It’s your first time visiting Israel and you find the prospect of going solo daunting? You visited with a group tour before and this time want to delve more deeply into the country’s rich offering? Or for you a private tour with a dedicated guide is the only option when travelling?
Whatever the reason, there are many advantages to visit Israel with a dedicated licensed Tour Guide. With IsraelRail there are two ways to book your tour guide. The guide will either pick you up directly at your accommodation, or you will meet at the closest train station before your tour starts.
Here are some tips on how to plan your private tour in Israel:
Choose the duration of your private tour
When choosing a private tour guide you can decide whether you want a one-day tour focusing on a specific destination, such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, or the North of Israel.
You can also create a seven to 10 days full itinerary throughout which you’ll be driven to the sites that you and your tour guide selected. The length of time you book your private Tour Guide for will depend on your own budget and availability.
Consider the practicalities
You can opt for a private walking tour — for instance in the Old City of Jerusalem or around Tel Aviv and Jaffa’s most vibrant spots — or a tour with by train for multi-stop itineraries. The latter means that regardless of the level of fitness of the participants of the tour, you’ll be able to access all the sites you’re interested in.
Choose the most suitable tour guide for you
Our Tour Guides are licensed by the Ministry of Tourism in Israel and have gone through thorough studies and examinations. While you can be assured of the quality of every single of them, you need to find out who’s the best match for you.
Criteria to consider include the language you wish the tour to be in, the Tour Guide’s availability at the dates of your intended visit, and the geographical area you wish to explore.
Another important factor is your personal interests. Do you wish the focus of the tour to be on religion, archaeology, history, or nature? Or are you more of an active traveller and want to take part in physical activities such as horse riding, diving, or climbing?
Maybe it’s a mix of the cultural and the sporty that attracts you. In any case, you’ll be able to tailor-make your journey based on what really interests you.
Connect with your Tour Guide prior arrival to Israel
We recommend you exchange as much as possible with your Tour Guide prior to the tour. Opt for the best way for you — email, phone calls, skype or whatsapp— to discuss your planned tour in as many details as you feel necessary.
This communication before the trip will enable your Tour Guide to have a clear idea of what you want and help him/her create the best itinerary for you. It will also help you finalize your budget by checking what’s included in the tour (entrance fees to museums, national parks, activities) or what needs to be paid additionally. This is also the best time to gather information for your whole vacation.
Don’t hesitate to ask your Tour Guide for advice on where to stay and where to eat. Licensed Tour Guides are an excellent source of information when it comes to hotels and restaurants and having discussed your itinerary and interests together they’ll know what suits you and your travel companions best.
One-stop Israel travel shop
For all the other practical details such as airport transfers, hotel bookings and any required coordination on the ground, you can rely on IsraelRail Office Travel Manager who will be available prior and during your tour to assist you with any question you might have.
A one-stop destination, IsraelRail enables you to plan your entire trip through, from choosing your licensed Private Guide to booking all the add-ons.
Ask for a detailed plan
Before hiring your guide, ask for a detailed, written plan of what they intend to do over the course of your day or days touring.
Remember, you are not beholden to their initial plan. Add in or remove sites that interest you. It’s your tour, not the guide’s.
Ask the guide to include their pricing in the plan so you know what the tour fee will cover and what extras you will have to pay for. This might include museum entrance, meals or accommodation for the guide.
Make sure you ask about the payment schedule– from an initial deposit down to the final payment at the end of the trip. Check how they want to receive it. If it’s cash, make sure you have enough money on you at the end of your tour to avoid having to look for an ATM.
Ask about backup and cancellations
Guiding is a tough job, and most guides are as tough as they come, but anyone can get sick.
Ask your guide about their backup cover in case they have to cancel. Do they have another guide they work with in that case? Do they offer a refund of your deposit in case they have to cancel the tour?
In the same way, make sure you discuss what happens in case you have to cancel your tour for any reason.
Do your research
Most guides have some online presence. Before making your final decision, do some research online.
Read the reviews and see what other people have to say about your guide. Ask the guide if you can speak to other clients so you can hear what others have to say in person.
Ask on travel websites or look them up on sites such as ibookisrael to make sure you choose the perfect guide for you.
Words: Sonia Esther Soltani
