The official languages of Israel are Hebrew and Arabic. However, English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, making it easy for visitors to communicate. Most signs, menus, and information are available in English. All hotels, sites, and restaurants that cater to tourists will also have English speaking staff.

Israel is a small country, which makes getting around fast and convenient. There are many different modes of transportation available. Buses, Trains, taxi, rental cars, electric scooter, bicycle etc. Busses and trains are the main forms of public transportation, both offering a convenient, reasonably priced means of travel to nearly every destination in the country. Light Rail is also available in Tel Aviv region and Jerusalem. Public transportation doesn't operate during Shabbat (form the evening of Friday until the evening of Saturday), although Tel Aviv and Haifa offer some services through private bus companies. You can plan your trip with moovitapp.com

Taxi - Taxis are common in Israel for urban and interurban travel and can be flagged in the street, or booked via phone or designated apps such as Gett and Yango. Drivers are required to turn on their meters. Some smaller cities do have set rates for rides within that city so inquire first. It is not necessary to tip a taxi driver at the end of a ride. Shared taxis or “Sherut” are also popular. There are “Sherut” stations throughout the cities. Ask at your hotel for the nearest Sherut stand.

Road Conditions/car rental - Israel’s roads are modern, and signage is in Hebrew, Arabic, and English. Most Israeli roads, nature parks and other attractions are well-marked.

Israel drives on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits are 30 to 50km/h in cities, 80-90 on freeways, 110 on highways and 120 on Highway 6. Safety belts are mandatory, and if you’re enjoying a night on the town, keep in mind there is a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving, so find a designated driver and get home safely!

Renting a car - Most international car rental companies and local companies have offices in the large cities and at Ben Gurion Airport. It is recommended to reserve a car in advance from abroad. To rent a car in Israel the driver must be over 24 years of age, and must hold a valid international driver’s license and an international credit card.

Renting a car is a convenient way for exploring, though driving in major cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem can be busy and challenging. Watch for high parking fees in urban areas. GPS and apps like Waze are commonly used for navigation. Israel has only one toll road, Highway 6. Tourists renting a car will be charged via their credit card. Please inquire with the rental company for conditions and tariffs. Also note that most Rental Car companies will not offer insurance for the areas in the West Bank under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Tourists wishing to drive with rented cars into the areas of the Palestinian Authority are recommended to secure appropriate insurance.

The work week in Israel is Sunday-Thursday from about 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. Shops and businesses are normally also open on Fridays but close early afternoon for the Jewish Sabbath. Shops closed Saturdays for the Sabbath tend to open up Saturday night.

During the workweek (Sunday through Thursday), stores and shops are open from approximately 9 AM until 7 PM in the big cities. Most shops in Jewish areas are not open on Saturdays and Holidays, though one can find many boutiques, wineries, restaurants etc. open in the non-religious areas of the country. There are a large number of malls throughout the country which have more flexible hours (usually 10 AM to 9 PM), and some are open on Shabbat. On some of the working days, especially on Friday morning you have an open market in each city in Israel, which sales everything, food, cloths, kitchen items, toys etc. Having small bills of US$/Shekels will be helpful for you, since not everywhere in markets vendors use credit card.

Israeli cuisine is vibrant, blending Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and European influences. Popular dishes include falafel, hummus, shakshuka, and sabich. There’s also a thriving café culture, fresh produce in markets, as well as a many Chef Restaurants and a growing culinary and wine scene.  Most restaurants will offer a selection of meat, fish, salads, pasta and vegetarian/vegan options.

The official currency in Israel is the Israeli New Shekel (ILS/NIS). ATM machines are widely available, and most credit cards are commonly accepted. It’s a good idea to carry some cash, especially when traveling to rural areas or markets. Exchange rates are better at local currency exchange offices than at airports/hotels.

Tipping is customary in Israel, with a 12-15% tip expected at restaurants. Tipping is also appreciated for services like hotel staff, tour guides and private drivers.

Free Wi-Fi is available in most cafes and public areas. As well, most hotels provide free wi-fi. Many hotels also have Business Centers where you can access e-mail and the internet without charge. For staying connected on the go, you can purchase local or electronic SIM cards, offering affordable data and call packages.

American cell-phones that work overseas will work in Israel too. Israel is 6 or 7 hours ahead of the East Coast of the USA depending on the season.