Banking & Postal Services
Changing Money
If you want to change money in Israel, the best places to do it are either at Change places or at the Post Office as they don't charge commission. Banks either don't offer a foreign exchange service for tourists, or they charge a lot for the service.
You can also take out money from an ATM, using your credit card. Some ATM's also allow you to use your bank/ debit card from your home country bank account. Check in advance with your bank or credit card company to know how much this will cost you.
Queuing
The Post Offices here in Safed, and a lot of the banks, operate a number queuing system. You take a number when you come in and then when your number comes up on the display you can go to the teller.
If there is a long queue don't be surprised to see that people take a number and then go away and come back later. There is also a custom that people will ‘save a place' for someone else in the queue, so you may see someone apparently barging in front of you. Unless you have really good Hebrew, there is no point in letting it upset you or trying to argue against it, as the rest of the queue will support the bargee or say "mah l'a sot" ("what can you do") and shrug their shoulders.
Opening Hours
Banks
Bank Discount:
Canyon Zlil, Aliya Bet Street, junction with Jerusalem Street
Tel 04 692 7333
Monday & Thursday: 08.30 -13.00, & 16.00 - 18.30
Tuesday & Wednesday: 08.30 -14.00
Friday: 08.30 -12.30pm
Before Jewish & State holidays, and intermediate days: 08.30 -12.00pm
Sundays: CLOSED
ATM Takes cards issued outside of Israel: Visa, Diners Club
Bank HaPoalim:
72 Jerusalem Street - bottom end of the Midrahov, near the bridge
Tel *2407
Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday: 08.30 - 13.15
Monday & Thursday: 08.30 - 13.00 & 16.30 - 18.30
Friday: CLOSED
ATM Takes foreign credit and bank cards
Bein Leumi - First International Bank of Israel:
34 Jerusalem Street
Tel 04 690 9200
Sunday - Thursday: 08.30 - 13.30
Monday & Wednesday: 08.30 - 13.30 & 16.00 - 18.30
Friday & Holidays: CLOSED
ATM Takes Mastercard & American Express
Bank Leumi
35 Jerusalem Street
Tel 04 699 4311
Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday: 08.30 - 14.00
Monday & Thursday:08.30 - 13.00 & 16.00 - 18.15
Friday: CLOSED
Before Holidays: 08.30 - 12.00
ATM Takes cards issued outside of Israel: Diners, Visa, Plus
Change Shops
Change - next door to Bein Leumi bank
Sunday - Thursday: 08.30 - 13.30 & 16.00 - 18.30
Tuesday afternoons: CLOSED
Friday: 08.30 - 12.30
Apart from changing cash & travelers checks, this Change shop accepts credit cards and ATM cards
Change - next door to Seven Grains coffee shop, Jerusalem Street
Sunday - Thursday: 09.00 - 18.00
Friday: CLOSED
Before Holidays: 09.00 - 13.30
This Change shop does foreign exchange
Post Offices
Apart from the usual postal services, you can change money, send money abroad, receive money from abroad, get a mail box, and open a Post Office Bank account.
Main Post Office
89 Palmach Street, at the end of the parking lot by the Yigal Allon Cultural Center, next to the Betuach Leumi (Social Security Dept)
Tel 04 692 0405
Sunday & Thursday: 08.00 - 18.00
Monday & Tuesday: 08.00 - 12.30 & 15.30 - 18.00
Wednesday: 08.00 - 13.30
Friday: 08.00 - 12.00
Post Office
37 Jerusalem Street
Tel 04 692 0115
Sunday & Thursday: 08.00 - 18.00
Monday & Tuesday: 08.00 - 12.30 & 15.30 - 18.00
Wednesday: 08.00 - 13.30
Friday: CLOSED
