Masada, the Dead Sea & View of Qumran is a popular one-day tour that takes you to the Dead Sea and allows you to ride a cable car up to Masada fortress and enjoy the stunning view of the Biblical wilderness. You can also give yourself the best of both worlds with an inspirational and educational tour of Jerusalem’s Old City and a relaxing trip to the shores of the Dead Sea if you book the Jerusalem & the Dead Sea one-day tour.
We also recommend the following tours:
- Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada and Dead Sea - 2 Day Tour >>
- Masada Sunrise, Ein Gedi and Dead Sea – 1 Day Self-Guided Tour >>
- Jerusalem and Dead Sea Relaxation - 2 Day Tour >>
- See all the Dead Sea and Masada tours>>
Private Arrangements
Driving
One of the fun parts about driving yourself is that you have the freedom to get off at various points along the journey. Once you leave Jerusalem, you soon enter the Arava Valley and will see the stunning sites of Qumran and Jericho on the left. About 25 minutes into your drive, you will get to sea level, which is marked with a sign and is a great photo opportunity. Find out more about car rentals in Jerusalem.
The roads are notorious for their downhill and winding nature, so drive slowly and carefully and don’t be tempted to pass a truck on the way. When you arrive in the Dead Sea, you will see Bedouin tents and stores that sell pottery and souvenirs. From there, continue straight, and as you make a right toward the Dead Sea, you will see a gas station, one of the few in the region, so make the most of the opportunity to fill your gas tank up, stretch your legs, and stock up on snacks. As you drive down south, you’ll encounter the various Dead Sea Beaches, then Ein Gedi, Masada, and finally Ein Bokek. You may continue straight down to Eilat, which is a few hours away.
Read more about the Dead Sea and Masada.
Private Taxi Cab
Private taxi cabs from Jerusalem can be arranged to the area, costing around 350 ILS to both the Dead Sea and Masada.
Public Transportation
In Israel, public transportation is a common way of not only getting around the city but also traveling intercity.
Bus
Egged Bus 486 travels from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station directly to the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, and Masada (there are no buses on Shabbat from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening). It takes about an hour to reach the public beach at the Dead Sea from Jerusalem. There, you will get to float in the heavenly mineral-rich therapeutic waters, but you may have to walk a little further into the field to find mud on the shoreline. The trip to Ein Gedi is one hour and 30 minutes in duration.
Many people find it worthwhile to get off at the Ein Gedi Spa or the Ein Gedi nature reserve, where a two-hour hike includes two freshwater springs, lush green vegetation, and sightings of wild rams and desert guinea pigs. To get to Masada, the 2,000-year-old Roman fortress on a cliff overlooking the Dead Sea, stay on the bus and get off a few minutes later. The fare to Masada costs 80 ILS.
Many people try to time their trip with sunrise when there are spectacular views from Masada. The view of the sun coming up behind the red Moab Mountains with the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert below is undoubtedly a highlight of the trip to Israel for many. If you’re looking for a vacation, then head to Ein Bokek, where all the major hotels are found.
Egged Buses Phone: *2800 Website: egged.co.il
Watch here to learn a little bit more about your destination.
One of the unique things about traveling around Israel is that within one hour, you can experience a completely different environment, such as the spectacular Dead Sea and Masada. Learn more about the best ways to travel to the Dead Sea and Masada below. You can also skip the lines and book a Masada ticket online. It includes entrance to the site, a ride on a cable car, entrance to a private Dead Sea beach, and lunch at Masada Restaurant.
