Israel is tiny in size, but massive in what it offers its visitors. This fascinating country has truly been blessed with so many positive attributes: great weather, diverse landscapes, great culinary traditions and millennia of history and archaeology to explore. It’s the Holy Land, home to important religious sites for many world beliefs, but it’s also a country where going out and having fun is a way of life. It’s a perfect holiday, all wrapped up in one package.
Can British travellers visit Israel?
Israel is set to reopen its borders again to visitors from the UK, pending government approval.
Visitors will need to present a negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours before departure, or a negative antigen test, taken less than 24 hours before departure. They will also need to take a PCR test on arrival in Israel. Fully vaccinated visitors will be able to leave quarantine when they receive their result, or after 24 hours. Those who aren’t fully vaccinated must stay in quarantine for a week and take another test on day seven.
Arrivals must also complete a declaration form no more than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time, which can be found here, and have valid insurance which covers Covid-19.
Israel had previously opened its borders to organised groups of tourists in May 2021 and then opened its borders to other tourists in November 2021. All those entering the country must have had both doses within the last 180 days. If it has been longer, a third booster dose is required.
Currently, international visitors can only arrive into Ben Gurion Airport just outside Tel Aviv.
As of January 9, fully vaccinated travellers returning to the UK must take a Covid-19 test, which can be a lateral flow test, on or before day two, and fill out a passenger locator form.
Travellers returning to the UK who aren’t fully vaccinated must fill out a passenger locator form and take a Covid-19 test before arriving, as well as PCR tests on day two and day eight, and quarantine for 10 days.
How can British visitors travel to Israel?
Airlines that serve Ben Gurion Airport, just outside Tel Aviv, with flights from the UK include:
- El Al from Luton, Heathrow and Manchester
- Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow
- British Airways from Heathrow
- easyJet from Luton and Manchester
- Wizz Air from Luton
PICTURES: Shutterstock/DeltaOFF; Ido Meirovich, John Theodor; Picasa
Last updated January 7, 2022