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Country facts that help a lot for
international traveler at Israel business travel.
Population: 7,308,100 (2008 est.)
Time Zone: GMT + 2
ATM Machines: ATM machines are widely available. To withdraw money
using your American Express Corporate Travel Card look for an ATM
machine which accepts credit cards of the: "Bank Hapoalim", the main
bank in Israel, "Bank Hamizrahi" or "Bank Ozar Hahayal".
Credit Cards are widely accepted, carry your American Express Corporate
Travel Card and take a second card as an alternative
Currency: Israeli currency is the shekel, divided into 100 agorot.
Security: Expect bags to be checked at the entrance to public buildings
as movie theatres, train stations, concert halls and shopping malls.
Observe the ¡°Do Not Photograph¡± signs when near military facilities
Tipping: 15 per cent service charge is added to restaurant, cafe and
hotel bills by law. Foreign visitors are advised to tip about 15
percent for meals. Don¡¯t tip taxi drivers.
Drink bottled water, although tap water is drinkable throughout Israel,
in some areas local minerals may cause short-term upset stomach --
Food: Try specialties like falafel and hummus.
Health and vaccinations: none required. Print off and carry your Aetna
and ISOS cards. Israel has excellent medical facilities; visitors can
go to emergency departments and first-aid centers. Health centers are
marked by the red Star of David on a white background.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are standard; if
needed, adaptors can be purchased in Israel.
Mobile telephone: good coverage across the country; GSM 1800 and 900
network operated by Partner Communications and Cellcom
Language and Signs: English is widely spoken in addition to Hebrew and
Arabic, signage is multi lingual. A few simple phrases to try.
Shabbat: many businesses, restaurants,
public transport etc. close to observe the Shabbat starting Friday
afternoon ending with sunset on Saturday. Precise hours for the
duration of Shabbat, which vary according to the time of sunset, are
listed in the Friday Jerusalem Post
Rest Rooms: Look for signs to the "wc," or "oo," or various male-female
symbols.
Getting Around in Israel:
Traffic drives on the right hand side.
When renting a car, a driver's license and insurance is required. An
International Driving Permit is recommended.
Do not drive while speaking on a cell phone. (will cost you too
much!!!)
Road infrastructure is good with clear signage in English and Hebrew.
Most taxi drivers speak English and are familiar with foreign names for
hotels.
Taxi companies at the airport have commercial agreements with the
airport and are carefully chosen, look out for the white cars.
You can order a taxi for travel to and from the airport/hotel and
around Israel through your admin/host.
Taxis do not accept credit cards, banks are open 24 hours in the
airport, make sure you have Shekels with you.
Taxis from the airport to the centre of Tel-Aviv costs around $30.
Public transportation/taxi services in Israel are safe to use. |