Israel’s two official languages are Hebrew and Arabic. Most people also speak English.
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The official currency is the shekel, which is divided into 100 agorot. Exchange bureaus are located on most main streets and at banks and hotels. ATMs are easy to find and credit cards are widely accepted. Traveller’s cheques, while widely accepted, often carry high commissions.
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Israel’s international country code is 972. To call another country from Israel, dial 00 followed by the appropriate country code. Depending which network you’re using to call out, you may need to dial another code. The main towns and tourist areas all have Internet cafes.
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It’s customary to tip based on the quality of service, unless a service charge has already been added to the bill.
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Keep yourself informed about the latest security situation in Israel. Don’t go to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip or at least two miles from the Lebanese border. The border between Israel and Jordan can also be dangerous.
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You don’t need any vaccinations before travelling to Israel, but you should avoid drinking tap water. Israel has great medical facilities, but they are also very expensive. Make sure you have health insurance.
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Israel’s electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz and uses both European-style, two-pinned and round, three-pinned plugs.
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