FAQ
SAFETY: HOW SAFE IS TO TRAVEL TO JERUSALEM? ARE FAMILIES WELCOME?
For British Citizens , it is safe to travel and visit the Blessed Lands. It is safe for families and children.
Please note: We advise you to co-operate fully with all protocols and procedures and avoid provoking any of the locals or the police officers.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: WHAT ARE THEY?
VISA: DO I NEED A VISA AND HOW DO I GET A VISA?
NEW: From 1st August 2024 you must now register for your Electronic Travel Authorisation. For further information, please see : https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/learn-about/#
VISA card will still be issued upon arrival at the airport. You must keep this VISA card with you at all times. You will encounter security checkpoints throughout the journey. You MUST keep your passport and VISA card with you at all times.
Please note: Your passport will NOT be stamped.
ARRIVAL: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT?
We will usually arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel - Aviv. Upon arrival:
Proceed to immigration/passport control to collect your VISA. This is clearly signposted.
Collect your luggage
Go to Passport Control. You may have to wait for a short while here.
If you have booked the same flights as the group, we will make our way to the hotel on coach.
For those who will arrive after the group, you must make your own way to the hotel via taxi. The cost is approximately £60.
ISSUES AT THE AIRPORT: WILL I BE STOPPED?
You may be asked to wait in a designated area for further checks and questioning. During your wait, you are rarely asked questions. You are simply asked to wait for your passprt.
Please be patient during this period and co-operate fully with the officials. You can eat and drink here so make yourself comfortable and settled, as you may be made to wait a while
On rare occasions, you may be called by an official for some further questions such as your line of work, email address and phone number. Please note they are following their security protocols.
HOTEL: TEA/COFFEE, PLUGS, LAUNDRY
All rooms have kettles and tea/coffee sachets.
All rooms have a very small fridge
A European 2-pin plug adaptor will be needed
The hotel provides a laundry service, however, it is very costly. There are also laundry shops around the hotel.
FOOD OPTIONS
The hotel has a buffet. The cost is approximately £20 per person
There are also lots of halal restaurants, take-aways and food stands next to the hotel as well as in the Old City.
Please note the following:
Most places close a short while after Isha
Food prices are much higher in Jerusalem
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You will need cash for most payments. Most places do not take cards
MONEY EXCHANGE
Before the trip, exchange around £50 per person in the UK before the trip.
Please note: Most money exchanges will take around 3-5 working days to order your shekels. M&S is one of the only shops which stocks them.
You can change the rest of your money in Jerusalem. You will find that the rate is generally better there. Money exchanges can be found near the hotel in the Old City. The Hotel reception also offers money exchange at a competitive rate.
If you need to withdraw money, there are many ATM around the streets. To avoid foreign transaction fees, it is better to use digital cards such as Monzo or Starling etc.