I have backpacked across the globe multiple times now. And I can safely say that trekking across the Middle East is one of the most rewarding experiences of my traveling career. It is not for the faint of heart to be sure. But, if you can handle it, you will see some of the most amazing wonders of the world and experience some of the most vibrant and rich cultures.

My recommendation is to start your Middle East backpacking journey in Israel. It borders a few of the other most popular backpacking nations and is a great travel hub to make your start from. This guide will be walking you through some of the essential backpacking tips for Israel and beyond. We will be focusing mostly on logistics rather than things to do or see.

Sort Your Visas

Many nations in the Middle East are looking at changing their tourist visa regulations in the coming years. Israel has already begun this process. By 2025 any tourist looking to enter Israel will need to complete an application for the Israel eta il visa. The application process is quick and easy. You just need to ensure that you are from one of the eligible countries for the Israel ETA IL Visa.

Border security in the nations of the Middle East are very tight and strict. There is absolutely no room for error when it comes to securing the correct visas for your trip. To that end it is advisable to plan out your travel itinerary in great detail. Unlike Europe, where you could easily change your travel plans on a whim in the Schengen Area, in the Middle East you need to be more purposeful.

Dress Appropriately

Many of the nations of the Middle East, including Israel, are home to orthodox communities. Their religion governs a lot of the laws and cultural expectations in their nations. So you need to be very mindful of this while traveling. One thing you need to ensure is that you are packing appropriate clothing.

This isn’t just about meeting weather expectations either. If you are planning to visit the many cultural and religious monuments in Israel or other nations you will need to dress modestly. Showing off as little skin as possible. So packing light, by covering clothing, is ideal. Or, alternatively, you can purchase appropriate clothing while in Israel.

Learn About The Drinking Culture

Backpacking is one of the most social ways to travel. Meeting new people. Creating unforgettable memories with them. And, more often than not, getting fairly drunk! But you need to be careful when traveling through the Middle East. Some of the nations, like the UaE, are very strict with their drinking laws. With some places being totally sober. In these places you can end up with a hefty fine, or worse, if you’re caught drinking.

Israel itself has quite a lax view on drinking. There is even a thriving social scene in many of the major cities. But we highly recommend doing research on each of the nations and cities you plan on visiting to see what their view on drinking is. Better safe than sorry.

Count Your Pennies

People often think that the Middle East is a cheap and desolate place. This just isn’t true at all. It is one of the richer areas of the world. And that is often reflected in the prices you will encounter. Being frugal is super important if you want to make your trip last.

As always Hostels are the way to go. Prioritize ones that have a kitchen so that you can save money on food by cooking your own meals. Local markets are a great way to get fresh ingredients for cheap. Especially in Israel which is home to a number of amazing markets.

You should also be wary of tourist scams while traveling. These aren’t unique to the Middle East but they do tend to pop up a lot more often. Scammers will often present themselves as tour guides or photographers. Luring you in with deals that seem too good to be true. But that is because they usually are. Make sure you research all your tours and excursions extensively beforehand and only use companies that are proven to be reliable and safe.