World Country Guide

Travel - International

Note
Travel along Israel’s border with Lebanon, and close to the Israeli side of the Israel/Gaza Strip border, is advised against. Care should be taken at crossing points between Israel and Jordan. All travel to the Gaza Strip outside Gaza City is advised against, plus all travel to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip at night. There is a high threat from terrorism and military activity in Israel and in the Occupied Territories. If planning to travel to Israel or the Occupied Territories, nationals should be very careful about personal security arrangements. Because of current travel and other restrictions, there are limits to the level of consular assistance provided in the West Bank and Gaza Strip for most nationals. UK/Palestinian dual nationals are subject to complex Israeli travel restrictions. Crime is generally not a problem in Israel or the Occupied Territories, but sensible precautions should be taken.

Air
Israel’s national airline is El Al Israel Airlines (LY) (website: www.elal.co.il). Other airlines serving Israel include Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, South African Airways and United Airlines.

Approximate flight times
From London to Tel Aviv is four hours 30 minutes and to Eilat is five hours. From Los Angeles to Tel Aviv is 17 hours, from New York is 11 hours, from Singapore is 10 hours 55 minutes and from Sydney is 14 hours 35 minutes.

International airports
Tel Aviv (TLV) (Ben Gurion International) is 20km (12 miles) southeast of the city. An EGGED bus runs every 30 minutes between 0500-2300 (travel time – 25 minutes), and United Tours shuttle bus no. 222 runs hourly 0400-0000 to Tel Aviv railway station, before stopping at all hotels along Hayarkon St. There is also a taxi service (travel time – 20 minutes). A shared sherut (taxi service) is available, charging a fixed rate per passenger. The El Al airline bus goes to the airport terminal in Tel Aviv. Departure depends on El Al flights. The best way to travel to Jerusalem, which is 50km (31 miles) away, is by sherut. Airport facilities include banks, restaurants, duty-free shops, general shops and tourist information.
Eilat Central Airport (ETH) is 20 minutes from the city. The airport bus departs every 15 minutes, and taxis are available to the city (travel time – 15 minutes). Airport facilities include a duty-free shop, light refreshments and a souvenir shop.

Departure tax
None.

Sea
Principal international passenger ports are Ashdod and Haifa. Foreign yachts sailing to Israel may use these ports of entry as well as Eilat and the marinas of Ashkelon, Herzliya and Tel-Aviv. There are regular sailings of car/ passenger ferries from Greece (Piraeus) and Cyprus to Haifa. Cruise lines run to Haifa and Ashdod from Venice and other Mediterranean ports. These cruise companies include The Cruise People, Louis and Viamare Travel LTD (website: www.viamare.com).

Road
On the whole, road access to Israel is somewhat limited. There are two crossing points from Egypt into Israel. Travellers are permitted to cross the border on foot, by bus or in privately owned cars only; taxis and hired cars may not cross. Rafiah (Rafah), the main point of entry, is located some 50km (31 miles) southwest of Ashqelon (open 0900-1700). Four bus companies maintain services between Cairo and Tel Aviv and Jerusalem via Rafiah. EGGED Bus no. 362 leaves Tel Aviv for the Rafiah terminal daily and Rafiah for Tel Aviv at Taba, just south of Eilat, is open 24 hours a day. A regular bus service is available between Taba, Santa Katerina (Sinai) and Cairo.
It is possible to enter Jordan via the Allenby Bridge near Jericho, about 40km (25 miles) from Jerusalem. The Allenby Bridge border opening hours are Sun-Thurs 0800-0000, Fri 0800-1500. EGGED buses and taxi services are also available to the bridge. At present, every tourist passing through here must obtain an entry visa to and an exit visa from Jordan. Exit fees are only payable on leaving for Jordan. Nationals of countries who are required to obtain an Israeli visa in advance should do so before visiting Jordan, as such visas cannot be obtained at the Allenby Bridge.
The Arava Checkpoint crossing is situated 4km (3 miles) north of Eilat. It is possible to cross the border in both directions. Nationals should check whether visas are required for this crossing with their local embassy. The opening hours for the Arava border checkpoint are Sun-Thurs 0630-2230, Fri-Sat 0800-2000 (closed on Yom Kippur and the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha).
The Jordan River Crossing (Sheikh Hussein Bridge) can be crossed by holders of UK passports valid for at least six months from the date of entry and persons with dual nationality as individuals or in groups. Entry visas for Jordan or Israel can either be organised through travel agents who will make the necessary arrangements or can be provided on arrival for all those who have organised pre-arranged visas (except for Israeli passport holders who must make arrangements through travel agents). Travel agents are requested to coordinate the arrival time of buses with the management of the crossing point. All UN cars (on official business or not) and vehicles with foreign registration will be permitted to cross freely without paying any fees; however, Israeli cars with diplomatic plates will not be permitted to cross the border. Transfer of passengers between the Israeli and Jordanian checkpoints will be carried out by shuttle service. Transfers on foot will not be permitted. The Jordan River (Sheikh Hussein) border crossing hours are Sun-Thurs 0630-2200, Fri-Sat 0800-2000 (closed on Yom Kippur and the Jordanian festival on the first day of the Hijirah Calendar). There is no access to the Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon. Mobile telephones are not allowed on buses crossing the border.