All visitors travelling to Bethlehem will need to cross from Israel into the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This means that you will have to cross an Israeli check point and you should carry your passport for this.
Several check points surround Bethlehem. Checkpoint 300 is nearest to the centre of town.
If you are travelling from Jerusalem you can take a local bus, number 231 which departs regularly from Damascus Gate and takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the central bus station in Bethlehem. This is the cheapest option.
Or you can get local bus, Bus no. 324 also leaves from the Damascus Gate, it costs around 5 NIS and runs directly to the Bethlehem Checkpoint – “checkpoint 300” (Rachel’s Tomb crossing) and back. You would have to walk through the checkpoint as you enter and exit Bethlehem.
Most taxi drivers won’t be able to take you across the checkpoint but you can take a taxi from Jerusalem and ask to be dropped at checkpoint 300. You can then walk over the checkpoint. There will be many taxi drivers waiting on the other side for you to continue your journey.
You do not need a special visa to travel to Palestine. You should check your home countries travel advice for any specific restrictions or recommendations.
Every year millions of tourists come to Bethlehem without experiencing any problems. The nature of the occupation however means that tensions can flare up quickly. Your safety is our top priority and we will never run a tour/experience if we don’t think it is safe to do so. This may mean on occasion that we will have to alter arrangements for the tours.
If you have specific concerns about the safety of visiting the Palestinian Territories then you should consult your home country’s overseas advice.
You can book your place on a tour or experience online up to 24 hours before the tour/experience starts. If you want to arrange a tour/experience at shorter notice, you should contact us at Tejwaal to discuss this.
When you book a tour or experience online you will be asked to pay electronically and will receive a confirmation email to let you know that your place has been booked and that payment has been taken.
Most tours and experiences can run with only 2 persons. This offers a highly personalised experience. Costs are reduced for people booking in groups.
If you are a group larger than 5 then please contact us to discuss a bespoke tour.
We will normally meet you at the central bus station in Bethlehem or outside the Jacir Place hotel. This will be confirmed in your confirmation email.
Most tours are suitable for everyone and with the exception of the hike, don’t require a lot of walking. Surfaces can be uneven however, and it is recommended to wear sturdy shoes rather than sandals.
If you have any special requirements such as a disability or restricted mobility which may affect your ability to take part in the tour/experience then you should contact us to discuss this in advance.
You should bring:
Please dress modestly at all times. T-shirts are acceptable but no tank tops or shorts/skirts above the knee. Long sleeves are required for entering religious sites.
What is the cancellation & refund policy?
You can cancel your tour/experience and receive a full refund up to 2 weeks in advance by contacting us at XX.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds after this point but tours/experiences are transferable and you can let us know if someone else will take your place.