Boutique Tailored
Experiences in Israel
During your stay in Israel, Travel Composer takes every detail into account. Here are several tried-and-true tips to consider while packing and once you arrive, as well as some useful resources to have at the ready just in case.
1. Do not throw out the little slip of paper that they give you at the airport. This is your entry visa and entitles you to exemption of the 17% VAT tax on rental cars, hotels and certain shopping venues.
2. All the children (and adults) need a hat with a brim. A baseball cap is ok, but one with a full brim is better to prevent sunburned necks.
3. Bring your sunscreen (spray, lotion, etc) and reapply throughout the day.
4. Bring water shoes for the City of David tunnels, rafting and Ein Gedi. No flip flops.
5. Make sure you know all your passwords for your ATM cards and call all credit card companies and tell them you are going to Israel, so charges are not denied.
6. You should have a good data plan on at least one cell phone because if you are driving in a rental car you will definitely need to be able to access WAZE and WhatsApp.
7. Take good pictures of the rental car before you head out.
8. Bring medication for everyone and if needed, bring a prescription from your doctor if you run out. Bring your favorite over the counter meds in small quantities. You need a prescription here for neosporin.
9. Buy travel insurance beforehand and also check your insurance policies to see what is covered overseas.
Airport
Ben Gurion Airport is located in Lod, 20 km from Tel Aviv.
Taxis and Service Taxis
Taxi meters start running at about NIS 12.00 but prices range according to time of day and day of the week (Shabbat fares are more expensive.)
Taxi Stations
Hashekem Taxis 072-3303890
Ichilov Taxis 03-6967070
Kastel Taxis: *3242
Emergency Numbers
Police: 100
Ambulance: 101
Fire Service: 102
Tourist Information Centers
46 Herbert Samuel Street, 03-5166188. Sun-Thu 09:30-17:30; Fri 09:30-15:00
2 Marzuk and Azar Street. Sun-Thu 09:30-17:30; Friday 09:30-14:00
Electricity
Israel operates on: 220V AC
Money
The local currency is the Shekel, abbreviated as: NIS.
Tipping
10% – 15% is the average.
You don’t need to tip in taxis.
Time
Standard time is GMT + 2. During the summer, Israel operates on daylight savings time, GMT + 3.
Synagogues & Jewish Centers
Beit HaKnesset HaGadol, (The Great Synagogue) 110 Allenby St
Ohel Moed, 5 Shadal St
The Kabbalah Center, 14 Ben Ami St, 1-800-322-626
Churches
Greek Catholic Church, 11 Hadolphin Street, Jaffa, 03-6817128, 052-2669296
Presbyterian Church of Scotland, 48 Yefet St, Jaffa
Saint Michael’s Church, 8 Netiv HaMazalot St, Old Jaffa
Saint Peter’s Franciscan Catholic Church, 51 Yefet Street, Jaffa, 03-6822667
Mosques
Hasan Bek, Herbert Samuel St, at the corner of Yosef Levi
Mahmoudiya Mosque, Russian St, at the corner of David Raziel, Jaffa
Jewish Holidays
On holidays, businesses function as they do on Saturdays, so most are closed and some open after sundown. On holiday eves, businesses also close early.
Opening Hours
The workweek is Sun-Thu. Shops and commercial venues are open Sun-Thu 10:00-19:00 and Fri 09:00-15:00. Saturday is a national rest day. Entertainment venues in the city are open all week long, weekends included.
Banks
Usually, banks are open from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday. Some banks also open from 4:00 PM to 6:00PM on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Without exception, banks are closed on
Saturdays. Some branches may open on Fridays from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
