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Hitchhiking is very common in '''Israel'''. [[Hitchhiking]] is often done by pointing to the ground with the hand far from the body, <!-- maybe someone has a nice picture of this? --> instead of raising a thumb. But possibly raising a thumb will be understood as well. Hitchhiking in Israel is usually done without a [[sign]], since stopping in almost all junctions is possible. An exception for this is the new Road 6, in which stopping in only possible on on-ramps and [[petrol stations]].

The most usual way to start an hitchhiking journey is to take a bus out of town, to a junction in your direction. Almost every junction has a hitchhiking spot (the famous ''[[Trempiyada]]''), or at least a bus station where drivers can stop. In some places, like [[Tel Aviv]], it's very hard to hitchhike from the city, and inter-urban buses are relatively cheap and can get you to the nearest junction. However, in [[Jerusalem]] it is possible to hitchhike to the suburbs from within the city, a practice used extensivly among religious Jewish kids.

Like always, precaution is needed when hitchhiking, although in Israel hitchhiking is a way of life. You will find hitchhikers ''everywhere''. Even still, caution is necessary.

You should remember that as a country in a sub-tropical region, it can get '''very''' hot in Israel, sometimes as early as March and as late as September. If you can, before hitchhiking check the predicted [[weather]] in the region of your travel, and if it's going to be hot, don't ignore it. Exposing yourself to heat without caution can be dangerous. In hot days, wear a hat and drink a lot of fluids, especially if hitchhiking in the desert. Suncream and sunglasses are also recommended.

* [[Be'er Sheva]]

* [[Dead Sea]]

* [[Tel Aviv]]

* [[The Golan Heights]]

'''Note''': Israel shares borders with these countries; however, due to hostile relations between the states, it is '''illegal''' and probably impossible to cross over to Syria or Lebanon; Getting into Palestinian territory in the West Bank is quite straight forward, usually flashing your passport in the checkpoint is enough. Getting to [[Gaza]] should be problematic. Egypt and Jordan should be fine.

After Israeli forces closed down the [[Rafah]] border crossing, [[Taba]] is the only border crossing for passengers from Israel to [[Egypt]]. It is situated 5km south of [[Eilat]], and is accessible by public transport from both directions. There are almost no cars passing the border, everyone does it by foot. Notice that if you plan to continue after [[Sinai]], to [[Cairo]] for instance, you most likely need an Egyptian visa which is obtainable in the embassy in [[Tel Aviv]] or in [[Eilat]]. Bring with you 4 passport photos, 100 NIS and a photocopy of your passport. It takes around 4 hours for Western citizens.

Not possible. You can't enter Syria or Lebanon coming from Israel (or with a passport that shows that you've been in Israel, even with just a stamp from a border crossing to Egypt or Jordan).

Israel currently run 3 border terminals with [[Jordan]]:

# In [[Palestine]] (the occupied territories) the Israeli forces run the Allenby bridge crossing, seperating [[Jordan]] from the Palestinian territories. Because of its location, this border is only crossable to Palestinians and internationals (not Israelis) and the passengers are subject to intimdating "security" interrogations. This is also the most direct border crossing from [[Amman]] to [[Jerusalem]]. Notice that if you need a Jordanian visa, it can not be acquired at this crossing.

# In the south, 3km north of [[Eilat]], you can cross at the Arava crossing (''Yitzchak Rabin terminal'') which seperates [[Eilat]] from [[Aqaba]]. This is probably the most popular border terminal.

{{IsIn|Western Asia}}

[[trash:Israel]]

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