getting around in Israel

Hi, Me and my partner went to Israel just over a year ago and we are also English speaking. I don't know if I can be much help but will pass on a couple of things.

We stayed in the old city in Jerusalem. I highly recommend this. We both felt the safest when we were within the walls of the old city and you really know that you are in Jerusalem when you are woken up by the angelic voices of the armenian worshippers very early in the morning. Staying in old city Jerusalem is a more expensive otpion and as wer travelled on a budget we had to stay in a hostel called "The Petra" in the old city. It was very basic and not super clean in my opinion but we had our own room with ensuite (of sorts...). There is also dormitory accomodation there. (watch our for head lice though- they were the pits!) I think it is amoung the cheapest to b e found in the old city and another one which is similar in position and price but slightly better in presentation is called the "Jaffa Gate Hostel". My partner stayed there last time and loved it. Both of these are to be found in the "Muslum Quater" from memory - but everything is so close to everything else. If you can afford to spend more, a mid-range option is the 'Christ Church Guest House"(Armenian Quater I think) which has recieved good reviews and i wouldn't mind to stay here next time although it is substantially more expensive. They are all in basically the same area, with the old city of Jerusalem at your feet. Check the net for prices as I can't remember exactly but do remember that Jerusalem is expensive to stay in and you tend to pay more for less but it is worth it just to be there.

We had little problem Being English speakers. Most people seem to have some level of English - if only very basic. We spent our time experiencing the old city of Jerusalem and also wider Jerusalem for it's religious sites. For this we obviously needed no tour guide as it is all so close and with map in hand and free advice from the travel office in the old city - travelling the immediate area was quite simple. We did travel to Masada and the dead sea Coast.(go there for sure) We took public transport for this. I suppose if you have your travel Israel book - you shouldn't have too many probs and you can always ask at the travel/ information office in the old city if you want to be sure about where you are going and how to get there - they speak good english and are easy to find. I think jerusalem is a great base for this reason.

Travel from Tel-aviv to jerusalem by public transport or by taxi. I know that many hostels you are staying at provide information about a shared mini-van that collects and drops off at the air-port at designated times each day. You can enquire with the place that you book with - try to get their direct email so you can ask them. You could also find info at the air port about which bus to catch to get you to Jerusalem. You will likely find other travellers on the same flight who you could also ask where they are headed and split the cost of a cab. There is alot of public transport options for getting around Israel, we found out alot by speaking to other travellers on our journey about safe routes etc.

We always felt safe in the old city no matter which quarter we were in and felt that our religious persuasion caused no huge problems. I suppose we spent most of our time in Israel territories and not palestinian. It just turned out this way for this trip. A few Hebrew phrases is nice I think - mostly Shalom - which covers hellow, goodbye and peace but if you are in the muslum quarter then leave this one out definately.

They seem to take NIS everywhere we went so grab some at the bank outlet at the air port straight away.

Sorry I don't have much info on guides because we never really needed one but I am sure just like anywhere else, you will be able to pay for and find one.

I can't remember how much entrances cost but I do remember that Jersusalem was more expensive than other places we had been but still within reason. Eating in Greater Jerusalem is probably slightly cheaper but for a few extra bucks a meal you can have an awesome slice of pizza or falafel in the peace and quiet of the old city and a toasted bagel for breakfast (which is their biggest meal in the old city it seems) which can tide you over for most of the day. It costs nothing just to be in the old city and walk around and take in most of the sites around you though. The Holy Sephulcre is free, the Western wall, the dome of the rock, the garden of Getsemane and Getsemane church of all nations. You pay a fee for the Garden tomb from memory.

I loved Israel and want to return. Next time I want to visit Bethlehem and Galilee.

I don't know if I have been any help to you.
Pummy369




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Check out http://www.drive-israel.com for useful route maps pointing out holy sites, ethnic crafts, boutique wineries (free tastings), day spas - good stuff that is not so well known. The site provides all contact info and directions to get there. Reply to this

We want to visit Israel (again) at the end of the year and hope to go to Bethlehem on Christmas day. We also would like to visit Jericho. Could you tell me if you went to either of these places and what experience and difficulties (if any) that you had. Did you go to Galilee? If so, where did you stay and what did you see that was worthwhile. Would love to hear a bit about your trip. We really only have experience of Jerusalem.

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Hi

Israel is pretty easy to get around in while speaking English. Most people can speak atleast some basic English and many speak English well. Carry NIS, its accepted everywhere. A credit card is also very useful.

here are some links that I hope can help you:

For transportation questions: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Israel

security related: travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_922.html

Here is a link for an interesting Christian tour while in Israel, maybe it will give you some ideas: holylandssuntours.com

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Hi all
I just posted some info about the City of haifa (one of the 3 big cities in Israel)
read it here: The city of Haifa - a great destination for a unique vacation

If you want to read about Tel Aviv - the biggest city in Israel: here is the Tel Aviv Jaffa Hotels Association website with a lot of info ( read this: Tel Aviv - Jaffa On The Mediterranean )

Almost every person in Israel can talk English, most, very well. Reply to this

We're going to be in Nazareth with a Saturday night and a whole Sunday to ourselves (away from our companions). We're thinking about going to the Dead Sea and spending the night there. Is that a good idea? How easy is it to use public transportation?
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