Israel On The Go
Flying to Israel
Ben Gurion International Airport is situated in Lod (Lydda), near the Mediterranean coast, 20 km southeast of Tel Aviv and 50 km west of Jerusalem, and is the main hub for international air traffic. Its facilities include a Government Tourist Office, open around the clock, providing information and helping to arrange accommodation.
Egged Buses run from the airport to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. United Tours Bus number 222 runs from the airport to the Railway Station in Arlozorov, Tel Aviv, stoppping at various hotels en route. Sherut (communal) taxis can be taken to all the major destinations.
Departing passengers should arrive at the airport 2-3 hours prior to their flight's departure time (to allow for the lengthy security checks) and prepare the following documents: passport, flight tickets and money (Israeli currency preferred) for payment of the airport tax. To avoid the hassle of security checks at Ben Gurion Airport, the Airports Authority offers a day-before check-in service for your baggage. Your suitcases are transported to the airport and instead of arriving 2-3 hours before your flight you need only arrive 1 hour 15 minutes in advance. A charge of about $2.50 per person is made for this service.
By boat to Israel
The main ports are Haifa and Ashdod. The Stability Line and Sol Line offer sailings from Greece and Cyprus to Haifa, and many Mediterranean cruises include Israel in their itineraries. Official ports of entry for foreign yachts and boats, in addition to these, include Eilat and the Tel Aviv Marina.
To Israel by road
Following the signing of a peace agreement between Israel and Jordan in 1994, communications between the two countries have improved considerably (Israel now recognises Jordanian stamps in passports and visas, and vice versa). Visitors now have several border crossings to choose from: the Allenby Bridge, the Jordan River Crossing (near Beit She'an) and the Arava Checkpoint (between Eilat and Aqaba).
There are bus services from Amman in Jordan to the three border crossings with Israel which meet up with buses from Jerusalem. There is a direct bus service from Amman to Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station.
Open points of entry between Israel and Egypt are Nitsana, Rafah and Taba. There are bus services from Cairo to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and to the Taba border point near Eilat.
Flying within Israel
Apart from Ben Gurion International Airport, there are internal airports at Eilat, Haifa, Herzliya, Jerusalem, Rosh Pina, Sde Dov (Tel Aviv) and Uvda. Arkia Israeli Airlines, Israir and El-Rom Airlines offer internal scheduled flights. A number of other companies operate charter flights (3-10 passengers) to various parts of the country.
Around Israel by bus
Buses are by far the most common means of transport for both urban and inter-urban services. Services are regular and fares are reasonable. Most buses in Israel are operated by Egged, one of the largest bus companies in the world.
The Jerusalem Central Bus Station is on Yafo Road, near the western entrance to the city. The Tel Aviv Central Bus Station is a vast shopping mall complex on Levinski in the south of the city, and the Haifa Central Bus Station is on the Tel Aviv highway at the city's southern entrance.
Israel by train
Israel Railways run from Haifa and Nahariya in the north and from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, on a daily basis. Fares are considerably lower than bus fares, and seats can be reserved in advance for a small extra charge. Most of the trains are rather old, but all of them have buffet cars and service. The trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is a particularly lovely train route, winding through the scenic Sorek valley. There is no train service on the Sabbath, or on Jewish holidays.
Taxis & sherut in Israel
Taxis offer a quick and convenient mode of travel in Israel. You can phone for a taxi in any major city, or hail one in the street. All urban taxis have meters, whose operation is compulsory. Tipping is not compulsory, but is often greatly appreciated. Prices are pre-fixed between cities, and the driver will tell you your fare in advance, or show you the official price list if you ask for it.
The sherut is Israel's own indigenous mode of transportation, operating in and between main cities every day but Shabbat (the Sabbath). Individuals share a van or cab, which accommodates up to seven people, at a fixed price usually equivalent to the bus fare for the same route. Sheruts between cities leave from near the central bus station, and, in Jerusalem, from near Kikar Tsiyon (Zion Square).
Driving in Israel
Israelis drive with Mediterranean creativity. There is a lot of horn honking, overtaking on the inside and general improvisation. But life on the road is not as chaotic as in many other Mediterranean countries.
Many of the world's principal car-hire companies have outlets in Israel. These companies can supply you with a car at the airport and allow you to leave it there on departure. They have a network of offices around the country. In addition, if you break down a new car is almost immediately at your service.