I"ve changed money in the baggage hall and gotten good rates. ( changed last in July) BUT, don't change before arriving in Israel. Not a good idea. BTW the bus is a terrible idea. I've been on the 947, which is one of the buses that stop at El Al junction. These are not buses whose route is dedicated to the airport. There have been times the 947 just drove past, unable to take on any passengers because it was full to capacity. ( and no one got off to make room)

When did you get a good rate in the baggage hall? I changed $10 once in the baggage hall, and got NIS 22. I quickly asked for my money back!

No, not observant. Are the higher floors better rooms? Any suggestions of what floors are best?

I think the best advice is what numerous people here have said, myself included: GET MONEY FROM THE ATMS IN THE ARRIVALS HALL, AFTER BAGGAGE CLAIM! AND DON'T GET MONEY FROM THE BANK HAPOALIM ATM THAT'S INSIDE THE BAGGAGE CLAIM HALL - THEY RIP YOU OFF AS WELL!!

Was planning to get some shekels from the currency exchange in
Vanc. before leaving Canada but will now take your advice to use the ATM in arrivals hall. Thank you.

It's not that the higher floors are better are worse. Simply, observant Jews don't use electricity on the Sabbath, and therefore, many don't use an elevator on the Sabbath. They therefore try to get lower floors so they don't have to walk up so many floors. So the hotel wants non-observant Jews (as well as non-Jews) to stay on higher floors.

Np!

I've searched the net but I'm finding very different answers.

Tried to find the cost of a reg. taxi ( not sherut ). There will be 3 of us.

BG Airport to Jerusalem. One person says it is $100 US or 350 NIS. Another says don't pay more than 180 NIS.

Also what is a reasonable taxi charge to go from a TLV hotel to the airport? How long does it take to go from TLV hotel to the airport?

Thank you

Do you have luggage? 180 shek for 3 people to Jerusalem is a great price. If you take a taxi from the official stand, you will be closer to NIS 250. $100 is ridiculous.

Getting from a Tel Aviv hotel to TLV: Depends on the time of day. It can take anywhere from 20-40 minutes. Should cost around 120 shek.

I´ve done Ben Gurion - TLV city center twice last year and IIRC it was a flat rate from the airport to downtown (something like 130NIS) and slightly more going downtown to the airport depending on traffic/time of day. IIRC I paid something like 150-160NIS on the way back, though I´m not sure whether there was a late night premium (going to the airport at 2a.m. both times)

If there´s no traffic, you should expect a 25-30min drive from TLV to the airport.

I asked the taxi driver about the fare from the airport to Jerusalem and I´m pretty sure the answer was in the 250-270NIS range.

Thank you Jasper 2009

Just got back
 

Just got back from 5 day is Israel and had best trip ever. I have been to 48 countries now and must say this was my favorite trip, probably due to a great tour guide (PM me for info on tour guide).

I was one day in TLV (Sheraton as Plat was treated great) and 4 days at Crown Plaza Jerusalem (Plat was nothing special, no club access, etc.).

Weather was a little cold but not too bad. We though CP was going to be a little of beaten path but after you figure walk only 20 minutes to downtown and 40 minutes to old city. Nice peaceful, safe walk. Actually never felt unsafe entire time there.

Dead Sea was of course warm and we only had one day of bad rain. Rest of time no rain but as I said a little chilly. Seems all speak English.

Thanks for the feedback. :)

Our plans are the Crowne Plaza for 6 nights and Tel Aviv one night. Fly on Wed and arrive next Thurs.