Basics: Although car rentals can be quite pricey, we found that it enabled us to move about more freely. If it’s not something you want to spend on, consider renting a car for a day or two from a local car rental, they are often cheaper than the airport.

If you are not renting a car, the fastest way to get to Yerushalayim from Ben Gurion is with the Israel Railway train. The ride takes about 26 minutes and costs between $4- $7.

 

Accommodations: We rented an apartment right near Geulah since we wanted to be near the action. There are multiple rental agencies that can help you find the apartment that works best for your family, budget, and location.

 

Kosher Food/ Minyan: Kosher food was not an issue here at all. Just be sure to check the wrappings when purchasing something in a gas station or Arab store, to ensure that there is a hechsher. People often forget since the lettering is all in Hebrew.

For our Yom Tov and Shabbos food- we ordered from Shabboskodesh.com Aside from being an easy site to navigate and order from, the food arrived right on time and was delicious! They were also so easy to work with and had amazing customer service! We highly recommend it.

 

We joined the Skver minyan for the second day minyan both first and second days. The shul was brand new and beautiful.

 

Sukkah: Apartment rentals generally come with a sukkah already built for you.

 

Weather: The weather in Eretz Yisroel can be very hot throughout the day; however, it does cool off a lot in the evenings. Bring a sweater.

 

Attractions: Keep in mind that many people travel to Eretz Yisroel during Bein Hazmanim, and the whole of Eretz Yisroel is on vacation then as well. Traffic can be quite heavy, especially after Tisha B’av and on Chol Hamoed. Plan fewer attractions and pack extra snacks for the extra car time. Additionally, the actual attractions will be more crowded, so when planning your itinerary, schedule the attractions you’d like to spend more time at for early morning.