Jerusalem Travel Forum

Are using ATM's in Israel safe? Also are the exchange rates and fee's reasonable? Or would my best option be bring US cash and then just exchanging it? Any advice would be appreciated!

When we have gone to Israel we have found ATM's to be abundant and the easiest way to obtain Israeli currency. We paid a very minimum fee, like a dollar or so for each transaction.

ATMs are definitely the way to go, in all your destinations.

The only dangerous thing about using ANY overseas ATM is the amount your AMERICAN or EUROPEAN bank may charge for overseas withdrawels. ( check it out in advance) That being said it is perfectly safe as long as you remember the same precautions you use at home. ie. if a strange looking person is standing and peering over your shoulder--you might not want to withdraw money!!

Just a few asides. 1-Your card, may or may not work in every bank's ATM. It depends which network your bank is part of--so if it doesnt work in one bank--try another.
2- if you have more than one account linked to the card you will only be able to access your primary account--so make sure that is the one with the money!!
3- Israeli ATM machines have numbers only! So, if you password has letters-make sure you know the numeric equivelent.

That being said--I frequently bring cash and change at money changing stores--it is really a matter of opinion since both methods are good!

Shalom, Shalom.
Yes ATM's are safe here in Israel, my wife and daughter use them extensively.
They can be found almost everywhere, even sometimes in individual stores...
The prices that your bank will charge you for the service though may be another thing, check with them before you begin to use it all the time.
Additionally you can use credit cards for even purchases that are only a few dollars here in Israel (the usual "limit" is between 25-50NIS, that is about 6-13 dollars US, anything less than that you will be asked to pay cash).
Martin