Israel Travel Guide

 Israel Travel Guide

 

Visas and Passports to Israel If you are a Canadian or US citizen, you do not need a visa to travel to Israel, but a passport valid for at least six months is required.  Please note that if you have an Israeli passport, you must use your Israeli passport to enter and exit the country. Also, when entering Israel, you will receive an AL-17 form. Save this form until your departure.  Currency and Exchange Rates The Israeli currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS).  Each shekel is divided into 100 Agorot.  The banknotes are in denominations of 20, 50, 100 and 200 Shekels.  Coins are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 Shekels, and 5, 10, and 50 Agorot.  ATMs are widely available in cities and towns and are easily the best way to access funds conveniently.  Traveler's checks are NOT widely accepted in Israel, yet if you feel compelled to bring them, you can exchange the traveler's checks (and cash) commission-free at post offices.  Foreign currency may be exchanged at any banks and at many hotels.  Most banks' operating hours are: Sunday through Thursday from 08:30am - 12:00pm and from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Helpful Links Exchange Rates: http://www.bankisrael.gov.il/eng.shearim/index.php Currency Converter Calculator:   http://coinmill.com/ILS_calculator.html

Electronic Appliances in Israel

The electric current in Israel is 220 volts AC, single phase, with a frequency of 50 Hertz.  Electrical items such as blow dryers, electric shavers, computers and other appliances may require adaptors or converters.  We recommend purchasing the necessary adaptors/converters prior to your departure. 

The two types of plugs are shown below:

Emergency Phone Numbers

Police: Dial 100
Ambulance:      Dial 101
Fire Department:     Dial 102

Transportation

Israel's Egged Bus Company offers frequent buses between cities and within cities.  For schedules and information, visit their website at: http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/   

Israel also has a Railroad system that links major cities.  For more information on routes and fares, visit their website at: http://www.israrail.org.il/english/index.html 

Taxis run in all cities and are always available, even on Shabbat.  To reserve a group taxi (sherut) by phone, call 02-623 1231 or 02-625 7227 / 3233 / 5332

Weather Forecasts and Average Temperatures

Read below for the average temperatures, in Fahrenheit, for the following cities in Israel:

For daily weather forecasts, click here: http://www.israelweather.co.il/english/week.asp 

Measurement and Weight: Israel uses the metric system exclusively.  A kilogram equals 2.2 pounds and a kilometer is 0.62 miles.

We are pleased to provide the following information about the exclusive cellular phone arrangements from IsraelPhones for Routes Travel clients. IsraelPhones has always provided our travelers with excellent service throughout the country and preferred rates for all of our participants.

IsraelPhones offers excellent service, economical rates and features including:

• Repairs and Replacements With Door-to-Door Service: No need to visit a service center
• Local Customer Service: IsraelPhones provides you with toll-free local customer service numbers in the U.S. and Israel
• Phones can be delivered to your first destination in Israel for a fee of $10 to centrally located cities such as Jerusalem or Tel Aviv or for $19 to other locations in Israel

The exclusive rates we have arranged with IsraelPhones on your behalf are:

Prices Do Not Include 15.5% Sales Tax (VAT)

*$1 per day after the first 14 days of your trip
**With Insurance, deductible on lost/stolen phones is $100

To order your phone, please complete the online order form at www.israelphones.com/routes-st.htm . To receive your assigned number 1-3 business days in advance of your trip, log on to http://www.israelphones.com/, select "my number" and insert your confirmation number. If you have any further questions about cellular phone rentals, please email IsraelPhones at info@israelphones.com or call the IsraelPhones U.S. office at 1-866-8-ISRAEL.

Why buy Travel Insurance?

We understand that your vacation can take a year to save for, but only a second to ruin. While you can't do anything to prevent an unexpected storm from closing the airport, you can do something to help cover your travel investment-buy travel insurance.

Travel insurance can provide you coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage damage, and much more. Plus, with every AIG Travel Guard insurance plan you will also receive 24-hour travel assistance*.

Why Travel Guard?

AIG Travel Guard is one of the industry's leading providers of travel insurance plans - covering more than 6 million travelers worldwide each year. The travel insurance plans offer coverage for vacation and trip cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency medical and health expenses, lost baggage and more.

Plus, every AIG Travel Guard insurance plan includes 24-hour "911" travel emergency service for emergency medical assistance, last-minute or emergency travel and flight changes, lost luggage tracking, pre-trip travel advice and more. Explore the options online to choose the coverage that best meets your travel needs.

Click here to buy Travel Insurance or get more information (Link: http://www.travelguard.com/affiliate/?PID=0000)

Insurance is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. a Pennsylvania Insurance Company (NAIC #19445), with their principal place of business at 70 Pine Street, New York, NY 10270, and a member of the AIG Companies®, currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. The policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. Not all coverages are available in all states. *Non insurance services are provided by AIG Travel Assist.