Can anybody offer any help to this first time traveller to Israel?

Question

Going to Israel late March. Arrive at Tel Aviv early Sat morning (3am!) Can anyone offer any travel tips on getting from the airport to the hotel as i've heard that there's no public transport at this time on Saturdays. Is this true?. If not, which is the safest/cheapest form of transport? We obviously don't want to upset the locals, are there any customs that we should be aware of? Any good bars/restaurants that we should look out for? Is it cheap/expensive? I've also heard that check in on the return flight can be a bit of a nightmare, can anybody elaborate/clarify that? We have an early flight on the Sunday (6am dept!), if the check in process is laborious what time should we arrive at the airport? Also any thoughts on transportation to the airport would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Alan

Answer 1

Hey Alan,

Airport Transportation:
http://www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion/InformationforTravelers/TransportationToandFromtheAirport/Trains/
The train runs from 3am until midnight and is perhaps your best option (it should cost about $3-4 per train ticket). Once you arrive in Tel Aviv, you can take a cab from the train station to your hotel. Cabs run all night and are easy to find and it shouldn't cost you more than $7 to get from your train station to your hotel, just be sure that the cabbie turns on the meter.

My own personal preference for transport is train b/c it offers good, inexpensive, reliable and safe service. Busses are worth considering to as a method of transport from aiport to city, but they might be more expensive then the train and more confusing to use.

There are transportation options at all hours, even on the Sabbath, so don't worry.

It's pretty much impossible to upset the locals. They are very open-minded, and if anything, might upset you with their lack of political correctness and their tendency to 'talk' to each other in loud voices that border on yelling. Although, I would avoid talking about politics unless the subject is brought up to you. If you're views tend to be more pro-Palestinian, it could make things a bit uncomfortable and awkward when discussing politics (not that people will mistreat you or anything for expressing your views).

There are tons of good bars/restaurants in Tel Aviv! I don't know too many as I don't eat out so much, but among the recommended places to go: Spaghettim (excellent Italian food), Osteria da Fiorella (excellent Italian food, but go for dinner), Orca (great seafood), Okinawa (great, reasonably priced Japanese food), Max Brenner (chain of famous chocolate restaurants- go for their incredible selection of deserts), Gelateria Iceberg or Gelateria Aldo or Gelateria Sicilian all have ice cream that is as good as any you'll find anywhere in the world, Thai House (excellent, authentic Thai food), Cafe Neto (a chain of excellent coffee shops that serves very good meals and wonderful deserts). Many good restaurants are located in the Marina (in Herziliyya Pituach, north of T-A, and in Neve Tzedek neighborhood inside T-A). Food in general is reasonably priced. While cheaper than food in Western Europe, it's not very cheap (expect to pay between $7 and $15 for a typical entree, with salads being on the lower end of this range).


Check-in isn't so bad, but it's a little more 'rigorous' than what you're used to. To be safe, I'd recommend showing up at the airport at around 3am to 3:30am (at latest). The whole process takes about an hour and involves the usual fare, but also includes interogations about where you've been, who you've seen, etc etc (it's all for security- and while it may feel strange, it should give you peace of mind knowing that they are this thorough with their security procedures).

Transportation to the aiport, I would recommend taking a train. Taxi is kind of a last resort (costs ~$25-$35, though they'll try to charge you more, because you're going in the middle of the night).

Answer 2

I need to make two corrections to what the people answered you. There is O train on Saturday all day till the Shabbat is over.

The taxis at the airport are now for several years now) under supervision and there is a regulated price for every trip to
anywhere in Israel. Saturday morning the only option (the cheaper one) is going by the Shrut Taxi as one of the people told you. A special taxi is expensive. There are taxi companies that collect you from where you live both in Haifa and Tel Aviv, maybe even Jerusalem - they are Sherut but still take you and bring you to where you need. Ask the guys at the airport.

There is no more early check-in in Israel unfortunately, so no point in trying to find one. Be sure you are 3 hours early so even if they question you thoroughly at the airport you won't miss your flight. Take the questioning as something done for our security
yours and everyone else and then it will seem a bit less intrusive.

Have a great time in Israel.

Answer 3

As far as returning there are cab companies that specialize in airport runs, you can make reservations in advance 24hr/day and there is a system you might look into that allows you to check in your luggage even in other cities which will than forward it to the airport, it isnt a shorter process but saves the trouble of doing it during flight day which can be relive some stress on your last day there. If this system is still in operation you should be able to find out about it at most travel areas bus station etc. check the El Al websight, even if you are not flying it, it may have some info of the services provided for you concern.

Answer 4

It's many years since I was there but we used taxis for transport, never used public. There will be taxi drivers about when you land, just get a price first, some will deliberated take you on a detour and then charge more. Ask at the enquiry desk in the airport on arrival as to how much taxis are.
It took us a long time to book in on return but this is because of security checks. If you are flying El-Al be assured that it is the safest securest flight you could ever catch.

Answer 5

Remember this word

Sheroot

These are like minibus taxis that run around Israel. They charge about the same as the bus but work 24 hours per day.

You don't say which part of Israel you are going, but when you get out of the airport use your ears.

The sheroot drivers stand by their minibus calling out which town they are going to - and they don't leave until they are full.

Eating out. The important thing to remember is that if you are going to be in Jerusalem Friday evening and Saturday, before sunset on Friday, go into the restaurant of your choice and tell them you will be eating there later that evening and/or Saturday lunch time and ask them if you need to prepay for your meal.

If it is a religious place or maybe in a religious area, they are not allowed to handle money between sunset Friday and Saturday.
If you pay in advance, they will give you a voucher which you use when you go back later.

Anywhere else in the country, no problem.
My favourite town is Naharia on the Med coast, but each to their own.

Answer 6

taxi to tel aviv is around 100-120 shekels (around 30-40 $) there is a taxi place in the airport... follow the sines....
there are a lot of secular people so dont worry about offending anyone, only if you go to a very religious neighborhood then wear something covering.... hehehe
there are a lot of open places to eat on Saturday in tel aviv, a really nice one is this all Jewish food place called "Elimelech" Open: Sun-Sat 12:00-2:00
Address: 35 Wolfson St. tel aviv
Tel: [phone]
you can find it all in this site of tel aviv: http://www.telavivguide.net/
and the recommended time to arrive at the airport is at least 3 hours before... if you fly el-al sometimes you can checkout the day before at the Hilton hotel in tel-aviv....
have fun and wait with the diet till you come back :-)

Answer 7

Don't forget to take a bullet proof jacket with you as they people speak with guns there. Also if possible take some fresh child blood with you to invite some one for drink there. It's the national drink. You can take some photos for the killing there much as you can, it's easy to find. If you like sport, you should join any(killer's club) if you are staying for sometime. For this sport you just need a good knife in case you don't like guns or bombs. Almost everyone there did it once in his life. Some young people when they reach the age of 20 if they didn't kill they send them to take some treatment before they live like normal people in other countries.