Question, How Much Money to bring to Israel?

The most commonly used currency in Israel is US dollars. I would recommend you bring all your Israel spending money in US dollars. I would not recommend you go out and by any (NIS) New Israeli Shekels, when you pay for something in US dollars they will give you your change in Shekels, so you will get some of the local currency anyway. You will get used to the local currency very quickly. Currently the exchange rate Is about three shekels = one Canadian dollar, so $10.00 Canadian = 30 Shekels. I am asked often “much money should I bring to Israel” I quote the Brian rule. The Brian Rule: Roughly, guess based on you current spending habits how much you might need, …… then, double it. On past tours everyone is very conservative on spending the first day. Then by day three or four everybody is out of money and looking for a banking machine. Bring a little extra cash (US dollars) with you, if you do not use it, it’s very easy to bring back home with you. The average person will spend between $25.00 to $50.00 US dollars per day on small things, Water, your lunch at noon time and small gifts to bring home to friends. For your bigger gifts that you may purchase for family members, I recommend you use your Master Card or Visa. They can be used everywhere in Israel. Remember we connect through Rome going to Israel and returning, so if you would like to by a coffee or a bottle of water or something to eat you will need Euro’s. Those Pilgrims on the Rome extension. I recommend that you go to your bank and get some Euro’s for Rome. Things are a lot more expensive in Rome then in Israel. The exchange rate today was about $1.68 Canadian for one Euro. I would recommend that you get about 30 Euro’s, which will cost you about $50.00 Canadian. Those Pilgrims not on the Rome extension, I recommend that you go to your local bank and get some Euro’s for connecting through Rome. I would recommend that you get about 15 Euro’s, which will cost you about $25.00 Canadian. Hope this helps ……