Questions
and Answers
Q&A
A selection of questions and answers to help you plan and prepare for your trip to the Holy Land. We want to help make sure you get the maximum out of your experience of traveling to Israel with us.
What is the difference between a pre-organized group tour to the Holy Land and a guaranteed departure tour?
A pre-organized group tour is a tour comprised of a group of people who are traveling on a Holy Land Tour together as a group and usually have met up before the tour. Very often, the group is organized by a synagogue or a church.
A guaranteed departure tour is aimed at individuals who wish to travel to the Holy Land on an organized group tour which includes all the land arrangements but do not have a group to travel with. Guaranteed departure tours have set dates that depart every week and give individuals the chance to join other people on a seat-in-a-bus basis and tour Israel.
We offer several guaranteed departure tours, including annual Easter and Christmas Holy Land tours.
What electrical current is used in Israel?
Israel’s electricity current is 220 volts AC, 50 Hertz, single phase. In general, the electric sockets in Israel are three-pronged, but in some sockets, you can use two-prong European plugs.
If you want to use an electric razor, hair dryer, or other appliances, you may need an adaptor and/or transformer, which can be purchased in Israel.
Weather in Israel
The weather in Israel is very comfortable.
Winter (December-January – February) is cool and rainy, temperatures range from 5-18 degrees Celsius in Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, and the Golan temperature ranges between 2-15 degrees Celsius.
Spring (March – April-May) season is beautiful, and the weather is lovely. Tel Aviv Temperatures range between 16-24 degrees Celsius, Jerusalem and the Golan Heights between 12-21 degrees Celsius, and Eilat between 28-19.
Summer (June – July – August – sometimes September) is hot with high humidity. In Tel Aviv, on very hot days, the temperature can reach 42 degrees with 95% humidity. In contrast, Eilat can get to 50 degrees without humidity at all. Summer clothing is recommended – shorts and a bathing suit, and if possible, spend as much time as possible in the pool …
Fall (September – October – November) is a very convenient season. Temperatures range from 16-24 degrees in Tel Aviv, 13-21 in Jerusalem, and 19-27 in Eilat.
What clothes should I bring on my tour to the Holy Land?
When visiting Israel during the summer months, you will need light clothing – short sleeve shirts, T-shirts, shorts, sandals, beach shoes, and a bathing suit. In addition, it is wise to have a light sweater or jacket because nights spent in the mountains and desert can be cool.
If visiting Israel during winter, warmer clothes will be necessary – jacket or coat (preferably a raincoat), warm shoes, umbrella, scarf, and gloves.
Winter in Israel is not as cold as in Europe but can be quite chilly on rainy days. If you are visiting Eilat or the Dead Sea, remember your bathing suit as even in winter, it can be hot enough to swim. Do not forget sunscreen, a hat for protection from the sun, and sunglasses, all essential items in all seasons.
When visiting Holy sites, modest dress is expected for both men and women – covered shoulders and long trousers or skirt (covering the knees).
Israeli Currency
The Israeli shekel has not changed in the past twenty years and is marked ₪.
There are coins of 10, 20, 50 agorot (cents), and coins of 1, 2, 5, and 10 shekels.
The bills are 20, 50, 100, and 200 shekels. You can change money at money exchange shops, cash machines, and major Israeli banks.
Banks Money exchange in the bank is charged with a fixed fee. When exchanging money at money exchange shops, you will not be charged for the transaction but will get a lower exchange rate than the bank.
ATMs
There are many ATMs around which are connected to banks in America and Europe.
When using an ATM, you are charged by your credit card company, in addition to the ATM fee (usually 3.5 dollars plus 4% of the withdrawal amount.)
Your credit card company (Visa, MasterCard, Diners, American Express, etc.) will determine the exchange rate level. Usually, it would be the highest of the day.
Money exchange offices – Generally, changing money at money exchange shops is cheaper than at the bank or ATM.
Traveler’s checks – some Israeli business owners will receive checks from tourists, but most refuse. You can cash the checks at any post office in Israel with no commission. You can send cash through the post office Western Union Services company.
Driving on the roads of Israel
Driving on the roads of Israel can be no simple task; the Israeli driver has little patience. Yet touring with a car is a very convenient way to see the country. The distances are short, and easy parking can generally be found at relatively low prices.
Driving in Israel is on the right side of the road with the steering wheel in cars being on the left side– like in the U.S.A. A valid driver’s license from your country of origin is enough in Israel; you do not have to obtain an international driver’s license.
There is only one toll road, Highway 6 – Cross-Israel Highway. If you drive on this road, you’ll be billed separately later. Most road signs are written in Hebrew and English.
Train travel
You can certainly make a whole trip by train. In every major city, you can find a railway station (with the exception of Eilat). The station location is usually central, and there is always public transportation from the train station.
What types of food are available in the Holy Land?
You can find all types of food in Israel, from Shwarma, Falafel, Kebabs, and Hummus to Hamburgers, Chinese, pizza, and Sushi. Food is global in Israel and includes Middle Eastern, North African, Bedouin, Mediterranean, European and Indian dishes.