Currency Exchange: Any post office will change money without commission. Change
Point, 106 Ha-Yarkon St. , and
Change Spot, 140 Dizengoff St. ,
also offer no-commission exchange. Banks usually exchange currency M-Th 8:30am-
2pm, F 8:30am-noon for US$6 or 5% commission.
Banks: Most banks are open Su, Tu, Th 8:30am-12:30pm and 4-5:30pm; M, W, F, and
holiday eves 8:30am-noon. Main bank offices: Bank Ha-Poalim, 104 Ha-Yarkon St.
; and Bank Leumi, 130
Ben-Yehuda St. Branches throughout the city and suburbs.
American Express: 57 Rothschild Blvd. Mail held for cardholders, but no
packages. For lost AmEx traveler's checks, call the toll-free 24hr. line («177 440 86
94). Changes traveler's checks at bank rates without commission. Cardholders can buy
traveler's checks with a passport and personal checks (1% service charge) or cash (3%
service charge). Open Su-Th 9am-5pm, F 9-llam.
LOCAL SERVICES
Shopping Hours: In general, 8:30am-7pm, but many stores stay open until 10pm, espe-
cially in malls. Most are open late on Th night, and almost all close F by 2pm.
English Bookstores: The Book Boutique, 190 Dizengoff St. The best
place for used English-language books in Tel Aviv. A vast selection of texts, plus free
lemonade for thirsty bibliophiles. The friendly owner buys and exchanges books, too.
Open Su-Th 10am-7pm, F 10am-3pm. Katzman Gallery Books, 152 Dizengoff St.
. A wide selection of magazines, comics, and cheap used books, which
they'll buy back afterwards for half-price. Usually open Su-Th 10:30am-8pm, F 8am-
3pm. Steimatzky has many locations, including 107 Allenby R09 Dizengoff St. the
Opera Tower at 1 Allenby Rd. and Kikkar Ha-Medina. Open Su-Th 8:30am-llpm, F
8:40am-2pm, Sa after sunset-llpm.
Library: British Council Library, 140 Ha-Yarkon St. A peaceful, A/C
haven with English-language books, newspapers, videocassettes, and magazines. Open
to the public M-Th lOam-lpm and 4-7pm, F lOam-lpm.
Camping Supplies: LaMetayel , Dizengoff Center, on the 3rd floor, near
the Lev Cinema. The largest camping store in the area, with a full range of equipment
and information. The place to meet young Israelis gearing up for their post-military
grand tour. Open Su-Th 10am-8:30pm, F 10am-2pm. Steve's Packs ,
next door, has a narrower selection, but may be more affordable. Open Su-Th 9:30am-
8:45pm, F 9:30am-3pm, Sa 710:45pm. Maslool Travelers' Equipment and Informa-
tion Center, 47 Bogroshov St. Buys used equipment. Offers advice and
maps (some free, some NIS20-40) for hiking all over Israe0% Let's Go discount.
Open Su-Th 9am-10pm, F 9am-4pm, Sa 7:30-10:30pm.
Film Developing: Fotofilm, 84 Allenby St. ,
lenses, film, and video supplies. Open Su-Th 9am-6pm, F 9am-2:30pm.
Ticket Agencies: Rococo, 93 Dizengoff St. Open Su-Th 9am-7pm, F
9am-2pm. Hadran, 90 Ibn Gvirol St. , north of Kikkar Yitzhak Rabin. Cas-
tel, 153 Ibn Gvirol St. All sell
tickets for concerts, plays, sporting events, and other performances. Discount student
tickets sometimes available. MC, V; no checks.
Laundry: Self-service laundromats abound, and hostels and hotels often have their own
laundry services. Most hostels allow non-guests to use machines. Kikkar Dizengoff
Laundry, right near the fountain, on your right when coming from the city center, has
coin-operated machines. Washers NIS10; dryers NISI for3min. Open 24hr.