Things To Do In Israel Master Thread

[jose34]

Hertz gave me a hard time insisting not only on a paper copy, but also that it is dated close to the rental (we had one from about 5 months earlier, from a postponed trip due to COVID- they declined that one). One agent also insisted that the letter specifically mentions Israel (CSR letter says "valid worldwide" which was not sufficient for one of the agents, but the other one accepted it.

Yup this happens sometimes.

[nonstoptravel101]

Is this usually more of an issue at TLV? What about neighborhood locations?

[jose34]

Is this usually more of an issue at TLV? What about neighborhood locations?

No experience at airport locations, I would think more of an issue a NON airport locations since airport locations they know where you coming from.

[nonstoptravel101]

Picked up at SIXT in sarei yisroel, didn't ask for a letter

[alitvak]

i am going to be in Jerusalem next week without a car and would like to go up north one day to tzefas/meron to daven. Are there any private frum tenders/busses that make a daily round trip from Jerusalem? I don't want to take a taxi and I would prefer not to navigate the egged bus system

[Dan]

i am going to be in Jerusalem next week without a car and would like to go up north one day to tzefas/meron to daven. Are there any private frum tenders/busses that make a daily round trip from Jerusalem? I don't want to take a taxi and I would prefer not to navigate the egged bus system

Rent for a day?

[alitvak]

I'm unfamiliar with the roads and the car rental process, and tbh also prefer to be driven while on vacation

[drosenberg88429]

I'm unfamiliar with the roads and the car rental process, and tbh also prefer to be driven while on vacation

Hoffman tours does this. Officially it's only Mondays and Thursdays, but it's likely that it's daily in summer. Worth calling them. It's not so cheap, plus you're with a group, so you're on their schedule (ie may only be 15 minutes in Amukah and 30 min in Meron - not sure exactly). It's full day trip. Google their name for website and phone number.

[flyingace]

Heimishe drivers as in upthread...200-300 shekel per hour. Minimum 10 hours. Or check posters in Geula for buses that sometimes go up north for the day.

[Dan]

Hoffman tours does this. Officially it's only Mondays and Thursdays, but it's likely that it's daily in summer. Worth calling them. It's not so cheap, plus you're with a group, so you're on their schedule (ie may only be 15 minutes in Amukah and 30 min in Meron - not sure exactly). It's full day trip. Google their name for website and phone number.

The thought of being on a bus on those roads makes me nauseous.

[drosenberg88429]

The thought of being on a bus on those roads makes me nauseous.

It's done many dozens of times a day uneventfully. But regardless, Hoffman generally doesn't use a bus, to the best of my knowledge, as the groups aren't big enough. I believe they usually use 12 seater van (tender).

[Dan]

It's done many dozens of times a day uneventfully.

No doubt, just speaking for me personally, I'd rent a car over a bus any day and twice on Tuesday.

[drosenberg88429]

Or check posters in Geula for buses that sometimes go up north for the day.

This is really the way to go. There are almost for sure "not as touristy" options available way cheaper than Hoffman or Artzeinu (who are $120 each per person, which honestly is still likely cheaper than renting a car), but it's likely that us Americans won't know of them. Maybe some savvy Israel residents familiar with the scene can chime in here.

[alitvak]

Thanks guys
I'll look around geula for signs and if not it will have to be a driver. Hoffman is not for me

[drosenberg88429]

No doubt, just speaking for me personally, I'd rent a car over a bus any day and twice on Tuesday.

Truth is that I've done the drive a bunch of times, and I always find the drive back at night to be a wipeout (especially if not taking the 6). I do hear the appeal of being driven around, especially given the fact that it's likely cheaper and less of a hassle than renting for a single person. I don't like being chained to other people's schedules personally, and enjoy the flexibility and independence a car affords, but that's a personality thing.

[Dan]

Truth is that I've done the drive a bunch of times, and I always find the drive back at night to be a wipeout (especially if not taking the 6). I do hear the appeal of being driven around, especially given the fact that it's likely cheaper and less of a hassle than renting for a single person. I don't like being chained to other people's schedules personally, and enjoy the flexibility and independence a car affords, but that's a personality thing.

Kvish 6 is a no brainer and if you time it right you can avoid traffic and it's not a bad day trip.

[drosenberg88429]

Kvish 6 is a no brainer and if you time it right you can avoid traffic and it's not a bad day trip.

I actually like the 90 during the day. Traffic isn't bad, passing towns are interesting, and it's a gorgeous ride. At nighttime, the twists in the pitch black and the single lane are rough, though.

[Dan]

I actually like the 90 during the day. Traffic isn't bad, passing towns are interesting, and it's a gorgeous ride. At nighttime, the twists in the pitch black and the single lane are rough, though.

If you're not on a schedule, sure. But for a day trip, I'd think cutting out over an hour of driving is more important. Plus adaptive cruise on the 6 is pretty wonderful for easing fatigue.

[ME17]

This is really the way to go. There are almost for sure "not as touristy" options available way cheaper than Hoffman or Artzeinu (who are $120 each per person, which honestly is still likely cheaper than renting a car), but it's likely that us Americans won't know of them. Maybe some savvy Israel residents familiar with the scene can chime in here.

is this true for a day trip to Masada/Ein Gedi/ Dead Sea- would you guys also recommend just driving yourself? Is it fairly easy to find the separate beaches at the Dead Sea? Or is something like this better with a tour?

[yelped]

is this true for a day trip to Masada/Ein Gedi/ Dead Sea- would you guys also recommend just driving yourself? Is it fairly easy to find the separate beaches at the Dead Sea? Or is something like this better with a tour?

I don't see a reason to do a tour for Dead Sea area. It's dead simple there.