General Information
General information for travelers to the Holy Land
Travelers from the United States or Europe do not require a visa for entry, only a valid passport with at least six months of validity. Visitors can stay in the country for up to three months.
- Israel: Israeli Shekel (ILS)
- Palestine: Israeli Shekel (ILS), US Dollar (USD), Jordanian Dinar (JOD), and Euro (EUR) are accepted.
There are licensed money changing offices throughout the country, and money can be exchanged at banks. Most tourist spots accept major international credit cards.
- Local time: GMT + 2 hours (winter), GMT + 3 hours (summer)
- Time difference:
- New York: +7 hours
- London: +2 hours
- Paris: +1 hour
- Palestine: Arabic (official)
- Israel: Hebrew (official)
- English is widely spoken, with Italian, French, and German spoken to a lesser extent.
The Holy Land has a temperate sea climate with four distinct seasons:
- Winter: Cold and rainy, average temperatures 9-18°C (48-64°F)
- Summer: Hot and dry, average temperatures 26-32°C (79-90°F)
- Autumn: Pleasant
- Spring: Beautiful
Visitors are advised to wear modest dress when visiting holy sites.
- Car Hire: Available with or without a driver, can be arranged in advance or through hotels. An international driver’s license is required.
- Taxis: Comfortable and widely available, though some do not operate on meters. It is advisable to agree on the fare before starting the journey. Shared taxis are also common.
The electrical system operates at 220 volts.