Getting To and Around in Israel
Getting To Israel
Getting
Around In Israel
|
How to get to Israel Passport and Visa Information |
Getting to Israel
By Air
El Al, Israel's
National Airline, flies to Israel directly from New York, Los Angeles,
Baltimore, Washington, Miami and Canada.
What follows is a listing of some of the carriers that offer direct, non-stop service to Israel
from the United States. Most European airlines fly to Israel from 80 cities
around the world:
Air Canada,
British Airways,
Continental,
EL AL,
Tower Air and
TWA.
British Airways
(ba.com) flies between Tel Aviv and London.
|
|
At
Travelocity, not only can you find
the lowest fare or best schedule on over 400 airlines, but you can also
find
Great
Car Rental Deals, Low hotel rates when you click on |
By Sea
If you prefer to get to Israel by sea, many of the Mediterranean cruises include
Israel in their itineraries. You can also sail to Israel by ferry from Cyprus,
Greece, or Turkey. Yachts and other pleasure craft may enter Israel via the ports
of Haifa, Ashdod, Eilat or Tel Aviv. Be sure to check ahead if you plan to
sail your own craft into Israeli waters.
What follows is a partial list of cruise lines that offer port stops in
Israel.
Costa: 800-462-6782
Cunard: 800-528-6273
First European Cruises: 888-983-8767
Holland America Line: 800-426-0327
Princess: 800-421-0522
Radisson Seven Seas: 800-333-3333
Renaissance: 800-525-5350
Royal Olympic Cruises: 800-872-6400
Seabourn: 800-929-9595
By Land
Entering by land can be a little more complicated and should only be
attempted with experienced travelers in the Middle East, with a guide, or on an
organized tour.
From Areas under Palestinian Authority: When entering Palestinian areas visitors may
be asked to show their passports at checkpoints to enter Hebron, Jericho, Bethlehem
and Gaza.
From Egypt: The two crossing points from Egypt
into Israel are open year round, seven days a week (except for Yom Kippur and
the first day of the Muslim Feast of Id El-Adha). The
Rafiah Terminal is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
From the Southern Sinai: Visitors crossing the border from Israel
to the Taba Hilton Hotel only are not required to have an Egyptian visa; a valid
passport must be presented at the border, which is open 24 hours a day. A special Egyptian visa may be obtained at the border, valid for two weeks only.
There is also a departure fee.
Jordan: There are three border crossings and
more are expected: the Jordan River crossing, in the north, also known as the
Sheik Hussein Crossing, Arava in the south, and the Allenby Bridge. Tourists
must have a passport valid for at least six months after the date of the
crossing.The Arava terminal: Open Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 10
p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Jordan River/Sheik Hussein
Bridge: Open Sunday through Thursday 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8
a.m. to 6 p.m.The Allenby Bridge: Open on the Israeli side Sundays through
Thursdays from 8 a.m. to midnight, and on Fridays (and the eve of major
holidays) from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Every
tourist passing through the Allenby Bridge must have an entry visa to, and an
exit visa from, Jordan. Travelers cannot obtain a visa at the bridge itself.
There is an exit fee upon leaving Jordan.For groups traveling into Jordan,
travel agents' local ground operators will make arrangements with the Ministry
of Tourism prior to crossing.
Passport and Visa Information
General:
You will need a valid passport to enter Israel. Visitors may remain
in Israel for up to three months from the date of arrival, subject to the terms
of the visa issued. Visitors who intend to work in Israel must apply to the
Ministry of the Interior for a special visa. Stateless persons require a
valid travel document with a return visa to the country of issue.
Visitors Visas:
Citizens of the following countries will need a visitors' visa to
enter Israel. These can be issued (along with transit visas - see below)
free of charge at port of entry in Israel. However, it is always
recommended that you obtain all of your travel documents, including any visas
you may need, before you leave home.
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.
Transit Visas: Visitors interested in
stopping over in Israel en route to other destinations may request a five-day
transit visa. This visa may be extended for a further ten days on arrival
in Israel. Cruise ship passengers visiting Israel will be issued Landing Cards
allowing them to remain in the country as long as their ship is in port. No visa
applications are required for passengers making land excursions from their
cruise ship. You may obtain additional information from the individual
cruise lines.
Collective Visas: Collective visas are
issued by Israeli diplomatic or consular missions for groups of no fewer than
five and no more than 50 persons. If you plan to obtain a collective visa,
this will have to be done prior to your leaveing your home country.
Extending Your Stay: Visas may be extended
at offices in the following cities: Ben Gurion Airport - 03-9712467, Beer Sheva
- 07-6234211, Eilat - 07-6340661, Haifa - 04-8616222, Jerusalem - 02-6701411,
Nazareth - 06-6508508, Netanya - 09-8625153, Tel Aviv - 03-5193222, and Tiberias
- 06-6791723. For additional information, contact the National Telephone
Information Service (in Hebrew) at 03-7653250. There is a small charge for
extending your visa.
|
By Air By Bus and Public Transportation By Rail Rental Cars |
Domestic Air
Arkia Israel Inland Airlines (800-223 7460
(Isram)) operates scheduled flights within Israel. Your best bet is to
talk with an airline representative or a travel agent.
Public Transportation
Public transportation in Israel is cheap, safe, comfortable and
punctual. Although passengers do not need exact change, you will be expected to
have and use Israeli currency.
Buses: The Egged Bus Cooperative operates nearly all inter-city bus lines. They also provide urban service in most cities and towns. Most bus lines do not operate on the Sabbath (Friday evening to Saturday night) or on major Jewish holidays.
Sherut: This is a service useings seven-seat minibuses and operateings on the exact routes of the public bus lines. If you are familiar with how this system operates, this can be good for the tourist as passengers can get on and off anywhere along the line, not just at bus stops.
Taxis: All urban taxis are equipped with meters and are required by law to operate them. If you are in doubtt, it is good to ask what the fare will be before you begin your journey.
Rental Cars
American and Canadian citizens can use their driver's license in Israel for up
to three months.
NOTE: Travelers with small children should be cautioned to bring their own car
seats for use in rental cars. This is one of the best suggestions to any
traveling parent.
| Need to rent a car in Israel and drop it off in another country? Getting Away and Auto Europe have joined together to allow you to rent a car in Austria and drop it in dozens of countries throughout Europe and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, the UK and even some places in Africa. Click on Auto Europe more information. |
|
|
|
Want a car, but don't want to rent. If you need a car for at least 17 days, and you are at least 18 years old, Getting Away and Auto Europe can hook you up with a new Peugeot through the exclusive Peugeot Buy Back Program. Or, if you want to leave the driving to a professional while you sit back and enjoy the scenery, check out the Chauffeur Service offered by Getting Away and Auto Europe. In Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand and Spain, you can even rent a motor home. |
| Rent a GPS for travel within
Israel - Elegant and simple! Touch the screen and hear turn-by-turn
directions with street names as you enjoy your driving experience throughout
Israel. Customize your navigation method or route to travel safely and
stress-free. This GPS Unit provides
detailed coverage of Israel and includes points of interest pre-programmed
into the maps, including: Holy Places, Burial Places of holy and historical
figures, Restaurants, Parks, Nature Sites, Malls, Gas Stations, Embassy's
and more. For additional information, click on
International GPS Rental |
|
Rail
Israel Railways provides regular service
between Tel Aviv and Herzliya, Netanya, Hadera, Haifa, Akko and Nahariya.
Reserved seats may be ordered in advance and are recommended. All passenger trains include a buffet
car. There is no rail service on Sabbaths and major holidays.
