Fast Facts in Tel Aviv

Currency Exchange-There are a number of internationally connected ATMs in the hotel district along Ha-Yarkon and Ben-Yehuda streets,as well as scattered elsewhere in the city. Check with your hotel desk about which is the closest. In addition, you can use the currency exchange offices along Ha-Yarkon and Ben-Yehuda streets. They usually have exchange rates comparable to the banks.

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 Tel Aviv Doctor, a private, expensive, but very convenient service for travelers on Basel Street, call tel. 054/941-4243. The Tel Aviv Dental Clinic offers emergency dental care, 24/7 at 1 Zeitlin St., near Rabin Square (tel. 03/691-5159).

Drugstores-The Superpharm at 4 Shaul Hamelech St. is open throughout the week, 24 hours. For a list of on-duty pharmacies open on Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, website in Hebrew only), ask your hotel or go to

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-Ichilov Hospital (tel. 03/697-4444) has an emergency room, dental clinic, and Malam Traveler’s Clinic for immunizations. Bikur Rofeh, an emergency health clinics at 90 Yigal Alon St., accepts all forms of travel insurance and can be reached at [tel] 03/627-2350.

Post Office-There are branches of Israel Post, the country’s postal service, in different locations throughout Tel Aviv. One close to the beach area is at 61 Hayarkon St. Another branch is at 170 Ibn Gabirol St. Hours are usually Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8am to noon and 3:30 to 6:30pm, Wednesdays from 8:30am to 12:30pm, and on Fridays from 8am to noon. Most branches require you to make an appointment before arriving, which you can do at the post office website, the app, or by calling tel. 171. Israelis, especially tech-adverse elderly, use the post office for everything from sending and receiving packages to paying their electric bills and city taxes, so be prepared to wait.

Safety-Israel’s largest metropolitan area 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.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.