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Plan Your Trip to Israel: Best of Israel Tourism

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Israel

From the Tel Aviv beach scene to the shores of the Dead Sea, Israel layers diverse cultures, outdoor adventures, and religious heritage onto a desert backdrop. Exploring here means history at every turn, while a humming food scene treats gourmet travellers to ultra-fresh flavours.
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Essential Israel

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Israel travel advice

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These questions and answers were created by AI, using the most common questions travellers ask in the forums.

General Overview

According to forum posts, Israel offers diverse public transportation options, including buses, trains, and light rail services. Travelers have highlighted the use of the Rav-Kav card, a smart card required for all bus and train travel, which can be loaded for multiple journeys.

Specific Services

Some travelers said that the Moovit app can be used for planning travel and paying for rides without a physical Rav-Kav card, although it lacks real-time updates. The train service includes a high-speed line between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with stops including Ben Gurion International Airport.

Transportation to Specific Locations

For travel to specific areas like Bethlehem, forum posts indicate that Israeli rental cars are not permitted, but buses are frequently available from Jerusalem. To reach areas under the Palestinian Authority, like Nablus, private taxis from Jerusalem are necessary as Israeli public transport does not operate there.

Accessibility and Operation Times

Travelers have called out that public transport does not operate from Friday afternoon until the end of the Jewish Sabbath. This is crucial for planning travel around religious observance times.

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Hotel Recommendations

According to forum posts, several travelers have recommended the YMCA Three Arches Hotel in Jerusalem for its historical significance and proximity to the Old City, which is about a 10 to 15-minute walk. Users have noted that the hotel offers a full breakfast and access to its facilities, though it is not kosher. Other travelers have mentioned the Bezalel Hotel, highlighting its excellent service, breakfast, and happy hour, as well as its ideal location near Mahaneh Yehuda Market. However, some users have noted that while the service at the Bezalel Hotel is great, the rooms can be small.

Alternative Accommodations

For those looking for spacious accommodations, some travelers have called out Stay Jaffa Jerusalem Apartments for their spaciousness. However, reviews on cleanliness and noise levels have been mixed. Another option discussed is the King David Hotel, which is highly regarded but also noted for its high cost, often exceeding $500 per night.

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Travel Duration and Base Locations

For a first-time visit to Israel, spanning about 9 to 14 days, forum users have recommended starting with major cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem due to their cultural, historical, and religious significance. Some travelers suggested starting in Tel Aviv for relaxation post-flight and then moving to Jerusalem.

Itinerary Distribution

According to forum posts, dedicating 4 nights in Jerusalem, including day trips to nearby sites like Bethlehem and the Dead Sea, is common. From Jerusalem, travelers often suggest heading north to explore Galilee, Nazareth, and Haifa, allocating about 2 to 4 days in these areas.

Specific Itinerary Suggestions

Travelers have called out the value of visiting specific sites like Masada and Ein Gedi, recommending either sunrise tours or independent visits to avoid the crowds and rushed group tours. For those interested in Christian sites, a detailed itinerary could include visits to biblical sites around the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, and the Jordan River.

Transportation Tips

For navigating between cities and major tourist spots, renting a car was frequently suggested for flexibility, especially when exploring the northern part of the country or less accessible sites. However, travelers noted that in cities like Jerusalem, having a car might be more of a hassle due to parking difficulties.

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Tour Company Options

Some travelers have discussed various tour companies for trips within Israel and to surrounding areas. Companies like Tourist Israel and Abraham Tours are frequently mentioned. Tourist Israel is known for outsourcing their tours, which affects the quality based on the guide or company they choose. Abraham Tours has positive reviews for their package tours, which could be a reliable option.

Additional Options

Other companies mentioned include Bein Harim and Egged Tours. However, feedback suggests that the quality of experience heavily depends on the individual guide rather than the company itself. Desert Eco Tours is also recommended, particularly for more extensive tours to nearby destinations like Petra, offering a high-quality service albeit at a higher price.

User Preferences and Issues

It's important for travelers to consider their specific needs such as the type of tour (religious, sightseeing, active adventures) as this can influence their satisfaction with a tour company. Issues such as rushed itineraries and concerns about website legitimacy for some newer or less known companies were also highlighted.

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Hotel Recommendations

According to forum posts, travelers looking for luxury accommodations in Northern Israel have recommended the Scots Hotel and a relatively new hotel in the Golan Heights found on the Pereh Hotels website. These options are noted for their non-kosher dining and exceptional quality.

Kibbutz Accommodations

For those interested in a unique experience, some users have suggested staying at Kibbutz accommodations such as Kibbutz Mizra Holiday Lodging, Kibbutz Ein Gedi, and others like Nof Ginosar and Pastoral Kfar Blum. These places offer a blend of comfort and a taste of kibbutz life, often with beautiful surroundings.

Alternative Lodging

Travelers on a budget or seeking different experiences have mentioned the use of Airbnb and local sites like Zimmeril and Koshnb for finding private homes and rooms across various locations in Israel, including the north and Golan areas. These platforms provide options that cater to non-kosher requirements as well.

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Availability and Types

For travelers looking to purchase a SIM card in Israel, options vary based on the type of service needed. Some travelers prefer eSIMs which allow them to maintain their home SIM while using a virtual SIM in Israel. Companies like Airalo and Holafly offer such services with prices ranging from $5 for 1GB to 19 Euros for unlimited data for short durations.

Physical SIM Cards

For those needing an Israeli phone number, Sim-to-Israel and other providers like 019 Mobile offer physical SIM cards. These can be purchased online and picked up at locations like Ben-Gurion Airport or ordered for home delivery. Sim-to-Israel provides packages with large data allowances and the option to include US and Canadian phone numbers.

Service and Flexibility

Sim-to-Israel has been praised for its customer service and flexibility, allowing users to keep the same SIM and phone number for multiple visits. They offer various packages, some of which include unlimited calls and substantial data allowances. This has been particularly useful for travelers who need reliable service over multiple trips.

Additional Considerations

For travelers from the EU or other regions, companies like froride.com provide tailored services, including unlimited calls to certain countries. Physical stores and pickup options at airports offer last-minute solutions for travelers upon arrival in Israel.

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Holiday Observance

According to forum posts, major Jewish holidays in Israel include Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot, and Simchat Torah. These holidays significantly affect daily activities, with public transportation halting and most businesses closing.

Impact on Travel

Travelers have noted that during Yom Kippur, the entire country shuts down, including airports and public transportation, and there are no radio or TV broadcasts. Similar disruptions occur during Rosh Hashana and Sukkot, with heightened internal tourism leading to crowded attractions and increased accommodation prices.

Shabbat Observance

Weekly observance of Shabbat (from Friday evening to Saturday evening) also impacts travel, as public transport ceases and many services close. This regular occurrence influences travel planning, necessitating awareness of the weekly schedule to avoid disruptions.

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Tour Options

According to forum posts, various tour options cater to visitors interested in Masada and the Dead Sea. Abraham Tours is noted for offering transportation-only tours, which require separate entrance fees for sites like Masada and Ein Gedi. Bein Harim and Egged Tours provide more traditional guided tours, which include explanations at historical sites, making them suitable for those who prefer structured information during their visits.

Considerations for Tour Selection

Travelers have called out that while Abraham Tours may be economical, they lack guided information, which can be crucial for fully appreciating historical sites like Masada. On the other hand, guided tours like those from Bein Harim offer more comprehensive insights, which can enhance the visitor experience significantly, making the higher cost worthwhile for many.

Private Guide Option

For a more personalized experience, some users recommend hiring a private guide. This option allows customization of the itinerary to include preferred sites, and it can be particularly advantageous at complex historical locations like Masada, where detailed historical context can enrich the visit. However, this is often a more expensive alternative.

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Tripadvisor is not responsible for these answers or any opinions in them. Please read full forum posts for more details and information.