Private Tours in Israel
Private Jerusalem and Bethlehem Tour
- Full day
- Pickup: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya, Netanya
- 4.4/5 company rating on TourRadar
- DurationFull day
- Starts08:30 AM, hotel pickup
- GuideEnglish
- Group sizeUp to 16 travelers
- CancellationFree cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time.
Overview
Walk where the Gospel story began and where it reached its climax, all in one day. This private jerusalem and bethlehem tour picks you up at your hotel with your own licensed guide and a private air-conditioned car, so your group sees the holiest sites of Christianity at its own pace, without waiting for anyone else.
Your private Jerusalem and Bethlehem tour starts on the Mount of Olives with a view across the Old City, then enter through Zion Gate and walk the Byzantine Cardo to the Western Wall. Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and browse the markets of the Christian Quarter. In the afternoon, cross to Bethlehem to visit Manger Square, the Church of the Nativity and the grotto where tradition places the birth of Jesus.
Your guide shapes the day around you. Pilgrim groups can pause to pray or sing carols in the grottoes beneath the Church of St. Catherine. Families can slow the pace and add breaks. Photographers can linger at the viewpoints. A private Jerusalem and Bethlehem tour gives you two biblical cities with nothing rushed.
Allow about 10 hours door to door with moderate walking. Bring your passport for Bethlehem. English is standard, other languages on request. Prefer a shared group? Book the Jerusalem and Bethlehem tour. Want only Bethlehem and Jericho? See the private Bethlehem and Jericho tour, or our Bethlehem day tour.
Highlights
- Your own licensed guide and private air-conditioned car
- Hotel pickup in Tel Aviv, Herzliya or Jerusalem with a flexible start time
- Panoramic Old City view from the Mount of Olives
- The Byzantine Cardo and the Western Wall
- Walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
- The Grotto of the Nativity and the Church of St. Catherine
- Shepherds' Field, where tradition says angels announced the birth of Jesus
Itinerary & route
Numbers match the itinerary below. Solid lines are walking legs, dashed lines are drives. Map is for orientation only.
- 1
08:30 AMPrivate pickup
Your guide and driver collect you from your hotel or private address in the Tel Aviv area. Pickup in Herzliya or Jerusalem is also possible. On the way up to Jerusalem your guide outlines the day and the biblical story behind each stop.
- 2
09:30 AMMount of Olives viewpoint
Look out over the Old City from the Mount of Olives, above the ancient Jewish cemetery and facing the Temple Mount. Driving down, you pass the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and the rock-cut tombs of the Kidron Valley.
- 3
10:15 AMZion Gate and the Byzantine Cardo
Enter the Old City of Jerusalem through Zion Gate and cross the Armenian Quarter to the restored Cardo, the 1,500-year-old main street lined today with shops in Crusader vaults.
- 4
10:45 AMThe Western Wall
Visit the Western Wall, the surviving retaining wall of the Second Temple compound and the holiest place of Jewish prayer. There is time to approach the wall and take in the atmosphere of the plaza.
- 5
11:30 AMVia Dolorosa and the Holy Sepulchre
Walk the Via Dolorosa past the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which holds Golgotha and the traditional tomb of Jesus. Your guide explains how six Christian communities share this church. Read more on our Christian Jerusalem tour.
- 6
12:30 PMOld City markets and lunch
Stroll through the bazaars of the Christian and Muslim Quarters and stop for lunch at a place your guide recommends. Lunch is at your own pace and choice.
- 7
02:00 PMManger Square, Bethlehem
Cross into Bethlehem, about 10 km south of Jerusalem, and arrive at Manger Square, the heart of the town since Byzantine times. Keep your passport handy for the crossing. Want a full day here? See the Bethlehem day tour.
- 8
02:15 PMChurch of the Nativity
Enter the UNESCO-listed Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest churches in the world still in daily use. Below the altar, a silver star in the Grotto of the Nativity marks the traditional birthplace of Jesus. Lines can be long in high season, and your guide times the visit to keep waiting short.
- 9
03:15 PMChurch of St. Catherine and the grottoes
Next door, visit the Church of St. Catherine, home of the famous Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, and the caves below where St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin. Many pilgrim groups sing a carol here.
- 10
04:00 PMShepherds' Field
End in Beit Sahour at Shepherds Field, where tradition says angels appeared to the shepherds. The Chapel of the Angels tells the story in bright painted panels.
- 11
05:00 PMReturn to your hotel
Drive back to Jerusalem or the Tel Aviv area for drop-off at your door, usually between 17:30 and 18:30 depending on traffic.
What's included
Included
- Private hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv, Herzliya or Jerusalem
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for your group only
- Private licensed English-speaking guide
- Church visits in Jerusalem and Bethlehem (free entry)
- Flexible start time and route
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Entrance fees to optional sites you add on the day
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
Pickup & meeting point
- Tel AvivNo pickup fee
- JerusalemNo pickup fee
- HerzliyaNo pickup fee
- NetanyaNo pickup fee
You choose your pickup city when you book. We confirm the exact pickup time and place by email or WhatsApp the day before the tour.
Tour ends with: Return to your hotel
Know before you go
Pickup and Start Time
Pickup is from your hotel or private address in the Tel Aviv area at around 08:30. Pickup from Herzliya or Jerusalem can also be arranged. Because the tour is private, you can ask for an earlier or later start when you book, and we confirm the exact pickup time the day before.
What to Bring
- Comfortable closed walking shoes
- Hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle
- Camera or phone with a charged battery
- Valid passport (required for Bethlehem)
Dress Code
Shoulders and knees must be covered at churches and at the Western Wall. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed inside holy sites. A light scarf or shawl is handy.
Physical Requirements
Expect moderate walking of 3 to 4 hours on stone streets, slopes and steps, including steps down into the grottoes in Bethlehem. Tell us about any mobility needs and we will plan around them.
Age and Children
All ages are welcome. Children travel with the group at the same total group price for their group size. Child seats are available on request.
Language
The tour is guided in English. Spanish, French, German and Russian guides are available on request for a supplement. Please ask before booking.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time. Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before the tour carries a 25% fee. Cancelling within 24 hours of the start time, or not showing up, carries a 100% fee.
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| 48+ hours before the start time | Free cancellation |
| 24 to 47 hours before | 25% fee |
| Less than 24 hours before, or no-show | 100% fee (no refund) |
Need to change your date instead? Message us before the tour and we will do our best to move your booking. If we cancel or materially change a tour, you can choose an alternative date, a credit or a refund. Read the booking terms.
Frequently asked questions
How is the price of the private Jerusalem and Bethlehem tour calculated?
This is a private tour, so you pay one total price for your whole group, not a price per seat. The price steps up with group size because a bigger group needs a bigger vehicle: 1 to 3 guests, 4 to 6 guests, 7 to 13 guests and 14 to 16 guests each have their own group price. Choose your number of guests in the booking form and it shows the exact total for your group before you pay. The maximum group size is 16 guests. For larger groups, message us and we will build a custom quote.
Do I need a passport to visit Bethlehem?
Yes. Bethlehem is in the West Bank, and every guest needs a valid passport at the checkpoint. Your guide team handles the crossing logistics. Check the latest travel guidance on the official Israel tourism site before your trip.
How long is the tour?
About 10 hours from pickup to drop-off. Because it is private, you can ask for an earlier start or a shorter day when you book, and your guide adjusts the timing on the day, especially around the line at the Church of the Nativity.
Can we spend more time in Bethlehem?
Yes. Many pilgrim groups prefer a shorter Jerusalem morning and a longer afternoon in Bethlehem, adding the Milk Grotto or more time for prayer. Just tell us your priorities. For a Jerusalem-only day see the private Jerusalem tour.
What should I wear?
Cover shoulders and knees for all churches and the Western Wall. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed. Wear comfortable closed shoes, and carry a hat and water. The Custody of the Holy Land shares visitor guidance for the holy sites.
Is this tour suitable for children and older travelers?
Yes. With your own guide and car, the pace follows your group. There is some walking on uneven stone and a few steps down into the grottoes, and your guide can shorten walks and add rest stops. Child seats are available on request.
Which languages can the guide speak?
English is included as standard. A private guide in Spanish, French, German or Russian can usually be arranged on request for a supplement. Please message us before booking so we can confirm a guide for your date. Guides are licensed by the Israel Ministry of Tourism.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is not included, so you can choose where to eat. Your guide suggests good local places in Jerusalem or Bethlehem for every taste and budget. Prefer a set group schedule? See the Bethlehem day tour.
Can we visit on Christmas or Easter?
Yes, private tours run on holidays, but the holy sites are very busy at Christmas and Easter and access can change at short notice. Book early and see our Jerusalem full day tour for group options in quieter periods.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time. Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before the tour carries a 25% fee. Cancelling within 24 hours of the start time, or not showing up, carries a 100% fee. You can also ask to move your date instead of cancelling, subject to guide availability.
Why book with Booking-Tours
- Local operator in Eilat since 2008Our own office and team on the ground, not a call center abroad.
- Licensed local guidesSmall details, good pacing and real stories at every stop.
- Real people on WhatsAppHelp in English, Russian and Hebrew before and during your trip.
- Secure online paymentPay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay through Stripe.
“We had a great experience during our tour in Petra. Our tour guide, Ahmed, was very friendly and kind…”
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