Palestine - Info & Facts

Suggested Length of Stay

Recommended length of stay in Palestine would be 4-7 days and incorporated with Israel and or Jordan.

 

Modes of transport

 

Roads

In the West Bank, the highways that link Israeli settlements are usually modern and quick, but on other roads traffic is often held up by donkey carts, traffic jams and army checkpoints.

 

Public transport

The schedule of these bus lines starts 0600 to 2200, their frequency varies between 5-15 minutes according to the time in the day. During the morning hours until 15:00 they run usually every 5 minutes. Tickets cost varies from regular to checkpoint only or beyond, to youth, or seniors, in addition to one-way and return.

 

Taxis

Taxis are widely available in all Palestinian cities and are a popular choice of public transportation. Fares are negotiable. West Bank blue and green license plates are not permitted to enter Jerusalem. Israeli operated taxis (with yellow plates) may enter the West Bank and Gaza Strip at the driverā€™s discretion. If the driver declines it is easy to transfer to a Palestinian taxi at the checkpoint.

 

Flying

The West Bank has no functioning airport.

 

Health Precautions

Be aware that health insurance for Israel will generally not cover the Palestine, but some providers will offer cover for both.

 

Food and Drink

Thankfully, it is no longer hard to find traditional Palestinian food in the West Bank, and a number of restaurants, particularly in Bethlehem, now offer dishes such as mansaf (literally ‘exploded’ chicken or lamb over rice with a thick, meaty broth) and makloubeh (‘upside down’ chicken, under rice cooked with nuts and spices). Meanwhile, no trip to the West Bank is complete without trying kunafeh, the sweet wheat-and-cheese-based desert that is native to the northern city of Nablus.

 

Money

The currency in Israel is the Israeli Shekel (ILS). ATMs are widely available. Currencies also used in Palestine include the Jordanian Dinar and the US Dollar.

 

Time Zone

GMT +2 (GMT +3, Mar – Oct)

 

Visas

There are no separate visa requirements for the West Bank, and Australian passport holders do not need a visa for Israel.

 

Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts in Palestine

Australian Representative Office, Palestinian Authority

7th floor

Trust building

Othman Ben Affan Street

El ā€“ Bireh

Ph: +972 2 242 5301

Email: ramallah.office@dfat.gov.au

 

 

 

Palestine Embassy & Consulate contacts in Australia

Embassy of the State of Palestine

2/44 Dalman Crescent

O’Malley ACT 2606

Ph: 02 6286 9193

Email: Palestinian.Delegation@palgov.org

 

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 in restaurants is not the norm except in touristy places, so waiters will be grateful for any gratuity. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.

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