Israeli Car Rental Firms See Record Demand as Expatriates Return to Vote
Car rental companies across Israel report record demand as expatriates return to vote in the Knesset elections. Industry executives say fleets are depleting rapidly, with prices ranging from 225 to 550 shekels per day depending on the vehicle class.
Car rental companies across Israel report unprecedented demand as thousands of expatriates return to the country to vote in the upcoming Knesset elections. Industry executives note that the current surge far exceeds peak tourist seasons, with customers snapping up available vehicles and willing to pay almost any price.
According to Shlomo Sixt Vice President Boaz Yaacobi, the firm has observed exceptionally high demand over the past week, accompanied by a sharp increase in reservations at Ben Gurion Airport. Because Israeli law does not permit voting from abroad—except for official state emissaries—citizens living overseas must return in person to cast their ballots, prompting many to rent cars for their stay.
Current Rental Rates and Terms
A market check of major booking platforms reveals daily rates for a mini car ranging from 225 to 390 shekels. Family vehicles such as the Nissan Sentra or Hyundai Accent cost between 365 and 435 shekels per day, while compact SUVs start around 410 shekels and reach up to 550 shekels for models like the Nissan Qashqai and Chery Tiggo 7. Weekly rentals offer lower daily averages, though late bookers face limited availability and must often upgrade to larger, costlier models.
Rental packages include VAT and standard third-party liability coverage up to 600,000 shekels, alongside damage and theft collision waivers with deductibles ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 shekels. Short-term rentals of one or two days impose a 250-kilometer daily limit, with extra kilometers charged between 1.7 and 4.3 shekels, whereas rentals of three days or more feature unlimited mileage.
Additional fees apply for extra drivers, young motorists under 23, and airport pickups, such as a 115-dollar surcharge at Hertz or an 18 percent markup at Eldan. Vehicles must be returned with a full tank of fuel, otherwise incurring refueling costs plus service fees. Drivers must present a credit card in the primary driver's name with a sufficient credit hold, such as 3,500 shekels at Avis, while expatriates remain subject to standard VAT unlike foreign tourists holding B-class visas.
