Israel Travel Guide
Whether you're visiting Israel for its religious sites or cultural riches, there's a few things that are worth knowing before you head over there. To help you plan your holiday, our travel guide resources include a round-up of Israel's top destinations and an overview of the seasons so you can pick the right time to go. There's also a section on visas and security updates so you're fully briefed on the essentials, and in our Top Travel Tips you'll find more information on the currency, food, shopping, customs, tipping and more.
Best Places to Visit
Must-see destinations in Israel for first-time visits from religious sites to cities
Best Time to Visit
Find out what the seasons mean for travelling around Israel and when to go
Top Travel Tips
All you need to know about money, shopping, food, health advice and more
Tourist Visas
Not sure if you need a visa? Check out the regulations here and how to obtain one
Israel Video Lounge
If you still needed more inspiration, here's a collection of our favourite travel videos
Israel Travel Updates
We keep abreast of the latest travel alerts and security updates for Israel
Traveller Reviews
Hear feedback from like-minded travellers who have been to Israel with us
Plan your trip to similar destinations!
Recommended Reading
- From Beirut to Jerusalem
by Thomas Friedman - My Michael
by Amos Oz - Son of Hamas
by Mosab Hassan Yousef
Facts about Israel
- Israel is one of only two countries that began the 21st century with a net gain in the number of its trees
- Rivaling Silicon Valley in the States, Israel has the highest ratio of hi-tech companies in regards to its population
- After Tokyo and NYC, Tel Aviv has the third most sushi restaurants per capita
Israel Travel Advice for South African Travellers
Safety of our travellers is paramount and we recommend that you check the latest travel advice from the consular in South Africa when planning your trip. We follow the advice of the FCO and at present there are no travel restrictions in place for Israel.
Flying to Israel from South Africa:
There are direct flights available from Johannesburg to Tel Aviv, Israel's primary international transport hub, with EL AL Israel Airlines. The flight time is around 9 hours and this is the fastest option. Indirect flights that involve a stopover are usually much cheaper and there are plenty of such options from South Africa including Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul with average flight duration of 13 hours. These same airlines also fly from Cape Town. Check out Travelstart for flight deals from South Africa to Israel.
Useful Online Resources:
The official Israel Tourism Board site and the latest Israel Weather Updates from the BBC.