How to Travel to Israel

Israel's religious and historical significance make it a major travel destination. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images )

Items you will need

Valid passport

By Air

Step 1

Make your flight reservations. A number of U.S. cities, including New York, Miami and Los Angeles, offer nonstop flights into Tel Aviv, home to Israel's largest international airport. Flights take approximately 12 hours from New York City.

Pass through customs and immigration. The customs process in Israel can be short and easy to get through, or it can take a few hours of questioning to get through. This is dependent on the nature of your trip and the types of stamps in your passport. If you have difficulty getting through, let the U.S. consulate or embassy in Israel know.

By Land

Step 1

Cross the King Hussein Bridge towards Jerusalem. Private cars are not allowed to pass across the King Hussein Bridge; however, a variety of taxis and tour buses ferry passengers across into Israel. Show your Jordanian-stamped exit slip to the Israeli border guards along with your passport. Crossings may take a few minutes to a few hours, depending on traffic.

Use the Jordan River crossing. This crossing is in northern Israel and Jordan, and private cars are allowed to cross this border. It passes through the Galilee area of both countries, and traffic generally is lighter here than at the other two crossings between the two countries. Your passport and Jordanian exit slip are required at the Israeli border.