When one thinks of Israel, I assume one thinks of hot, humid desert weather. While that is true for five months out of the twelve, it does not represent the reality of the weather in Israel. So, I have compiled a list of what to pack for Israel broken into three seasons-ish:
- Summer (May-September)
- Spring/Fall (October, November, March, April)
- Winter (December, January, February)
Masa’s Israel Packing List for Every Season
What to pack for your trip to Israel in the summer:
Summer weather begins in May but kicks in mid-June with crazy humidity. This weather that I find unbearable, while others love it, lasts until the very end of September. If you are planning to visit Israel during this time or this is when your Masa program begins, be prepared to sweat at all times and hydrate all the time. Therefore, I recommend the below packing list:
- Bathing suit
- Flipflops
- Sandals
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals
- Tank tops and t-shirts
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Linen clothing is highly recommended
- Clips for people with long hair
- Beach towel
- Water bottle
- Hat
- Sunscreen!
- Hiking shoes if you decide to hike in this heat…
- Dress clothes for holy places
- Reusable water bottle
- Reusable coffee mug
What to pack for your trip to Israel in the winter:
Winter in Israel is rainy and sometimes surprisingly windy. It starts at the beginning of December and lasts until around mid-March. When I first moved here, I was shocked at how Biblical some of the storms felt. The whole country seems to come to a stop when it rains because the irrigation system also seems to fail… or just isn’t equipped well enough. It also gets very cold in the apartments, and people don’t really heat their homes as they do in Europe and America. Sometimes it’s actually warmer outside than inside the homes….
Therefore, a wardrobe definitely worth having during these winter months is the following:
- Warm, fuzzy socks
- Sweaters
- Winter jacket
- Long pants
- Boots
- Good, sturdy sneakers
- Scarf
- Long sleeves
- Hiking clothes (this time of year, when it’s not raining, is a great opportunity to explore the country. Depending on the rainfall, the area around the Dead Sea also becomes greener).
- Umbrella
- Raincoat
- Rain boots
- Dress clothes for holy places
- Reusable water bottle
- Reusable coffee mug
What to pack for your trip to Israel in the spring and fall:
I would define this season as the in-between months – warm during the day and chilly during the evening. This season starts from the beginning of October until the end of November, as well as including the second half of March until the end of April. These months require more summery clothing during the day and more fall/spring attire during the evening. In Jerusalem, especially, it gets pretty cold in the evening during these months, whereas in Tel Aviv, it’s always a few degrees warmer. These months require a mixture of the two previous packing lists. During the day you can wear long pants with a short sleeve shirt and sandals, but in the evening it’s better to add another layer.
Don’t forget to pack these essentials before your flight to Israel!
And of course, don’t forget your travel essential passport. Make sure it’s not going to expire within six-months of your trip. As well as, whatever essential toiletries.
Ready for your stay in Israel?
All in all, Israel is much warmer than most countries throughout the year. However, depending on when you visit Israel and where you are staying, you will need to make sure you are packing the proper clothing for the season. This Israel packing list include everything you might need.
One more thing before you start packing for Israel…
At Pack for Israel, you can order bedding, towels, toiletries, small appliances (220V), storage items & more that will ship directly to your program in Israel. The items will be awaiting your child’s arrival at the program. You can also order an assortment of gift packages and goodies for special occasions.
Exclusive offer to Masa Fellows: Sign up with Pack for Israel to get 5% off your order. Go to www.packforisrael.com/masa-discount to claim your discount.
The service allows you to save valuable space and weight in your luggage and avoid the hassle and schlep of bringing these items from overseas. In addition, purchasing Israeli products ensures that your appliances will be compatible with the Israeli voltage system and that your linens will fit standard Israeli beds.
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