Safety & Security - Travel Tips

We ask our participants to abide by common sense travel tips so that their trip to Israel can be both safe and memorable.
Taglit-Birthright Israel's free time guidelines are designed to ensure the safety of trip participants at all times during the program.
General Travel Tips:

• Use your common sense. If something isn't appropriate at home, it probably isn't in Israel either.
• Make a copy of your passport and keep it with you. Store your passport and important travel information in a safe place (like a safe in your hotel).
• Wear casual clothes and don't wear a lot of jewelry. Keep cameras inside a secure bag.
• Travel light as the groups move around a lot and you will be less likely to lose or forget something.
• Do not leave any packages or bags unattended. In Israel, if a 'suspicious' package is found, the police are called immediately and the package is often destroyed.
• Be attentive on the streets and particularly aware in crowded areas such as local festivals, markets, and crowded tourist sites. Avoid public demonstrations or commotion.
• Relax and look like you belong wherever you are. Don't appear lost or vulnerable. Again, use common sense.
• Don't discuss travel plans with strangers.
• Lock your hotel room door at night. Non-participants are not allowed in your room.

Free Time Guidelines:

• Free time will only be permitted at structured, supervised times and locations.
• Once the group returns to the hotel at night, you are not permitted to go out again on your own. Additional 'free time' activities have been scheduled in the hotel in the evening, and you may make full use of the hotel facilities until closing.
• When on free time, adhere to the directions given by trip staff.
• If you have friends or relatives in Israel, please invite them to visit you at the hotel during free time.

Additional Guidelines:

• Anyone who leaves the group without prior approval will immediately be removed from the program and forfeit his/her deposit.
• In the event of emergency, proceed immediately to where you were supposed to meet your group or bus. In the evenings, meet in the hotel lobby. If you are unable to return to your group, please contact the staff. Check your emergency card (distributed at the beginning of the trip) for the appropriate numbers to call.
• Public transportation is not allowed.