Essential 30 tips traveling to Israel for first-timers
Israel is a country every Christian dreams to visit in their lifetime. We are not an exception to that. To see the holy sites and to walk in the footsteps of Jesus is an experience every Christian must have.
We did our 10 day Holyland trip to both Israel and Jordan in April 2018. Israel was awesome and we all had a wonderful time in Israel. If you plan right, Israel has so much to offer and will give you best experience as a family. Based on our experience, we are listing out our travel tips (not on any particular order) just for Israel, where we traveled mainly in Jerusalem, Tiberias & Golan Heights:
1. In Israel, US dollars is widely accepted; So take cash as much as you can.
2. Driving is like in US & Europe. Easy to rent a car and drive.
Renting a car in Israel is easy and traffic signals are easy to follow
3. Mostly all signs are in Hebrew (in road, gas station, grocery shop etc)
4. Major car rentals are available in Jerusalem: Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, Sixt etc., in King David street
5. ATMs are available in the old city of Jerusalem
6. Money exchange are also available and offers pretty good exchange rates
7. Every business in Jewish Quarter is closed on Sabbath Day, where as business on the other quarters (Muslim and Christian Quarters) are usual as any other day
Jerusalem Old City in the night time is quiet and easy to visit attractions
8. Arkia provides fight between Tel Aviv to Eilat (Petra, Jordan is closer to Eilat). Booking early quoted $32/person one way
Arkia Air is a great way to travel to closer destinations in and around Israel
9. Tourists from every corners of the world are everywhere in Jerusalem old city from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
10. Airbnb is the way to go to experience the Jerusalem old city. Zero hotels are available inside the old city though few hostels are available
11. Big Churches like “Church of Holy Seplechur” is open from 5 am and it is great way to see the church with minimal crowd before 8 am or after 6 pm (church closes at 11 pm)
Church of Holy Sepulchre (Jesus crucification site) is in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem Old City
12. Western wall on Sabbath day is crowded and no photos are allowed closer to the Wall
13. Having a tour guide makes life easy in navigating places to see, as well as many hidden underground tunnels to explore from biblical perspective
14. No traffic is allowed in the old city although very few locals drive electric car (more like a golf cart). Our guide drove electric car just to help carry our luggages from the parking lot
15. Kids in all the quarters play happily in the streets since there is no traffic
16. There are many national parks in Israel including Masada, Ein Gedi, Banias etc.,
Ein Gedi is oasis in the middle of Judean desert, where David spares Saul’s life
Seven waterfalls in Ein Gedi is a perfect place to hike as a family
17. School organizes trips to attractions for their students as we can see many kids in almost all the major national parks
18. Passes for many national parks can be bought for adults in a money saver pack. Kids under 6 are free for many attractions
19. Camel rides are popular among kids and one can find them on the way from Dead Sea to Jerusalem
Doing a customized family trip gives enough time for activities like camel riding
20. Northern Israel (where many tourists don’t go) is the agricultural belt of Israel. Mt. Tabor snow melts and forms amazing rivers and waterfalls
21. Top key sight not be missed in Northern Israel is Banias waterfalls (Turquoise color waters). Very easy hike. Also many other levels of hikes are available
22. Israeli Jews can’t enter Bethelehem whereas Israeli Arabs can. A driver can be arranged to go to Bethlehem beforehand from Jerusalem Old City.
23. It will be great to have a private guide to take you into Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, where the waiting time to go into grotto (birth place of Jesus & the manger) is anywhere more than 2 hours. With private guide he can bypass all those crowd and you will be in grotto in 5-10 mins.
Entering to the Milk Grotto where Jesus was born always have long lines
24. Round trip from Jerusalem to Bethlehem (Church of Nativity, Shepherds field & some souvenir shopping) for 4 hours costed $200 and well worth it.
25. Except Muslims no one is allowed inside Alsa Mosque where the First temple once stood
26. Walking is the only option visiting the Old City of Jerusalem, be it site seeing or souvenir shopping or eating at a restaurant, you have to walk. Not just even surfaces but uphill, and downhill throughout. My Apple Watch monitored at least 15000 steps every single day when we toured around the Old City of Jerusalem equivalent to 7.5 to 8 miles (~12 km) each day.
27. Jordan River baptism site is south of Tiberias and any one who plans to get baptized can arrange with local pastors to get them baptized
Jordan river baptism site has many places to get baptized
28. Church of Cana (where Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding) is small town located between Nazareth and Tiberias. People can arrange in advance for a wedding or to renew wedding vows.
Renew your wedding vows at the Cana Church
29. Golon Heights (closer to Syrian border) is a fertile valley with bulk of agriculture farms. The Banyas Waterfall provides one of Israel’s most beautifully tranquil spots. Set within the Banyas Nature Reserve in the Golan, the Banyas is a spring which rises from the base of Mount Hermon, Israel’s tallest mountain, flowing for about 3.5km through a gorge, eventually coming to the impressive waterfall, the largest in Israel
Banias waterfalls: Israel or Oregon?
30. Souvenir shopping is best done at the old city of Jerusalem, where you have lots of options to choose from, if you have time in the old city. Almost all the major attractions like Dead Sea, Jordan river baptism site, Church at Cana etc., will have souvenir shops
Entire Holy Land Trip Index
Trip to Israel as family was amazing. Getting to see the Holy Land which we have read and heard about since our childhood Bible story days is truly special indeed. We have put forth 50 detailed post on our DIY trip to Israel & Jordan.
Check out our entire 10 Day Trip Index of Holy Land. We would love to hear your feedback.