Frequently Asked Questions

You will find below a list of the most frequent questions that we are asked by prospective pilgrims to the Holy Land. We have tried to group the information into subjects but if anything is unclear or a specific question you have seems not to be answered, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please Note: All the links below to external websites will open in a new window.

Travel Document Requirements:

Passport

• You will need a full international passport, valid for at least SIX MONTHS beyond the scheduled date of your return to the UK. If your passport contains entry or exit stamps or a visa for an Arab country (except Jordan or Egypt) it may cause a delay at Israeli immigration.
• Follow this link for more information for UK Nationals visiting Israel and the Holyland from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
• If you have previously visited lots of different Arab countries (not including Jordan or Egypt) which are recorded in your passport, then contact us for advice.
• Keep a note of your passport number in case you have the misfortune to lose it.

Visas

• Holders of EU passports when visiting Israel and the Holy Land do not require a visa.
• Holders of other passports should check with their own embassy.

Vaccinations

• Please check with your local doctor’s surgery or health centre.
• Follow this link to check the current health and vaccination situation in the Holyland from the UK National Travel Health Centre.

Tickets

• Your tour leader will hold all the tickets and will hand them out to individuals when/if necessary.

Travel Insurance

• We do not arrange travel insurance. Each pilgrim should make their own arrangements.

Israeli Immigration

• You will asked the nature of your journey to Israel. A smile often helps at the immigration desk. Tell the officer that you are on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and will be staying in Tiberias and Bethlehem. The Pilgrimage is organised by Gemm Travel who are based in Jerusalem.
• If you are likely to want to visit an Arab country on another occasion, other than Jordan, you should ask the Israeli Immigration Officer not to stamp your passport.

Your Baggage

How much baggage can I take?

• The weight allowance varies between airlines. Detailed joining instructions will be sent to you before your departure. Alternatively you can check the website of the airline you will be flying with. Individuals will be personally responsible for any excess baggage charge, which will be payable in full at the check-in desk.

What are the rules regarding hand baggage?

• In general per person; one item of hand luggage of no more than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22ins x 18ins x 10ins), including the handle, pockets and wheels. plus one handbag, laptop or large camera case (not all three!).
• Remember there are restrictions regarding flammable items, including matches, and other aerosols and liquids
• Follow this link for the current rules concerning hand baggage issued by British Airways, our normal carrier.
• Each airline carrier may have different rules, so check if we are using a different carrier.

Flight Details

Where do we fly from?

London Heathrow, London Luton or Manchester airports.

Where do we fly to?

Tel Aviv – Ben-Gurion International Airport

How long is the flight?

It is a direct flight, no other stops en-route, of around 4.5 hours.

Who is the carrier?

We use British Airways, easyJet or jet2com.

Money and Currency

Cash and Travellers Cheques

• We recommend that you take between £40-£50 in Israeli Shekels.
• Experience shows that US Dollars are the most convenient currency to carry, although Sterling is acceptable.
• Tips – There will be the opportunity to make our appreciation known to staff at the hotel, coach drivers and local guides; you might like to allow for this in your budgeting for the tip. £40 per person would be a suitable sum.
• Collections – Whilst groups of pilgrims visiting the Holy Land are growing, it is still nowhere near the numbers it was. This decline in visitors has seriously affected the people of the Holy Land, especially those directly involved with tourism. At most of the sites there is the opportunity to make a donation which takes on a much greater importance than would normally be the case and pilgrims are asked to be as generous as possible. When joining the local community for their Sunday liturgy one should remember that our generosity makes a real difference to the families we worship with.

Credit Cards

• Credit Cards are accepted although the facility is not as generally available as in most western countries.