Israel Travel in 2008 vs. 2018
October 17, 2017 6:41 PM Subscribe
I'm traveling to Israel for the first time in ten years, and I'm interested in what the latest and greatest travel tech is, as well as what has changed in terms of Israel travel since 2008. Specific questions inside, plus background.
The last time I went to Israel was in 2008, with a young-adult tour group. This time, I'm headed back with my mom. I am in my mid-30's, mom is in her mid-60's. Mom hasn't been since 1987. We are both Jewish, emphasis on the ish.
There were definitely things on my last trip that I remember thinking, "There has got to be a better way to do this." Specifically, I am wondering about:
The last time I went to Israel was in 2008, with a young-adult tour group. This time, I'm headed back with my mom. I am in my mid-30's, mom is in her mid-60's. Mom hasn't been since 1987. We are both Jewish, emphasis on the ish.
There were definitely things on my last trip that I remember thinking, "There has got to be a better way to do this." Specifically, I am wondering about:
- Phones! Back in 2008, I had to rent a phone from a company in Israel through the tour group. It was ridiculously expensive, calls cost more, there was no texting or data. I don't think I can use my own cell phone with a new SIM card in it because I have a carrier-locked Virgin phone. What are some of my options? Ideally I won't need to make calls while in Israel, but I'd like to use wireless, data, and apps. (I can use an app or facebook messaging in place of texting.) It would be cool if my mother could also do this, and we could connect or call one another in case of emergency, though I don't expect we will be separated at any time.
- Last time I went in February and the weather sucked. I am going again in February, and the weather will suck again. What are the best coats out there for February weather in Israel? Specific recommendations are appreciated! Any new outwear technologies in the past ten years? Lay 'em on me.
- We're going to have to check bags because we'll be there for two weeks. I am already an expert light packer because I travel for work but I haven't checked a bag on a trip since my last trip to Israel, so I don't have a full size suitcase. Any recommendations?
- I had to exchange my US dollars for shekels in Israel, at the airport, and it was suggested that I pay for everything in shekels because a lot of places would not take credit cards. Has that changed? Even for tourists?
- I carried a backpack last time as a day bag, but we are Real Adultstm now and would like to look a little more stylish and less like tourists. Recommendations?
- We'll be with a tour for the first half of our trip, and then on our own for the second half and we have things we'd like to do. Are there services in Israel we can connect with to help us coordinate the time on our own, like arranging for our own transport, tours, and lodging? Neither of us speak Hebrew and we like to plan things in advance. Specific recommendations for people or companies welcomed.
- What types of services and technologies are out there and available for us for international travel in general? We are willing to throw money at this once-in-a-lifetime trip to make it as easy and memorable for us as possible.
I'm hiring private guides for my next trip to Israel. I interviewed several. Memail me if you want some lists, resources etc.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:19 PM on October 17, 2017
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:19 PM on October 17, 2017
Some notes to your specific questions:
-Contact your carrier for specific international travel phone plans. On Verizon, I could bring my normal iPhone and use my exact same American plan for a supplementary charge of $10 a day, billed only on days I actually used it. It was a lifesaver, and you may have a similar option. Alternatively, buy a cheap unlocked Android on Amazon now and pop in an Israeli prepaid sim when you get there.
-The weather is never bad in Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas; it might be 50-60s but probably no worse than that. Jerusalem will be cold and gross
-Pretty much everywhere will accept American credit cards (though depending on what card you have the card company may charge a fee), and you can withdraw shekels from ATMs with an American debt card as long as you call your bank ahead of time and tell them you'll be there. Most places outside do very touristy areas won't accept USD, and even if they do they'll give you a terrible rate, so you'll want shekels. But don't change your money in the airport cause the rates will suuuuuuuck (or just change enough to get you from the airport to your hotel). The best rates will be withdrawing cash from ATMs or changing American cash at banks
posted by Itaxpica at 7:20 PM on October 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
-Contact your carrier for specific international travel phone plans. On Verizon, I could bring my normal iPhone and use my exact same American plan for a supplementary charge of $10 a day, billed only on days I actually used it. It was a lifesaver, and you may have a similar option. Alternatively, buy a cheap unlocked Android on Amazon now and pop in an Israeli prepaid sim when you get there.
-The weather is never bad in Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas; it might be 50-60s but probably no worse than that. Jerusalem will be cold and gross
-Pretty much everywhere will accept American credit cards (though depending on what card you have the card company may charge a fee), and you can withdraw shekels from ATMs with an American debt card as long as you call your bank ahead of time and tell them you'll be there. Most places outside do very touristy areas won't accept USD, and even if they do they'll give you a terrible rate, so you'll want shekels. But don't change your money in the airport cause the rates will suuuuuuuck (or just change enough to get you from the airport to your hotel). The best rates will be withdrawing cash from ATMs or changing American cash at banks
posted by Itaxpica at 7:20 PM on October 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
English is one of Israel's official languages.
I know that Verizon has overseas cell phone travel rates which cut costs when you let them know before you leave. If you have another phone company, check with them.
posted by brujita at 8:29 PM on October 17, 2017
I know that Verizon has overseas cell phone travel rates which cut costs when you let them know before you leave. If you have another phone company, check with them.
posted by brujita at 8:29 PM on October 17, 2017
I've been there a bunch of times in the past few years for work, which is slightly different than traveling as a tourist. I have phone service through Project Fi which means that it Just Works, but I have some colleagues who rented a MeFi , which is an LTE-to-WiFi doohickey that you can carry around and allow your phones to connect. It isn't that expensive.
If you ever decide to rent a car, don't try to use Waze to get around unless you know Hebrew. It's an amazing application that is made useless for non-Hebrew speakers there because you can't change any of the road information to English on the app. Google Maps works just fine.
For money, I've never been turned away using American credit cards. I always get shekels at a convenient ATM (but I did notice an error on my withdrawals on my last trip which my bank quickly rectified).
Google Translate + Google Maps completely changes international travel. I never really felt lost when I walked around there (but there *were* times when I didn't feel like I should be walking into a specific neighborhood in Jerusalem - mostly some really Orthodox ones on Shabbat). Translate lets you take pictures of things and it translates signs and menus, which is great. Still, you won't need it all that much in Israel unless you're going pretty far afield.
posted by montag2k at 9:18 PM on October 17, 2017
If you ever decide to rent a car, don't try to use Waze to get around unless you know Hebrew. It's an amazing application that is made useless for non-Hebrew speakers there because you can't change any of the road information to English on the app. Google Maps works just fine.
For money, I've never been turned away using American credit cards. I always get shekels at a convenient ATM (but I did notice an error on my withdrawals on my last trip which my bank quickly rectified).
Google Translate + Google Maps completely changes international travel. I never really felt lost when I walked around there (but there *were* times when I didn't feel like I should be walking into a specific neighborhood in Jerusalem - mostly some really Orthodox ones on Shabbat). Translate lets you take pictures of things and it translates signs and menus, which is great. Still, you won't need it all that much in Israel unless you're going pretty far afield.
posted by montag2k at 9:18 PM on October 17, 2017
Folks experience here matches my own recentish in Jerusalem for business. I still mostly stuck to cash, except at the hotel. But my ATM card has been working fine since 2009 or so, so....
posted by wotsac at 10:01 PM on October 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by wotsac at 10:01 PM on October 17, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm an American living in Tel Aviv, so I can answer some of your questions here and feel free to memail me with anything else too.
- "February weather" differs throughout the country and can be variable anyway - I've definitely had nice warm Februarys here. But, basically, if you'll be in Jerusalem a lot, then you need a warm winter coat. If you'll mostly be in the center (i.e., Tel Aviv area) then you could get away with a rain jacket and some sweaters. I've gotten through winters here with just a North Face fleece with a hood, to be honest. Good shoes, too - this country sucks at draining water, a bit of rain leads to instantaneous minor flooding of the sidewalks and streets.
- I find that Israel is a more cash-based society than the US is, but there should be no problem using your US credit card for basically everything. Except for taxis - unless you use gettaxi or uber (which hails licensed taxis, not the same as it is in the states), you have to pay for your cabs with cash. No cabs have CC machines. Also, there's an ATM in the arrivals hall of Ben Gurion airport if you want to withdraw shekels from there, no need to bother with formal currency exchange.
- I can't speak for tours or anything like that, but airbnb is probably the way to go for lodging. Plenty of options here.
- Always keep in mind that many, many people in this country speak English and are happy to help you. If the person you're speaking to doesn't understand you, just ask someone else nearby.
- Bonus: Don't forget that the country shuts down on shabbat - usually about two hours before it starts on Friday. This means different things in different cities (e.g., nothing is open in Jerusalem, but Tel Aviv is still quite active) but public transportation shuts down, pharmacies and grocery stores are closed, things like that.
posted by lullaby at 5:18 AM on October 21, 2017
- "February weather" differs throughout the country and can be variable anyway - I've definitely had nice warm Februarys here. But, basically, if you'll be in Jerusalem a lot, then you need a warm winter coat. If you'll mostly be in the center (i.e., Tel Aviv area) then you could get away with a rain jacket and some sweaters. I've gotten through winters here with just a North Face fleece with a hood, to be honest. Good shoes, too - this country sucks at draining water, a bit of rain leads to instantaneous minor flooding of the sidewalks and streets.
- I find that Israel is a more cash-based society than the US is, but there should be no problem using your US credit card for basically everything. Except for taxis - unless you use gettaxi or uber (which hails licensed taxis, not the same as it is in the states), you have to pay for your cabs with cash. No cabs have CC machines. Also, there's an ATM in the arrivals hall of Ben Gurion airport if you want to withdraw shekels from there, no need to bother with formal currency exchange.
- I can't speak for tours or anything like that, but airbnb is probably the way to go for lodging. Plenty of options here.
- Always keep in mind that many, many people in this country speak English and are happy to help you. If the person you're speaking to doesn't understand you, just ask someone else nearby.
- Bonus: Don't forget that the country shuts down on shabbat - usually about two hours before it starts on Friday. This means different things in different cities (e.g., nothing is open in Jerusalem, but Tel Aviv is still quite active) but public transportation shuts down, pharmacies and grocery stores are closed, things like that.
posted by lullaby at 5:18 AM on October 21, 2017
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posted by Itaxpica at 7:13 PM on October 17, 2017 [1 favorite]