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.

Galilee and Northern Israel

Begin your extended journey surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of northern Israel. Explore Mount Arbel before cooling off at Aqua Kef on the Sea of Galilee, and spend a full day discovering the Golan Heights. Dive into Jewish history and spirituality in Tsfat, including a hands-on challah baking experience, before welcoming your first Shabbat together on a kibbutz.

Continue across northern Israel with visits to Sindyanna of Galilee, the natural spring pools of Sachne, and Nazareth. Add some adrenaline to the adventure while rappelling in Keshet, then travel along the coast to explore Rosh Hanikra and Acco. Spend time getting to know Haifa and cap off this stretch of the journey with surfing along Israel's Mediterranean coast.

Tel Aviv

Head south to Tel Aviv and settle in for an extended stay in one of Israel's most vibrant cities. With more time here than on our signature Israel Journey, you'll have the opportunity to experience the culture, neighborhoods, history, beaches, and energy that make Tel Aviv unique while getting a taste of everyday life in the city.

Explore alongside your group throughout the week before welcoming Shabbat in Tel Aviv. The longer stay gives you time to experience the city at a more immersive pace, creating space for adventure, discovery, reflection, and plenty of time together with new friends.

Negev Desert, Arava, and Eilat

Trade the city for the dramatic landscapes of southern Israel as you travel into the Negev Desert. Experience the region through cultural encounters, an Ethiopian meal, and visits to Ein Avdat and Sde Boker. Discover Moroccan art and cuisine before heading into the desert for an unforgettable sandboarding experience.

Explore the spectacular Ramon Crater before continuing into the Arava Valley, where you'll welcome Shabbat on a kibbutz surrounded by the desert landscape. Then head all the way south for a full day in Eilat.

Continue your journey through the Arava with an ecological workshop on a kibbutz before learning from a Bedouin community and spending the evening at Kfar Hanokdim.

Masada, the Dead Sea, and Jerusalem

Wake up early for one of Israel's most iconic experiences at Masada, then float in the Dead Sea before making your way to Jerusalem for the final chapter of your journey.

With several days in Jerusalem, you'll have time to experience the history, spirituality, culture, and complexity of Israel's capital. Dig deeper into Jewish learning through a special text study seminar, experience the city's food and culinary traditions, and explore ideas shaping Israeli society through a social innovation workshop.

Welcome your final Shabbat together in Jerusalem before spending your last days reflecting on an extraordinary month traveling across Israel. Celebrate everything you've experienced, the friendships you've built, and the memories you'll carry with you long after you return home.

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.