Frequently Asked Questions and Things to Know

Find below answers to a set of frequently asked questions.

Airfare Questions

  • Yes. Group Airfare options are outlined in the website for the Israel only tour itinerary and the Israel/Jordan tour itinerary. There are a limited number of seats on each itinerary and are assigned on a first come first served basis.

  • Yes. If you are purchasing your own airfare then you should select the Land Only Package. We recommend you use the Group Airfare itineraries as a guide line for arrival and departure times if you want to avoid additional transfer or hotel costs. There could be unforeseen changes to the flight itineraries. For those with frequent flyer miles, you can certainly use miles to purchase your airfare but we cannot make those arrangements for you. If you have questions about your flight itinerary or need assistance in making flight arrangements you can contact Darla Baird. There may be a fee assessed for individual flight bookings.

  • No. Any individual transfers to or from the airport or any additional hotel arrangements are NOT INCLUDED. Upon arrival on April 13, the group will be transferring by bus from the airport in Tel Aviv to our hotel in Herzliya. You are welcome to transfer with the group for no additional fee. If you are not able to transfer with the group, the transfer will be at your own expense. If you need assistance with special arrangements for transfers or hotel arrangements for additional nights before or after the tour please contact Darla Baird.

  • Yes. For more information contact Darla Baird.

  • Please wait until the Group Airfare itineraries are published before purchasing your tickets. We hope to depart from Amman, Jordan but this cannot be finalized until Group Airfare comes available and is finalized. As soon as Group Airfare is confirmed Baird Tours will notify those registered by email.

Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance

  • We highly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance covering the cost of your trip. The cost to you of cancelling a trip due to sickness or injury to yourself or a family member, flight delays, lost luggage, medical costs during the trip are all covered if you purchase a Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance policy. Coverage is subject to the amount of insurance purchased for trip cancellation and limited by other terms of the policy.

    There are numerous Travel Insurance providers you can compare at www.insuremytrip.com

  • Yes. Baird Tours offers a Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance policy through Generali Global Assistance as an option for its travelers. We have worked with this company for many years. If you are interested in getting an immediate online quote for Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance through Generali Global Assistance click the button below. There is no obligation. The interaction is completely online.

    Note: There are many Travel Insurance providers and a variety of policies and coverage limits. You do not have to use Generali Global Assistance.

    For questions contact Darla Baird

Travel Tips

  • All passengers are required to have a valid passport that does not expire in less than 6 months after our return day of travel.

    Israel now requires all tourists to apply online for an ETA-IL, and Electronic Travel Application. Baird Tours will walk you through this online process once final payment has been made.

  • Daytime temperatures in Israel average between 75-90 degrees in April, with highs in the upper 90’s and lows around 50-70 at night. The Dead Sea weather is generally much warmer; 80°- 90°. The weather in Israel is very similar to weather in Texas in the late Spring. Israeli weather can change quickly from day to day depending on if it’s sunny, cloudy or raining.

  • Please know that these tours require a significant amount of walking each day, approximately 3-5 miles per day. The walking is generally in short intervals but it can be up and down steps on dirt and rocky terrain and it will be necessary to keep up with the group. We highly recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes with soft soles and be sure to break them in ahead of your trip. For those planning to go on the Jordan Extension be aware that there is a full day of walking at Petra (approx. 5 miles in and out) and most of it is on dirt and with some challenging elevation particularly as you walk back out. If you are concerned about your ability to manage this level of walking please discuss your concerns with Darla Baird.

  • While traveling in Israel, casual clothing and very comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The weather can vary throughout the day; so layered, comfortable clothing is recommended. Plan to take a light jacket, or sweater and/or a water-resistant jacket in case of rain. This should keep you warm enough in the evenings or in the event of cooler weather. Brimmed hats or caps are recommended for sun protection and come in handy on sunny days. Women are not required to wear dresses at any of the sites and no one will need dressy clothes. Shorts and skirts above the knees are not allowed at some sites. Each day we will advise you on clothing requirements. Be sure to pack a swimsuit for the spa and pools, especially at the Dead Sea. Experiencing floating in the Dead Sea salt water is a must for everyone because it is such a unique and fun experience! We recommend you pack a pair of aqua-shoes or shoes you can wear in the water for the Dead Sea or the Jordan River.

  • Camera, extra memory cards, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat/cap, aqua shoes, waterproof sandals, roll-up wind/rain jacket, small umbrella, swimsuit, notepad, Bible, mobile phone, laptop, chargers, adapter plugs, short extension cords (with multiple outlets). Compression socks help circulation on long flights. A small tote-bag or day-pack comes in handy carrying things on and off the bus each day. A collapsible duffle is helpful in case you buy more souvenirs than your luggage can hold. Snacks to eat on the bus between meals can be helpful to bring. Bottled water will be readily available at sites and on the bus for purchase.

    Carry-on Bag Packing. In case your checked luggage is delayed or lost you should pack any items that you must have upon arrival such as medications, glasses, contacts, chargers, along with an extra change of clothes, your walking shoes, and any items you can’t easily buy in a local store.

  • Please limit your baggage to one checked bag and one carry-on bag and a personal bag such as a purse, small backpack or laptop bag. Most airlines will accept one checked bag WITH NO FEES with a maximum weight of 50 pounds (22 kg) and a maximum outside dimension of 62 inches (157 cm). If your bag exceeds the weight limit or size requirements, the airline will charge you a fee at check-in. Your carry-on bag should fit in the overhead bin. The maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag are 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 centimeters x 35 centimeters x 56 centimeters). This includes handles and wheels.

    Remember the TSA limitations on liquid and aerosol products that can be in your carry-on bags.

  • In Israel the outlets are European-style (not UK) that provide 220 volts of electricity. This compares to US outlets which have 120 volts. All US plugs will require a European plug adapter to fit in Israeli outlets. Hairdryers are provided at all hotels. Important: If you take any electrical devices other than those used for charging phones and computers, we recommend you purchase dual voltage devices (e.g. hair dryers, curling irons, etc.) Dual voltage appliances can usually be purchased at places like Target, Walmart, CVS and Walgreens. In our experience, voltage converters either don’t work or burn the device or your hair. Dual voltage appliances with a US plug will still need a plug adapter. Plug adapters can be purchased in luggage departments at Target, WalMart, etc. for less than $10.

    Pro Tip: Bring a short extension cord with multiple plugs and USB outlets on one end. This is handy when you have several devices to charge at night.

  • US dollars are preferred by most vendors in Israel. If you are bringing US dollars great than $20 be sure to have your bank give you the newer bills with the anti-counterfeit security feature. Hotels and larger stores will accept most major credit cards. Because many of the stores and vendors prefer US dollars, we encourage you to bring smaller US bills and $1 bills (we suggest 30-50 $1 bills per person) for easy purchases of water, snacks and cheap souvenirs. Additionally, most ATM cards can be used to get local currency (shekels). But check with your bank to be sure your card can be used in Israel. It is not necessary to exchange money to shekels in advance of arriving in Tel Aviv, if at all. We suggest you notify your credit card company that you are traveling abroad and will be in Israel if you plan to use your credit cards.

  • All gratuities are generously included in your tour package price to appreciate the services of your guides, drivers, hotel staff and luggage porters. You would only need to tip for meals in transit or for individual services you purchase such as spa treatments or beverages.

  • You should plan to pay for any beverages you order at lunch or dinner, bottled water on the bus, snacks, any individual services such as room service, laundry, spa treatments and souvenirs. Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included.

  • If you are enrolled in either of these Trusted Traveler Programs please send Darla your ID numbers prior to final payment. Participating in any of these programs is NOT required for travel. If you want to get Global Entry, which also includes TSA Pre-Check, here is some information. it will help you shorten the long security and passport lines within the US and upon return. Click here for enrollment center information. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-centers/ Just complete the online application and they will contact you to set up an interview. Enrollment in the Global Entry program can take several months for approval. If you get your Global Entry card and use Group Air, please email Darla your Global Entry number no later than February 15, 2026 so it can be added to your airline reservation

  • If you are enrolled in a frequent flyer program with the airlines we use for the Group Airfare, you can email Darla your ID number to attach to your Group Air ticket.

  • We will provide audio receivers and an earphone to wear so you can easily hear the guides and pastors throughout the tour. You may bring your own earphones/headsets either for sound or comfort, such as earbuds or over-the-ear-headsets, etc but they must have a mini- jack like one that would plug-in to an iPhone or Android phone but NOT the new lightning plugs or Bluetooth.

  • For those with hearing aids, it is possible that you can connect your hearing aids to the audio sound via headsets while the guides and pastors teach. For more info on this please contact Jerry Baird.

Baird Tours is the travel agency handling the group arrangements
on behalf of Hill Country Church