Area: 8,020 square miles (20,770 square Kilometers)

Population: 6,716,000

Capital City: Jerusalem

Other major cities: Tel Aviv and Haifa

Languages: Hebrew and Arabic. English and other languages spoken.

Religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity

 

Money Issues

Currency:

New Israel Shekel (NIS) Units of Currency: Notes: 20, 50, 100, 200 (NIS). Coins: 10 Agorot, ½, 1, 5 and 10 (NIS).

Banks:

Main banks are Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Israel Discount Bank, United Mizrahi Bank, Mercantile Bank. Banks open every week day from 08:30-12:30/13:00 and twice a week from 16:00/16:30 – 18:30/19:00.

Payment:

All major credit cards are accepted – American Express, Diner’s Club, Eurocard and Vis. Travelers cheques are mostly accepted but personal rarely.

ATM’s:

are located all over Israel and most credit cards are accepted.

Money Change:

This can be obtained in hotels, banks, post offices, foreign exchange depots and some shops. You may need your passport for exchange.

Tips:

Tipping is required. Check to see if service is included in the bill, if not 10-15% is advised in cash

VAT:

16,5% is added on goods and services. However, most tourist services are excluded, hotel services are exempted. A VAT refund form can be filled if purchase is over $ 100.

Phone Services:

International telephone cards work in most places and have toll free access numbers. Public telephones are located everywhere and cellular phones can be rented.

WEATHER/CLIMATE

Clear skies and mild temperatures most of the time.
website:www.israelweather.net

Summer:

June, July, August, early September

Winter:

December, January, February, Early March

Electric Current:

Most hotels in Israel will have 220 volts AC 50 Hz. You will need to bring along necessary converters and adapters to operate any 120 volts, 60 Hz appliances such as hair dryers, electric razors, etc.