Travel Tips

Over the years we have found that the more prepared pilgrims are in every way, the more fulfilling their experiences have been. These are the ones who have taken care of all of the details before even leaving their own country. They already know what to pack, what to expect and some of the basic cultural rules. We have listed below the concerns that our pilgrims have had in the past. We hope this will help you to also be better prepared.

Remember that you are on pilgrimage for a short time. It is a chance to surrender to the mystery of the journey, without all the props and masks and distractions of daily routines. You have a unique opportunity to rest in the hands of your leaders, in the hospitality of the wonderful people in the Holy Land, and in the guiding love of God. Traveling lightly, including shedding your worries and preconceptions, will open your heart to the adventure and the Holy journey we will be sharing.

Travel Documents

(Most Important)

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond arrival in Israel. • No visa needed for travelers from Australia, Canada, the U.S., and Western Europe. • Traveling to Jordan? - If leaving Israel for Jordan, get your Jordanian visa before arriving in Israel. - If coming from Jordan to Israel, you can get a visa at the Jordanian airport.

Language

• English is widely spoken in tourist areas. • Arabic & Hebrew are the official languages. • Your guide speaks English, Arabic, and Hebrew – so you’re covered!

Books & Reading

• Keep it light – journal, map, small guidebook, Bible/prayer book. • E-books? A Kindle, iPad, or phone works great! • Want more books? Check out St. George’s College & the Educational Bookshop.

Travel Insurance

*(Required)

• Covers flight cancellations & trip interruptions. • Choose a policy that allows cancellations for any reason.

Climate

• Summer (Jun–Sep): Hot & dry! 80s-90s°F, very humid in Tel Aviv/Tiberias, cooler in Jerusalem. • Spring & Fall (Mar–May, Sep–Nov): Mild & comfortable. 60s-70s°F in most places, cooler evenings in Jerusalem. • Winter (Dec–Mar): Unpredictable! 50s-60s°F, cold nights (40s°F) in Jerusalem/Galilee. Possible rain & even snow

Photography

• Do NOT photograph military/police personnel or installations. • Be discreet when taking photos in Jewish Orthodox areas. • Most sacred sites will have clear signs if photography is allowed.

Extending Your Stay?

Extra nights? Let us know ASAP – rooms fill up fast!

Walking

& Free Time

• Expect to walk 20 minutes at a time on rough, dusty terrain. • Two half-days or one full day of free time – plenty of options to explore!

Coffee Lovers!

(Less important, but good to know!)

• Many hotels serve Nescafe (instant coffee). • Want better coffee? Bring Starbucks VIA, Folgers instant packs, or your favorite brand.

Arrival Instructions

TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport
(Terminal 3)

For a smooth arrival, please keep these detailed directions with you. Providing your personal cell number will help us stay in touch via text for any delays, lost baggage, or timing updates. For any additional questions, please feel free to email us.

** We highly recommend downloading WhatsApp we found that it is best to

communicate during your pilgrimage. **

Exiting Aircraft & Passport Control

Ignore travel agent signs
Obtain a blue slip from a self-service kiosk by scanning your passport and taking a photo.

Keep this slip in your passport—it acts as your entry/exit visa. This slip of paper is issued in lieu of a stamp on your passport.
Proceed to passport control

Click here for a short video

Lost Luggage

Report missing bags at the Baggage Claim counter.
Request delivery to:

St. George's Pilgrim Guest House,

Nablus Road 20, East Jerusalem.

Contact: +972 (2) 628-3302

Then proceed to the Arrival Hall to meet with your guide.

Passport Control

Mention that you are on a pilgrimage and part of a group staying in a church accommodation.

Baggage Claim

If you are traveling as a group, gather before leaving the baggage area and exit together.

Customs & Exit

Use the green lane "Nothing to Declare" exit.
Your guide will meet you inside the arrival hall near Exit Gate 02.

Transfer to St. George's Guest House

Flights should arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) between 2-5 PM on the first day

of the program.
If arriving at other times, your destination is:

St. George’s Cathedral & Guest House, Nablus Road 20, East Jerusalem (opposite

Leonardo Hotel, near American Colony Hotel).
Departure flights should be scheduled around midnight at the end of the pilgrimage.
All international flights arrive at Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport.

Transfer Options

Group Transfer (Recommended)

Arriving with the group is preferred for organization and cost savings.
One group transfer by charter bus is included in the pilgrimage cost.
If arriving between 2-5 PM, meet in the Arrival Hall and travel with the group.
If you arrive earlier, you may wait at the airport to join the group transfer.

Train ($8 - $10) - Not luggage friendly

At the kiosk, you will receive a Rav Kav card, which can be used for buses and
kept as a souvenir.
After exiting customs, proceed to the train station kiosk outside the airport.
Take the Fast Train followed by the Light Rail.
Get off at Shivtei Yisrael Station, using Google maps will be your best choice to walk (5 min.)

Private Taxi ($100 for up to 3 passengers)

Email us with flight details (arrival &
departure times, flight number) to arrange a private driver.
A driver with your name on a sign will meet you in the Arrival Hall after
customs.
Pay at St. George’s Guest House by credit card for the taxi fee
If you wish to tip the driver 10% is customary cash only.

Flight Disruptions

If you are experiencing flight delays or cancellations, notify us immediately.
Our charter bus does not make stops en route. If traveling to Tel Aviv post-pilgrimage, you must arrange transportation from the airport.

Communication

WhatsApp is highly recommended for easy international communication.
Israel’s country code: +972 (US: +1).
If you cannot find your scheduled driver upon arrival, contact emergency numbers below:
- St. George’s Guest House (Reception Desk): +972 (2)-628-3302
- Sami Qumri: +972 (52)-6869787
- Rami Qumri: +972 (54)-8854051
- Iyad Qumri: +972 (50)-5216280

Your Destination: St. George’s Cathedral & Guest House, Nablus Road 20, East Jerusalem, located half a block across from the Leonardo Hotel (not to be confused with St. George’s Hotel, which is three blocks away).

ETA - IL

Citizens of visa-exempt countries who intend to visit Israel for up to 90 days, including minors of any age, must obtain an ETA-IL prior to traveling to Israel.

This application is required to be filled out individually before boarding your flight. The application process is divided into five short sections. It should not take you more than a minute to complete each section if you have the following ready:

A valid email address

Your Travel Information

Your personal Information

A valid passport

Start Application

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Old City / Church of the Resurrection

Briefing for the Holy Sepulcher. We then walk the Cardo to the Constantinian Entrance of the Holy Sepulcher. Lunch Continue our visit to the Holy Sepulcher. Dinner and overnight at Saint George’s Guest House

DOCUMENT DOWNLOADS

Reading List

Download

Preparing through the reading list becomes a quiet act of devotion, allowing you to ground your intentions, deepen your understanding, and approach the journey with mindful reverence.

Travel Tips

Offering you both logistical support and gentle reminders to stay present and open throughout your pilgrimage.

Download

Arrival Instructions

Designed to guide you smoothly through the first steps of your journey, ensuring a calm and grounded transition from arrival gate to sacred path.

Download

ETA - IL

Citizens of visa-exempt countries who intend to visit Israel for up to 90 days, including minors of any age, must obtain an ETA-IL prior to traveling to Israel.

Start Application

Travel Tips

TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (Terminal 3)

Exiting Aircraft & Passport Control

Ignore travel agent signs

Obtain a blue slip from a self-service kiosk by scanning your passport and taking a photo.

​

​

Keep this slip in your passport—it acts as your entry/exit visa. This slip of paper is issued in lieu of a stamp on your passport.

Proceed to passport control

Lost Luggage​

​

Report missing bags at the Baggage Claim counter.

Request delivery to:

​

St. George's Pilgrim Guest House,

Nablus Road 20, East Jerusalem.

Contact: +972 (2) 628-3302

​

Then proceed to the Arrival Hall to meet with your guide. ​

Passport Control

​

Mention that you are on a pilgrimage and part of a group staying in a church accommodation.​​

Baggage Claim ​

​

If you are traveling as a group, gather before leaving the baggage area and exit together. ​​

Customs & Exit​

​

Use the green lane "Nothing to Declare" exit.​​

Your guide will meet you inside the arrival hall near Exit Gate 02.

Frequently Asked Questions

DOCUMENT DOWNLOADS

Reading List

Preparing through the reading list becomes a quiet act of devotion, allowing you to ground your intentions, deepen your understanding, and approach the journey with mindful reverence.

Travel Tips

Offering you both logistical support and gentle reminders to stay present and open throughout your pilgrimage.

Arrival Instructions

Designed to guide you smoothly through the first steps of your journey, ensuring a calm and grounded transition from arrival gate to sacred path.

ETA - IL

Citizens of visa-exempt countries who intend to visit Israel for up to 90 days, including minors of any age, must obtain an ETA-IL prior to traveling to Israel.

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport
(Terminal 3)

Lost Luggage

Then proceed to the Arrival Hall to meet with your guide.

Mention that you are on a pilgrimage and part of a group staying in a church accommodation.

Baggage Claim

If you are traveling as a group, gather before leaving the baggage area and exit together.

Customs & Exit

Use the green lane "Nothing to Declare" exit.