FAQ

Most Israelis speak English quite well as it is taught as a second language starting in elementary school. All hotels, sites, and restaurants that cater to tourists will also have English speaking staff.

No. Israel is at the forefront of medicine and healthcare.

Yes. It is completely safe, and also important to stay hydrated throughout your trip.

Visitors traveling from the United States, Canada, EU and many other western countries need just a passport, and do not need a visa. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entering Israel.

Israel has warm dry summers (generally from April – October) and mild, wetter winters (November – March).  Evenings in desert locations can get cool, so regardless of the season, it is always a good idea to pack layers.

Yes. Your safety is our first priority. As an Israeli company located in Jerusalem that caters to tourists from around the world, we understand your concerns. We also have a firm grasp of the situation here and carefully curate our tours and staff to meet the changing needs of our country and cities.

It’s also helpful to note that currently more than 100,000 foreign tourists are traveling and enjoying Israel. Groups and individuals continue to arrive daily and feel safe and secure.

Generally speaking, we do not charge our clients cancelation fee, if the trip was canceled due to security reasons. Please consult with your agent.

We do not recommend employing security guards. Israel is safe to travel in, but if necessary, we will inform you immediately.

Yes. Our guides are highly professional and knowledgeable, both about the historical events and about safety concerns. They will ensure that you are safe while touring the Old City.

We are in constant contact with the Ministry of Tourism and related security officials. In the event that any sites have a security concerns, we will immediately notify your guide/group and make alternative plans.

In case of an emergency, your tour guide is equipped with all the necessary information and procedures to ensure your safety and well-being.

Most areas of the country, especially in the center of large urban areas, are safe after dark.

IGT leads dozens of tours to Bethlehem each year, and hundreds of tourists make the crossing in both directions every day. For more information about visiting other areas outside of Israeli authority, contact a member of our staff. We are in constant contact with security personnel and professionals.

Most major airlines fly to Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, including Delta, El Al, British Airways, and United.

IGT can help coordinate a trip to neighboring Egypt and Jordan, and many visitors to Israel take day trips to Petra in Jordan.

Absolutely. Israel’s records are now electronic. Passport control no longer stamps any passports. IGT can also provide tourists with special letters in the event that there are any questions at the airport.

IGT can provide someone to meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. If you prefer, you can also easily take a taxi from the taxi line at the airport.

There are a variety of transportation options in Israel: buses, trains, private taxis, and rental cars. Whatever your need, IGT can help you find the right fit for you.

Tel Aviv to Jerusalem: 37 miles/60 kilometers

Tel Aviv to Tiberias: 81 miles/130 kilometers

Tel Aviv to Masada: 63 miles/100 kilometers

Tel Aviv to Haifa: 90 miles/145 kilometers

Jerusalem to Tiberias: 109 miles/175 kilometers

Jerusalem to Masada: 56 miles/90 kilometers

IGT can help facilitate accommodations for different needs of members of your group. Israel has also invested heavily in recent years to enable disabled people to access many destinations.

Israeli electric current is 220 volts, whereas American and Canadian voltage is 110 volts. Israeli plugs are also three pronged. Therefore, you will need an adapter for your appliances. Most hotels will provide you with an adapter and a low-wattage socket for electric shavers that can function to charge your cell phone as well.

Yes, most hotels have wifi available to guests, some for a fee while others offer complimentary wifi. In addition, most cafes offer complimentary wifi. And Tel Aviv, always at the forefront of technology, boasts a citywide free wifi network.

Yes. If you know that you would like to rent a phone, IGT can help set it up before you arrive. Alternatively, you can make your own arrangements at any time during your visit. The country code is 972.

Israeli currency is the shekel or the NIS (New Israeli Shekel).

Most major credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and stores.

The VAT (value added tax) in Israel is 17% and is already included in most prices of the goods (excluding food) purchased in Israel.  There is no VAT charged for tourists at hotels in Israel. In addition, VAT is waived for tourists and they can receive a refund of VAT on purchases they made when departing the country.

Many governmental offices, stores, and businesses are closed on Saturdays (the Jewish holy day of the week, which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday). There are, however, a growing number of establishments that remain open on Saturdays.

No, but most hotels are kosher. If this is important to you or your group, feel free to contact either IGT or the establishment itself for more details.