FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is It Safe To Travel in Israel?

Yes! Millions of people visit Israel every year and return safe, fulfilled, inspired, and happy. In spite of what you’ve read in the papers or seen on TV, Israel is a very safe place to visit. You are far more likely to run into trouble in any major U.S. city than anywhere in Israel. Behave in Israel the way you would in those cities. Be careful where you go at night and travel in groups when possible.  For all of our destinations, the safety of our passengers is our highest priority. 

How far in advance should I book a trip?

We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel.  America Israel Tours journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.

Can AIT help make arrangements for pre-tour and post tour hotel nights?

Definitely! Arranging hotel accommodations in the city where your journey begins for the night preceding your AIT tour not only gives you more time to explore on your own, allows you to become better acclimated to time changes before your journey begins and helps to relieve stress from potential travel delays.  As a service, AIT will make hotel reservations before and/or after your journey at the tour program hotels at a special rate so there is no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added to your tour cost.

What’s Included in AIT Tours?

Most of your land tour travel expenses are included in the tour price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, many meals as specified in the itinerary, entrance fees, porter fees and more.

What’s not included?

Air tickets, tips, lunches and Travel Protection – click here for information on Travelex Protection plans

Can AIT help me book airfare?

Once you have booked your land tour, we would be happy to help you book your airfare.  Please note that we do not receive any special rates, and typically there is a booking fee applied to your air ticket.  Please also note that any air ticket purchased with the help of AIT are usually non-refundable.

What is the best time to travel?

For all of our Tours, Spring or Fall is the best time to travel as the weather is ideal for touring.

Israel:  Israel has four seasons. The coast has humid summers and mild winters, the hill regions have dry summers and moderately cold winters, the Jordan Valley has hot dry summers and pleasant winters, and desert conditions exist in the Negev all year round.

In mid-summer, average temperatures during the day range from 83 degrees Fahrenheit in Jerusalem to over 100 degrees in the Dead Sea region. At night, temperatures rarely dip below the mid 60s.

In mid-winter, average temperatures during the day range from 54 degrees in Jerusalem to 69 degrees in the Dead Sea region. At night, temperatures can drop below 40 degrees.

 Egypt:  Egypt’s capital stays mild-to-hot for most of the year, with temperatures hitting around 93°F in summer and 64°F in winter. March and April can be windy.  In July and August, temperatures raise with daily highs often reaching the high 80’s.

Jordan:  The hottest month of the year in Amman is July, with an average high of 88°F and low of 67°F. The cool season lasts for 3.2 months, from December 2 to March 8, with an average daily high temperature below 60°F. The coldest month of the year in Amman is January, with an average low of 39°F and high of 53°F.

Greece:  Greece has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters in the south and cold winters with snow in the north. The best time to visit is late spring and fall, when the weather is comfortable and the crowds are smaller. 

Italy:  The best months to visit Rome are typically April to June (spring) and September to October (fall). During these times, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, with fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months of July and August.

How Active are AIT Tours?

All AIT tours have an Activity rating of Low, Moderate, or High.  For your convenience, on our itineraries we have listed the average amount of walking required for each touring day.

Low Activity level:   This would apply to cruise only tours where most hours are spent on the ship and passengers should be able to walk 1-2 miles throughout a full day.

Moderate Activity Level:  Passengers should be able to easily walk two to three miles during the day, with 8-9 hour touring days, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

High Activity level:  Passengers should be able to easily walk 3+ miles during the touring day and tours include multiple land border crossing during the tour where passengers will need to port and carry their own luggage, standing for 1+ hours during the touring day, 8-9 hour touring days, 9+ days of touring with no scheduled rest days between touring days which will include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more will be required.

Can I stay in the hotel room if I don’t feel like touring on one of the scheduled touring days?

Because our itineraries involve staying in different cities most nights of the tour in order to maximize the sightseeing time while minimizing your time driving to and from sights, you will not be able to skip a touring day to hang out at the hotel because you would miss being transported on the bus to the next city that we will stay overnight.  There are exceptions where we stay at hotels/cities for multiple days, but our tours are designed to see as many sights as possible, so skipping a days’ sightseeing is not recommended, and rarely an option.

Do I Need a Passport to Travel?

You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months from the date you enter Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Greece Rome and Turkey. United States citizens will be issued tourist visas free of charge at every port entrance terminal to these countries.  Passport policies are subject to change without notice – it is your responsibility the current regulations before traveling.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel?

**Starting January 1, 2025, all travelers to Israel will need to fill out the ETA-IL travel arrival form.  This form is intended for all travelers who are exempt from obtaining a visa before entering Israel, generally speaking, North American, European and Australian passport holders. 

Click here for more information about this Visa and Step-by Step instructions on how to complete this form.  Click here to be taken directly to the ETA-IL registration page. 

**In 2025, Greece plans to implement a new ETIAS VISA policy – it is expected to start in the Spring of 2025.  As of February 1, 2025 it has not been activated.  Please see these websites for information on who needs a new Schengen Visa depending on the country that issued your passport:

Do I Need a Schengen Visa? – Find Out If You’re Required to Apply (schengeninsuranceinfo.com)

https://etias.com/what-is-etias/who-needs-etias

https://etias.com/etias-countries/greece-etias

Other than the above ETA-IL visa which can be obtained on line, U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a special visa to visit Israel, Egypt*, Jordan*, Rome and Turkey* just a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months). Visitors are allowed to stay in the country for three months from date of arrival. However, visitors from most European countries, Mexico, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many others countries do require visas. To check the requirements for other nationalities contact the Consulates in your area for the countries you will be visiting on your tour.  Visa polices are subject to change without notice – it is your responsibility the current regulations before traveling.

*For our Egypt and Jordan tours, AIT will collect any Border Fees ahead of time from U.S. and Canada passport holders and pay those fees in advance for you in most cases – you will be alerted for any fees we cannot pre-pay for you

*To travel to the mainland of Turkey (not during a Greek Island Cruise), U.S. and Canada passport holder can apply online.

Do I need shots or immunizations?

No. Israel is a developed country with a level of health and hygiene equal to that of the United States. Visitors entering Israel are not required to undergo vaccinations prior to their arrival. No special shots are required for any of the countries we tour (including Egypt and Jordan). If in doubt, or if you are currently under the care of a doctor, please check with your physician.

Do I really need Trip Protection/Travel Insurance

Yes!  Absolutely!  While encountering the unexpected is part of any adventure, it can range from inconvenience to major emergency.  Whether it’s an inconvenient flight delay, a last-minute cancellation due to illness, or even a serious medical emergency, it’s crucial to be prepared.  And while our cancelation policy is one of the most generous in the industry, there are many instances where tours are not refundable by the tour operator, and where Trip Protection will reimburse you.  We recommend that every passenger purchase a Trip Protection plan and Travelex offers comprehensive travel protection plans that include 24-hour Travel Assistance.  CLICK HERE to learn more about Travelex Protection plans.

TEN REASONS WHY YOU NEED TRIP PROTECTION

Here’s a list of some of the most important travel tips from the U.S. Department of State:

What Currency is used in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Greece and Italy?

Israel:  New Israeli Shekel

Jordan:  Jordanian Dinar

Egypt:  Egyptian Pound

Greece and Italy:  Euro

Make sure to check the exchange rate before you go. Most businesses in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Greece and Italy accept major credit cards (Mastercard and Visa),  but for smaller vendors and kiosks you will want to have cash. You can always change money in country – your guides will take you to a reputable location to change money and there are ATMs located in convenient locations that will dispense local currency.   Airports have notoriously high exchange rates.  In Greece and Italy they tend to accept Euro currency only.

How Far Are the Major Cities From Each Other?

Israel is a small country. The three major centers: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa can easily be reached on leisure touring days without changing hotels, an important feature for short visits. When planning your trip, it helps to know how far and how much time it will take to get from place to place. See the chart below for approximate distances.

 How can I get around on my own in Israel:    

Transportation within Israel is easy, reliable, and inexpensive. There are several options to get you from place to place quickly.

• Bus: The most popular form of transportation in Israel, you can buy tickets at any city’s central bus station or from the driver. The Egged bus company offers routes between most of Israel’s major cities, and also local service within the larger cities and towns. Line 99 in Jerusalem, a London-style double-decker tour bus, allows passengers to hop on and off at all the major tourist sites around the city. Bus service in Tel Aviv is provided by the Dan bus company, and service in Beersheba and Nazareth is provided by smaller, private companies. Fares are reasonable, buses are comfortable and air-conditioned, and there is regular, frequent service, except on Shabbat (Friday afternoon- Saturday evening) and Jewish holidays.
• Private Taxi: A more expensive option, taxis can be flagged down or ordered by phone almost anywhere, and they’ll take you around town or between cities. Drivers must charge by the meter within the city. The fares between cities are standard fares set by law. There is an additional charge for taxis reserved by phone and for each suitcase that is not hand luggage. Rates for evenings, Shabbat (Saturday) and Jewish holidays are 25% more than the normal fare. Always verify the fare with the driver before getting in the cab.
• Shared Service Taxis (Sherut): These shared taxis leave from the central bus stations of larger cities and follow the same routes as the bus. Their prices are usually equal to or less than the bus fares. There are no set schedules, they leave when they are full. You can request a stop anywhere along the route.

What Languages Are Spoken in Israel?

Although Hebrew and Arabic are Israel’s official languages, English is Israel’s adopted second language, spoken so extensively that even street signs are also in English. More languages can also be noticed, such as French, Russian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Hungarian and Italian.

How Can I Talk With the Locals?

Native-born Israelis are nicknamed sabras, after the prickly pear found growing here. Like the sabra, they may seem prickly on the outside, but they’re actually sweet inside. So don’t be afraid to say hello, make conversation, or ask questions. Most everyone speaks at least three languages: Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

Here are some basic Hebrew words you should know: