Hassle-Free Travel to Israel

Every individual has his own reasons for coming to Israel. For some, it is a religious journey to the Holy Land. For others, it is to enjoy the warm sun and beautiful beaches. And for yet another group of people, it is pure business. Regardless of whether you are travelling to Israel for a fabulous vacation, a pilgrimage or as a diamond buyer on a business trip, comfort, ease and expediency of travel are priorities of all travelers.

 

Air Travel to Israel

Most major airlines offer service to Tel Aviv, Israel’s capital.  Ben-GurionInternationalAirport is located approximately 12 miles outside the city and is one of the most modern facilities in the Middle East.  Due to Israel’s geographical location, airport security is tight, so make sure you factor potential security-related delays into your plans.

Prior to your planned travel, ensure that your passport is up-to-date and you have obtained any visas that may be required. Consult with your Consulate for any warnings, advisories, or travel restrictions that have been imposed prior to your departure. You will be in the air for about 5-6 hours, so dress comfortably and remember to rehydrate during your flight.

It is wise to arrive for your departing flight around three hours prior to scheduled take-off. This will ensure adequate time for checking-in, baggage check and getting through the security lines.

Travel within Israel

Israel is a small country, so everything worth seeing is always a short distance away. Once you have arrived in Tel Aviv, a journey to Jerusalem is less than a one hour drive. A trip to Nazareth or Haifa in the north is just a bit longer. Travel within Israel is made easy and efficient by public bus services such as Egged and Dan. It is important to note that bus services do not run on the Sabbath, which begins on Friday evening at sundown and ends on Saturday evening.

If you decide to rent a personal vehicle for travel within Israel, be advised that certain bridges and roads are limited to public transportation and military vehicles.  It is extremely important to verify access routes currently available to private vehicles.  Check with the vehicle leasing company and with the consulate prior to planning your road trip. But the good news is that all directional signs are written in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, so the language barrier won’t prevent you from getting around.

Crossing Borders

If you are planning to cross into the neighboring countries of Jordan or Egypt, it is often recommended that you fly from Tel Aviv or arrange for bus transportation with a tour company. Almost all travelers will need to obtain an entry visa prior to their travel. It is advisable that you contact the Consulate for any advisories or travel restrictions that may impact your trip.

For those with a valid Egyptian entry visa, Cairo is accessible using a direct bus service operated by Mazada Tours. The busses depart from both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and will quickly get you to the Egyptian capital.

For those travelers making a trip to Sinai, you may obtain a “Sinai only” entry permit. This special permit is available at the Israel-Egypt border crossing at Taba, located near the city of Eilat.

For more information regarding flights to Israel, please visit El Al's website.