Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about traveling to Israel. You may find additional information on our website. If you didn’t find an answer to your question, please feel free to use our Israel Community Forum
FAQ Topics:
Visa
Safety
Traveling To Neighboring Countries
Health
Electricity
Weather
Getting There
Customs
Planning Your Trip
Religious Customs
Transportation
Communications
Israel For People With Disabilities
Culture
Archaeology
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
1. VISA
Do I need a visa to travel to Israel?
All visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they enter the country. People with no nationality must hold a valid laissez passer, as well as a visa back to the country that issued it.
Citizens of the following countries will be issued tourist visas free of charge at every port or entrance terminal to Israel:
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany (Persons born after 1.1.28), Gibraltar,Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Asia & Oceania: Australia, Fiji Islands, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea
Africa: Central African Republic, Losoto, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Swaziland
The Americas: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, St. Kitts, & Nevis, Surinam, Trinidad, & Tobago, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, Uruguay, U.S.A.
For more information, visit this page.
More information about visitor's visa application forms in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
2. SAFETY
Is it safe to travel to Israel?
Israel is an extremely safe country to visit and to tour. In 2008, three million tourists came to Israel, an all-time record, and all three million went back home safe and sound. We would not encourage tourists to come if we felt they would be in the slightest danger.
Are tourists allowed to enter areas outside of the Israeli responsibility (Palestinian areas)?
Passage to the two major tourist cities of Bethlehem and Jericho in the Palestinian Authority is direct without prior clearance or required authorization.
As regarding the rest of the Palestinian areas, it is recommended to forward requests to the IDF Public Relations Office, Fax: +972-2-5305724. All requests should include: Name, passport nationality and number, destination, name of departure into Palestinian Area Crossing if known; if crossing is by car – name and details of driver as well as car registration number. Fax replies will only be sent to Israeli tel./fax numbers.
3. TRAVELING TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
Is it possible to travel to Jordan or Egypt from Israel?
Yes. You can travel between Israel, Jordan and Egypt. You should check with the relevant embassies if you need a visa to these countries
4. HEALTH
Do I need to receive any special vaccination before my trip to Israel?
Israel is a modern, developed country with levels of health and hygiene equal to those of Western countries. Visitors entering Israel are not required to undergo vaccinations prior to their arrival.
For more information, visit this page.
Can you drink tap water in Israel?
You can drink tap water. But, you will also find mineral water everywhere. It is important to make sure you drink a lot, especially when out walking and on hot days.
5. ELECTRICITY
The electric current in Israel is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. Most Israeli sockets are of the three-pronged variety but many can accept some European two-pronged plugs as well. Electric shavers, traveling irons and other small appliances may require adapters and/or transformers, which can be purchased in Israel.
6. WEATHER
Israel enjoys long, warm, dry summers (April-October) and generally mild winters (November-March) with somewhat drier, cooler weather in hilly regions, such as Jerusalem and Safed. Rainfall is relatively heavy in the north and center of the country, with much less in the northern Negev and almost negligible amounts in the southern areas.
Regional conditions vary considerably, with humid summers and mild winters on the coast; dry summers and moderately cold winters in the hill regions; hot dry summers and pleasant winters in the Jordan Valley; and year-round semi-desert conditions in the Negev.
Weather extremes range from occasional winter snowfall in the mountain regions to periodic oppressively hot dry winds that send temperatures soaring, particularly in spring and autumn.
For a table of average annual temperatures, click here.
To find out the weather in Israel now, visit this link.
7. GETTING THERE
Read about traveling by air, sea and land here.
Which airlines fly to Israel?
Find out more information here.
What is the exchange rate of the Shekel?
Exchange rates of the Shekel to all foreign currencies as well as other information can be found here.
8. CUSTOMS
What are the laws for bringing valuable items to Israel?
Please read the information here, or visit the Israeli Customs and VAT website.
9. PLANNING YOUR TRIP
How can I find a tour operator who offers tour packages to Israel?
If you don’t have a tour operator, you may find one at:
USA
UK
Other Countries:Please check the relevant website in your language at www.goisrael.com
What if I want to make my own travel arrangements?
Find comprehensive information at our website under “planning your trip”
You may find a tour guide here.
You may find accommodations here.
Find here all the main tourist attractions in Israel.
You may also want to take a look at our suggested itineraries here.
Where can I find maps of Israel so I can plan my trip?
Check out our online maps, which come complete with some of the most popular tourist sites in the country.
Where in Israel do I find Tourist Information Centers?
Please check the list here.
Where can I find information about museums in Israel?
Check our search engine or visit http://www.ilmuseums.com/
How much money would I need to live on in Israel, on a daily\weekly basis?
The Israeli economy is very similar to European standards, although food products are normally less expensive. The economic traveler may get by on 50$ a day (accommodations not included).
10. RELIGIOUS CUSTOMS
Are all the restaurants in Israel kosher?
Places offering kosher food usually display a kashrut certificate granted to them by the local rabbinate. Most hotels serve kosher food, as well as some restaurants. But there is no binding law. So if kashrut is important to you, you must check it out at each separate place where you dine.
For more information, visit this page.
Is everything closed on Shabbat in Israel?
Shabbat, or Saturday, is the Jewish holy day of the week. Shabbat starts on Friday afternoon/evening and ends on Saturday evening. All public offices in Israel are closed on Shabbat, as are most private businesses such as stores. In most cities, public transportation (trains and buses) does not operate. In mainly secular cities, like Tel Aviv, a lot of the restaurants and cafes are open but throughout the country many restaurants are closed. It is recommended to check in advance if you are planning on visiting a specific location. Radio and TV broadcasts operate as usual.
For more information, visit this page.
11. TRANSPORTATION
For schedules and fares of buses in Israel, please visit the Egged website.
For train schedules and fares, please visit the Israel Railways website.
For information about all domestic and international flights, please visit the Israel Airport Authority website.
Where can I rent a car in Israel?
Read about renting a car in Israel here.
Do I need an international driving license?
If you wish to drive a car in Israel, you must hold a valid international driver’s license.
For information about car rental, visit this page.
12. COMMUNICATIONS
Can I rent a cellular phone in Israel?
Yes. You may do so already upon your arrival in Israel. Read about renting a cellular phone here.
How do I dial to my country from Israel?
When dialing overseas, dial the three-digit dial code of the company you choose to dial from (012, 013, or 014) followed by the country code, area code, and telephone number.
Read more about dialing abroad here.
13. ISRAEL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Considerable efforts and resources have been invested in Israel to enable disabled persons to access any destination and to receive service that is equal to that received by the rest of the public.
For more information, visit this page.
Check out our special itineraries for the disabled.
Is there a temporary parking permit for disabled tourists?
No, unfortunately there isn’t. Please use the ordinary parking meters or parking lots.
14. CULTURE
Where can I get general information about culture life in Israel?
Please visit this page.
Is there an Israeli opera?
A few years ago, the Israeli Opera was reopened as The New Israeli Opera. They reside in Tel-Aviv and perform with many famous productions, including non operatic shows. Visit their website.
In addition, you can send an email to the following address and request the next year’s program to be sent to you: opera@mail.israel-opera.co.il
15. ARCHAEOLOGY
Find here all information about archaeological sites.
Where can I see the famous Dead Sea Scrolls?
Read here about the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Shrine of the Book and Qumran
Is the Western Wall Tunnel open for visitors?
Yes, it is. Read about the Western Wall tunnel here.
16. BAR/BAT MITZVAH
Find here all information about planning a Bar \ bat Mitzvah in Israel