How to Travel to Israel Cheaply
Many people dream of a trip to the Holy Land. Hundreds of Israel's sites have religious significance to people of Christian, Muslim and Jewish backgrounds. The opportunity to explore their heritage and roots can intrigue a large number of would-be travelers. Israel's location, in the Middle East, translates to costly plane fares but would-be travelers can find other ways to reduce their costs when traveling to Israel. With planning and careful accounting for expected expenses, a traveler can travel to Israel relatively cheaply.
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Research off-season plane tickets for travel. Travelers find Israel a popular destination during the Christmas holidays and during the summer. In addition, many Jewish individuals travel to Israel during the Jewish holidays of Passover (in April) and Succot (in the fall). Low travel times include November, February/March and May. Plane fares go down during these periods.
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Plan your itinerary and think about how you will travel in Israel. Public transportation can get a traveler almost anywhere and bus drivers speak English. In addition, each bus company has an information number with English-speaking personnel who can aid travelers.
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Plan your accommodations ahead of time to ensure the best bargin. All large and mid-sized cities in Israel have youth hostels that have membership in the Israel Youth Hostels Association. You can also easily find small private bed and breakfasts, known as "tzimmers," in almost any location by contacting a city's information center or doing an Internet search. Because these guest houses fall under private ownership, it is often possible to find a nicer room at a lower price than at a youth hostel.
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Young Jewish travelers may choose from a variety of Israel Experience programs that will subsidize their travel to Israel. Birthright Israel offers free trips to Israel for young Jewish adults aged 18-26 who have never been to Israel before on a peer trip. Birthright Israel takes these groups on 10-day tours of Israel which includes air fare, room and board. The individual can then extend the airline ticket and continue to travel. The MASA programs runs subsidized five-month programs throughout Israel for Jewish individuals aged 21-30. Each person chooses the track that interests them (environmentalism, Hebrew study, Jewish study, volunteering, etc). With a scholarship, a person can participate in a MASA program for as little as $2,400. MASA programs include room and board. Young Jewish adults aged 21 - 30 who want to come for a shorter trip can choose to attend a Livnot U'Lehibanot program. Located in Tzfat, Livnot's one-, two- or three-week programs include hiking, volunteering and studying in an experiential framework. With a scholarship, an individual can participate in a Livnot program for as little as $100 per week, which includes room and board and all activities.
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Consider traveling with a local mission or tour group. These groups travel with group rates and charter fares, lowering the price of a trip to Israel considerably. Interested individuals can extend their ticket after their trip for a small airline fee and then continue exploring Israel on their own.
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- Photo Credit israel flag image by Alexey Hlibov from Fotolia.com
