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Travel - International
Note: Visitors are strongly advised to seek the most up-to-date advice on border crossings before travelling. Travel to the West Bank and Gaza and the border with Lebanon is not recommended. For the latest information, contact the Israeli Tourist Office.
AIR: Israel’s national airline is El Al Israel Airlines (LY). Other airlines serving Israel include British Airways, Air Canada, Air France, Continental Airlines, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, South African Airways and United Airlines.
Approximate flight times: From London to Tel Aviv is 4 hours 30 minutes and to Eilat is 5 hours. From Los Angeles to Tel Aviv is 17 hours 35 minutes, from New York is 11 hours 55 minutes, from Singapore is 10 hours 55 minutes and from Sydney is 14 hours 35 minutes.
International airports: Tel Aviv (TLV) (Ben Gurion International) is 14km (9 miles) from the city. An EGGED Bus runs every 30 minutes between 0500-2300 (travel time – 25 minutes), and United Tours shuttle bus no. 222 runs hourly 0400-0000 to Tel Aviv. There is also a taxi service (travel time – 20 minutes). A shared sherut (taxi service) is available, charging a fixed rate per passenger. The El Al airline bus goes to the airport terminal in Tel Aviv. Departure depends on El Al flights. The best way to travel to Jerusalem, which is 50km (32 miles) away, is by sherut. Airport facilities include banks (24-hour), restaurants, duty-free shops, general shops and tourist information (24-hour).
Eilat Central Airport (ETH) is 20 minutes from the city. The airport bus departs every 15 minutes, and taxis are available to the city (travel time – 15 minutes). Airport facilities include a duty-free shop, light refreshments and a souvenir shop.
Departure tax: None.
SEA: Principal international passenger ports are Haifa and Ashdod. Foreign yachts sailing to Israel may use these ports of entry as well as Eilat and the marinas of Herzliya, Tel-Aviv and Ashkelon. There are regular sailings of car/passenger ferries from Greece (Piraeus) and Cyprus to Haifa. Cruise lines run to Haifa and Ashdod from Venice and other Mediterranean ports.
ROAD: On the whole, road access to Israel is somewhat limited. There are two crossing points from Egypt into Israel. Travellers are permitted to cross the border on foot, by bus or in privately owned cars only; taxis and hired cars may not cross. Rafiah (Rafah), the main point of entry, is located some 50km (31 miles) southwest of Ashqelon (open 0900-1700). Four bus companies maintain services between Cairo and Tel Aviv and Jerusalem via Rafiah. EGGED Bus no. 362 leaves Tel Aviv for the Rafiah terminal daily and Rafiah for Tel Aviv at Taba, just south of Eilat, is open 24 hours a day. A regular bus service is available between Taba, Santa Katerina (Sinai) and Cairo.
It is possible to enter Jordan via the Allenby Bridge near Jericho, about 40km (25 miles) from Jerusalem. The Allenby Bridge border opening hours are Sun-Thurs 0800-0000, Fri 0800-1500. EGGED buses and taxi service are also available to the bridge. At present, every tourist passing through here must obtain an entry visa to and an exit visa from Jordan. Exit fees are only payable on leaving for Jordan. Nationals of countries who are required to obtain an Israeli visa in advance should do so before visiting Jordan, as such visas cannot be obtained at the Allenby Bridge.
The Arava Checkpoint crossing is situated 4km (3 miles) north of Eilat. It is possible to cross the border in both directions. Nationals should check whether visas are required for this crossing with their local embassy. The opening hours for the Arava border checkpoint are Sun-Thurs 0630-2230, Fri-Sat 0800-2000 (closed on Yom Kippur and the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha).
The Jordan River Crossing (Sheikh Hussein Bridge) can be crossed by holders of UK passports valid for at least six months from the date of entry and persons with dual nationality as individuals or in groups. Entry visas for Jordan or Israel can either be organised through travel agents who will make the necessary arrangements or can be provided on arrival for all those who have organised pre-arranged visas (except for Israeli passport holders who must make arrangements through travel agents). Travel agents are requested to co-ordinate the arrival time of buses with the management of the crossing point. All UN cars (on official business or not) and vehicles with foreign registration will be permitted to cross freely without paying any fees; however, Israeli cars with diplomatic plates will not be permitted to cross the border. Transfer of passengers between the Israeli and Jordanian checkpoints will be carried out by shuttle service. Transfers on foot will not be permitted. The Jordan River (Sheikh Hussein) border crossing hours are Sun-Thurs 0630-2200, Fri-Sat 0800-2000 (closed on Yom Kippur and the Jordanian festival on the first day of the Hijirah Calendar). There is no access to Syria and Lebanon. Mobile telephones are not allowed on buses crossing the border.
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