Holy Land Travel Center

Visa Requirements

Americans and Canadian citizens only need a valid passport to visit Israel. They don't need visas. Other nationals should contact the Israeli consulate in their area for more information. Passport should be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of your return to the USA as indicated on your airline ticket.

Health Regulations

There are no vaccinations or immunizations requirements for Israel at this time.

Time Change

Seven hours later than Eastern Standard Time.

Shopping

Stores are open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., although some close for a midday break between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. On Fridays and the eves of major Jewish holidays, shops are open in the morning and close early in the afternoon. Moslem-owned stores are closed Fridays, and those run by Christians are closed on Sundays.

Flea markets and bazaars: The market in Jaffa remains a venerable institution. All the old towns of Israel, such as Akko and Nazareth, have bazaars, but the ultimate is to be found in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Electrical Appliances

The electric current in Israel is 220 Volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. Most Israeli sockets are three-pronged, but many of them can accommodate other varieties. Most luxury hotels provide hair-dryers and all hotels have sockets for U.S. shavers. Most other appliances require a converter or transformer.

Calling Home

To direct dial home from Israel, dial 001- , then the area code and then the rest of the number. Direct toll-free service is available to international operators for holders of the following credit card numbers: AT&T-177-100-2727; MCI-177-150-2727; Sprint-177-102-2727. The international dialing code for Israel is 972 (from outside Israel) To direct-dial Israel from overseas, omit the "0" in the local Israeli area code. Public telephones are either operated with tokens or magnetic cards, which are available at post offices, hotel gift shops and lobbies, automatic vending machines and private vendors.

Money

The Israeli currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) that is divided into 100 Agorot. The approximate rate is 4.00NIS to $1 or 2.5NIS to 1 Canadian Dollar.

Most banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; also from 4 to 6 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays and the eves of major Jewish holidays. Bank branches in major hotels usually offer convenient additional banking hours.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on the amounts of local and foreign currencies visitors may bring into Israel. Foreign currency may be exchanged at the airport or at any bank and in many hotels throughout Israel. Payment in foreign currency exempts tourists from paying Value Added Tax (VAT) on certain purchases. Most pilgrims bring about $50 in $1 bills (USA) and find this to be a convenient way of making small purchases.

ATMs: Linked with major American systems, ATMs are prevalent throughout Israel. Major credit cards -American Express, Diners' Club, Visa and MasterCard/ Access/Eurocard- are widely accepted throughout Israel. Holders of Visa or MasterCard/Access/Eurocard credit cards may withdraw funds at the foreign currency counters of affiliated banks or at certain ATMs.