Fast Facts

American Express -- American Express International is in the El Al Building at 32 Ben-Yehuda St. (tel. 03/526-8888; for lost traveler's checks, call tel. 800/943-8694). Mail is held for American Express cardholders. Bookings can be made here, but this office does not deal in traveler's checks. Open Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 1pm.

Currency Exchange -- There are a number of internationally connected ATMs in the hotel district along Ha-Yarkon and Ben-Yehuda streets. Check with your hotel desk about which is the closest. There are numerous currency exchange offices along Ha-Yarkon and Ben-Yehuda streets. They usually have exchange rates comparable to the banks, are open longer hours, and involve less waiting in line. Avoid shady people offering to change money on the streets no matter what rate they quote.

Doctors & Dentists -- You can get a list of English-speaking doctors and dentists from your embassy, and often from your hotel's front desk. For First Aid SOS Doctors, call tel. 800/225-5005. There is an Emergency Dental Treatment Center at 18 Reines St. (tel. 03/523-9241); or call Dental First Aid (tel. 800/773-773), which operates 24 hours a day.

Drugstores -- The Jerusalem Post lists under "General Assistance" the names and addresses of duty pharmacies that stay open nights and on Shabbat for the current week.

Emergencies -- For police, dial tel. 100. In medical emergencies, dial tel. 101 for Magen David Adom (Red Shield of David), Israel's emergency first-aid service and ambulance. For fire, dial tel. 102.

Hospitals -- For visitors with Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurance, call tel. 03/579-0081, or 755-3546 for information. Itchilov Hospital (tel. 03/691-4000) has an emergency room, dental clinic, and Malam Traveler's Clinic for immunizations.

Hot Lines -- For the Rape Crisis Center, dial tel. 03/523-4819; drug counseling is available at tel. 03/546-3587. Dial the Crisis Counseling Hot Line (in English) at tel. 800/654-1111 or 02/654-1111.

Laundry & Dry Cleaning -- Try 63 Ben-Yehuda St., near Bogroshov, which advertises "6 Hour Cleaning and Laundry." Hours are 7am to 1:30pm and 3:30 to 6pm. If you want to do it yourself, 51 Ben-Yehuda St. or 9 Mendele St., near Ben-Yehuda, have coin-operated machines. Figure NIS 24 ($6/£3) for washing, soap, and adequate drying.

Newspapers & Magazines -- See the special Tel Aviv events supplement published on Friday in the Jerusalem Post (available only in the Tel Aviv region). The English-language editions of Time Out Tel Aviv and Time Out Israel are available for free bimonthly at most major hotels. The emphasis in both editions is on Tel Aviv.

Post Office -- Tel Aviv's Central Post Office is at 132 Allenby Rd. General hours for all services are Sunday to Thursday from 7am to 7pm, though limited services (telephone and telegraph) are open nights and on Shabbat. Telegrams can be sent at all post offices or by phoning tel. 171. Check with your hotel for the closest neighborhood branch.

Radio -- Israel news can be heard at 576, 1170, and 1458 kHz at 7am, 1pm, 5pm, and 8pm. BBC World Service broadcasts at 1322 kHz.

Safety -- Israel's largest city has less crime than most cities its size, but there is still enough that you must observe the normal precautions. Don't walk in deserted areas, especially the beaches, after dark. Terrorism is always a concern. Get away from and report any unattended bags or packages.

Television -- There are often English-language programs and films (with Hebrew subtitles) on Israeli channels; one English-language channel from Lebanon specializes in very old American TV reruns and Christian religious programs. A selection of international cable and satellite channels is usually available at most hotels.

Transportation Telephone Numbers -- For all flight arrival and departure schedule information, including last-minute changes, call tel. 03/972-3344; for train schedules, call tel. 03/577-4000; for Egged Bus schedules, call tel. 03/694-8888 or *2800 for all bus routes.