What to Pack to Israel
Travel light! One suitcase and one carry-on per participant. Due to increased security measures, please check the current list of banned items with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips. Don’t let a prohibited item ruin your trip. You are permitted to travel with most items, but you must put them in your luggage. Certain items are prohibited from carry-on luggage for the overall security of air travelers.
Don’t forget to bring– your valid passport. Your passport must be valid six months beyond completion of travel. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the airlines have the right to deny your boarding if you fail to meet this requirement. If you are carrying a non-US passport please check with us if you need an entry visa (and bring your Green Card in case you have one).
Baggage Allowance – Carry on allowance: Each passenger is allowed to carry on one bag and one personal item such as a briefcase, garment bag, laptop computer, purse, or small backpack. Assistive devices and outer garments do not count as personal items. All carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you and adhere to the following requirements: Maximum Dimensions of Carry-on Luggage: 45 linear inches/114 cm (length + width + height)
Check-in luggage: 1 piece of baggage up to 23 kilos (50 Pounds). To learn more: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html and https://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/baggage-overview#baggage-types
Shoes – Bring sturdy, comfortable well broken-in shoes.
Wash Cloths – Like hotels in Western Europe, the hotels in Israel DO NOT provide washcloths. Bring them in a plastic bag if needed.
Rain – May happen from October to May. If you traveling at this time we suggest bringing a folded umbrella and/or a raincoat.
Money – Almost everything can be purchased with US Dollars. If needed, Dollars can be exchanged for Shekels at the hotels. The local currency in Israel is the Shekel. The rate of exchange fluctuates daily and is about 3.43 Shekels to a Dollar. The currency in Greece is the Euro and the exchange rate is about $1.1 for each Euro.
Credit Cards – Major credit cards are accepted in the majority of places. Please notify your bank or credit card company of your travel plans so that they will allow your charges in Israel for the dates of the pilgrimage.
Cell Phone Rental – Do you wish to stay in touch with your family and loved ones while you are in Israel? Visit this link for details: https://www.gcellular.com/israelphones/order.aspx?fname=amitravel
English – The English language is spoken by most people in Israel. Passport control and airport security will be conducted in English.
Swimsuit, Sandals, Sunglasses – Please bring your swimsuit to float in the Dead Sea. Sandals/flip-flops to walk in the Jordan River to renew Baptismal vows. Floating in the Dead Sea is a must! Do not miss this opportunity!
Change of Clothes – It’s advisable to pack a change of clothes or at least a change of underwear in your carry-on bag in the event that your luggage is lost or if there is an emergency.
Medications – Please pack your medications in your carry-on so that they will not get lost. Consider bringing aspirin, cough drops, etc.
Electricity – Just like Europe, Israel is on a 220-volt system. You will need a 2-prong, round European style adapter for charging batteries & iPhones, etc. Each bathroom will have hair dryers.
Water – It is safe to drink the water from the faucet in Israel. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available including on the bus.
Snacks – Pack a few snacks such as Granola Bars, Crackers & Peanut Butter, etc., for an extra energy boost.
Notebook – Recommend bringing a small notebook & pen to track & keep a journal of all of the places & sites visited.
Western Wall (Wailing Wall) – This is the most sacred place for the Jewish people. Men & women pray at the wall separately. Men & women must cover their heads. Your prayer intentions can be written on a small piece of paper & placed in to the cracks of the wall. Consider writing your intentions before leaving for the pilgrimage.
Suggestion – We suggest that you keep your eTicket record and your original boarding passes for future reference. Your boarding pass stub is a tracer that shows that you actually did fly. If you are a member of a frequent flyer program, and you are not credited with miles for that flight on your statement, you would then send a photocopy of your boarding pass stub to the airlines so they can correct your account.
