Israel
GETTING THERE
BY AIR:
El Al, United, Delta, Air Canada and U.S.
Airways offer more than 10 daily nonstop
flights to Ben Gurion International Airport from
New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Los Angeles
(LAX), Atlanta (ATL), Philadelphia (PHL) and
Toronto (YYZ). In addition to these carriers,
more than 70 international airlines operate
flights to and from Israel.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE:
Israel’s currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), or simply “shekel” in
the country’s markets, restaurants and attractions. At press time, the
exchange rate for $1 was ILS 3.89.
BY WATER:
A number of cruise lines make the Israeli ports
at Haifa and Ashdod a stop on Mediterranean
and Holy Land itineraries, and many of them
offer detailed land excursions to the historic
cities of Jerusalem and Nazareth. Cruise lines
include Princess, Celebrity, Royal Carribean
and Oceania.
ON THE GO:
Travelers will find ATMs a more ubiquitous and convenient alternative
to currency exchange centers. Credit cards are accepted at most
shops, restaurants and hotels.
BY LAND:
Drivers can enter Israel from Egypt near
the southern resort city of Eilat. Travelers
may also enter Israel from Jordan via three
crossing points along the nation’s western
border.
Nahariya
Hwy 6
GOLAN
HEIGHTS
Haifa
Lake
Tiberias
Nazareth
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
ROAD TRIP:
Roughly the size of New Jersey, Israel
is an easy country to navigate by
car. Road signs in English, Hebrew
and Arabic make a cross-country trip
a breeze for GPS-armed travelers.
Popular rental agencies including
Budget, Avis and Hertz offer rental
options for a wide variety of budgets.
Taxis are also commonly available in
major cities.
Hadera
Netanya
WHAT'S NEW AT EL-AL AIRLINES
It’s been a big year for Israel’s national
airline. Here’s a peek at what traveler’s can
look forward to when they fly El-Al.
Tel Aviv
Holon
WEST BANK
MORE LEGROOM:
El-Al now offers Economy Class Plus seating.
With 36 inches of legroom and 33% more
recline, designated check-in counters and
more, travelers can fly in even greater comfort
from New York, London and Paris.
Hwy 6
Jerusalem
Jericho
RIDING THE RAILS:
Israel’s national train network offers
affordable, convenient transportation
between Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and
other popular destinations along
the Mediterranean Coast and Negev
Desert. For more information, visit
www.rail.co.il/EN.
Ashdod
Bethlehem
BETTER REWARDS:
Economy class fliers can now upgrade to
business class at affordable prices by placing
a bid on the airline’s web site after booking a
qualifying flight. El-Al’s Matmid frequent flyer
program allows travelers to earn bonus flight
and upgrade rewards.
GAZA
STRIP
Beersheva
Dead Sea
TAKING THE BUS:
Egged, the national bus company,
operates routes between Tel Aviv and
Jerusalem to every city, town and
village in Israel, often with dozens of
departures daily. Buses operate only
sporadically on the Jewish Sabbath
(Shabbat). For more information visit
www.egged.co.il/eng and
www.dan.co.il/english.
Hwy 6
Dimona
Masada
LUXURIOUS LOUNGES:
The King David Club lounges at LAX, JFK
and Ben Gurion airports offer complimentary
drinks and food, high-speed WiFi service and
comfortable seating for business and first
class travelers.
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
LOCAL TALK:
A direct and gregarious people, Israelis don’t stand
much on ceremony with tourists. That balance of
prickliness and warmth is emblematized by their
national nickname, “sabra,” which refers to the spiny
desert cactus whose rough exterior gives way to
sweet fruit.
AT YOUR SERVICE
Let the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) help you
build an itinerary tailored to your client’s needs.
Check out www.GoIsrael.com to download regional
dossiers and information about major attractions,
view sample itineraries and find the representative
who serves your area.
LANGUAGE:
Most Israelis were born in Israel, but antecedents
hail from 100+ countries, which is why everyone
speaks Hebrew. Arabic is an official language as well.
Travelers will also find everyone fairly fluent in English.
Eilat
RELIGIOUS OBSERVATION:
With the exception of Tel Aviv, many Israeli
businesses close from sundown Friday to sundown
Saturday in observance of Shabbat, particularly in
Jerusalem. Tourists traveling to religious sites are
advised to dress modestly.
