Yes. Proof of citizenship is required for every traveler, and passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your trip. Non‑U.S. citizens also need any visas or additional documentation required for entry. Keep your passport and travel documents with you at all times — never packed in checked luggage.

In case documents are lost or stolen, make two photocopies of your passport’s photo page, your credit cards, your airline tickets and itinerary, and your travel insurance details. Leave one copy with a friend at home, and carry the other separately from the originals — or hand it to a friend traveling with you.

Israel is a very safe country to visit and tour, and your safety is always our top priority. We take a number of measures to look after the group, and we ask that participants take the same sensible precautions they’d take visiting any other city or country.

Yes, tap water in Israel is safe to drink. Bottled water will also be available on the bus throughout the tour.

Expect temperatures around 10-26°C. Bring sunglasses, a hat, and clothing suited to warm days

Pack for warm weather, plus a jacket for cooler evenings. Also bring your “holywear” – something to cover your shoulders and knees, which is required at some of the sites we’ll visit. Comfortable shoes or sneakers are essential, since there’s a fair amount of walking each day.

Most days include around 3-4kms of walking. Walks are generally light to moderately strenuous, with breaks built in as we travel between sites – though paths can include steps and uneven terrain, so comfortable shoes matter.

Check with your carrier before you leave — most offer international plans. If your phone is unlocked, you can also pick up a prepaid Israeli SIM card at a fairly low price once you land.

The New Israeli Shekel. Currency exchange is available throughout Israel, including at most hotels. Rates and commission vary by location.

Most shops and restaurants accept foreign debit and credit cards. It’s still worth exchanging some cash for Shekels, since a small number of shops – especially outside tourist areas or in open‑air markets – are cash only.

Most hotels offer laundry service for a fee, and city laundromats are another option if you’d rather drop clothes off yourself (bring shekel coins for the machines).

You’ll receive a drawstring bag as a welcome gift from FIRM – great for carrying water, your Bible, and money as you move through each day.

Yes. Modern phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage (usually stating INPUT: 100-240V on the tiny print). Because Israel shares Australia’s 230V standard, you only need a standard plastic shape adapter – no heavy voltage transformer is required.

Look for an Australia-to-Europe (Type C) or an Australia-to-Israel (Type H) adapter. Israel’s Type H sockets are specially designed to accept standard, round European Type C plugs, making a basic Euro travel adapter highly versatile and easy to find.

In checked luggage, pack liquids in tightly sealed (preferably plastic) bottles, filled no more than three‑quarters full to allow for expansion.

In carry‑on bags, international security rules require liquids, aerosols, and gels to be in containers of 100ml or less, all carried together in a single clear, resealable plastic bag (20cm × 20cm or 15cm × 25cm). This includes cosmetics, sunscreen, perfume, shaving cream, insect repellent, antiperspirant, and toothpaste.

Kiosks on the way to passport control will ask you to scan your passport and print a blue ticket – this saves time in the passport control line. Keep this ticket with your passport at all times; it functions as your entry visa, and you may be asked to present it later. If a customs agent asks the purpose of your visit, let them know you’re here for a Bible study tour.

Once you’ve collected your luggage, head to the Arrival Hall, where your FIRM host will be waiting to greet you – look for a sign with your group’s name.

Yes. Israel’s best licensed, hand‑picked tour guides accompany every FIRM tour.