Jerusalem Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Jerusalem.
Israeli healthcare is modern and efficient; Jerusalem's hospitals meet Western standards with many English-speaking staff.
Hadassah Ein Kerem and Shaare Zedek both have 24-h emergency rooms for tourists. Bring passport for registration.
Super-Pharm and New-Pharm chains stock common meds. Pharmacists advise on mild ailments and can dispense some drugs without prescriptions.
Not legally required. But hospitals bill upfront. Complete travel insurance is strongly advised.
- ✓ Keep digital copies of prescriptions. Some U.S. brands have different local names.
- ✓ Tap water is safe city-wide, but carry electrolytes if you hike in summer heat.
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing and bag-slashing occur where crowds squeeze through souks.
Jerusalem sits 800 m above sea level. Summer sun is intense and alley shade is limited.
Sporadic clashes near East Jerusalem checkpoints.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
A robed man presses a prayer into your hand at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, then demands payment for the blessing.
Driver claims the meter is out of order and quotes an inflated flat fare from Damascus Gate to West Jerusalem.
Vendor offers 'ancient' coins dug up near the Temple Mount. They are cheap reproductions.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
- • Validate your Rav-Kav transport card. Ticket inspectors issue on-the-spot fines.
- • Cross tram tracks at designated lights. Cyclists and scooters weave quickly through traffic near King George Street.
- • Dress modestly at churches and mosques. Cover shoulders and knees or you may be refused entry.
- • Keep voices low near worshippers. Photography bans are strictly enforced inside the Dome of the Rock platform.
- • Bars in Machane Yehuda close early on Tuesday for market cleaning. Plan transport in advance as taxi ranks empty fast.
- • Solo walkers should stick to main roads like Jaffa Street where late-night cafés keep lights and security guards present.
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Jerusalem is largely safe for women, though conservative dress and assertive body language reduce unwanted attention.
- → Choose women-only carriages on the light-rail during rush hour if you prefer space.
- → Sit near families in the Old City after dark. Avoid isolated stairwells on the Mount of Olives.
Same-sex relations are legal and discrimination in public services is banned, yet same-sex marriage is performed only abroad.
- → Keep affection discreet near religious sites; Pride events take place under heavy police guard, check schedules and avoid counter-protest zones.
Travel Insurance
Protect yourself before you travel.
Medical billing is immediate and costly. Evacuation to home country can exceed annual rent.
Ready to plan your trip to Jerusalem?
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