Israel Cruise Excursion Tours
Jerusalem Shore Excursion from Haifa Port
- Full day
- Pickup: Haifa Port
- 4.4/5 company rating on TourRadar
- DurationFull day
- Starts08:30 AM, hotel pickup
- GuideEnglish, Spanish
- Group sizeUp to 15 travelers
- CancellationFree cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time.
Overview
The biggest worry on a port day is simple: will I see the highlights and still make the ship? This Jerusalem shore excursion is built around that question. A private guide meets you at the Haifa cruise terminal, drives you to the Holy City in a private air-conditioned vehicle and plans the whole day backward from your all-aboard time, so you can relax and enjoy it.
Your day starts with the classic view from the Mount of Olives, where the golden Dome of the Rock and the Old City walls spread out in front of you. You then visit Yad Vashem, Israel's moving Holocaust memorial, before walking into the Old City through the Byzantine Cardo, the Western Wall, the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Because this Jerusalem shore excursion is private, there is no waiting for a coach of 40 people. Your guide adjusts the pace to your group, adds time where you want it and keeps an eye on traffic all day. It is the most efficient way to see Jerusalem from a Haifa port call.
Your Jerusalem shore excursion starts and ends at the Haifa Port terminal, and you share the car only with your own group. Want Bethlehem as well? See the Jerusalem and Bethlehem shore excursion. Prefer to float in salt water after the Old City? Try the Jerusalem and Dead Sea shore excursion, or browse all Israel shore excursions.
Highlights
- Private guide and vehicle from the Haifa cruise terminal to Jerusalem
- Panoramic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives
- A guided visit to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center
- The Byzantine Cardo in the Jewish Quarter
- Time to pray or reflect at the Western Wall
- Walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Day planned around your all-aboard time with a safe buffer
- Flexible pace with no coach crowds or waiting for others
Itinerary & route
Numbers match the itinerary below. Solid lines are walking legs, dashed lines are drives. Map is for orientation only.
- 1
08:30 AMMeet your guide at Haifa Port
Your private guide waits just outside the passenger terminal at Haifa Port with a sign showing your name. The exact meeting time follows your ship's disembarkation time.
- 2
08:45 AMDrive to Jerusalem
Relax on the drive south along the coast and up through the Judean Hills, about two hours depending on traffic. Your guide uses the time to explain the 3,000-year story of the city you are about to see.
- 3
10:45 AMMount of Olives viewpoint
Start with the best panorama of the UNESCO-listed Old City of Jerusalem. The walls, the golden Dome of the Rock and the Kidron Valley all fit into one frame, and your guide shows you where the rest of the day will take you.
- 4
11:30 AMYad Vashem Holocaust memorial
Visit Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center on the Mount of Remembrance. Your guide focuses on the most meaningful parts of the site so the visit fits your port schedule. Young children are not admitted to the main museum, so families can swap this stop for another site.
- 5
01:00 PMThe Cardo and the Jewish Quarter
Enter the Old City and walk the Byzantine Cardo, the colonnaded main street of ancient Jerusalem. A short lunch break nearby lets you try fresh falafel or hummus.
- 6
02:00 PMThe Western Wall
Spend time at the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple compound and the holiest place of prayer in Judaism. There is time to leave a written note between the stones.
- 7
02:40 PMVia Dolorosa and the market lanes
Follow the Via Dolorosa through the colorful lanes of the Muslim and Christian Quarters, past the Stations of the Cross. For a deeper Christian route on another day, see our Christian Jerusalem tour.
- 8
03:15 PMChurch of the Holy Sepulchre
End the walk at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over Golgotha and the traditional tomb of Jesus. Entry inside the Edicule depends on the line on the day.
- 9
04:30 PMReturn to Haifa Port
Your guide drives you straight back to the cruise terminal, timed to give you a safe buffer before all-aboard. If you have another port day in Israel, the Jerusalem and Dead Sea shore excursion is a great follow-up.
What's included
Included
- Meet and greet at the Haifa Port cruise terminal and return to the port
- Private air-conditioned car or minibus for your group only
- Private licensed tour guide for the whole day
- Flexible timing built around your ship's schedule
- Guided visit to Yad Vashem
Not included
- Lunch, snacks and drinks
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Travel insurance
- Entrance fees not listed as included
Pickup & meeting point
- Haifa PortNo 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 Haifa Port
Know before you go
Meeting Point and Timing
Your private guide meets you just outside the passenger terminal at Haifa Port, holding a sign with your name. The start time follows your ship: we set it from the disembarkation time you give us when you book, and the day runs about 8 hours.
Return to the Ship
We plan the day backward from your all-aboard time and aim to have you back at the terminal at least one hour before it. Your guide watches traffic all day and will shorten a stop if needed to keep that buffer.
What to Bring
- Your passport (not a copy)
- Your ship card and the ship agent's phone number
- Comfortable closed walking shoes
- Hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle
- Some cash or a card for lunch and souvenirs
Dress Code
Holy sites ask for covered shoulders and knees for men and women. A light scarf or shawl is an easy way to cover up when needed.
Physical Requirements
Expect about 3 hours of walking on stone streets, slopes and steps in the Old City. The pace is set by your group, so tell your guide if you need more breaks.
Age and Children
Guests aged 4 and over are welcome. Child car seats can be arranged on request when you book. Young children are not admitted to the main Yad Vashem museum, and your guide can swap in another site.
Language
The tour is guided in English. A Spanish-speaking guide is available on request, subject to availability.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time. Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before carries a 25% fee. Cancelling within 24 hours, or not showing up, carries a 100% fee. If your cruise line cancels the Haifa call, contact us right away and we will work with you on a fair solution.
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
What happens if my ship arrives late or the schedule changes?
Your guide follows your ship's arrival and waits for you at the terminal. If the ship docks late or the port changes the call times, we adjust the route on the spot and drop or shorten a stop so you still return with time to spare. You can check port updates on the official Haifa Port website, and we keep in touch with you by WhatsApp on the day.
Will I be back at the ship before all-aboard time?
Yes, this is the guide's top priority. We plan the day backward from your all-aboard time and aim to have you at the terminal at least one hour before it. Unlike a large ship tour, a private car leaves the moment your group is ready, which saves a lot of time over a long day. If you prefer an easier pace, our Caesarea, Haifa and Acre tour stays closer to the port.
Where do we meet at Haifa Port?
Your guide waits just outside the passenger terminal exit with a sign showing your name. The terminal sits right next to the city center, so there is no long walk. When you book, add your ship name and your disembarkation and boarding times so we can set the exact meeting time. General visitor information is on the Israel Ministry of Tourism site.
Do I need my passport?
Yes. Bring your passport, not a copy, together with your ship card. Your passport is also needed at Yad Vashem security and at some checkpoints on the road. Entry rules for cruise passengers are set by Israel's Population and Immigration Authority, and your cruise line will tell you about any shore pass needed on the day.
How does private pricing work?
The price is for your whole private group, not per seat on a bus. Rates step down as your group grows, because one vehicle and one guide are shared by everyone. The booking form shows the exact total for your group size before you pay, for up to 15 guests. Sharing the day with friends from the ship is the simplest way to lower the cost per person.
Is this shore excursion suitable for children?
Yes. Guests aged 4 and over are welcome, and a private tour is a good fit for families because you set the pace and the breaks. Child car seats can be arranged on request. Families who want more time at the water may also like our Dead Sea relaxation tour.
What should I wear?
Churches and other holy sites ask for covered shoulders and knees for both men and women, so pack a light scarf or long trousers. Wear comfortable closed shoes for stone streets and steps, plus a hat and sunscreen. Weather tips for each season are on the Israel Ministry of Tourism website.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time. Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before carries a 25% fee, and cancelling within 24 hours or a no-show carries a 100% fee. If your cruise line cancels the Haifa call, contact us as soon as you hear and we will work with you on a fair solution.
What languages are available?
The tour is guided in English. A Spanish-speaking guide is available on request, subject to availability. Let us know your language when you book and we will confirm it in writing before the day.
How do I book the Jerusalem shore excursion?
Pick your date in the calendar on this page and choose your group size. If your date is not open yet, send us an enquiry with your ship name and Haifa call date and we will confirm it for you. You can browse more Israel shore excursions for other ports and routes.
Can we visit the Temple Mount on this shore excursion?
Not on the standard route. The Temple Mount has short visiting hours and strict security lines that are hard to fit into a port day. If it matters to you, ask us when you book. On a longer stay, our Temple Mount tour covers it properly.
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…”
N. M., Mexico · Trustpilot
