Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.  All American citizens need a passport valid at least 6 months after the return of your trip. Please include your valid passport with your travel documents when packing as you cannot travel without it. You will need to have it with you at the airport and when entering and exiting the airport and plane. At customs in Israel, they now use an “Electronic Gate Pass” (or Blue Slip) which replaces the system of stamping passports. At the airport upon entry, you’ll receive a pass from the customs agent and this card allows travelers to exit the arrival terminal without further delays. The Gate Pass is an official form of identification while in Israel and it is advised that all tourists keep this card on hand at all times as proof of their status.

Passport Travel Tip: Pack an extra copy of your passport ID page in a separate place and leave one copy home should you misplace your original.

You will NOT need a visa entering Israel if you are an American citizen. If you hold a passport from a nation other than the U.S., visit the Israeli Embassy website to see if you are required to have a visa to enter Israel. In addition, please take note of any layover on your group flight that is in another country to see if any special documentation is required (i.e. please see what Canada would require if flying from USA through Toronto to Tel Aviv). 

View the Israeli embassy website

Travel insurance is widely available for purchase on the internet through various parties. However, for your convenience, we recommend travel protection through Redpoint Travel Insurance. Redpoint’s suite of products ensures the right plan is available for all your travel needs.

Purchase within 14 days from the initial trip deposit to be eligible for the early purchase benefits. Click here to learn more about time-sensitive benefits and download a brochure to learn more about Redpoint’s competitively priced travel insurance. Enroll here or contact a Redpoint Insurance advisor at (415) 481-0610.

As Israel is a modern developed country with high levels of health and hygiene equal to those of Western countries, visitors entering Israel are not required to undergo any vaccinations prior to their arrival.

Please Note: Taking steps now to assure your health and comfort while traveling is important. For those with any health issues, it is best to check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding traveling, as well as finding out if you need any medications while traveling. Please check with your health insurance to verify coverage while traveling. If necessary, you should purchase a travel insurance product that provides emergency international medical coverage should any incident occur (see travel insurance section). 

The tour price includes double occupancy for the duration of the trip, which means that you should plan to share a room with one other traveler. If you would like your own room at an additional cost, please select single occupancy for pricing.

It is vitally important to be at the airline ticket counter for check-in at a minimum of 3.5 hours ahead of the flight departure. Please wait for your entire group to arrive before checking-in. If you are going to be late, please inform your tour leader immediately. You should receive additional airport information from your group leader. 

If you have chosen the air/land package and are traveling to Israel with your group, please make sure your name and other information on your ticket matches exactly the information on your passport. 

Note: Airline tickets for group travel have different guidelines than individually purchased tickets; we cannot guarantee seat assignments or meal preferences, and airline points/ miles cannot be used for upgrades. 

As a group airline ticket holder, if you should need to book a different flight due to missing your original flight, your ticket can only be changed at the airport counter and you will be responsible for any and all additional fees and expenses for rebooking missed flights. Please arrange to get to the airport in plenty of time. Please know if you arrive at the airline counter later than 1 hour ahead of your scheduled departure time, you may not be able to get on your flight. In that case, you should immediately try to rebook on the next flight, if possible. It is imperative that you keep your tour leader and the EWMT team informed of any delays. 

Please Note: Rebooking is based solely on availability on the next scheduled flight for the airline. We cannot guarantee that you will be scheduled on another flight and you will be responsible for any extra costs incurred if you are late including penalties for no shows, rebooking fees, and extra expenses for accommodations, meals, and airport transfers once you get to Tel Aviv. It could be very expensive if you miss this flight so make sure you are on-time and notify the group tour leader and EWT of any delays. 

Here are some other informative tidbits about basic travel in Israel:

• A schedule for your tour of Israel may be physically vigorous in certain areas. While all our tours are certainly manageable for the average traveler, you may be expected to walk up to a few miles a day from modern streets to steep rocky hills. Please know that you will have the option to decline on certain days if needed. 
• If you are in need of a wheelchair (or scooter) due to any recent surgery or other health issues, EWT will help to provide one upon request. 
• If you are traveling with kids or larger families, suites and adjoining rooms are available at most hotels. Please reach out to EWT for pricing and availability.  

The State of Israel’s currency is the New Israel Shekel (NIS) or “shekel” for short. Bank notes are in denominations of NIS 20, 50, 100, and 200; coins are in denominations of NIS 10, NIS 5, NIS 2, NIS 1, and 50 and 10 agorot. (There are 100 agorot in each shekel, similar to 100 pennies in a single dollar.)

The exchange rate varies but is approximately $1 USD to 3.5 NIS.

Click to view current currency exchange rates.

Because Israel is very accustomed to tourism most of the locations throughout the Land will accept USD, and often times give you a better rate for paying in USD. Therefore we recommend you only exchange a small amount into Shekels for the “just in case”.  Suggested amount would be somewhere around 50 USD. Please Note: Change is always given in Shekels so please be prepared with small bills such as $1, $5, $10, and $20 to make purchases.

While money can be exchanged at a variety of locations in Israel, we recommend exchanging money at the kiosk located near baggage claim at Ben Gurion Airport when you arrive. With the rates changing from place to place and banks charging commission, we find the best rate and easiest exchange to be at the airport. 

You can make cash withdrawals from any ATM using your debit card, but remember, it will dispense in Shekels and any applicable bank fees may apply. Be sure to notify your bank before your international travel or your card may be declined. We recommend you bring at least one credit card and one debit card with you. Though some banks may advise against using a debit card overseas (due to the hassle of possible theft during travel), you never know if you are going to need additional funds during your trip. You may just find that perfect piece of artwork for your home or “have to” take that impromptu camel ride. Always better to be prepared! 

The majority of major businesses, shops, and restaurants in Israel will accept most major credit cards. It is wise to alert your credit card company that you are traveling to Israel to ensure there are no interruptions in their service—and keep in mind any foreign transaction fees that may be associated with the charges. While we do recommend you bring at least one credit and debit card with you on your trip, we also suggest bringing enough extra cash to cover daily lunches, personal spending money, and any additional travel expenses you can foresee. 

Not all the places you will travel will accept credit cards, and trying to find an ATM during the travel is not always possible within the itinerary for that day, so having cash on hand is wise. Lunches are between $12-20 USD per day (40-50NIS), and souvenir prices are around the same as you would find in the States. 

Shekels can be converted back to USD at the Ben Gurion Airport, up to $500 USD. Any remaining shekels over this amount that were acquired during a single visit to Israel (up to a maximum of $5,000 USD) can be reconverted with bank receipts proving the original conversion of the foreign currency.

Tips for your hotel staff, bellmen, drivers, and guides will be included in the overall pricing for your trip (check your terms and conditions to verify); however, tips are not included for any personal travel and dining expenses that deviate from the set itinerary.  In Israel it is customary to tip primarily in restaurants. When the bill does not include service, a 12% tip should be added to the payment. In hotels, individuals should tip the bellhops or any other service providers. Taxi drivers are generally not tipped. Additionally, some tours may visit sites or ministries where a ‘love offering’ is customary. Please be prepared to contribute to those offerings as the Lord guides.

Bargaining is acceptable in Israel, but not everywhere. In the open-air markets, do not hesitate to bargain, as it is part of the experience and doing so can lower the price. In stores, however, shopkeepers are legally required to display prices and for the most part are usually not open to bargaining.

Click here for our suggested packing list.

We always recommend dressing in LAYERS, especially while touring the Land and being on the go. If you are traveling during the summer months it can be very hot in the afternoons especially while walking around, but then become very cool in the evenings.  Typically a t-shirt and shorts, or modest tank top and capri pants work well for the days, along with sturdy sneakers or walking sandals. Then having a light jacket or sweater on hand should be just right for the cool evenings. You do not need to “dress up” on your trip unless otherwise specified by your group leader. One nicer outfit would be advisable to pack for any special events listed in your itinerary such as the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem or a special dinner out on your free day.

Travel Tip: There are very few religious sites on the trip that require shoulders and knees to be covered due to the sacred aspect of the site. Your tour guide can tell you what day you will be at those sites.  However, even if you forget and are wearing shorts or a tank top that day, you can always quickly cover your knees or shoulders with a scarf or cardigan while touring that site.

Click here for our suggested packing list.

Like the summer months, we always recommend to dress in LAYERS, especially while touring the Land and being on the go. Israel’s winter is cold but typically not much into the freezing temperatures. You can, however, experience cold rain at times.  You will need warm clothing to layer with, a light coat (but no need for a heavy winter parka), a rain jacket, and good closed-toe walking boots or sneakers. Gloves and scarves are always good to have on-hand as well just in case.  You do not need to “dress up” on your trip unless otherwise specified by your group leader.

Israel’s seasons are the same as you would find in the U.S. When it is summer in the U.S. it is summer in Israel, and when it is winter in the U.S. it is winter in Israel, and so on. The difference is the temperatures. Israel enjoys very hot dry summers (April-October) with temperatures ranging between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. However, if you are traveling to the Dead Sea/Masada area it can be significantly hotter during these months, as it is a desert climate with very hot days and cold nights.

Israel has very mild winters (November-March) with temperatures ranging between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the night, making snowfall rare in many parts of Israel.

Please note that even in the summer months it does get cool in the evenings, similar to the effect of a desert. Therefore, even if you are traveling in the summer months you still want to pack a light jacket and pants. More on packing details in “What should I pack?”

Israel Average Temperatures

Click to view more weather information.

Simply put, converters convert the amount of electrical power you are using, and adapters merely adapt your plug to fit into the outlet in that country. 

ADAPTERS: For laptops, iPhones, iPads and all other electronics – ALL you will need is an adapter for Middle Eastern/European plugs.  They will be labeled as such in any adaptor kit you get.  So for example, when you arrive in Israel, you simply attach the end of your laptop plug to the adaptor for the Middle East and then stick that adapter into the outlet on the wall and you are good to go. You will not burn out electronics in Israel by using only your adapter.

CONVERTERS: You’ll need to use something different if you are planning on bringing blow dryers, flat irons, electric shavers, and other small appliances. To make it easier to understand, you would need a very large, heavy converter to be able to convert enough power for your blow dryer to work in Israel without sparking and burning out. Since most converters are about the size of your hand, they are for the most part useless in other countries. Fortunately, blow dryers are provided in the hotels throughout the Land. Simply call down to the front desk if it is not already provided in your room.

NOTE: For those that absolutely must have a flat iron or electric shaver etc., we recommend that you research travel appliances that have the correct voltage for Israel (220 volts at 50 Hertz) to be safe.  We have seen travelers burn their hair with flat irons, so please do be careful when choosing to bring an appliance with you.

Israel is a developed country much like the United States.  Visitors of Israel can enjoy wireless internet services throughout the Land. Most hotels and tour buses will be equipped with WiFi either throughout the hotel or in the main lobby areas. Restaurants and coffee bars throughout the Land often offer free WiFi services as well.

For those that do not need call and text access throughout the day, you can save by not purchasing an international plan on your phone. Connect to the WiFi services at the hotel in the evenings for FaceTime, Skype, text, or answering email, etc. However, if you need to stay connected more consistently back home, please contact your carrier regarding an international service plan during travel. 

Each airline may vary, so connect with your airline for exact details.  Typically, each traveler is permitted 1 suitcase (maximum of 50 pounds), 1 carry-on, and 1 personal item such as a purse.

*Important note: Please do not bring more than one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person. Due to the nature of our travels while in Israel, you must be able to manage your bags on your own at times.*

• Medicines and other medical supplies should be labeled and stored in the carry-on luggage.   
• Do not put important documents (passport, identification, airline tickets, itinerary, etc.) or medicine in checked bags; please carry it with you in your carry-on. 
• Liquids: including shampoo, shower gel, creams, lotions, etc.:  follow these guidelines making sure liquids in checked bags are packed in properly sealed containers. For extra measure put the container in a sealed plastic zip-top gallon bag. 
• There are a few religious sites on the trip that require both men and women to cover their shoulders, arms, and knees due to the sacred aspect of the site. Your tour leader or guide will inform you which day of the tour will require this. For women, we suggest having something easy enough to throw in your bag in the morning to ensure you are ready for wherever you are going that day. Bring an easy and packable skirt, scarf/shawl or sweater and you’ll be ready to go! 
• Choose clothing based on comfort and packing space. Formal clothing is not necessary while on a tour. Make sure to pack a good pair of walking shoes that are already broken-in. When packing, keep in mind that you will want to leave room for souvenirs! 
• Click here to see a suggested packing list. 

Are all the restaurants in Israel kosher?

Places offering kosher food usually display a kashrut certificate granted to them by the local rabbinate. Most hotels serve kosher food, as well as some restaurants. But there is no binding law. So if kashrut is important to you, you must check it out at each separate place where you dine.

Is everything closed on Shabbat?

Shabbat is the Jewish holy day of the week, and really breathtaking to see most of the country come to a reverent pause. Shabbat starts on Friday afternoon/evening and ends on Saturday evening. All public offices in Israel are closed on Shabbat, as are most private businesses such as stores. In most cities, public transportation does not operate. In mainly secular cities, like Tel Aviv, a lot of the restaurants and cafes are open, but throughout the rest of the country, many restaurants are closed. Your itinerary will reflect those places that you can visit on Shabbat. Please note: Your hotel will most likely have a Shabbat elevator – meaning that on Shabbat the elevator will stop on every floor to prevent any Jewish man or woman from having to push the button (or “do work”) on the Shabbat. So if you get on this elevator during Shabbat it may be a while. 😉 

Prepare yourself for a variety of delicious Mediterranean cuisine! Each day you will receive a robust breakfast and dinner buffet at your hotel with more than enough options to choose from. A typical meal in Israel could be schnitzel, fish, lamb, or beef with different side salads, including hummus and tahini, and served with rice or mashed potatoes, and vegetables. For lunches on the go, it’s easy to grab a falafel or shwarma on the street, usually stuffed in a pita with French fries (“chips”) and salad.

Travel Tip: In Israel, it isn’t Kosher to mix dairy and meat, so at breakfast, you will not find meat because they serve dairy in the mornings. In the evenings you will not find milk or cheese because they serve meat.

Can the food accommodate a gluten-free diet or those with allergies?

Absolutely! The daily breakfast and dinner buffets provide for a variety of food options to accommodate any sort of dietary needs, both for gluten-free and those with mild to severe allergies. There are more than enough options! Lunches will be on the go, however, and there typically is not a buffet option at the cafes, so if you have very strict dietary needs you can always bring snacks for the afternoons, just in case there isn’t something you can’t eat over lunch.

The daily breakfast and dinner buffets provide a variety of food options to accommodate any sort of dietary need, including gluten- free and those with mild to severe allergies. If you do have a serious dietary issue, please inform your tour leader so that they are aware. Lunches will be on the go and at times there may not be as many options so if you are concerned about your dietary condition, please consider bringing your own snacks and food that travel well to ensure you will have something to eat on the go. 

You can drink tap water, but bottled water is recommended.  While the purchase of bottled water is available throughout the trip, many choose to bring a water bottle to Israel with them to fill up at the breakfast buffet before starting the day. Please Note: It is important to make sure you drink A LOT of water during the trip, especially when the temperatures are high.

Israel is 7 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard time (except for a few short weeks in the spring and fall during Daylight Savings where the time difference will adjust by 1 hour). 

Click here to view the current Israel time.

Despite media portrayals, Israel is an extremely safe country to visit. In 2019 alone, 4.5 million tourists went to Israel, and all 4.5 million went back home safe and sound. Israel would not encourage tourists to come if they felt they would be in the slightest danger. 

Eagles’ Wings Travel has been bringing groups to the Holy Land for over 25 years and we have never experienced any severe complications. That being said, if ever we believed we could not provide an experience that is both safe and celebratory, we would postpone the trip. We take every precaution and do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of the group as we would in any travel. Through our extensive network of contacts in the Land, which includes not only Christian and Jewish leaders but also representatives within the Israeli government, as well as our tour partners, we continually monitor if there would be any cause for concern in our travel plans. We are fully committed to making your experience in Israel both a safe and positive one!

EWT will always keep your group updated on the current security situation. On you own, it is good to check the U.S. travel warnings as well (www.travel.state.gov). We suggest you avoid traveling to areas like Gaza and the West Bank on your own while you are in Israel. This is also not advised by the U.S. government. You’ll find that most public areas, restaurants, and malls have security and occasionally, security guards may ask for you to open your bag upon entering. Israel takes great care to protect its citizens and guests.