Southern District Travel Forum

We are planning to travel to Amman and then on to Petra next month: We want to go to Eilat but not sure what the best (and safest) mode of travel for our family of 4. Rob/Melbourne

Hi all,

I am planning a trip at the end of November and am trying to organize how to travel from Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt to Eilat. Could you please let me know what are our options for travel (flights, bus, taxi) are? How long would it take and what would be the approximate cost?

Also, we are then planning to spend 1 night in Eilat and then travel to Tel Aviv. What would be our options for travel with this route?

I would appreciate any suggestions that you can provide.

Thanks,
Kate

What time does the Eilat/Aqaba border crossing open and close?

I will be in Petra and will need to get back to TLV on Monday by midnight. I could rent a car but am not sure about driving across borders getting in and out of Jordan in a private rental car. What about bus service?

Does anyone know of a tour that departs out of Tel Aviv and goes to Masada, that allows you to walk up the snake path? I did the United Tour last year but you had to take the cable car to the top because of time constraints.

I am a Mom traveling with a 5 & 10 year old June 7-14 (ON A BUDGET) to Tel Aviv, but want to rent a car and drive to En Gedi Kibbutz for 3 days and use it as a base for the Dead Sea, Masada and Jerusalem. Here are my questions:
1. Is it worth it, or is it better to stay in Tel Aviv and take the tours (Egged Tours) that start from and return to Tel Aviv?
2. Is it safe to rent a car and drive from Tel Aviv to En Gedi, and then between En Gedi, Masada and Jerusalem?
3. Is it better to stay at En Gedi or in Jerusalem?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!

Hi all...Planing a trip to Eilat in early June. I was wondering the best way to vist Ciaro and the Pyramids, by tour or on your own.

Hi does anyone know a safe and cheap way to travel from the Taba border crossing to Cairo? i'm going to be staying in eilat but i want to tour Egypt. i'd really like to go on an organised tour upon arriving in Egypt i figured that would be safer etc, have you heard of any good tours? Looking forward to responses if anyone can help me!?

Need a cheep hostel or homestay accomodation in Eilat, Israel for 1 night. Any suggestions?

Has anyone stayed at a hostel called Ana in Massada? My israeli friend called it "Beit Achsania Anna B'matz" I have had no luck finding it online.

Hello,

I was wandering if anyone knows about a busservice from Tel Aviv to Massada. Me and my mom are going on holiday to Israel and we would really like to go to Massada for 2 days. After that we want to take the bus to Jerusalem and spend 3 days there. Is there a busline between those city's or is there another form of public transportation that we can take? Thanks

Gr Iris

We're going to Israel for our son's Bar Mitzvah this summer, spending about 12 days there, the last of them in Eilat. Our Eilat stay includes a side trip to Petra (by plane) and I suspect some people won't want to go. I'd like for the three days at the beach to be relaxing. Will the heat make that impossible?

Hello All , I am wondering what the best route is by car to Masada from Haifa, With everything going on in Gaza- I want to make sure I am not traveling through any palestinian controlled areas-Thank You in advance

My wife and two teenagers and I plan to use a tour group based in Cairo (TourPlanIsrael) who advertise a private car trip through the Sinai to Cairo.

Is anyone familiar with this? Is it safe? The price sure beats flying and there is some alure to me of driving through the Sinai. Plus we can stop at Mt. Sinai on the way back.

Any ideas about this?

Is it possible to go to dead sea from the TLV airport. I get around 9:15 am and will be out by 10.00 as I will have no checked bag. I will be staying in Jerusalem. I was wandering if I can go to massada by making small stops in beersheva and arad and than get to my hotel in Jerusalem by the end of the day. Is there any bus service which will go from airport to massada and than from massada to Jerusalem. Can it be done in one day or I should go to Jerusalem and than go to sea dead sea. is it better to take a taxi or bus service?

Hey - This is my first time in this area of the world and I was wondering if anyone knew the best way to travel from Mt. Sinai to Eilat? I was thinking of flying but the rates are expensive. Are the buses safe? All info is much appreciated! Thanks!

I'm here for 10 days and wondering what there is to do here and/or where to go that is in close proximity and what kind of transportation is available??

Does it make sense to rent a car for 4 people from Jerusalem to Eilat, then drive through Jordan to see Petra? How much time should be allowed? Any advice is appreciated!

Can anyone tell me where I can find information about the bus lines within Eilat?

Hi all. I'm new to this so bear with me:) I'm travelling to Israel on 16th Aug (from Ireland) to visit my brother who lives above Haifa. Whilst there myself and my boyfriend are hoping to travel to Eilat for three or four days. We were going to book accomodation via internet before we go but my brother reckons it will be cheaper if we hold off until we reach Eilat. I've just noticed, however, that there's a jazz festival on around the time we were planning on staying in Eilat. Would people recommend that we do find somewhere and book it or should we do as my brother says and wait until we get there??

Also, if anyone can recommend some inexpensive but clean places to stay in Eilat, i'd be much obliged.

Thanks all!!

Has anyone got a recommendation of a tour from Jerusalem that goes thru the Negev Desert, stopping at Mitzpe Ramon, Sde Boker, etc. on the way to Eilat? Looking for an overnite in Eilat, tour of Petra, return to Tel Aviv airport. Many thanks.

hi shalom,

- Giampiero, pls your attention - !!!!

I'm back from 2 days in HAR (=MOUNT) KARKOM, in the NEGEV DESERT.

This site, located in the middle of nowhere, is for 10 years at least, a great, mystical attraction for Israelis and travelers and pilgrims from Europe & America.
one of many 'googled' examples:

http://www.harkarkom.com/

Didn't find a page dedicated to it in VT !!!

I have one question and one request from G:

1. Question:
I want to make a Page with intro, tips, pics, travelogue, all the stuff.
Did anybody visit Har Karkom and shared his experience? If the answer is positive, what pages did you use ? I didn't find any.

2. Request
Har Karkom OBVIOUSLY deserves a specific PAGE, much more than many others of Israel.

Waiting for your answers, pals,

Thanx in advance,

Avi

I am a student at Virginia Tech, a college in America. I am coming to Eilat for two months this summer to work at an unpaid internship. Where can I find extremely cheap housing/apartment/room to rent for two months that is NOT a holiday or vacation rental? I have to pay for this on my own. The place to stay could even be outside of Eilat but near the city.

I need all help I can receive! Thank you!

Organizing team of WM08 is looking for hotel/ guesthouse for one night group reservation in Dead Sea area, with good value for money.
We need a decent one, mid- range, for sleeping and breakfast only. [Jaccuzi, mini bar, spa, room service, etc. are not needed].
Please your recomemndations from (updated)personal experience!
Thanx in advancr

Has anyone ever stayed here. we are looking for a reasonably prices hotel with jacuzzi and this seems to be the one. i would like to hear your comments.
thanks

Hi, my husband and I are planning to stay in Bet Sara Youth Hostel in summer 2008. I could not find much information about this place on the internet. I know that the breakfast is served there but whatabout other meals???
Is there a shop or small supermarket where you can buy food and for what prices roughly??? Does anybody know if there is a laundry? I will appreciate all replies. Thanks :-)

I am planing a trip to Eilat in december of this year. I would like to make a dive while I am there. I am Padi certified but have not made a dive in 11 years, what are the requirements for making a dive.

f. lee

Hi
I would like to travel from london to Eilat for a week starting from London on 30th March.
Can someone please let me where can i get cheapest flights.

I have British Passport - If I do not find flights direct to Eilat from London - can I fly from London to TABA (Egypt) - what about visa do i need one for Egypt and one for Israel? How easy it is to reach Eilat from TABA

I will really appreciate any help on this

Thanks
Subhash

I will be in eilat in early december. I am a certified Padi diver but have not dove in over ten years. Do I have to br retrained? How much is the cost for an average dive requiring full gear?

thanks,
f. lee Rowden

To escape from the gruesome weather in Belgium, I'm considering spending about 10 days in Eilat. Is it a good place to be beginning of January? I mean, is there enough to do for some active people in their twenties if you can't lay on the beach all day?

Thanks in advance!