Health & Safety

Jerusalem is pleasant to visit at any time of year. For affordable prices, relatively limited visitor numbers, and warm, enjoyable weather, choose March-May and October-November. Summer is peak season, and hosts the busy, interesting Jerusalem Season of Culture festival. Temperatures are high (around 25 to 35 °C, possibly more), and the city is packed with people. Winters are cool, much more than in nearby Tel Aviv, and can have unpredictable weather. The city gets particularly crowded and expensive during Jewish holidays (High Holy Days, Passover, and Sukkot) and the Christian Easter.

Medical care in Jerusalem is very good but very expensive — make sure you have good medical insurance for your trip. Although Jerusalem isn't usually a dangerous city, it's better to avoid the Old City at night. With Palestinian-Israeli issues coming to a boil, areas around places of worship in the Old City can become contentious, especially at noon on Friday. It is important to note that trips to the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Syrian and Lebanese borders must be carefully considered and require extra precautions. Make sure you get all the information you need and up-to-date travel and safety advice issued by your government prior to travel.

Jerusalem does not have an airport within the city, but the closest airport is Ben Gurion International Airport, located around 50km away. This is the main international airport in Israel and offers many flight options from various destinations around the world. From Ben Gurion Airport, you can reach Jerusalem by taxi, shared shuttle, or train. Taxis and shared shuttles are available at the airport terminal. Taxi ranks at the airport are found at ground level at the Gate 3 exit, and on the second level at the Gate 21 exit. To help you hail a taxi, a taxi dispatcher service is available at two locations: Terminal 3, Level G, Gate 42 exit; or Terminal 1, near Gate 3. Alternatively, you can take the cheaper bus 485, run by the Afikim company. It goes from the airport to Jerusalem's Central Bus Station and runs around the clock 6 days a week, excluding Shabbat. The last service is at 2 pm on Friday, followed by the next bus at 7 pm on Saturday. The train station is located at the airport itself, at level S. The train is a convenient option as it offers a direct connection between the airport and Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon Station, with a travel time of around 25 minutes. It is important to note that security measures are strict in Israel, especially at the airport, so be prepared to go through a thorough security check.

Public transport in Jerusalem includes an extensive bus network and a light rail line, operated by companies like Egged and CityPass. To use the system, you must have a 'Rav Kav' smart card, which can be purchased and reloaded at various locations, including bus and light rail stations, kiosks, and convenience stores. Tickets cannot be bought on board, so make sure your Rav Kav card is loaded with sufficient credit beforehand. The bus network covers the entire city, with key hubs around the Central Bus Station and the Downtown Triangle. The light rail runs from Mount Herzl to Pisgat Ze'ev, passing through major areas like Jaffa Road and the Mahane Yehuda Market, with the Mount Herzl station conveniently located near the Yad Vashem memorial. For planning routes, use official public transport apps or the Egged website for real-time information.

Country Code: +972 Area Code: 2

Israel operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. You will usually find plug type C (two round pins, common in Europe). You can also see plug H (three pins in a triangular shape), which is compatible with type C.