Middle East
Money, cards and tipping in Palestine
ILSShekel
Money in Palestine
Mostly cash Mostly cash in shekels; Jordanian dinars and US dollars are used for big purchases. Cards work at hotels and larger shops in Ramallah and Bethlehem. US$1 ≈ ₪3.05 (03 Oct 2026).
Key facts
- Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants; tip guides and drivers.
- ATMs: ATMs in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jericho and Nablus; fewer in villages, so carry cash.
- Paying by phone: Little beyond cards at bigger businesses; bring cash.
Cash or card, by place
| Place | Cards | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | Mostly cash | Shekels for most purchases; cards at hotels and some restaurants. ATMs in town, but carry enough cash in case checkpoints close. |
| Ramallah | Mixed: cards and cash | Cards work in hotels, malls and many cafés in Ramallah; cash in shekels for taxis, markets and day-to-day use. |
Quick answers
Do you tip in Palestine?
Around 10% in restaurants; tip guides and drivers.
Is Palestine cashless?
Mostly cash. Mostly cash in shekels; Jordanian dinars and US dollars are used for big purchases. Cards work at hotels and larger shops in Ramallah and Bethlehem.
What currency does Palestine use?
The Shekel (ILS). US$1 ≈ ₪3.05 (03 Oct 2026).
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: The Occupied Palestinian Territories
- ETA-IL (Israel Population and Immigration Authority)
- Travel Palestine (Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities)
- World Bank open data
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