Your gateway to Israel...and the world

 

 

What to bring in the suitcase

 

1.         Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your scheduled return date. Photocopy the identification page of your passport and keep it separate from the original.
2.        Plane tickets and photo identification.
3.        Travel documents and health insurance.
4.        Over-the-counter and prescription medications in their original containers. Take note of the generic names of your medications.
5.        Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
6.        Camera, extra batteries, battery charger.
7.        Comfortable walking shoes.
8.        Water shoes (sandals, thongs or Crocs).
9.        Swimsuit for the Jordan River and for floating in the Dead Sea.
10.        Waterproof clothing: poncho and umbrella (from November to April).
11.        Light sweater or jacket (heavier jacket in winter months).
12.        Discreet clothing, covering the legs to below the knee, as well as the shoulders, for both sexes.
13.        Shampoo, personal first aid kit (generally not provided in Israeli hotels).
14.        Liquid or powder soap for hand washing.
15.        Cell phone, battery charger.
16.        Credit card and cash. (It is recommended to bring $1 bills).
17.        An empty canvas bag to pack your souvenirs and gifts to take home.
18.        Notebook or journal and pens.
19.        Your most important guide: the Bible

 

  The coin

 

The currency of Israel is the Israeli New Shekel. Check the latest exchange rates.

 

Sterling, US dollars, Euros and other major currencies can be traded.

change in israel ATMs and exchange facilities are available everywhere.

 It is advisable to request bills in smaller notes as it can sometimes be difficult to get change

of the large notes and the smaller notes are useful for purchases and tips.

 

Travelers Checks are not recommended as they are often difficult to exchange and incur fees

 tall. A passport is required when cashing traveler's checks.

 

 Tips

 

In restaurants, it is standard practice to tip between 10-15%. Typically, tip around 12%. Tips are usually left in cash rather than on the card, so it is helpful to carry loose change with you.

 

Guides and tour bus drivers usually receive between 6 and 8 dollars per person per day.

 

Other people in the service industry, like taxi drivers, won't expect tips, but they certainly won't turn down a few extra coins.

 

 

  Water

 

During the summer, especially, it is important to drink plenty of water. Although the tap water in Israel is of good quality and safe to drink, you may not be used to the high mineral content. Bottled natural spring water is available everywhere, tourist buses usually carry bottles of fresh water whose price is one dollar or one euro

 

The main thing is to drink!

 

 

 The taxis

 

Local and intercity taxi service is available to and from any point in the country. Fares within cities are charged according to the taximeter. The rates for the intercity taxi service are standard rates established by the Ministry of Transportation. It is recommended to check what the fare will be before taking the taxi.

 

Taxis can be hailed by phone from a local taxi station, or by app or hailed by waving at one on the street.

 

Nightly rates are 25% more than the regular rate, beginning at 9:01 p.m. and ending at 5:29 a.m. These rates also apply for Shabbat and holidays. There is an additional charge for telephone orders and an additional charge for each bag that is not a carry-on bag.

 

Drivers must operate the meter for trips within the city. Try to avoid agreeing on the price in advance if you are not familiar with the rates.

 

 Credit cards and "Tax free"

 

Major credit cards: American Express, Diners, Visa, Mastercard / Access / Eurocard

They are widely accepted in restaurants, shops, hotels, museums, etc. From Israel.

 

Some purchases can be made in Israeli shekels, US dollars, or euros.

However, store owners and service providers are not required to

to accept foreign currency and can give change in shekels even if the payment was made in

 foreign currency.

 

Tourists who have purchased items with a value greater than $100 (VAT included) in stores that are registered with the Ministry of Tourism or in stores that participate in the VAT refund scheme, are entitled to a VAT refund when they leave the country. Stores that offer a VAT refund service have a special indication.

 

To receive a VAT refund, make sure you get a receipt. The receipt and purchases must be kept in a sealed bag. If the amount to be refunded exceeds $1,000, it will be sent after the invoice is verified by the tax authorities.

 

Tourists should go to the "exchange location" at Ben Gurion airport or another port of departure. If you want to send the items you purchased with your baggage, you must declare the purchase at the security check and present your passport, plane ticket, purchases and receipts at the counter. The attendant will open the bag, examine the contents, sign the receipt and refund the VAT in any currency minus a commission. The VAT refund can also be sent to your address abroad for an additional charge.

 

There is no VAT refund for the following items: food, beverages, tobacco products, electrical appliances, cameras, film or other photography equipment.

 

 The Passport

 

A passport valid for at least six months after the date of entry is required to travel to Israel.

 scheduled return. If your passport expires within this period, you must apply for a new passport.

a couple of months before your trip.

 

 

Make a photocopy of the identification page of your passport and keep it separate from the original

when i travel For added security, leave a photocopy with a friend or relative at home. This will speed up

things if you lose your passport.

 

 Medical services

 

Medical care in Israel is modern and among the most advanced in the world. If you need emergency medical service, Magen David Adom (the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross) offers 24-hour service in most urban centers. Magen David Adom (phone dial 101) also provides ambulance service to the nearest emergency room. If you take prescription medication, it is recommended that you bring enough to last your entire trip.

 

It is important to bring medical insurance.

 

 Language

 

Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages ​​of Israel. However, English is also widely spoken and you will see most highway, street and shop signs in English, Hebrew and Arabic (and even Russian!).

 

 Kosher food

 

Most of the hotels you will stay in will abide by the Jewish laws of Kashrut – which means they don't serve meat when they serve dairy. For example, they will not serve butter or cheese when they are serving beef. It will also be difficult to find pork derivatives

 

 

 Electricity

Electricity in Israel is single phase 220 volts, 50 Hz. Most electrical outlets

 in Israel they have three holes, but many of them will work with European type two-prong plugs.

 Many 4-star hotels (and all 5-star ones) offer hair dryers and most

 Rooms have 110/220 shaver sockets (for shavers only). Visitors who want

irons and other small appliances may require both transformers and

adapter plugs. If you need a transformer or adapter, ask at the hotel reception if they have them on hand.

 

 

 The dressing

 

Appropriate dress in Israel is casual and comfortable. For holy sites, even in the summer, one must cover the knees (ie no shorts) and upper arms (ie sleeved clothing, especially for women). If you want to dress in shorts and/or sleeveless, always have a "low-key" alternative to cover up when necessary. Hats are essential from April to September.

 

Don't forget the sunglasses!