What most travelers ask us

Since August 2024, all travelers to Israel must have a valid visa or an approved ETA-IL before they start their journey.

Visitors from visa-exempt countries need an ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter Israel. An approved ETA-IL allows you to travel to Israel and stay for up to 90 days per visit.

All details, including the ETA-IL application, are on the official site: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/

Most nationalities need a visa to enter Jordan and Egypt. If you are planning a tour to Jordan or Egypt with Genesis Boutique Travel, we will help with the visa process.

It depends on the city. In Jerusalem most shops and restaurants are closed, and the same is true in Tiberias and Safed. In the Tel Aviv area most are open.

We tour on Shabbat. Jewish sites are closed from Friday noon to Sunday morning; other sites are open.

Like other Mediterranean countries, Israel has hot summers, some cold and rain in winter, and mild months in between. Whatever the season, modest clothing and layers are always wise.

Be prepared for temperatures that can exceed 90°F (30°C).

• Swimsuit
• Beach cover-up
• Light jacket or wrap
• Shorts or dresses
• Hat
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen

Don't worry about snow; it is very unlikely. The average temperature in Jerusalem in January is 48°F (9°C), so it will be cool, but not freezing.

• Warm coat
• Travel umbrella
• Rain jacket
• Thicker layers
• Wool socks
• Scarf or wrap
• Gloves and hat
• Lined jacket, especially if the desert is on your list (snow is rare but possible)

In the middle seasons it can be warm one day and cool the next, and rain is often possible. Bring a mix of summer and light winter clothes.

Whether you visit a synagogue, church, mosque or holy site, you will need modest clothing almost everywhere in Israel.

For women: something to cover your head and shoulders, and skirts, dresses or pants below the knee. Some places require women to wear a skirt or dress. Tank tops are not allowed in many places.

For men: pants or shorts that cover the knees and shirts that cover the shoulders.

If you forget, most of the busiest sites have garments to borrow at the door.

The official currency is the Israeli shekel, but carrying some US dollars or euros is a good idea. Let your bank and credit card companies know you will be abroad. Most shops accept US dollars in cash and credit cards.

Israel uses type C and type H plugs, at 230 V and 50 Hz. You will need a voltage converter and a travel adapter, or a combined unit, for your devices.

Jordan uses 230 V at 50 Hz. Egypt uses 220 V (the United States uses 110 V), and its most common plugs are type C and type F.

Please buy medical and travel insurance before you travel. Medical treatment in Israel is expensive.

A basic first-aid kit is a good idea wherever you go, and essential if you have a health condition or take regular medication. Israel has excellent doctors, pharmacies and hospitals if you need them.

Be ready for what you can anticipate, like sunburn and mosquito bites. Carry copies of your prescriptions (knowing the generic names helps) and write down your allergies in advance.

• Personal medical essentials
• Copies of your prescriptions and immunizations, and your doctor's phone number
• Imodium, ibuprofen, Tylenol, Tums, Benadryl
• Allergy medication, asthma inhalers and eye drops, plus an EpiPen if needed
• Hand sanitizer
• Antibiotic cream
• Anti-itch cream for bug bites
• Tiger Balm or Icy Hot for headaches and sore muscles
• Band-Aids
• Mints to settle the stomach

We take care of all border procedures, with a door-to-door service. There are three crossings into Jordan:

• Allenby Bridge / King Hussein crossing: 40 minutes from Jerusalem and 57 km from Amman, in the southern Jordan Valley. Open Sunday to Thursday 08:00–21:00, Friday and Saturday 08:00–12:00. Visas must be arranged in advance and cannot be obtained at the border.
• Jordan River / Sheikh Hussein crossing: in the north, near the Sea of Galilee, about an hour and a half from Jerusalem and 90 km from Amman. Open Sunday to Thursday 08:30–19:30, Friday and Saturday 10:00–18:00. Most nationalities can get a visa at the border; prior permits are only needed for restricted nationalities.
• Arava / Wadi Araba crossing: 20 minutes from Eilat, linking the Red Sea resorts of Eilat and Aqaba, 324 km from Amman. Open Sunday to Thursday 08:00–19:00, Friday and Saturday 09:00–20:00. Visas must be arranged in advance.

For Egypt, the crossing is at Taba, 15 minutes from Eilat, open 08:00–20:00. Visas must be arranged in advance and cannot be obtained at the border.

All crossings are closed on Yom Kippur and on the first day of the Muslim New Year. Opening hours change with the seasons and local holidays, so we always confirm them before your trip.

Yes. Leaving Israel for Jordan or Egypt costs around $30–$50 per person, depending on the crossing. Leaving Jordan to return to Israel costs around $20 per person.