As of September 2010, getting around Jerusalem can be a little harrowing. Many of the central downtown streets are in various stages of devastation due to the construction of the light rail project that is years behind schedule and now slated to go into operation in November 2011. Because the streets are all torn up, bus routes and bus stops change from day to day. Best thing to do is to call the Egged bus company info hotline *2800 from any phone to ask how to get to your destination today.
Cabs are reasonably priced--about $7-10 for an in-town ride of 15-20 mins. Most cabbies speak some English. No tips expected. Many streets in central Jerusalem are designated for cabs and buses only, making them a speedy way of getting to your destination.
If you do take the plunge and hop on a bus, NileGuide
How To Get Around Jerusalem gives you some basic how-tos.
Important Destinations and their bus routes:
Central Bus Station: Bus #1,8,74,75,7, 26,28,18,21,31,32,9,13.
Haas Promenade: 8
Biblical Zoo: 26
Ein Kerem: 17
German Colony: 18,21,4
Givat Ram Camous: 31,32,71,72
Hadassah Hospital: 19
Hebrew U, Mt Scopus: 28,4
Israel Museum: 9, 17
Jerusalem Theater: 13
Malha Mall: 6
Rachel's Tomb: 163
Yad Vashem: 20, 13
Western Wall: 38, 1, 2
Sightseeing Bus: Route 99 All-City Circle Route
Jerusalem's All City Circle Route -- Jerusalem's special Red Double-Decker Tourist Bus leaves five times daily from in front of Safra Square on Jaffa Road, Sunday to Thursday, starting at 9am. It stops at 25 major sites throughout the city, and is a great way to sit back and get a feel for Jerusalem. Audio explanations of the route and sites are available in eight languages. The fare for the all-city circle route (approx. 2 hr.; no getting off the bus) is NIS 60 ($14/£5.60). All Day Passes, allowing multiple stop offs, is NIS 80 ($20/£10.10), but you have to coordinate reentering the bus with the route schedule. Tickets can be bought at many hotels (your hotel can also make a reservation for you); for further information, call Egged: *2800 from any phone inside Israel.
Walking:
Jerusalem is definitely a walking town. In and around the Old City, that's the only way to get around. Just pay attention at pedestrian crossings--do not assume that drivers will stop for you. Don't even think about crossing against a light--jay-walking fines are steep and tourists who feign ignorance don't always get away with a warning.
As of September 2010, getting around Jerusalem can be a little harrowing. Many of the central downtown streets are in various stages of devastation due to the construction of the light rail project that is years behind schedule and now slated to go into operation in November 2011. Because the streets are all torn up, bus routes and bus stops change from day to day. Best thing to do is to call the Egged bus company info hotline *2800 from any phone to ask how to get to your destination today.
Cabs are reasonably priced--about $7-10 for an in-town ride of 15-20 mins. Most cabbies speak some English. No tips expected. Many streets in central Jerusalem are designated for cabs and buses only, making them a speedy way of getting to your destination.
If you do take the plunge and hop on a bus, NileGuide
How To Get Around Jerusalem gives you some basic how-tos.
Important Destinations and their bus routes:
Central Bus Station: Bus #1,8,74,75,7, 26,28,18,21,31,32,9,13.
Haas Promenade: 8
Biblical Zoo: 26
Ein Kerem: 17
German Colony: 18,21,4
Givat Ram Camous: 31,32,71,72
Hadassah Hospital: 19
Hebrew U, Mt Scopus: 28,4
Israel Museum: 9, 17
Jerusalem Theater: 13
Malha Mall: 6
Rachel's Tomb: 163
Yad Vashem: 20, 13
Western Wall: 38, 1, 2
Sightseeing Bus: Route 99 All-City Circle Route
Jerusalem's All City Circle Route -- Jerusalem's special Red Double-Decker Tourist Bus leaves five times daily from in front of Safra Square on Jaffa Road, Sunday to Thursday, starting at 9am. It stops at 25 major sites throughout the city, and is a great way to sit back and get a feel for Jerusalem. Audio explanations of the route and sites are available in eight languages. The fare for the all-city circle route (approx. 2 hr.; no getting off the bus) is NIS 60 ($14/£5.60). All Day Passes, allowing multiple stop offs, is NIS 80 ($20/£10.10), but you have to coordinate reentering the bus with the route schedule. Tickets can be bought at many hotels (your hotel can also make a reservation for you); for further information, call Egged: *2800 from any phone inside Israel.
Walking:
Jerusalem is definitely a walking town. In and around the Old City, that's the only way to get around. Just pay attention at pedestrian crossings--do not assume that drivers will stop for you. Don't even think about crossing against a light--jay-walking fines are steep and tourists who feign ignorance don't always get away with a warning.
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NileGuide
more transportation
wcities.com
Getting There
By Air
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
+972 0 3 971 0000
http://www.ben-gurion-airport.com
The Ben Gurion International Airport is 48 kilometers (30 miles) and about a 45-minute taxi ride from Jerusalem. Here are some of the major airlines with daily arrivals and departures.
Air Canada (+1 800 776 3000/ http://www.aircanada.ca)
Air France (+1 800 871 1366/ http://www.airfrance.com)
British Airways (+1 800 247 9297/ http://www.british-airways.com)
Continental (+1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com)
Delta (+1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com)
El Al (+1 800 223 6700/ http://www.elal.co.il)
Northwest (+1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com)
United (+1 800 241 6522/ http://www.ual.com)
Arkia Israeli Airlines (+972 3 690 3712)
From the Airport
Besides renting a car from one of the airport's car rental companies (see below), one can also leave the airport by train, bus or grab a taxi. You will find more details at http://www.ben-gurion-airport.com
Car Rental:
Avis (+1 800 831 2847; +972 3 977 3200/ http://www.avis.com)
Budget (+1 800 527 0700; 972 1 700 70 4141/ http://www.budget.com)
Eldan (+972 3 565 4545/http://www.eldan.co.il)
Enterprise (+1 800 325 8007/ http://www.enterprise.com)
Hertz (+1 800 654 3131; +972 8 977 7777/ http://www.hertz.com)
Taxi:
The taxi companies that operate out of TLV are supervised by the Israel Airport Authority. The taxi station is located in Terminal 3 on Level G.
Bus:
Egged
+972 3 694 8888
http://www.egged.co.il/
Egged bus #5 provides transportation from TLV to Airport City, from where more bus lines are available to different points throughout the country.
Rail:
Israel Railways
+972 3 611 7000
http://www.rail.co.il
Next to the Greeters' Hall, there is a train station in the Landside Building, Level S. Taking the train to Jerusalem takes about two hours and costs about ILS21. More details, fares and schedules can be found on their website.
Getting Around
By Car
The Ayalon Highway is a freeway from Holon to Herzliya. The Cross Israel Highway (Hwy 6) is a toll-way that runs North to South.
By Bus
Dan Transportation public bus (+ 972 3 639 4444)
Egged Bus Company public bus (+972 3 694 8888)
Kavim Public Transportation (+972 3 557 0600)
Metropoline (+972 1 222 5900)
By Train
Carmelit Subway (+972 4 837 6861) Connects Haifa to the Carmel Mountain.
Israel Railways (+972 3 577 4000/ http://www.rail.co.il/EN/Pages/HomePage.aspx) Major metropolitan railway service.
Neta Urban Transportation Co. (+ 972 3 689 3000) Government company in the metropolitan area.
Rakevet Kala (+972 2 625 9322) Jerusalem Light Rail system.
Getting There
By Air
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
+972 0 3 971 0000
http://www.ben-gurion-airport.com
The Ben Gurion International Airport is 48 kilometers (30 miles) and about a 45-minute taxi ride from Jerusalem. Here are some of the major airlines with daily arrivals and departures.
Air Canada (+1 800 776 3000/ http://www.aircanada.ca)
Air France (+1 800 871 1366/ http://www.airfrance.com)
British Airways (+1 800 247 9297/ http://www.british-airways.com)
Continental (+1 800 525 0280/ http://www.continental.com)
Delta (+1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com)
El Al (+1 800 223 6700/ http://www.elal.co.il)
Northwest (+1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com)
United (+1 800 241 6522/ http://www.ual.com)
Arkia Israeli Airlines (+972 3 690 3712)
From the Airport
Besides renting a car from one of the airport's car rental companies (see below), one can also leave the airport by train, bus or grab a taxi. You will find more details at http://www.ben-gurion-airport.com
Car Rental:
Avis (+1 800 831 2847; +972 3 977 3200/ http://www.avis.com)
Budget (+1 800 527 0700; 972 1 700 70 4141/ http://www.budget.com)
Eldan (+972 3 565 4545/http://www.eldan.co.il)
Enterprise (+1 800 325 8007/ http://www.enterprise.com)
Hertz (+1 800 654 3131; +972 8 977 7777/ http://www.hertz.com)
Taxi:
The taxi companies that operate out of TLV are supervised by the Israel Airport Authority. The taxi station is located in Terminal 3 on Level G.
Bus:
Egged
+972 3 694 8888
http://www.egged.co.il/
Egged bus #5 provides transportation from TLV to Airport City, from where more bus lines are available to different points throughout the country.
Rail:
Israel Railways
+972 3 611 7000
http://www.rail.co.il
Next to the Greeters' Hall, there is a train station in the Landside Building, Level S. Taking the train to Jerusalem takes about two hours and costs about ILS21. More details, fares and schedules can be found on their website.
Getting Around
By Car
The Ayalon Highway is a freeway from Holon to Herzliya. The Cross Israel Highway (Hwy 6) is a toll-way that runs North to South.
By Bus
Dan Transportation public bus (+ 972 3 639 4444)
Egged Bus Company public bus (+972 3 694 8888)
Kavim Public Transportation (+972 3 557 0600)
Metropoline (+972 1 222 5900)
By Train
Carmelit Subway (+972 4 837 6861) Connects Haifa to the Carmel Mountain.
Israel Railways (+972 3 577 4000/ http://www.rail.co.il/EN/Pages/HomePage.aspx) Major metropolitan railway service.
Neta Urban Transportation Co. (+ 972 3 689 3000) Government company in the metropolitan area.
Rakevet Kala (+972 2 625 9322) Jerusalem Light Rail system.
Frommer's
Getting Around
By Bus
Here are some of the most important destinations, and the buses that take you there:
Abu Tor (and Old Railroad Station): 6, 7, 8, 21, 30, 38, 48
American Colony (East Jerusalem): 23, 27
Bet Ha-Karem: 6, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27
Damascus Gate (Old City): 27
East Jerusalem: 23, 27, 99
Ein Kerem: 17
German Colony (South Jerusalem): 4, 14, 18, 24
Ge'ula Quarter: 3, 9, 39
Hadassah Hospital at Ein Kerem (Chagall Windows): 19
Israel Museum: 9, 17, 24, 99
Jaffa Gate (Old City): 3, 19, 20, 30, 80, 99
Jewish Quarter (Old City): 1, 38
King George V Avenue 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 31, 38, 48
Mount Scopus: 9, 23, 26, 28
Mount Zion: 38
Yad VaShem: 13, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 27, 39, 40, 99
Zion Square: 6, 13, 15, 18, 20, 21
Bus drivers make change, sell single and multiple tickets and passes, and speak English.
A single full-fare city bus ticket costs NIS 5.60 ($1.40/70p). But if you ask the driver for a kartisiya (that's kahr-tee-see-yah), he'll sell you a pass good for 20 trips, plus one extra trip for free. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can use up a kartisiya. The pass is punched each time you board a bus. If two of you are traveling together, just tell the bus driver "pamayim" (twice) as you hand him the kartisiya, and he'll punch two fares. Students pay reduced fares and can buy a special discount kartisiya as well. If you pay for a normal, single fare, keep the receipt the driver gives you until you exit the bus. Occasionally you may be asked to produce it as proof you've paid.
There is a city bus station near Damascus Gate on Nablus Road for destinations in East Jerusalem and surrounding Arabic communities.
Bus 99: Jerusalem's All City Circle Route -- At press time Jerusalem's special Red Double-Decker Tourist Bus left four times daily from in front of Safra Square on Jaffa Road, Sunday to Thursday, starting at 9am. It stops at 29 major sites throughout the city, and is a great way to sit back and get a feel for Jerusalem. Audio explanations of the route and sites are available in eight languages. The fare for the all-city circle route (approx. 2 hr.; no getting off the bus) is NIS 45 ($11/£5.60). All Day Passes, allowing multiple stop offs, is NIS 65 ($16/£8.10), but you have to coordinate reentering the bus with the route schedule. Tickets can be bought at many hotels (your hotel can also make a reservation for you); for further information, go to www.egged.co.il. Click on "English," then on "Tourism."
By Taxi or Sherut
Sheruts travel the main bus route from Sederot Herzl to Jaffa Road and Zion Square on Shabbat; they charge a shekel per person more than standard bus fare. The trick is finding one with room and flagging it down. Private taxis will take you throughout the city and charge higher night and Shabbat rates. The standard initial drop is approximately NIS 10 ($2.50/£1.25), but this rate is always rising. By law, the meter (ha-sha-on) must be turned on, and you will be given a printed receipt (ka-ba-lah) at your destination, but when taxi drivers see a foreigner, many will ask for a set price before starting. Except during the most terrible rush hour traffic jam, you'll always do better with the meter. Unfortunately, on a rainy Friday night, if the driver claims his meter is broken, you may not want to argue. In central Jerusalem, a daytime ride should not be much more than NIS 25 to NIS 30 ($6.25-$7.50/£3.10-£3.75). Legal fare schedules rise after 9pm and on Shabbat (sundown on Fri to sundown on Sat). Taxi drivers do not expect tips; at most, if your driver claims to have no change, round off the fare to the nearest shekel. Your driver may charge extra if he assists you in dragging baggage into or out of a building. If he doesn't charge for this, a tip of a few shekels is warranted.
On Foot
Central Jerusalem and the Old City are compact and easy to walk. It is difficult to get to museums and the Knesset area at the Western side of town by foot, as distances are relatively far, and pedestrian facilities along the access roads are not good.
Getting Around
By Bus
Here are some of the most important destinations, and the buses that take you there:
Abu Tor (and Old Railroad Station): 6, 7, 8, 21, 30, 38, 48
American Colony (East Jerusalem): 23, 27
Bet Ha-Karem: 6, 14, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27
Damascus Gate (Old City): 27
East Jerusalem: 23, 27, 99
Ein Kerem: 17
German Colony (South Jerusalem): 4, 14, 18, 24
Ge'ula Quarter: 3, 9, 39
Hadassah Hospital at Ein Kerem (Chagall Windows): 19
Israel Museum: 9, 17, 24, 99
Jaffa Gate (Old City): 3, 19, 20, 30, 80, 99
Jewish Quarter (Old City): 1, 38
King George V Avenue 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 31, 38, 48
Mount Scopus: 9, 23, 26, 28
Mount Zion: 38
Yad VaShem: 13, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 27, 39, 40, 99
Zion Square: 6, 13, 15, 18, 20, 21
Bus drivers make change, sell single and multiple tickets and passes, and speak English.
A single full-fare city bus ticket costs NIS 5.60 ($1.40/70p). But if you ask the driver for a kartisiya (that's kahr-tee-see-yah), he'll sell you a pass good for 20 trips, plus one extra trip for free. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can use up a kartisiya. The pass is punched each time you board a bus. If two of you are traveling together, just tell the bus driver "pamayim" (twice) as you hand him the kartisiya, and he'll punch two fares. Students pay reduced fares and can buy a special discount kartisiya as well. If you pay for a normal, single fare, keep the receipt the driver gives you until you exit the bus. Occasionally you may be asked to produce it as proof you've paid.
There is a city bus station near Damascus Gate on Nablus Road for destinations in East Jerusalem and surrounding Arabic communities.
Bus 99: Jerusalem's All City Circle Route -- At press time Jerusalem's special Red Double-Decker Tourist Bus left four times daily from in front of Safra Square on Jaffa Road, Sunday to Thursday, starting at 9am. It stops at 29 major sites throughout the city, and is a great way to sit back and get a feel for Jerusalem. Audio explanations of the route and sites are available in eight languages. The fare for the all-city circle route (approx. 2 hr.; no getting off the bus) is NIS 45 ($11/£5.60). All Day Passes, allowing multiple stop offs, is NIS 65 ($16/£8.10), but you have to coordinate reentering the bus with the route schedule. Tickets can be bought at many hotels (your hotel can also make a reservation for you); for further information, go to www.egged.co.il. Click on "English," then on "Tourism."
By Taxi or Sherut
Sheruts travel the main bus route from Sederot Herzl to Jaffa Road and Zion Square on Shabbat; they charge a shekel per person more than standard bus fare. The trick is finding one with room and flagging it down. Private taxis will take you throughout the city and charge higher night and Shabbat rates. The standard initial drop is approximately NIS 10 ($2.50/£1.25), but this rate is always rising. By law, the meter (ha-sha-on) must be turned on, and you will be given a printed receipt (ka-ba-lah) at your destination, but when taxi drivers see a foreigner, many will ask for a set price before starting. Except during the most terrible rush hour traffic jam, you'll always do better with the meter. Unfortunately, on a rainy Friday night, if the driver claims his meter is broken, you may not want to argue. In central Jerusalem, a daytime ride should not be much more than NIS 25 to NIS 30 ($6.25-$7.50/£3.10-£3.75). Legal fare schedules rise after 9pm and on Shabbat (sundown on Fri to sundown on Sat). Taxi drivers do not expect tips; at most, if your driver claims to have no change, round off the fare to the nearest shekel. Your driver may charge extra if he assists you in dragging baggage into or out of a building. If he doesn't charge for this, a tip of a few shekels is warranted.
On Foot
Central Jerusalem and the Old City are compact and easy to walk. It is difficult to get to museums and the Knesset area at the Western side of town by foot, as distances are relatively far, and pedestrian facilities along the access roads are not good.
