Group Travel

Travel with confidence knowing that BBYO organizes supervised group flights to and from Israel. Our staff are present at departure airports to greet teens and help them feel welcome right away, and they accompany each group throughout the journey—both on arrival and on the return trip home. To learn more about how we organize travel for our programs, click here.

Tel Aviv

Enjoy a picnic-style lunch at a park before checking into accommodations. Explore the impactful “Walls of Hope” street art in the Florentin neighborhood, then share your first dinner together in Jaffa. Begin your hands-on volunteer work by supporting the Israeli harvest at Beerotiim Packing Warehouse, assisting at Pitchon Lev, and connecting with communities through service at the Jaffa Institute and Save a Child’s Heart. Relax by the Mediterranean Sea and enjoy gourmet Ethiopian cuisine with a discussion led by the restaurant’s female founders.

Continue your service through agricultural volunteering and show support at Hostages Square. Experience the buzz of the Nahalat Binyamin Street Festival and lunch at the Carmel Market before traveling onward.

Jerusalem

Begin your time with a powerful visit to the Old City through Zion Gate, explore the Jewish Quarter, and spend time reflecting at the Western Wall (Kotel). Celebrate Shabbat with services and dinner in the heart of Jerusalem.

Spend Shabbat enjoying BBYO programming, pool time, and an afternoon in Saker Park. If time permits, join a teen-led walking tour of local neighborhoods. Take part in a geopolitical seminar and a lively Guru Zuzu silent rave at Ben Yehuda Street.

Continue your impact through a visit to Mount Herzl National Cemetery or by preparing meals for soldiers with Our People. Support food security at Pantry Packersand Tachlit, and enjoy an evening of reflection and water-based recreation. Hear a firsthand story from a survivor of the Nova Music Festival.

Negev Desert

Return to Mount Herzl and Our People to complete both volunteer experiences. Travel south to the Negev Desert, stopping in Rahat to meet with Bedouin Israelis who acted heroically on October 7. Stay in accommodations near Tzin Canyon and enjoy an evening poike pot dinner under the stars.

Split into two tracks of final volunteer efforts. One group visits Kibbutz Magan to assist in rebuilding efforts and pays tribute at the Nova Music Festival Memorial Site. The other group prepares meals at Hamal Shel Revital and visits Sderot and the JNF bomb shelter playground. Both groups stop at the Kerem Shalom border crossing before returning to process and reflect.

Conclude the volunteer portion of the experience with a final service rotation and a meaningful closing dinner at Dekel Tel Aviv Country Club.

Jerusalem

Rejoin in Jerusalem with a hike through the Jerusalem Hills, followed by lunch at Mahane Yehuda and pool time. Take in a panoramic view from the Haas Promenade, explore the Jewish Quarter, and enjoy dinner and a night out on Ben Yehuda Street.

Northern Israel

Explore the City of David Excavations and Hezekiah's Tunnel before heading north. Visit the Caesarea archeological complex and the Sea of Galilee. Celebrate Shabbat with a meaningful service and group dinner.

Relax with BBYO-led programming and enjoy a spirited Havdalah. Experience Aqua Kef, make Za'atar with Sindyanna of Galilee, and join an Ethiopian cultural dinner at the Garmachin Center in Beit Shan.

Hike Mount Gilboa and swim in the Sachne pools. Connect with Israeli teens from Maccabi Tzair in a mifgash and engage in a cross-cultural discussion. Volunteer to make food for soldiers, tour Atlit Detention Camp, and end the day with a surfing class and beach dinner.

Tel Aviv

Tour the Bahai Temple and Gardens, meet with a local imam at the Ahmeddiya Mosque, and enjoy a food tour on the Louis Boardwalk. Return to Hostages Family Square and continue exploring Tel Aviv.

Visit ANU: Museum of the Jewish People, shop at the Carmel Market, explore the Nahalat Binyamin street festival, and take a Rainbow TLV LGBTQ tour. Celebrate Shabbat in Tel Aviv and enjoy beach time and free exploration of the city.

Central Israel

Visit Machon Ayalon, sample foods in Be’er Sheva, and view the Ramon Crater. Stay at a desert kibbutz in the Arava Valley with a BBQ and pool party.

Snorkel in the Red Sea, explore Eilat, and cruise on a boat with waterslides. Participate in a kibbutz ecology workshop and relax in the Judean Desert. Float in the Dead Sea and enjoy a camel trek and Bedouin tent feast at Kfar Hanokdim.

Masada and Jerusalem

Hike to the summit of Masada, descend the Snake Path, and cool off in Ein Gedi National Park. Rest and reflect in Jerusalem with t-shirt making, family visits, and bonding.

Take part in a Junior Knesset workshop, explore the First Station Market, and engage in dialogue at Feel Beit. Volunteer with Tachlit or Pantry Packers and enjoy time in the park.

Visit Mount Herzl and Mahane Yehuda, then welcome Shabbat at the Western Wall (Kotel). Unwind with Cinema City and a seminar with Neil Lazarus.

Conclude your journey with a visit to Nalagaat Center in Jaffa, a tour of the Jaffa Seaport, lunch at the Jaffa Flea Market, and a closing celebration and tree planting at Neot Kedumim Park.

What are the rules for Israeli citizens or children of Israeli citizens?
If either of your parents is an Israeli citizen, or if you have ever lived in Israel, it is your responsibility to make sure your status with the Israeli Defense Forces is worked out and clear. Moreover, you may still have obligations to the State of Israel that must be resolved prior to your trip, even if you do not have an Israeli passport. These matters must be taken care of before you arrive in Israel.

Note: If you hold an Israeli passport, you must enter Israel with your Israeli passport.

If you do not take care of these matters prior to your trip, you may be obligated to stay in Israel by the State of Israel until resolution. If this applies to you, you will be solely responsible for your own situation and any costs involved. Again, we highly recommend you be extremely cautious about these matters and contact one of the regional Israeli consulate offices if you have any questions.

How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO strongly recommends all North American participants to fly on the group supervised flight for this program. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. The flight cost for programs with supervised flight options will be announced, along with the flight booking details for all programs, after registration. The supervised flight for this program will depart from the New York City area, typically Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Learn more about flying to the program.

Where will my teen be sleeping?
Most of the accommodations we stay at are kibbutz-based guest houses or hotels catered to group tours. All accommodations in Israel have security and we book rooms so that each teen has their own sleeping accommodation in rooms that typically accommodate 2 to 4 teens per room.

How is the program staffed?
Each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors) and a local Israeli guide. They are also joined by an armed guard and bus driver. Senior field staff also circulate between our groups for extra support. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.

What's the summer weather like?
The sun in Israel is strong—often stronger than teens are accustomed to—so dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn are serious concerns, especially in a desert climate. Clothing should be lightweight and comfortable in the heat. Whenever outside for an extended period, teens will be required to have a hat, a shirt with sleeves, sunscreen, and water. The good news is the heat is mostly dry, there is very little humidity and the chance of rain in Israel during the summer is extremely low so no umbrellas are needed. Evenings in Israel tend to get chilly quickly. Because we will not always return to our accommodations to change before an evening activity, always bring a day pack with a windbreaker, long-sleeved shirt, or light sweater. Layers are key!

How do you approach security?
Since 1956, BBYO has organized teen programs in Israel with a fundamental commitment to providing a safe and meaningful experience. Our programs adhere to Israel’s comprehensive security policies and are centrally monitored by Israel’s Situation Room. Our itineraries are designed with caution in mind and our policies are calibrated to local conditions. Finally, each group is accompanied by trained staff and a licensed guard accompanies all touring-based activities. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety and security as well as more specific details about our Israel policies.

What's the typical group size?
Group size varies depending on the date of the program. Our average group size for Israel programs ranges between 20-45 teens. In some cases, multiple groups will travel on a similar path, although each group has its own dedicated staff, guide, and guard.

What's the food like?
Expect to eat Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods such as falafel, hummus, schnitzel, shakshouka, borekas, and much more. When traveling, your teen may encounter new foods that will not be to their liking, so we ask teens to be flexible and have snacks and other alternatives on hand just in case.

As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. All food provided by BBYO Passport experiences in Israel is kosher. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.

Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.

Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program.

Will I need a visa?
Visitors from visa-exempt countries are required to obtain an ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter the state of Israel. An approved ETA-IL, indicates that you are allowed to travel to Israel. Additional information about this system can be found here: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/.

All travelers to Israel must have a valid visa or an ETA-IL approval before they start their journey. An Israeli citizen or a permanent resident holding a valid Israeli ID number is not required to submit an application for ETA-IL.

The following data will be required for each ETA-IL application: A passport issued by a visa exempt country, valid for the duration of your stay; A valid email address; A valid payment method for the fee payment 25 NIS.

Fee: The cost of an ETA-IL is 25 NIS (You cannot get a refund after you apply)

What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Enrollment and Registration Terms.

How do I enroll my teen if we live outside of North America?
Visit this page to find all the information you will need and express your interest.

For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip guide.