Practical Tips for Israel
eSIMs, Shabbat survival, Hebrew phrases, and everything else you need to know.
📱 eSIM & Phone
Get an eSIM before you land — no physical SIM needed. Israel has excellent 4G/5G coverage nationwide.
- • Airalo: Israel eSIM from $4.50 (1GB/7 days). Best for short trips. Get Airalo →
- • Holafly: Unlimited data from $19 (5 days). Best for heavy users. Get Holafly →
- • Airport SIM: Buy at Ben Gurion arrivals. 019 Mobile, Cellcom, or Pelephone. ~₪70-100 for 30 days with data.
- • Wi-Fi: Excellent in hotels, cafés, malls. Free at Ben Gurion Airport.
🔌 Power & Electricity
- • Voltage: 230V / 50Hz
- • Plug type: Type H (3 round pins in V shape) — uniquely Israeli
- • Compatibility: Most European 2-pin plugs (Type C) fit into Type H sockets. US/UK travelers NEED an adapter.
- • Tip: Most hotels have universal outlets or provide adapters. Bring a USB charger — those work everywhere.
🕯️ Shabbat Survival Guide
Shabbat (Sabbath) runs from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. Here's what changes:
- • Public transport: Buses and trains STOP Friday ~3 PM. Resume Saturday ~7 PM.
- • Shops: Most close Friday afternoon, reopen Saturday evening or Sunday.
- • Restaurants: Many in Tel Aviv stay open. In Jerusalem, most close except in non-Jewish areas (Arab Quarter, German Colony some spots).
- • Getting around: Sheruts, Gett taxi, scooters, and bikes still work. Tel Aviv is car-free paradise on Shabbat — rent a bike!
- • Supermarkets: Closed. Stock up Friday morning.
- • Hotels: Everything operates normally. Shabbat elevators stop at every floor automatically.
💵 Tipping Guide
- • Restaurants: 10-15% (service charge is NOT included unless stated). Leave cash on table or add to credit card.
- • Cafés/bars: Round up or leave ₪5-10. Not expected at bars but appreciated.
- • Taxis: Not expected. Round up to nearest ₪5 if you like.
- • Hotels: ₪10-20/night for housekeeping. ₪10 per bag for porters.
- • Tour guides: ₪50-100/person for full-day tours. This IS expected.
- • Delivery: ₪5-10 for food delivery.
👗 Dress Code
- • Tel Aviv: Anything goes. Flip-flops to clubs. Casual is king.
- • Jerusalem (holy sites): Cover shoulders and knees. Both men and women. This is strictly enforced at the Western Wall, churches, and mosques.
- • Western Wall: Men: kippa required (free paper ones available). Women: covered shoulders and knees.
- • Mosques/Temple Mount: Full modest dress. No shorts. Women may need head covering.
- • Dead Sea: Swimwear at the beach, modest cover-up for hotel lobbies.
- • Tip: Keep a light scarf in your bag — works as cover-up, sun protection, and temple dress code solution.
🗣️ Essential Hebrew
- • Shalom (shah-LOHM) — Hello / Goodbye / Peace
- • Toda (toh-DAH) — Thank you
- • Bevakasha (beh-vah-kah-SHAH) — Please / You're welcome
- • Slicha (slee-KHAH) — Excuse me / Sorry
- • Ken / Lo — Yes / No
- • Kama ze ole? (KAH-mah zeh oh-LEH) — How much does this cost?
- • Eifo ha-sherutim? — Where is the bathroom?
- • Yalla! — Let's go! (used constantly)
- • Sababa — Cool / Great / No problem
- • Balagan — Mess / Chaos (affectionate slang)
Almost everyone speaks English, especially in tourist areas. You'll be fine without Hebrew.
📲 Essential Apps
- • Moovit: Best app for public transport in Israel. Real-time bus/train tracking.
- • Gett: Taxi/ride-hailing. Israel's main taxi app.
- • Google Maps: Works great in Israel. Offline maps recommended.
- • Waze: Founded in Israel. Best for driving navigation.
- • Wolt: Food delivery. Great restaurant selection.
- • Bit / PayBox: Local payment apps (used like Venmo).
- • Israel Railways: Train tickets and schedules.
- • Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref): Emergency alerts. Download for safety.
💧 Water & Health
- • Tap water: Safe to drink everywhere. Save money, skip bottled.
- • Sun: Israeli sun is STRONG. SPF 50+, hat, sunglasses. Especially Dead Sea and Negev.
- • Hydration: Drink 2-3 liters/day minimum, more in desert areas.
- • Healthcare: Excellent hospitals. Travel insurance recommended. Emergency care is provided regardless of insurance.
- • Pharmacies: "Super-Pharm" is the main chain. Many medications available OTC that require prescriptions elsewhere.
- • Travel insurance: Recommended. SafetyWing →
Jewish Holidays to Know About
Jewish holidays follow the Hebrew lunar calendar, so dates shift annually. During major holidays, expect everything to close like Shabbat.
| Holiday | Approx. Timing | Impact on Tourists |
|---|---|---|
| Rosh Hashana | Sep-Oct (2 days) | Everything closed. Hotels expensive. Beautiful synagogue atmosphere. |
| Yom Kippur | Sep-Oct (1 day) | EVERYTHING stops. No cars, no flights, no TV. Streets empty. Kids bike on highways. Surreal experience. |
| Sukkot | Sep-Oct (7 days) | Partial closures. Decorated huts everywhere. Great time to visit. |
| Hanukkah | Dec | Minor closures. Menorahs and sufganiyot (donuts) everywhere. Festive. |
| Purim | Mar | Costume party! Like Israeli Halloween. Tel Aviv street party. Fun. |
| Passover (Pesach) | Mar-Apr (7 days) | No bread sold. Restaurants adapt menus. Hotels very expensive. Crowded. |
| Independence Day | Apr-May | National celebration. BBQs, air shows, concerts. Great atmosphere. |
| Shavuot | May-Jun | Some closures. Dairy food everywhere. Cheese cake heaven. |