About Israel

Israel budget travel offers the chance to explore the ancient cultures and wonders of fascinating Israel, with a host of things to see and do in this fascinating country.

Israel Budget Travel

Below is a list of Israel's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Jerusalem

Fast Facts

Currency

Shekel (ILS or NIS)

Dialing Code

972

Airports

Israel airports include the following:
• Ovda International Airport
• Ben Gurion International Airport

Birdlife

Israel's location on the migration route from Europe and Western Asia to Africa is responsible for the very large variety of species when it comes to Israel birds. Raptors such as eagles, falcons, hawks, sparrowhawks, kestrels and long-legged buzzards are common, while songbirds such as Sylvia warblers and goldcrests nest in Israel throughout the year.

Conservation

Israel conservation plays a vital role in protecting and preserving the number of endangered and protected species of plant and animal found in Israel. There are a large number of national parks and reserves found throughout Israel, and a range of conservation groups and programs are being put into place to address current environmental issues that are found in Israel.

Culture

Israeli culture includes the following aspects:
• Cuisine includes a diverse range of influences, with kosher meals factoring very highly in most eating establishments
• Sports is a popular past time, with many Israelis enjoying watching and playing sports
• Music takes its influence from traditional and Western styles
• Pop culture is popular with the youth and progressive Israeli people

Health

Israeli health info for travellers includes the following:
• The most common health risk is travellers tummy from rich foods or tap water
• Health facilities are advanced in the major cities, but not in rural areas
• Pack a basic first aid kit with medication for upset stomachs, nausea and other minor ailments
• Check with your doctor about any health risks or disease outbreaks that may have occurred recently before leaving for your trip

AIDS

Being a largely Jewish country with a strong devout moral code, Israel HIV/AIDS is not hugely endemic; however there is a small risk. To ensure that you stay safe from sexually transmitted diseases on your Israel budget safari, follow basic precautions and avoid unprotected sex at all costs.

Vaccinations

Israel inoculations include the following:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A & B
• Tetanus
• Yellow fever
• Rabies

Languages

Israeli languages include the following:
• Hebrew
• Arabic
• English
• Russian

Money

Israel money and banking info is as follows:
• Most establishments accept payment in US dollars
• Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops
• Cash machines are found in most supermarkets, banks and other commercial buildings

Phrase

Israel local phrases include the following:
• Hello - shalom
• What is your name? - aych korim lachca?
• Nice to meet you - nayim mayod
• How much does this cost? - Kama ze o'le?
• The bill, please - cheshbon, bevakasha
• Excuse me - s'leecha

Plants

Israel plants are abundant and diverse, as you may expect from a country with such varied habitats. There are over 2,600 different species of plant found in Israel, 150 of which are endemic to the country. Bananas, oranges and other citrus fruits are found on the coastal plains, while dates, bananas, avocado, guava and mango flourish in the hot Jordan valley. Other key plants and crops include vegetables and tobacco, cotton, groundnuts and sugar beets.

People

Israel people include the following groups:
• Jews
• Arabs
• Druze
• Bedouins
• Circassian

Safety Tips

Israel safety tips include the following:
• The areas around Gaza, the West Bank and certain borders should be avoided at all cost due to the unrest within these areas.
• Israeli authorities strictly enforce security measures and going through customs can take a very long time ' especially for US visitors.
• There is a strong risk of terrorism ' stay away from protests or any large gatherings that may become violent and use caution at all times.
• There are live land mines in many areas in the Golan Heights region - walk only on established roads or trails.
• Car break-ins and purse snatchings in cities and in cemeteries, beaches and national parks occur regularly throughout Israel ' ensure that valuables are safely kept out of sight, and do not leave valuables in the car at any time.

Religion

Israel religion includes the following:
• 75.5%Jewish
• 20.2% Muslim
• Christianity
• Other

Transport

Israeli local transport includes the following options:
• Bus
• Taxi
• Car
• Hitch hiking

Travel Books

Israel travel books include the following:
• Jerusalem, Israel, Petra & Sinai (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE) by DK Publishing
• Frommer's Israel by Robert Ullian
• Lonely Planet Israel & the Palestinian Territories by Amelia Thomas, Michael Kohn, Miriam Raphael and Dan Savery Raz
• Fodor's Israel, 7th Edition by Fodor's
• The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor

Visa Requirements

Israel visa information includes the following:
• Passports are required to enter Israel, these should be valid for 6 months minimum
• Most foreign nationals do not require a visa to enter Israel for stays of up to 3 months
• Visitors must hold onward or return tickets and sufficient funds to cover their stay in Israel
• Travellers planning to visit Arab countries other than Egypt, Jordan or United Arab Emirates after leaving Israel should ensure that their passport does not contain Israeli visas or stamps, or entry into Arab countries with these passports will be denied

Wildlife

A large number of Israel wildlife species can be seen across the country’s numerous reserves and parks, with protected species such as leopard, gazelle, ibex and vulture, as well as African softshell turtles, Arabian oryx, Egyptian mongoose, Cape Hares, badger and the highly endangered hyena, among many other species. Many different fish species can also be found in the coastal regions of Israel, which are teaming with marine life.

What To Pack

What to pack for safari in Israel:
• Sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
• Bathing suit and towels
• Comfortable walking shoes plus sandals
• Camera with spare batteries and memory card/film
• Guide book and phrase book
• Basic first aid kit
• Suitable attire for visiting of religious sites with headscarves for women

What To Buy

What to buy for holidays in Israel:
• Spare batteries for torches and camera
• Guide books and Israeli phrase books
• Thick socks for hiking boots
• First aid kit for travel purposes
• Large refillable water bottle, or plenty of bottled water

When To Go

Best time to visit Israel is as follows:
• Israel is great to visit pretty much all year round, with a mild Mediterranean climate that brings mild weather throughout the year
• Spring (March, April and May) is generally the best time, with temperatures within the average of the low 20’s (F)
• Autumn (October and November) is a bit warmer and also pleasant, with temperatures reaching around the high 20’s (F)
• Average summer (July and August) temperatures in the center of the country are over 30C and closer to 40C in the South and Galilee
• September and October are the busiest months in the Jewish calendar with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur bringing the country to a standstill
• April is also busy with Passover bringing many Jewish tourists to the country