dining venues
Best place to get cash?	Bank ATMs & licensed changers	Usually better rates and lower fees than airport or hotel exchange
Currency to choose at ATMs?	Always choose ILS (shekels)	Avoids costly dynamic currency conversion markups
Cards vs cash?	Use cards for big purchases, cash for small ones	Balances convenience, acceptance, and safety

For more on staying connected while you manage money, you can also explore Israel and Hello eSIM for Israel when planning your trip.