- A valid passport not due to expire for at least 9 months is necessary for entrance into Israel, Jordan, or Egypt (Sinai).
- A U.S., U.K., or Canadian driver's license is valid in Israel; if you plan to rent a car, be sure to bring yours.
- The Middle East being a volatile area, always check to see if any travel advisories have been issued by the U.S. State Department (http://travel.state.gov), especially regarding Egypt, Jordan, and the West Bank.
- If you plan to attend specific performances at the Israel Festival, the Jerusalem Festival, or at the Jerash Festival in Jordan, booking in advance is a necessity. Same with performances of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) or the New Israel Opera.
- Make sure your favorite attraction is open. Remember that the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is closed to non-Muslim visitors on Fridays, Saturdays, and during the entire month of Ramadan. Plan your trip accordingly, and, because admission hours are constantly changing, reconfirm hours upon arrival. If a pilgrimage to Bethlehem (in the West Bank) is part of your travel plan, check with the State Department about travel advisories.
- Did you find out your daily ATM withdrawal limit? Many smaller banks, especially savings institutions, do not charge withdrawal fees when you use your ATM card at a foreign ATM machine belonging to the PLUS, CIRRUS, or NYCE systems. It could be worthwhile to set up an account at a bank that does not charge for foreign ATM withdrawals. Israeli banks presently charge a nominal fee of NIS 3 (65?) for each withdrawal.
- Do you have your credit card PINs? If you have a five- or six-digit PIN, did you obtain a four-digit number from your bank? Many five- or six-digit PINs will work at Israeli ATMs that accept foreign ATM cards, but some do not. Check with your bank as to whether your card will function in Israel.
- If you bought an e-ticket, do you have the credit card you bought your ticket with or a frequent-flier card? To be safe, print your e-ticket.
- If you purchased traveler's checks, have you recorded the check numbers, and stored the documentation separately from the checks?
- Did you bring your ID cards that could entitle you to discounts, such as AAA and AARP cards, student IDs, and so on?
- Did you bring emergency drug prescriptions and extra glasses and/or contact lenses?
Online Traveler's Toolbox
Veteran travelers usually carry some essential items to make their trips easier. Following is a selection of handy online tools to bookmark and use.
- Airplane Food (www.airlinemeals.net)
- Airplane Seating (www.seatguru.com and www.airlinequality.com)
- Maps (www.mapquest.com)
- Time and Date (www.timeanddate.com)
- Travel Warnings (http://travel.state.gov, www.fco.gov.uk/travel, www.voyage.gc.ca, or www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice)
- Universal Currency Converter (www.xe.com/ucc)
- Visa ATM Locator (www.visa.com); MasterCard ATM Locator (www.mastercard.com)
- Weather (www.intellicast.com and www.weather.com)
- Jerusalem Post (www.jpost.com)
In this section, the where, when, and how of your trip are discussed -- the advanced planning that gets your trip together and takes it on the road
Destination Israel: Red Alert Checklist
Israel Travel Experiences
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The Disputed Land
I apologize for leaving everyone hanging. Most of you have probably stopped reading at this point, but for you die-har... Continue reading »
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Day 0 - The Struggle of the Pupa
I would like to begin with an apology for the Hebrew speaking majority. As there is an English speaking minority, this report will be wri... Continue reading »
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Family trip to Israel
My family and I went to Israel during the summer of 1993, a trip I wish now I'd documented more thoroughly. Being in high school, I spent... Continue reading »
