Safety in Tel Aviv - How Safe is Tel Aviv for Travel?

A mix of the traditional and modern, Tel Aviv in Israel is a magnificent city that is also a very liberal and welcoming place for tourists. Despite the numerous concerns regarding its safety, Tel Aviv is very safe to travel to. Given that it is one of the country’s business, cultural, and tourist hubs, you will always find security and military personnel around the city at all times of the day, making you feel safer. It is also quite clean in terms of its sanitation, and you would see little to no litter in public places. However, it is also key to acknowledge that just like any other city, Tel Aviv has its shortcomings and that it is best to be vigilant at all times to avoid falling victim to any scam or crime. 

Understanding the Conflicts in Tel Aviv

Israel has been in a constant state of conflict with its neighbouring countries like Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. It has also witnessed several uprisings and terrorist attacks since its independence in the 1940s. One of the most notable issues is the Israel-Palestine conflict. Furthermore, given that the country is home to Jerusalem, a holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims, the country does tend to have a tense religious environment. So Tel Aviv, one of Israel’s major economic and tourist hubs, is often targeted by terrorist organisations from neighbouring countries and even within the country. 

Therefore, security has been considerably increased here, and there are police officers and military personnel patrolling the city at all times; attacks have significantly gone down, making it a fairly safe destination. There are also safety provisions in place in case of an attack. 

Common Risks in Tel Aviv

• Pickpocketing: Given that Tel Aviv is such a popular destination and receives large crowds of tourists, there are frequent cases of pickpocketing, especially in the city centre, on the beaches, at train stations and at airports. However, the chances of being pickpocketed and even mugged are not very high, so you simply need to be vigilant. 
• Terrorism: Tel Aviv is located close to countries like Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria and is thus at a high risk of experiencing terrorist attacks, although they have gone down in recent years. Israel has been at the centre of several political and military conflicts, so you must be up to date with the news.
• Transport risks: When using public transportation, it is important to be aware of your surroundings as they are often crowded, and you might be pickpocketed. It might also be targeted by tourist groups, so always be vigilant for suspicious people. And when taking a cab, make sure that the driver drives safely, as the city has had many cases of accidents. Hitchhiking is also not advisable. 
• Natural disasters: The city is prone to experiencing earthquakes owing to its location and sometimes floods when it rains heavily. Monitor the weather report before booking your tickets and while you are in Tel Aviv too.
• Scams: Although the city reports very few scam cases, you might still encounter unpleasant incidents like taxi drivers overcharging you, someone trying to steal your card details at an ATM or someone trying to run away with your valuables under the guise of helping you. Be careful when interacting with locals. 

Scams in Tel Aviv

As compared to other popular tourist destinations, Tel Aviv reports very few scam cases. They are:

Taxi Scams: The most common scam you might have to deal with as a tourist in Tel Aviv is a taxi driver charging you extra. The best way to avoid that is to ask them to turn on the metre and navigation or negotiate the price before starting your journey. While drivers here don’t tend to be aggressive or intimidating, it is legal for them to charge you more, and getting your money back might be difficult.

Picture Scams: Though rare, someone might approach you asking to take their picture, and as you hand their camera back to them, they might purposefully drop it and blame you for the damages. They will then proceed to ask for compensation, so it is best not to engage with strangers. Some might even try to run away with your belongings while you are distracted, so always keep an eye on your things. 

ATM Scams: ATM scams are common in most tourist destinations, and while Tel Aviv reports very few such cases, it is a possibility. Someone might pretend to help you withdraw money from an ATM and steal your card details or simply be lurking around while you do so therefore, always make sure that you cover the keypad while typing in your pin code.
 
News Scams: Owing to the country’s political issues, you might come across fake news reporters or journalists looking for controversial comments about the same. They might try to instigate you into criticising the governance or political situation; it is best that you refuse to comment and simply walk away.

Safety of Women, Children and LGBTQ+ People in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is quite a safe travel destination for women, even if you travel solo, as the crime rates are very low. Moreover, being very progressive and liberal, there are no restrictions on any kind of clothing. However, it is advisable to avoid short skirts, shorts, sleeveless tops and other clothing that might show a lot of skin when visiting a religious site. You must always take precautions to avoid any problems; inform somewhere of your whereabouts at all times, avoid going in dark and unlit areas and be careful when engaging with unknown locals. 

Tel Aviv is also safe for children as it is a great destination for families, and there are plenty of attractions for children to see here. Nevertheless, it is best not to leave children unsupervised and perhaps to give them a mobile phone to that they can contact you if they ever get lost. 

Often referred to as the “Miami of the Middle East,” Tel Aviv is a very inclusive and liberal city and is thus very safe for people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community. It is, in fact, one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world and is known for recognising same-sex unions; the law protects your law to be in a relationship with someone of the same sex, live with them and also adopt children, although same-sex marriages are yet to be made legal. Pride events, including parades, are frequently organised all around the city.

Health Standards in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is an extremely clean city, and you would find that the streets and popular tourist places like beaches are also free of garbage or rubbish. 

Water: The Ministry of Health has declared that the water in Tel Aviv is absolutely safe for consumption and that you can drink tap water anywhere, be it in a restaurant, hotel, office, park or public building.

Pollution: Tel Aviv is moderately polluted, which means that the air quality is slightly worse than what can be considered normal, but it is still not very dangerous. You can walk around the city without wearing a mask. 

Food: Food in Tel Aviv is very safe for consumption as the Ministry of Health maintains high hygiene standards. Vendors and eateries sell good quality produce and food, but it is always recommended that you check it before consuming. Moreover, when eating at a street stall, pick popular ones that have good reviews. 

Infectious diseases: Tel Aviv doesn’t report many cases of infectious diseases, but it is advisable to get vaccines for polio, chickenpox, measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, shingles and the flue prior to arriving. 

Transportation in Tel Aviv

Walking: Walking is a very convenient way of getting around the city as almost everything is within walking distance of each other. Moreover, it is a great way to get some exercise in!

Buses: Taking the bus to commute in Tel Aviv is a good idea as the city has a fully functional bus system comprising different lines connecting various points within the city and linking Tel Aviv to other cities. The Tel Aviv Central Bus Station and the 2000 Terminal are the two important bus stations. 

Cycling: The Municipality has tried to encourage people to use bicycles to move around the city as it is more eco-friendly. Tel-O-Fun and Ofnidan are two of the city’s most well-known cycle networks that link different routes and have various stations where you can rent a cycle. 

Electric scooters: You can also use electric scooters to commute in Tel Aviv; there are designated parking spots across the city. Companies are also required to provide you with helmets, and their movement is always monitored, so it is also a very safe option. 

Taxis: You can always get a taxi to get around Tel Aviv city. Make sure to negotiate a price before starting your journey, or ask the driver to turn on the metre and navigation, so they don’t end up charging you extra.

Car rentals: Renting a car in Tel Aviv allows you to work on your own schedule and not depend on the public transport’s timings. AutoTel is the most popular rental service that also has designated parking spots across the city; you are charged by the minute and need to download their app to avail of the service. 

Trains: Tel Aviv is in the process of developing a light rail system along with a metro system that would link different neighbourhoods and attractions. 

In Tel Aviv, you can also use Rav Kas, the public transportation pass that can be used for all forms of public transport but shared cabs; you simply need to add the required credits before beginning a journey. You can easily get it at a train station or the airport. Moreover, there is also a Rav Kas mobile application which makes it is convenient for online payments and also provides you with information about the routes, fares and timetables of the different services. 

Safety Tips

• Make a few copies of your important documents and IDs and keep them in a secure place in case you lose your originals.
• Do a thorough sweep of your room upon arrival to ensure that there are no cameras or two-way mirrors. Make sure that the doors and windows lock properly. 
• Keep your valuable items in a locker if there is one, or store them in a safe place inside the room.
• Always beware of your surroundings when out, especially in crowded places, and keep your bag towards the front to avoid being pickpocketed.
• Don’t carry too much money when out sightseeing; it is best to calculate how much you would need on a particular day and to carry on that much.
• Never let someone assist you in withdrawing cash from ATMs, and try to hide the keypad while typing in your pin number.
• Never leave your belongings unattended when out in public, and don’t take out multiple bills while paying for something.
• Avoid wearing flashy clothes and jewellery, and don’t carry too many expensive gadgets to avoid theft.
• Don’t draw too much attention to yourself by stopping every few seconds to take pictures, as it often disturbs others and also singles you out as a tourist.
• Be careful when interacting with unknown locals, and never leave your drink unattended.
• Given that Tel Aviv is a religious city, keep in mind to be respectful at all times; don’t express potentially controversial opinions on conflicts, and wear appropriate clothes when going to a religious site.
• Try to watch the news regularly to keep track of the city’s political situation. And don’t take photographs of military personnel.
• In case of emergencies, it is best to have basic information about the city’s underground bomb shelters (miklat) and strengthened rooms (mamad).

Emergency Services in Tel Aviv

• Police: 100
• Ambulance: 101
• Fire Department: 102
• Tourist police: +972-505072937
• City services: +972-35238888
• Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center: +972-36974730

Tel Aviv, Israel’s second-largest city, is an absolute treat and a must-visit tourist destination, as it offers you the perfect blend of history and modernity. A very safe city, it records very few crimes and gives you very little to be concerned about with respect to security. However, keeping your eyes and ears open is always advisable to avoid mishaps or troubles while visiting Tel Aviv.