What should you bring with you on a trip to Israel?

Here's a packing list filled with great suggestions. Also be sure to check with your Trip Organizer to see if you need to bring anything specific to your trip. A good hint: If you can't lift it yourself, then you've got too much stuff in your bag. Remember -- it will only get heavier once you buy gifts and souvenirs! Note that it is unlikely you will be able to do laundry while on the trip. Also, you will be responsible for packing and moving your bags between your bus and hotel room nearly every day.

What kind of weather should you expect?

It can get as cold as 30 or 40 degrees (Fahrenheit) in Israel during the winter. Rain or even snow can be expected in Jerusalem. The weather in Israel during the summer months (May - August) is generally sunny and hot (80-95 degrees Fahrenheit). Regardless of season, the evenings will be significantly cooler than the days due to the desert environment. You should pack clothing that is informal and that you can wear in layers. You can expect several days of outdoor activities, a few nights out on the town and most likely one night camping (in the Bedouin tents). You may also spend time inside museums, archaeological sites or shopping centers. While you are unlikely to be able to change outfits in a hotel room during the day, you will be able to leave clothes or other items on the bus so that you can layer as needed.

Clothing

• 12 short sleeved shirts or T's (6 in winter)
• 4 pairs of jeans/pants/sweats
• 5 pair of shorts (1 in winter)
• 5 long sleeved shirts or T's (8 in winter)
• 3 sweaters or sweatshirts (5 in winter)
• 1 mid weight jacket or sweatshirt w/hood
• Winter: 1 heavy jacket, hat, scarf, gloves (carry on plane)
• 2 bathing suits (1 in winter)
• Sleepwear
• 14 pairs of underwear
• 14 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of water/shower shoes (Teva's)
• 1 pair of hiking boots (and/or rain shoes)
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 1 pair of nicer shoes (for Shabbat)
• 1 long skirt (women) / nice khakis (men) (for shabbat)
• 1 nicer blouse or shirt (for Shabbat)
• 1 towel
• 1 hat or scarf
• 1 wristwatch
• 'going out' outfits (for city nights)


• Passport* (see note below)
• All medicines (including copies of prescriptions)
• Canteen/Water Bottle
• Prescription glasses/contact lens supplies
• Cash/Travelers' Cheques/ATM Card/Credit Card (check with your Trip Organizer)

Suggested Items

• Adapter for electrical appliances (Western European, two round prongs)
• Books/reading material
• Camera, charger/batteries
• Journal/address book
• Kippah/head covering (men)
• Mini flashlight or penlight
• Music (CDs)/MP3 player
• Plastic bags for wet or dirty clothes
• Pre-Trip Book
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush, etc.)
• Travel alarm clock
• Umbrella/rain coat
• Waist pack/day pack

Shabbat Shalom!

We recommend that you bring modest clothing (skirts covering to the knees for women, head coverings for men, and shirts covering shoulders for both men and women) to wear for Shabbat and for visiting religious areas and sites. (A jacket and tie are not necessary.) Please make sure your Shabbat clothes are warm (either the A/C will be cranked up where services are held in summer and/or your walk back to the hotel will be chilly in winter).

Passports

For residents of North America, you must hold a US or Canadian passport. If you do not have either, you may need a visa and have other restrictions; please contact your closest Israeli consulate for more information. If you do not already have a passport, you should begin obtaining a passport as soon as possible. You will be required to provide your passport number and a photocopy of you passport to your Trip Organizer prior to Taglit-Birthright Israel issuing your flight ticket. No one can travel to Israel without a valid passport.

Money, ATMs and Tips

The currency in Israel is the shekel (or New Israel Shekel NIS). Since you will only be responsible for casual meals (one per day max), you will only need enough shekels for those meals, snacks, tips and any shopping you may wish to do. Please refer questions regarding tips (for the guides and bus drivers) and the suggested amount (in dollars) to your Trip Organizer. ATMs in Israel dispense shekels from your ATM cards. ATMs can be found in the airport and throughout the bigger cities you visit, though be in contact with your bank to be sure you will have access while abroad and bring a back up card just in case since some ATM networks are more widely covered than others. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants (except in the casual food stands and outdoor markets you might visit).

And if you forget anything, don't panic. You can purchase whatever you might need in Israel!