Travel Tips> Getting There

Getting There

 

Travel by Air

Israel is served by Israeli airlines (El Al, Arkia, Israir) as well as by most major international airlines such as KLM, Air France, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Continental, wiss, Iberia, British Airways, Turkish airlines, etc. Unfortunately there are no direct flights (yet) to Israel from Japan.

Most international flights land at Ben Gurion Airport, which is located in the center of Israel - approximately a half hour’s drive from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.  Ben Gurion airport has recently opened a new, modern terminal with a large variety of duty-free shops, restaurants, and coffeehouses.  Some flights from Europe also land at Sde Dov in north Tel Aviv or at Ovda Airport near Eilat.

 

Travel by Sea

Several shipping lines offer scheduled sailings from Europe to Haifa Port. Another option for arrival by sea is to join a Mediterranean cruise which includes Israel in its itinerary. Passengers can board in Cyprus, Greece, Turkey or Egypt and enter Israel through Haifa Port, Tel Aviv, Ashdod or Eilat. After the passengers and vessels complete border and customs clearance procedures, they can continue to any of Israel’s marinas. (Besides those mentioned, there are marinas in Jaffa, Acre, Herzliya and Ashkelon.) Arrival via private yacht is also possible and requires reservations several weeks in advance for a berth in the marina of choice.

 

Travel by Land

Land entry into Israel is possible through Egypt and Jordan with whom Israel has peaceful relations.  Border crossings are under the jurisdiction of the Israel Airports Authority.
 

From Jordan

Jordan is on Israel’s eastern border, and the border crossings between the two countries have been open since the 1994 Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty, with three crossing points currently in operation:

 

The Yitzhak Rabin Border Terminal

The Yitzhak Rabin Border Terminal, formerly known as the Arava Terminal, was the first border crossing to be opened between Jordan and Israel.  Located about three kilometers north of Eilat, it serves those interested in short visits between the two countries.  It is used by tourists and Israelis, as well as for cargo.  There is no public transportation, but Eilat can be reached from the terminal via taxi or private vehicle.

 

The Allenby Border Terminal

The Allenby Border Terminal is the southernmost Jordan River crossing.  Located in the Jordan Valley, east of Jericho, it is about an hour drive from Jerusalem in Israel and from Amman in Jordan, and is the shortest route between Amman and the cities in Israel’s center.  The terminal also serves the Palestinian Authority, and is permitted for use by Palestinians and foreign tourists.  It is also a cargo crossing point between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan.  There is a bus stop near the entrance to the terminal with busses traveling to Jerusalem and Kiryat Shmona.  Private- and shared-taxi services to all areas of Israel also operate from the terminal.

 

The Jordan River Border Terminal

Located near the town of Beit She’an, the Jordan River Border Terminal is the northernmost Jordan River crossing.  It is relatively near Amman, Haifa and northern Israel, and serves Israelis and foreign tourists.  Busses and taxis to Beit She’an are available at the terminal.

 

From Egypt

After the signing of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty in 1979 and Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982, the border crossings between the two countries were opened, with the Taba Border Terminal as the primary crossing point.

 

The Taba Border Terminal

Located about ten kilometers south of Eilat, the Taba Border Terminal is the  main border crossing between Israel and Egypt and operates 24 hours a day, except for Yom Kippur and the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice (Iid el-Adha). The terminal is open to Israelis and foreign tourists, but not to Palestinians.  It is an important crossing point for pilgrims visiting the holy sites of St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai; Jerusalem and Nazareth in Israel; and Bethlehem in the Palestinian Authority.  One may drive or walk through the border terminal and then take a bus or taxi to Eilat where there are busses to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa.  There are duty free shops on both sides of the border.

 

Visa to Israel

Citizens of Japan will be issued tourist visas free of charge at every port or entrance terminal to Israel.

 

Leaving Israel   

Security Check

Passengers must arrive at the airport three hours before departure time.

Upon arriving at the airport passengers must first undergo a security check. There are separate security check lines for passengers holding Israeli passports and for those holding foreign passports in order to shorten waiting time.

Check-In

After security check each passenger must check in at the counter of the airline they are flying. They will then check in their luggage and receive a boarding pass and seat number. 

Passport control

After the check in the departure hall, passengers continue to passport control.  They must present their passport, boarding pass and the form that they filled out upon arrival in Israel.