General Information
Passport and Visa
You will need a signed U.S. Passport for travel to Israel, valid for at least six months after your return date to the U.S. Please carry it with you. Do not pack it in your luggage. Consult your local U.S. Passport office if you have any questions about the validity of your passport or if you must renew your current one. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact the Israeli Consulate for the most up-to-date entry requirements.
U.S. citizens need not apply for a visa before leaving for Israel: they will be given this visa upon their arrival in Israel free of charge. Anyone traveling to other countries requiring visas should check with the appropriate Consulates directly for application forms and information on how to process the application.
Money
The shekel (NIS - New Israeli Shekel) is Israel's legal tender; you can change money at the airport. Many stores and hotels will gladly accept your dollars, and may give you a discount when you pay in dollars. Bring a lot of small bills. In Israel, singles and fives are easy to change. Credit cards are widely accepted. Your bank ATM card is also accepted at many Israeli bank ATMs. You do not need to change a lot of money into shekels. American money is accepted almost everywhere.
Weather
| Cities: | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem | C F | 6-11 43-53 | 7-14 44-57 | 8-16 44-61 | 12-21 53-69 | 15-25 60-77 | 17-27 63-81 | 19-29 66-84 | 19-29 66-86 | 18-28 65-82 | 16-26 60-78 | 12-19 54-67 | 8-14 47-56 |
| Tel Aviv Netanya Herzliya | CF | 9-18 49-65 | 9-19 48-66 | 10-20 51-69 | 12-22 54-72 | 17-25 63-77 | 19-28 67-83 | 21-30 70-86 | 22-30 72-86 | 20-31 69-89 | 15-28 59-83 | 12-25 54-76 | 9-19 47-66 |
| Haifa | C F | 8-17 46-63 | 9-18 47-64 | 8-21 47-70 | 13-26 55-78 | 15-25 58-76 | 18-28 64-82 | 20-30 68-86 | 21-30 70-86 | 20-30 68-85 | 16-27 60-81 | 13-23 56-74 | 9-18 48-65 |
| Tiberias | C F | 9-18 48-65 | 9-20 49-67 | 11-22 51-72 | 13-27 56-80 | 17-32 62-89 | 20-35 68-95 | 23-37 73-98 | 24-37 75-99 | 22-35 71-95 | 19-32 65-89 | 15-26 59-78 | 11-20 53-68 |
| Eilat | C F | 10-21 49-70 | 11-23 51-73 | 13-26 56-79 | 17-31 63-87 | 21-35 69-95 | 24-37 75-99 | 25-40 77-103 | 26-40 79-104 | 24-36 75-98 | 20-33 69-92 | 16-28 61-83 | 11-23 51-74 |
| Dead Sea | C F | 11-20 53-68 | 13-22 56-72 | 16-25 61-78 | 20-29 68-85 | 24-34 75-93 | 27-37 80-99 | 28-38 83-102 | 29-38 83-101 | 27-36 81-96 | 24-32 75-90 | 18-26 65-80 | 13-21 56-71 |
Source: http://www.inisrael.com
Electrical Appliances
The electrical current in Israel is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 cycles. If you are taking electric shavers, hair blowers, irons or other electrical appliances, we advise that you bring a small converter kit (available in most hardware stores). While some hotels have a limited number of adapters for guests’ use, their availability cannot be guaranteed.
Health Regulations
No special health regulations are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Israel. We recommend that you take every precaution to safeguard your health while you are abroad and that you see your physician prior to your departure if you have any medical problems.
Medicines and other medical supplies should be carefully labeled and stored with your carry-on luggage. It is suggested that you bring a second pair of prescription eyeglasses/contact lenses. Bring all prescriptions with you in case you need a refill for any reason.
