Logistics & Planning

Flights, car rental, what to book now, what to pack

✈️ Flights

Outbound: TLV → Las Vegas

DateAug 11–12 (overnight flight)
RouteTLV → JFK/EWR → LAS or TLV → IST → LAS
Duration18–22 hours total (1 stop)
Target arrivalAug 12 morning/early afternoon
AirlinesEl Al + Delta, Turkish Airlines, United
Est. cost$800–1,400/person round trip (August peak)

💡 No direct TLV→LAS exists. Best options: connect via JFK (El Al + JetBlue/Delta), or Istanbul (Turkish). Try to arrive LAS by noon to make the 4hr drive to Bryce before sunset.

Return Option A: JFK/EWR → TLV

DateAug 25
RouteJFK → TLV (direct)
Duration~11 hours
AirlinesEl Al (direct), Delta, United

Return Option B: MIA → TLV

DateAug 25
RouteMIA → TLV (direct or 1 stop)
Duration~12 hours direct
AirlinesEl Al (seasonal direct), American via LHR

Mid-trip: ABQ → NYC or MIA

DateAug 19 evening
ABQ → JFK~4.5h, usually 1 stop (DFW/DEN)
ABQ → MIA~5h, usually 1 stop (DFW/IAH)
AirlinesAmerican, United, Southwest

💡 Drop rental car at ABQ airport. Afternoon/evening flights available. Arrive East Coast same night.

🚗 Car Rental

Western Leg: LAS → ABQ

Pick upLas Vegas McCarran (LAS) — Aug 12
Drop offAlbuquerque Sunport (ABQ) — Aug 19
Duration8 days
VehicleFull-size SUV or Minivan (7 people + luggage)
RecommendationsChevy Suburban, Ford Expedition, or Chrysler Pacifica
Est. cost$800–1,200 for 8 days (Aug peak)
One-way fee~$100–200 (LAS→ABQ)
Total miles~800–900 miles

💡 Book through Costco Travel or AutoSlash for best rates. Add 2nd driver (Mor). Gas budget: ~$150–200 total. Roads are excellent — all highways, no 4WD needed except optional Monument Valley dirt road (SUV fine).

Driving Distances Summary

SegmentMilesTime
LAS → Bryce Canyon2704h
Bryce → Page1302h
Page → Monument Valley1302.5h
Monument Valley → Mesa Verde1603h
Mesa Verde → Santa Fe2805h
Santa Fe → ABQ Airport651h
Total~1,035~17.5h

📋 Book NOW Checklist

🔴
Flights TLV → LAS (Aug 11-12)

August peak — prices rising daily. Book ASAP.

🔴
Antelope Canyon tour (Aug 13 or 14)

Sells out months ahead. Book Upper Antelope 11AM-1PM slot via Ken's Tours or Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours.

🔴
The View Hotel, Monument Valley (Aug 16)

Only hotel inside the park. Very limited rooms in August.

🟡
Car rental — large SUV/minivan (Aug 12-19)

LAS pickup, ABQ drop-off. August = tight supply for large vehicles.

🟡
Hotels in Page area (Aug 13-15)

Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell — same as Gindi family. Request adjoining rooms.

🟡
Meow Wolf Santa Fe tickets (Aug 18 or 19)

Can sell out in summer. Book online: meowwolf.com

🟢
America the Beautiful Pass

$80 per vehicle — covers all National Parks for 1 year. Buy at first park entrance or online at recreation.gov. Covers Bryce, Mesa Verde, and more.

🟢
NYC/Miami hotel (Aug 20-25)

More availability but book within 2 weeks for best rates.

🎒 Packing Guide

🏜️ Desert/National Parks (Aug 12-19)

  • Hiking shoes/boots (broken in!)
  • Sun hats + sunglasses for everyone
  • SPF 50+ sunscreen (desert sun is brutal)
  • Reusable water bottles (1L+ per person)
  • Light layers — 35°C day, 15°C night in mountains
  • Swimsuits (Lake Powell, hotel pools)
  • Flashlight/headlamp (Antelope Canyon is dark in spots)
  • Snacks for the car (limited food options in rural areas)
  • Phone car charger + mount (GPS navigation)
  • Light rain jacket (monsoon season in AZ/NM)

🏙️ NYC (Option A)

  • Comfortable walking shoes (10K+ steps/day)
  • Light, breathable clothes (Aug NYC = hot + humid)
  • One nice outfit for Broadway/dinner
  • Umbrella (summer showers)
  • Metro card budget: ~$35/person/week (7-day unlimited)

🏖️ Miami (Option B)

  • Multiple swimsuits (you'll be in the water daily)
  • Beach cover-ups + flip flops
  • Rashguards for kids (strong sun)
  • Aloe vera (just in case)
  • Bug spray (Everglades, evenings)
  • One nice outfit for dinners

🇺🇸 Practical Tips for Israeli Families

🚗 Driving

Israel license valid for tourists. Right side of the road. Speed limits in mph (not km/h!). Highway speeds: 65-75 mph = 105-120 km/h. Gas stations can be 100+ miles apart in Utah/Arizona — don't let the tank drop below quarter.

📱 Phone/Data

Buy US SIM at LAS airport or use Israeli carrier roaming. T-Mobile tourist SIM ($30-40, 3 weeks unlimited). Cell coverage is POOR in national parks and Navajo Nation — download offline maps on Google Maps before leaving Page.

💰 Tipping

Not like Israel — tipping is mandatory in the US. Restaurants: 18-20%. Hotels: $2-5/night for housekeeping. Tour guides: 15-20%. Valet: $3-5. Uber/Lyft: 15-20%.

🕐 Time Zones

Utah/Arizona = UTC-7 (Mountain/Arizona time). New Mexico = UTC-6 (Mountain). NYC = UTC-4 (Eastern). Miami = UTC-4 (Eastern). Israel = UTC+3. The Navajo Nation observes DST but the rest of Arizona doesn't — it gets confusing near Page!

🌡️ Weather

August in the Southwest: 35-42°C during the day, 15-20°C at night. Monsoon season means spectacular afternoon thunderstorms — usually brief but intense. Carry water everywhere. NYC: 28-33°C, humid. Miami: 31-34°C, very humid.

🐕 Angel the Dog?

If bringing Angel 🐩: US requires rabies vaccination + health certificate from Israeli vet (within 10 days of travel). Most national parks allow dogs on paved trails only. Hotels vary — check pet policy. Honestly: consider leaving Angel with family for this trip.

💰 Estimated Budget (Family of 7)

CategoryPhase 1+2 (West)Phase 3A (NYC)Phase 3B (Miami)
Flights (all)$7,000–12,000 (7 people × $1,000-1,700 avg)
Hotels (8 nights West)$2,500–3,500——
Hotels (5 nights East)—$2,000–3,500$1,500–3,000
Car rental (8 days)$1,000–1,400——
Gas$150–200——
Food (14 days × 7 ppl)$3,000–4,500
Activities/attractions$1,000–1,500$800–1,200$600–1,000
TOTAL ESTIMATERoute A (NYC): $15,000–23,000Route B (Miami): $14,000–21,000