Best Places to Exchange Money in Jerusalem

Jerusalem Travel Guide / May 31, 2018
Best Places to Exchange Money in Jerusalem

There is no limit on the amount of money that can be brought in when you visit Jerusalem. So, take along as much as you can and have it changed later at a licensed forex shop, a post office branch or a bank branch for better exchange rates.

If Israeli Shekel is new to you, then it is better to pick up a bit about it before having your first transaction in Jerusalem. Israeli New Shekel (ILS), formerly known as New Israeli Sheqel (NIS), is the currency of Israel. 1 Shekel is equal to 100 Agorot. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 20ILS, 50ILS, 100ILS and 200ILS. Coins are available in 10 Agorot, 50 Agorot, 1ILS, 6ILS, and 10ILS.

Talking about the best exchange rates, we, most of the times, can get them at money changers in town. To have a smooth transaction, you should bring your passport with you, and ask if there is any commission or hidden charge before showing your money. Generally, it is safe to use the service of those authorized forex shops. To avoid scamp, just say “no thanks” to those who approach you on the street and offer a quick transaction.

In this article, we reserve the top position for the most reliable money changers in Jerusalem. Apart from them, post office branches and bank branches are also included in for the convenient use of those who prefer a definitely safe transaction over cash optimizing.

1. Jerusalem’s Authorized Money Changers

Jerusalem’s Authorized Money Changers Image credit: Central Change

Many visitors choose to get the currency exchange service at a money changer for the best rates in town. If optimization is the thing that makes more sense to you when exchanging money, then make sure that you engage the service of a licensed money changer.

In this write-up, you will find the top six forex shops that are known for their reliable service and good rates. Among them, Central Change, located on Ben Sira Street, is the most popular. Remains open until 22:00 from Sunday to Thursday and 24:00 on Saturday, the shop is a place to buy the Shekels day and night.

1) Central Change

  • The store is just a 1-minute walk from the Social Security Office which is situated along Ben Sira St
  • Address: 26 Ben Sira St., Jerusalem, 94181, Israel
  • Phone: +972 2-566-6960
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 08:30 – 22:00, Fri 08:30 – 15:30, Sat 09:00 – 24:00

2) Levy Change @ Talpiot Mall

  • This shop is located inside Israel Talpiot Mall
  • Address: 18 Yad Harutzim St., Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972 2-6780000
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 09:00 – 19:00, Fri 09:00 – 13:00

3) IG Financial Services @ Ben Yehuda

  • Its location is just a 1-minute walk from the corner of Yafo Street and Ben Yehuda Street
  • Address: 2 Ben Yehuda St., Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972 2 624-0011
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 09:00 – 19:00
  • Exchange rates

4) Isra Transfer

  • This store is located beside City Market
  • Address: 12c Shamai St., Jerusalem, 9463115, Israel
  • Phone: +972 74-701-8887
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 09:00 – 18:00

5) Focus Change

  • It is situated beside Mizrahi Bank
  • Address: 13 Ben Yehuda St., Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972-2-623-4499
  • Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 09:00 – 18:00*

6) Aladdin Exchange

  • This shop is just a 1-minute walk from Addar Mall
  • Address: 10 Salah e-Din St, Jerusalem, 91000
  • Phone: +972-2- 6281077
  • Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 09:00 – 18:00*
  • Exchange rates

2. Access Credit Company

Access Credit Company

Having currency conversion as one of the company’s main activities, Access Credit offers trustworthy currency exchange and money transfer services all over their 9 branches in Israel. They accept most of the major currencies which include USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, AUD, CHF, NOK, JPY, HKD, and SEK.

Cashing cheque service is also available at any of the branches. Cheque exchange fees are as follows: NIS cheque = 1%, USD cheque = 2%, GBP cheque = 2.5%, CAD cheque = $10 per cheque plus 3%.

RECOMMENDED BRANCHES

1) Access Credit Main Branch

  • The main branch is just a 1-minute walk from HaRav Slonim Square
  • Address: 6 Ha-Rav S Sha’ulzon St, Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972 2 651-6090
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 09:00 – 18:00, Fri 09:00 – 11:30 (winter)/12:30 (summer)

2) Access Credit @ Rav Shefa Mall

  • This branch is located inside Rav Shefa Mall which is near Belza Square
  • Address: 16 Shamgar Street, Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972 2 500-4401
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 10:00 – 19:00, Fri 10:00 –12:30

3) Access Credit @ Ramot Mall

  • This branch is nestled inside Ramot Mall
  • Address: 255 Golda Me’ir Boulevard, Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972 2 534-1917
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 09:00 – 18:00, Fri 09:00 –12:00

4) Access Credit @ Wolfson Towers

  • This branch is located inside Wolfson Towers which is near Jerusalem Medical Center
  • Address: 9 Diskin, Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972 2 534-1991
  • Opening hours: Sunto Thu 09:00 – 17:00, Fri 09:00 – 11:30 (winter)/12:30 (summer)

5) Access Credit @ Rechavia

  • This branch is located across Gymnasia Rehavia high school
  • Address: 21 Keren Kayemet Le-Israel St., Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972-2- 566-3144
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 09:00 – 17:30, Fri 09:00 – 11:30 (winter)/12:30 (summer)

3. Post Office Branches in Tourist Areas

Post Office Branches in Tourist Areas Image credit: DiggerDina

Bear in mind that post office is a reliable address to buy Shekels when you are in Israel. A name to remember is Israel Post, a government-owned company that offers postal and banking services. Israel Post is helpful for our travelers in changing currency and converting checks to cash.

Israel Post’s service is very accessible through their many branches across the country. In this article, five of the most convenient branches in Jerusalem are picked out and listed for you to find one that is nearest to where you are. Note that the queue at these places can be long due to the happening of various kinds of transactions done there (postal activity is an example).

Despite the long queue, Israel Post is still a well-loved money changer of many as their exchange rates are reasonable. You can check the daily rates here.

RECOMMENDED ISRAEL POST BRANCHES

1) Israel Post @ Old City

  • This branch is located right outside Christ Church Heritage Center.
  • Address: The Armenian Patriarchate St., Jerusalem, 91140, Israel
  • Phone: +972-2-628-0738
  • Opening hours: Sun, Mon, Wed & Thu 08:00 – 16:00; Tue 08:00 – 13:30; Fri 08:00 – 12:00

2) Israel Post @ Agripas St.

  • This branch sits beside Maccabedet Hospital.
  • Address: 42 Agripas St., Jerusalem, 9430125, Israel
  • Phone: +972- 1599-500171
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 08:00 – 18:00, Fri 08:00 – 12:00

3) Israel Post near Yafo St.

  • The branch is just a 1-minute walk from the corner of Eliyahu Mani St and Yafo St.
  • Address: 4 Eliyahu Mani St., Jerusalem, 9432501, Israel
  • Phone: +972- 2-624-0144
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 08:00 – 15:00

4) Israel Post @ HaKeren HaKayemet Le-Israel St.

  • This branch is situated at the intersection of HaKeren HaKayemet Le-Israel St. and Ibn Gabirol St.
  • Address: 8 HaKeren HaKayemet Le-Israel St., Jerusalem, 9242808, Israel
  • Phone: +972-2-5005303
  • Opening hours: Sun, Tue & Thu 08:00 – 20:00; Mon & Wed 08:00 – 13:30; Fri 08:00 -12:00

5) Israel Post @ Hebrew University

  • The branch is nestled inside Sherman Building which is a 5-minute walk from Bloomfield Science Museum.
  • Address: 1 Derech Balfour St., Jerusalem, 9139001, Israel
  • Phone: +972- 2-563-5089
  • Opening hours: Sun to Thu 09:00 – 15:00

 

4. Banks in Downtown Jerusalem

Banks in Downtown Jerusalem Image credit: Anton Khmelnitsky

Those prefer safe transactions over cash optimizing should consider the service of Jerusalem’s banks. Top banks like Bank Hapoalim and Bank Leumi are all offer currency exchange and cheque cashing services.

Note that banking hours are limited and working days are different from many other cities in the world so check them out before heading yourself to one of the branch.

RECOMMENDED BANK BRANCHES

1) Bank Hapoalim @ King George St.

  • This branch of Bank Hapoalim is located near the intersection of King George and Ben Yehuda.
  • Address: 16 King George St., Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972 3-653-2407
  • Opening hours: Sun, Tue & Wed 08:30 – 13:15; Mon & Thu 08:30 – 13:00, 16:00 – 18:30
  • Exchange rates

2) Bank Leumi @ King George St.

  • This branch of Bank Leumi sits at the intersection of King George and Ben Yehuda.
  • Address: 22 King George St., Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972 3-954-5522
  • Opening hours: Sun, Tue & Wed 08:30 – 14:00; Mon & Thu 08:30 – 13:00, 16:00 – 18:15
  • Exchange rates

3) Union Bank of Israel @ Ben Yehuda

  • This branch of Union Bank of Israel is located at the corner of Ben Yehuda and Herbert Samuel St.
  • Address: 1 Ben Yehuda, Jerusalem, Israel
  • Phone: +972 1599-599051
  • Opening hours: Sun, Tue & Wed:30 – 13:00; Mon & Thu 08:30 – 12:30, 15:30 – 18:00; Fri 08:30 – 12:00

4) Bank of Jerusalem @ Herbert Samuel St.

  • Address: 2 Herbert Samuel St., Jerusalem, 94632, Israel
  • Phone: +972 76-809-5111
  • Opening hours: Sun, Tue & Wed 09:30 – 14:30; Mon & Thu 09:00 – 13:30, 16:00 – 18:00
  • Exchange rates

5) Mizrahi Bank @ Ben Yehuda St.

  • This branch of Mizrahi Bank is situated at the corner of Ben Yehuda and Ben Hillel.
  • Address: 12 Ben Yehuda, Jerusalem, 94622, Israel
  • Phone: +972 76-804-0010
  • Opening hours: Sun, Tue & Thu 09:00 – 14:00; Mon & Wed 09:00 – 14:00, 16:00 – 18:00; Fri 09:00 – 12:00

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