CCF

Hi,
We are in the planning stages of a one week trip to Israel via AMS in Oct.I'm finding the flights incredibly expensive.An option is to book each leg separately. Any hints as to other economical ways.
Also read that Oct isn't the best time to visit as venues will be closed due to the holidays.
Any thoughts?
Thanks for any advice.
CCF

sandi

Yom Kippur is Oct 8th, then comes the Succoth holiday a week later that lasts a week. Not much is closed, during the latter.

Where are you traveling from and what fares are you finding? Though it wouldn't surprise that fares are higher over these holiday dates.

CCF

Thanks for the reply,Sandi,
We are leaving BOS to AMS to TLV, and hopefully back to BOS thru Wash DC.
Complicated itinerary,but not unusual for us.
I'm finding this yrs flights are soooo much more expensive than ever and would like to save a bit.I haven't looked at packages,maybe that's the way to go.

CCF

Oh,the fares are over $2K pp.
CCF

alan43

The fuel surcharges are incredibily high this year due to the high cost of fuel. I've been in Israel during Yom Kippur and Succoth and found most restaurants, stores in Tel Aviv open during Succoth. It was enjoyable having my pizza at pizza fina under a Succot, I hadn't been in one in years. Enjoy your trip.

qwovadis

cheapoair.com has good prices for me on open jaw

but multi legs as you propose

are always lots more expensive...

Might just do a RT or a BOS AMS TLV open jaw to save

NYC TLV RT usually very cheapest prices tend to drop

for fall the last Tuesday PM in August farecompare.com

for indo on best booking times....

Air Baltic runs some cheap flights AMS TLV I might look at...

Happy Travels!

qwovadis

Transaero NYC TLV via Moscow

usually under $500 each way all in

if you catch your dates right

sometimes even less on sale.

CCF

Thanks for all the advice.Will try different combinations and permutations!

Oreet

Unless you specifically want to be here for the Jewish Holidays, October is not the best time to come this year.

In addition to Saturdays when there is regularly no public transportation, kosher restaurants are closed and many other sites (especially in Jerusalem) are either closed or have limited hours - to that you can add Sept 29, 30, Oct. 13 and 20.

In addition, on Fridays many things close early in preparation for the Sabbath - also for holidays, so add to that Oct. 7, 12 and 19.

The holidays are part of the reason that you are finding air fares to be so high - this is considered "super high season" - air fares are high as are hotel rooms, places book up quickly, etc as there is a great demand. Of course, come if this is when you can, but be aware of the situation that is causing the prices to go up.

Elkaz

There is no public transportation on the Two days of Rosh Hashonnah, the country closes down on Yom Kippur and then there is no public transport on the first and last days of Succot. --Kosher restaurants will be closed these days too ( as well as anything that normally closes on the Sabbath)

sandi

For certain fuel surcharges are up this year, seems for every route everywhere!

Friends are heading to TLV for the Succoth holiday, departing from YYZ (Toronto), via EL AL, non stop and somehow managed a fare less than $2K, but not by much.

As others, you've got to check the various alternatives, many shown above. Good luck!

CCF

So Nov might be a better time to visit?

Oreet

November will be less crowded and less expensive - weather will be lovely, a bit cooler but not really cold - should be a great time to come.

CCF

Looks like we will go in Oct since our commitment in AMS isn't very flexible.
Tentatively our schedule looks like we would arrive TLV on 10/11really early am and go directly to Jerusalem.Then back to TLV on Fri 10/14 or Sat 10/15.Fly to AMS on 10/18.
Haven't worked out any hotels or sights in between yet.
Does this sound like a good itinerary to see Jerusalem sights before the Sabbath and TLV seems a little more relaxed over the weekend re closings?
Thanks for all the tips.
CCF

Elkaz

Get your hotels ASAP. Because of the holidays you may be confronted with minimum stays which would make your schedule impossible.

CCF

Will be working on hotels ASAP.
We don't really want to rent a car.Is there good public transportation from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?Are there excursions/tours from the hotels?eg A trip to Galilee from Jerusalem.
Thanks for all the help.
CCF

CCF

Also looking at flights,most affordable flights get into TLV late at night/early am.Will we be able to get a taxi or such to our hotel on Oct 9 early Sunday am, this after Yom Kippur.

Elkaz

There is no problem with public transport between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Hotels can recomend companies which run these tours. There will be no problem getting a taxi early Oct. 9. The airport runs around the clock.