Suggested Length of Stay
On average, the recommended length of stay in Israel is two days per major city (Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem), and other smaller centres and the Dead Sea one day each.
Modes of transport
Roads
Israel has a well-developed road network spanning the entire country.
Public transport
Local buses reach every corner of major cities, but if you don’t read Hebrew, it can be challenging to figure out the bus routes – just ask locals or any passing bus driver.
Almost every town, village and kibbutz has bus service at least a few times a day – except, that is, from mid-afternoon on Friday until Saturday in the late afternoon or evening, when most intercity lines don’t run at all
Trains
Israel Railways runs a comfortable and convenient network of passenger rail services; details on departure times are also available from the Public Transportation Info Centre. Trains do not run from mid-afternoon Friday until after sundown on Saturday.
Taxis
Many Israelis now use the mobile phone app GetTaxi (www.gettaxi.co.il), available in Android and iPhone versions, to order and pay for taxis in all parts of Israel (except Eilat). Uber launched in Israel in 2014.
Flying
Arkia and Israir handle daily flights to Eilat from Ben Gurion Airport’s domestic terminal. Arkia also flies to Haifa.
Health Precautions
Take out comprehensive travel insurance before you depart to cover overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation.
Food and Drink
From traditional Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food to Franco-Israeli fusion, Israel is a food-lovers delight, with tiny hole-in-the-wall eateries, trendy bistros and high-end restaurants.
Money
The currency in Israel is the Israeli Shekel (ILS). ATMs are widely available. Australian dollars can be converted into shekels in major centres.
Time Zone
GMT +2 (GMT +3, Mar – Oct)
Visas
If you’re travelling to Israel for tourism purposes for a period of less than three months, you generally won’t need a visa. For longer stays, you’ll need to arrange a visa in advance.
Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts in Israel
Australian Embassy, Israel
Discount Bank Tower (28th Floor)
23 Yehuda Halevi St (cnr Herzl St)
Tel Aviv 65136
Ph: +972 3 693 5000
Israel Embassy & Consulate contacts in Australia
Embassy of Israel
6 Turrana Street, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Email: info@canberra.mfa.gov.il
Ph: 02 6215 4500
Electricity
230 volts, 50Hz; European-style two-pin and round three-pin plugs are used
Getting there (stopovers)
Cathay Pacific operates daily services to Tel Aviv via Hong Kong. El Al operates services from Hong Kong and Bangkok.
Tipping
Tipping is expected in Israel, according to the level of service (unless a service charge is added to the bill). About 10-15 percent is customary.
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