Is it better to reserve a tour or go on your own to the City of David including tunnels? If we go on our own - is information supplied about what we are to see when we get our tickets?
The guided tour cost per person is less than 60 SHEKEL, worth every agora.
Book in advance, through the CITY OF DAVID web site.
I can't seem to post the link here. Just type "City of David" on the Search above here in TA and you should find it.
Diane, we booked our tour last month of the City of David and Hezekiah Tunnel directly but through here in TripAdvisor. It's a lot cheaper route compare to any outside tour companies or independent tour guides out there. Our tour guide Avi was very informative, fun and took care of our group really well. There is also a very informative 3D movie that your group will watch prior to the tour. Make sure to bring a flashlight if you decide to go through the tunnel. I brought my own headlamp flashlight so both my hands are free. Sandals is good enough to walk inside the tunnel and the water is about 12 inches average through out the tunnel except at the start which was about 36 inches for about 10 to 15 feet. Hope this helps.
I went with a tour group...I strongly recommend that you go with a good tour guide who can tell you about all the history that Jerusalem has to offer. I think had I gone on my own, I would have missed out on half the stuff I learned.
Hezekiah's tunnel that lead to the City of David was one of our high-lights of the trip. It was fun to go through the tunnel with a group of friends. Some were scared (claustrophobic) but with a lot of singing and praying as we were going through...we got though the tunnel without incident.
If you get a chance, you might want to see the light show in the City of David (held at night time). It was a nice show to see.
Depends upon your level of interest. Most local Israeli tour guides are excellent but, of course, they all have their own spin (and often time restrictions). The material brochure provided with your ticket gives all the basics and is adequate for the average visitor. A tour guide will add a whole new level of insight and context that the brochures don't provide. If you are super keen, then read up ahead of time, make a list of questions, and use your guide as a source of answers to all of your questions.
We always use a tour guide & reservations. Fabulous site. Must see! Don't miss it. Authentic.
We had a tour guide for our whole Is real trip and I highly recommend having one.
Thanks again everyone.
We were not able to do this when we were there in November but we're going back in May and will do it then. At the beginning of Nov. the temperature was in the 70sFahrenheit so it was fine all day long to do things. So my recommendation is to visit when we did and it won't be scorching hot!
We went on private tour, but I think you should set up tour specifically for City of David. There's so much involved which you probably will miss on your own.
I strongly recommend taking a guided tour provided on site. Only then you understand what you see.
Reservations can be done through the City of David (עיר דוד) web site.
I enthusiasically recommend taking the wet track even in winter, but come appropriately closed: wear shorts, the water is 70 cm. high in one place.
Wear sandals, not flops.
Bring a towel.
Wear your belongings in a backpack.
Bring a flashlight, although I believe that you can buy one on the premises.
Bring your curiosity to learn new things about king David era and the connection of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel.
You've all been very helpful.
And now I will post a question about bargaining in Israel.
christinem - We will be in Jerusalem at the beginning of November and hope it won't be so hot then!
Almost at the end of the old town there is a tourist office that has all the information but it’s better to go through an organized tour because then you will get all the information . The tourists office is the one that is organizing the trips .If you want the whole tour it’s about 60€ per person if I remember well. You have get there early cause by the afternoon it’s so hot you can hardly do anything if you are not used to the heat.
קבל תשובות מהירות מעובדי גן לאומי עיר דוד ומאורחים שביקרו בה בעבר.