How difficult is it to visit Israel?

[aussiejohn]

I am thinking about the possibility of going to Tel Aviv in October for a Family History conference. Whether I could go depends a lot on cost and the degree of difficulty in getting to Israel.

My initial thinking is that it will be costly as I doubt Israel is an in-demand destination, and I suspect few airlines fly there. With little competition, air fares are not likely to be cheap or flights frequent.

Do any members have experience of going to Israel? How difficult was it, particularly with flights, security, personal safety, etc?

Expo2020 in Dubai is also on my list of things to do, but as it opens in October, and would be good to combine with a trip to Israel, I suspect it will be too crowded so soon after opening. My original plan was to try and go in January 2021 when it is cooler and maybe calmed down. However the possibility of combining two trips would save me money.

Any thoughts would be gratefully received.

 

[aussiejohn]

Thanks to everyone for their input so far. It has been interessting reading about your experiences. I am not too fussed about security delays etc and always allow extra time for any travel - just in case. Doesn't bother me if I am early anywhere, I can sit in a corner and read while I wait. Having survived rude, surly and uncooperative airport staff in the UK, the US and Australia, along with the TSA, I am sure I could manage the Israelis!!

The conference (My Heritage Live) runs 25-26 October and is at the Tel Aviv Hilton. By the time I make a decision, I might have missed out on the discounted accommodation at the Hilton anyway. Travel might also be predicated on the Corona Virus and where we are at with that in seven months time.

I was aware that Israel no longer stamps passports, but then many countries no longer do it now anyway, or just give you a sticker/loose card to return on departure.

I will continue to give it some thought, but I have other more pressing issues to deal with (like trying to find a replacement car I can afford - my old car was taken off the road due to the Takata Air Bag debacle) - so travel anywhere this year may be serverely curtailed due to financial constraints.

 

[k_sheep]

Taba? Sharm El Sheik?

Nuweiba. Just looked it up

 

[Daver6]

One bit of advice for departing TLV. If you have OW status and can use the J or F check-in desk of the airline you're flying, make sure you enter the J/F security line for the pre-check-in questioning. It will save you a LOT of time.

 

[RooFlyer]

One bit of advice for departing TLV. If you have OW status and can use the J or F check-in desk of the airline you're flying, make sure you enter the J/F security line for the pre-check-in questioning. It will save you a LOT of time.

This from my trip report of a couple of years ago:

Yet again, poor signage at the airport departures. From the train, no signage that I saw towards 'departures' (I was looking for it, and needed such!). Just made my way to ground leveI was expecting security to enter the terminal, but there wasn't any. I went to the BA counter and was told to join a queue 'over there' for security. Odd - no scanners etc, just a guy checking passports. 10 mins in the Business queue. He noticed I'd been to Jordan (stamp), and asked me a few penetrating questions like Did I know anyone in Jordan? When was I there? Satisfied, he let me through to check-in. I wonder what he would have asked if he had noticed the full page Iran Visa.

Then to security which I would describe as 'old fashioned'. I pax per time (no 'lead in' space), stuff into bins, very slow.

I was really surprised at the low-key security performance. Won't say more. There does appear to be a new security area under construction, but for the time being, its like going back to the '90s. Out to airside 30 mins after arriving at the first security check.

 

[pyffii]

I was really surprised at the low-key security performance. Won't say more. There does appear to be a new security area under construction, but for the time being, its like going back to the '90s. Out to airside 30 mins after arriving at the first security check.

Dont underestimate Israeli security as they know more about you than you could ever imagine !!!...they will keep you and your fellow travellers VERY SAFE.

 

[Andz]

I really enjoyed my one and only trip to Israel a couple of years ago. In my Trip Report I noted how lax-seeming the airport security was.

Screening world wide is now electronic and not physical. Post ticket booking screening, pre boarding screening, in the air screening is done and you are approved to land. If you see any security, they have failed at their job.....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

One thing to clear up is that there are in fact lots of flights to Israel... just about every European and US major airline flies there, and then some. It's just that airlines from our part of the world (Asia/Oceania) don't fly there. There are some great fare specials to TLV including recently full business class with flat beds on Swiss for around AUD500 return from Europe. Just ex Asia we're limited to two or three airlines

 

[DC3]

Two more airlines cancel flights to Israel:

Two more airlines cancel flights to Israel amid coronavirus crisis