Visas & entry
U.S., Canadian, UK, EU/EEA, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, South Korean and many other visa-exempt visitors require an ETA-IL electronic authorization before travel; use the official Israeli government portal rather than third-party services. Other nationalities may need a visa or may qualify for an official B/2 e-visa route; rules are passport-specific and entry is never guaranteed, so verify current requirements before buying non-refundable flights.
Getting in
- Ben Gurion Airport, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem: The international gateway almost everyone uses, with the most practical onward access to both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Confirm your terminal with the airline shortly before departure.
- Ramon Airport, near Eilat: Useful only for travelers heading directly to Eilat when domestic flights are operating on a schedule that genuinely saves time; it is not a substitute for TLV for most international arrivals.
Getting around
Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa are manageable without a car, and the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem train is usually the cleanest way to avoid road traffic. Rent a car for the Dead Sea, Negev, Galilee or multi-stop rural itineraries; it is often the difference between seeing one headline site and actually exploring. National public transport generally stops from Friday evening to Saturday evening for Shabbat, so do not build an airport transfer or intercity move around assumed service.
Money
The currency is the Israeli new shekel (₪/ILS). Cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, but carry some cash for small purchases, markets, taxis or rural stops; tipping is customary in restaurants, typically around 10–15% for good service.
Book before you land
Masada National Park · Ein Gedi Nature Reserve · Ramon Visitor Center, Mitzpe Ramon · Bahá’í Gardens guided terrace tour in Haifa
- Treat travel as conditional: check your government’s advisory, insurer, airline and Israel’s Home Front Command immediately before booking and throughout the trip. Conditions, flights, road access and attraction hours can change quickly.
- Do not travel near Gaza or into restricted northern areas when official advisories say not to; northern access can be especially volatile.
- Plan around Shabbat: most national transport, ordinary retail and many services stop from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Tel Aviv is more functional than Jerusalem, but not normal.
- Dress modestly at religious sites and expect security screening at major attractions, transport hubs and public venues.
- Never enter a desert wadi when rain or flash-flood risk is forecast, even if the sky above you is clear.
- The Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif has changing access rules and hours; verify conditions close to the day rather than treating it as a fixed appointment.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this country.