FAQ’s about Israel

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.

2. 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

3. 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.

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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

To find out the weather in Israel now, visit this link.

6. COMMUNICATION

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.

7. 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.

Yad Sarah for example, is a volunteer organization with branches all over Israel that lends tourists wheelchairs, crutches and other aides without charge and only a security deposit. More information is available at Yad Sara website.or by calling +972-2-6444555.

8. 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.

Is everything closed on Shabbat in Israel?
All public offices in Israel are closed on Shabbat, as are most private businesses. In most cities, public transportation (trains and buses) does not operate, and most, but not all, restaurants are closed. Radio and TV broadcasts operate as usual.

All information above is according to official information from the Israeli Toursim Ministry of January 2008 www.goisrael.com .
Holiday Travel Israel Ltd. does not cover any responsibility on the content above.
We recommend you for further information to consult your local travel agent or the closest Israeli embassy to your destination before arrival to Israel.
We are happy to assist you with any question you may have before your journey. Please contact incoming@holidaytravel.co.il.