Travel to Israel
Invaluable advice from an experienced
Israeli traveler

Travel to Israel can offer an exhilarating (and sometime bumpy) ride, so you'll want to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime !

I have personally made the long journey back and forth from the States to Israel more than a dozen times. Though my connection with the country began as a tourist on vacation, I kept coming back and eventually even spent a couple of years as a resident.

El Al - Israel's national airline

Let me share with you a few of my most invaluable Dos and Don'ts.

• Do book your cheap flights to Israel online to save money.
• Do purchase reputable International Travel Insurance.
• Do reserve the least expensive Israel car rental online before you depart.
• Do make your hotel reservations before you depart for the best deals.
• Do make sure you have a current valid passport or check Israel Visa requirements.
• Do fly El Al Israel Airlines.
• Do plan your Israel vacation well in advance.

• Don't exchange your currency at the airport. Their rates are unfavorable. In Israel, the post office offers the best rate without commission.
• Don't eat too much before or during the flight. I usually bring light healthy snacks from home.
• Don't forget your sun lotion. Most imported consumer products cost dramatically more in Israel. Sun lotion is no exception, and goes for about 100 NIS or $30 US.

The ultra-modern Ben Gurion Airport

Generally, I have found the immigration process to flow more efficiently than the States. While most travelers arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) like me, you can also fly directly to Eilat airport (ETH) from many European destinations.

Just have your Visa or Passport ready to show. Israelis are not known for their patience - check out our page about the Israeli people (Sabras) to learn more about local etiquette (or lack thereof) :).

For Travel in Israel from the airport, I highly recommend the Israel Railway unless of course you are traveling on the Jewish sabbath that begins Friday at sundown and ends Saturday night. Most official Israeli businesses close down during this time. Israil is a wonderful way to travel and serves most of the population centers of the country.

I hope you will find my advice on Travel to Israel valuable and I wish you a pleasant journey.

Tehanu ! (Enjoy in Hebrew)
Bruce