Money Issues

The Israeli currency is the NIS (New Israeli Shekel). Each shekel is divided into 100 agurot. There are banknotes of 20/50/100/200 shekel. There are coins of 1/5/10 shekel and of 10/20/50 agurot. The exchange rate to the dollar is approximately 1$ = 3.5 NIS and to the euro 1€ = 3.9  (Check the daily rate in the newspapers or surf to

www.boi.org.il

Shekels can be obtained in the major cities at banks, post offices, official moneychangers and drawn out of ATM machines with your own PIN number. Banks and post offices are open from Sunday to Friday in the morning from 8.30 to 13.00. Twice a week they also open in the afternoon from 16.00 to 18.00. Moneychangers usually offer a better rate and change money without charging commission. Remember that for monetary transactions and changing cheques you will need to show your passport. Credit cards are widely accepted in most stores, restaurants, parks and museums.

 

Packing your luggage

The dress code in Israel is informal, leave your suit and tie at home. For the summer bring light clothing, shorts and sandals, do not forget your bathing suit. A sweater is recommended since Jerusalem gets chilly also in summer evenings.  For the winter plan on layers that you can 'peel off' as the day gets warmer and put back on as the evening gets colder. Bring a winter jacket and rain gear. Hats and sweaters are a good idea the whole year round. Hiking or sport shoes are also a good choice.

Do not forget that religious sites generally require modest clothing. Long pants/ dress/ skirt (for men and women alike!) and elbow length sleeves.

 

Passport

Double check your passport before your trip. It most be valid for at least six months after your planned departure.

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 While in israel 

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Accommodation

There are numerous possibilities for accommodation in all price ranges to choose from: hotels, apartment hotels, kibbutzim, Bed & Breakfast, guesthouses, Christian hospices, youth hostels and camping facilities.

Prices vary according to the tourist season. Summer holidays, Christian and Jewish holidays are considered to be high season. In the cities and touristy areas you will find a variety of places where to stay. If you overnight outside these areas there is still a choice of guesthouses, zimmerin and kibbutzim. Zimmerim or 'bed & breakfast' are very fashionable among the local population and are mostly situated in a breathtaking surrounding. If you overnight at a kibbutz you will have the opportunity to share some of the meals with the members in a common dining hall and you will taste the produce of the kibbutz.

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Communication

Mobile phones are widely used throughout Israel. Coverage is generally good and reasonable in price. You can rent one upon your arrival at the airport or via the concierge at major hotels. You can also find public telephones and make use of the local prepaid phone cards; you can buy them in post offices, grocery shops or newsstands. For calls inside Israel dial 0 and then the area code for the city you are calling (02 for Jerusalem). You don't need to dial the area code within the same telephone area and for mobile phones. Overseas operator and overseas directory information is available by dialing 188. Domestic directory information is available by dialing 144. For collect calls within Israel, dial 142. Internet cafes are widespread in the major cities; in hotels and some city areas there is wireless internet connection available.

 

Climate

Israel has a wide range of climate and weather. The Northern part of Israel has a typically Mediterranean climate: long, hot and dry summers (from April to October) followed by short, cool and wet winters (from November to February) with plenty of periodic sunshine. In the coastal areas the humidity can be quite oppressive during the summer. Snow is possible at the height of the winter on high areas (Golan, Jerusalem). Temperatures in the Southern part of Israel soar to over 40°C in the summer. Even though the Negev receives very little rain in the winter, there can be occasional thunderstorms resulting in flash floods. The springtime sometimes brings hot, dry desert winds ('khamsin') from the Egyptian Desert and the Saudi Arabian Peninsula.

  

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Electricity

Israel operates on 220 volts in contrast to 110 volts in the United States. You can bring adapters for your shavers and hair-dryers or purchase them in Israel. Luxury hotels have 110 volt outlets for shavers in the bathroom.

 

Food and Restaurants

Israel's inhabitants have gathered from the four corners of the world, you will have the opportunity to taste dishes from all the different kitchens. Near East or Mediterranean cuisine is considered to be the local food: salads, hummus (chickpea paste), falafel, shawarma…  

Most of the restaurants and hotels cater kosher food. A kosher kitchen follows the Jewish dietary laws in which Jews should abstain from mixing meat and milk dishes at the same meal and avoid the consumption of pork and sea fruit. Restaurants that

keep kosher are closed on Friday evenings and on Saturdays during the day. You can also find non-kosher restaurants that cater sea fruit or that are open during Shabbat. The tip is sometimes included in the bill, if not the customary tip is between 10-15%. Hotels serve Israeli breakfast buffet, which is known to be large and includes every kind of food; there is specially a wide variety of white cheeses and vegetables.

On the streets you can find small stands selling delicious and filling falafel or shawarma. There is also fast-food available since most of the American food franchises operate in Israel. Very trendy among locals are coffee bars that serve sandwiches and light meals.

Local wines have received international recognition and are worth to taste.

 

Drinking

Israel is hot and dry in the summers and you might sweat without even noticing it. It is important to drink plenty of water in order to avoid dehydration. In the hot season you should drink 6-8 liters daily. Water from the tap is safe to drink but you may not be used to the high mineral content. Bottled mineral water can be bought everywhere. Minimum drinking age for alcohol is 18.

 

Entrance Fees

Calculate an average of $8 to $20 for entrance fees to national parks, museums and other attractions per person per day. Children and students often pay a reduced fare. There are over 50 national parks and archeological sites. A "Green-ticket" entitles you to visit any of the parks within a 2-week period. Another pass entitles you to visit 6 parks in a 2-week period. These special tickets are available at the entrance of the major parks or at the main office of Israel national parks authority in Jerusalem.

 

Health

Make sure you have health insurance coverage before leaving your country. No special vaccinations are needed. However, sunstroke or sunburn are risks if you are exposed to the sun for long periods. It is important to drink enough liquids and to cover your head to avoid headaches. Israel's medicine is known to be one of the best in the world. May a problem arise, all hotels have attending GP doctors. Your guide can assist you finding a specialist.

 

News and Media

There are various Israeli newspapers and magazines in English for sale. The Jerusalem Post and the Ha'aretz are both morning papers. The latter one is sold as supplement inside the Herald Tribune. Israeli radio and television give news programs in English. There is a daily 15-minute broadcast at 6.30, 12.30 and 20.30 on the REQA network. At 22.00 there is a 25-minute roundup on 88.2 FM. The Israeli Television gives a 10-minute program every weekday at 16.50 on Channel 1.

All big international newspapers and magazines are also available. Most hotels have FOX news, CNN and BBC and other foreign languages programs.

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VAT

There is 15.5% tax on most goods and services. By law, the tax is included in the price. Upon making a purchase above $100 you should fill out a VAT refund form and present it to a bank at your departure.

 

Travel to Jordan and Egypt

Travel to Jordan and Egypt from Israel is feasible. Tours can be organized through your Israeli guide. Visas are issued at the Jordanian (03-7517722) or Egyptian (03-5464151) embassy in Tel Aviv, there is also an Egyptian consulate (08-6376882) in Eilat. It is possible to cross the border into Jordan at the Arava (near Eilat) and Sheik Hussein Bridge (near Tiberias) without a pre-arranged visa. The visas will be issued on the spot. Your passport should be at least valid for six months after your arrival. There is a one-day tour to Petra leaving early in the morning and coming back in the evening. Remember that the price tagged for your tour does not include border taxes and visa costs.