How easy is it to travel in Israel and Jordan alone?

Answer 1

I can not answer about Jordan, but I can certainly give up-to-date information about Israel.

It is perfectly safe to travel on you own in Israel - whether you are male or female. Sanitary level is excellent and it is safe to drink the water or eat in any standard restaurant. Just judge the place by how clean it looks. I would not eat in a restaurant in a side street of a big market (like Hacarmel market in Tel Aviv), but I would feel ok buying food in the street (you should try Falafel) or sit in any fast food restaurant, and of course, higher class restaurants are a real treat.

As for walking around, the places to keep away from are first of all Arab neighborhoods and the Palestinian Territory. These places are ridden with crime and drugs, and political unrest may cause the place to boil in a matter of minutes. The cities I would avoid are Ramle and Lod (two adjacent cities known for a high level of crime and drugs) as well as some regions of Tel Aviv in what is called the Old Central Bus Station. They are ok during the day, but stay away from there at night.

Transportation is easy and bus service is adequate. There is a subway only in Haifa, and it goes up and down the mountain (only 7 stations). The train is a bit slow and at the moment train service to the south has been suspended due to maintenance work. Taxi service is fast and not terribly expensive. There is also a taxi service that works like a bus - a taxi on a set route which leaves as soon as it fills up by passengers - the price is only slightly higher than bus fare (Taxi Sherut).

All in all, I, as a woman, have traveled alone all around Israel without any problem.

Welcome and enjoy your visit.