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Institute of Justice – Travel resources

TRANSPORTATION

 Air Travel

The least expensive airfares to are often priced for round-trip travel and must be purchased well in advance. generally allow you to change your return date for a fee; most low-fare tickets, however, are nonrefundable.

Flights to Israel tend to be least expensive from November through March, except for the holiday season at the end of December. Prices are higher during the Jewish High Holiday period (usually in September or October) and Passover (usually in April).

Flying time from New York to Israel is approximately 11 hours; from Los Angeles or San Francisco, it's about 14 hours nonstop, or 18 to 19 hours with the usual stopover in or New York. International passengers are asked to arrive at the airport three hours prior to their flight time in order to allow for security checks.

From , the area international airports have the highest number of nonstop flights, with Airlines, United, and Delta providing nonstop service. Direct flights are also available on El Al from Los Angeles, , and Toronto, and on United from San Francisco. Major European carriers— including , Air , , Austrian Airways, , , , , KLM, Lot, , , Turkish Airways, and —have daily flights from the and on to Israel with stopovers in their domestic hub airports.

Because Israel is only slightly larger than New Jersey, it's more efficient to drive within the country than fly. The exception is the resort city of , which is about 360 km (224 miles) south of on the Gulf of Aqaba. There are flights several times a day from Tel Aviv and .

Reconfirmation obligations differ from to airline (and change from time to time); be certain to check with your carrier for all legs of your journey.

AIRLINE SECURITY ISSUES Transportation Security Administration. www.tsa.gov.

AIRPORTS Israel's main airport, Ben Gurion (TLV), is a few miles southeast of Tel Aviv. The airport has towering interior walls of Jerusalem stone adorned with 5th- and 6th-century Byzantine mosaics discovered throughout Israel. A soothing fountain is in the center of the departure hall, which has plenty of comfortable seating and cafés. Free Wi-Fi means you can stay connected while waiting for your flight. The spacious food court serves Middle Eastern cuisine and fast-food favorites. From (SDV), about 4 km (2½ miles) north of Tel Aviv's center, domestic airlines fly to Eilat in the south and Haifa or Rosh Pina in the north.

From October to April, there are charter flights to the Red Sea resort town of Eilat from Moscow, St. Petersburg, , Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Tallinn. There are also charter flights to Eilat from and during the Jewish holiday months of September and October. Eilat will close its current airport and open a new international airport in 2017; (www.iaa.gov.il) will be 19 km (12 miles) north

Last Updated: January 2019 1 of 10

Jerusalem Institute of Justice – Travel resources of the current one in the city center. All international charters to Eilat land at (VDA), about 60 km (37 miles) north of Eilat; Ovda may close for civilian flights when the new Ramon Airport opens.

AIRPORT INFORMATION Ben Gurion International Airport. Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, 7015001. 03/975–5555; www.iaa.gov.il/rashat/en- US/airports/bengurion.

Eilat Airport. 42 Eilat St., Eilat, Southern District. 700/705–022; www.iaa.gov.il.

Ovda Airport. Eilat, Southern District. 700/705–022; www.iaa.gov.il.

Sde Dov Airport. Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv. 03/698–4500; www.iaa.gov.il/rashat/en-US/airports/sdedov.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION The quickest and most convenient way to get to and from Ben Gurion International Airport is by taxi. Taxis are always available outside the arrivals hall and charge fixed prices. Fares are NIS 155 to Tel Aviv and NIS 288 to Jerusalem, plus NIS 4.50 per piece of luggage. Between 9 pm and 5:30 am, prices are NIS 175 to Tel Aviv and NIS 345 to Jerusalem.

From the airport, trains depart for Tel Aviv every half hour. They take you to the city in 15 minutes for NIS 13.50. Trains continue on to , , Haifa, Akko, and . For Jerusalem, change at Station in Tel Aviv, and expect a two-hour commute.

The shuttle service takes you to Jerusalem for NIS 64. The 10-passenger sherut taxis (minibuses) depart whenever they fill . The main disadvantage is that there’s no telling if you'll be the last passenger to be dropped off, so it can take an hour while the driver lets off the other passengers. To get to Ben Gurion International Airport from Jerusalem the same way, call Nesher a day in advance. Otherwise order a private cab from any taxi company, called a "special" taxi, for the fixed price of NIS 290, or NIS 340 after 9 pm nightly and on Saturday and holidays.

If you depart for the airport from central Tel Aviv by car or taxi at rush hour (7 to 9 am, 5 to 7 pm), note that the roads can get clogged. Allow 45 minutes for a trip that would otherwise take only about 20 minutes.

Taking the from Ben Gurion International Airport to Jerusalem is tedious. Board the local shuttle (line 5, NIS 5.80) for the 10-minute ride to the El Al Junction, and wait there for a Jerusalem-bound bus (line 425 or 947, NIS 25). It runs to Jerusalem's Central about every 30 minutes during the day, less frequently in the evening.

CONTACTS Egged. 03/694–8888; www.egged.co.il.

Nesher. 02/625–7227; www.neshertours.co.il.

FLIGHTS The national carrier, El Al Israel Airlines, is known for maintaining some of the world's strictest security standards. It’s not necessarily the cheapest carrier, especially from the United States. United, Delta, and US Airways often have cheaper nonstop fares, and some European airlines have better prices if you don't mind a stopover in their hub cities. Within Israel, Israeli Airlines and have flights from Tel Aviv

Last Updated: January 2019 2 of 10

Jerusalem Institute of Justice – Travel resources to Eilat and Haifa. If you plan to travel in , is an option; it has flights from Ben Gurion International Airport.

TO ISRAEL Delta Airlines. 800/221–1212; 800/241–4141; www.delta.com.

El Al Israel Airlines. 800/223–6700; 03/977–1111; www.elal.co.il.

Royal Jordanian Airlines. 212/949–0050; www.rj.com.

United Airlines. 800/241–6522; www.united.com.

WITHIN ISRAEL Arkia Israeli Airlines. 03/690–2210; www.arkia.com.

Israir Airlines. 03/510–9589; www.israirairlines.com.

 Bike Travel

Biking has taken off in Israel, with tens of thousands of avid cyclists hitting the trails every year. With mountains, deserts, and wooded hills, this small country is ideal for two-wheel adventures. Off-road tours take you to remote archaeological sites and other places not reachable by car. The Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (Jewish National Fund) has information about trails through some beautiful areas. Keep in mind that the going can get rough due to the summer's extreme heat, and there are winding and hilly roads with aggressive drivers. The weather is best from September to June.

Urban biking is also becoming popular. Tel Aviv has 120 km (75 miles) of designated bike lanes and a bike rental system. Look for the green Tel-O-Fun pay stations throughout the city. Use a credit card to pay the daily fee of NIS 17 (NIS 23 on Saturday and holidays) or weekly fee of NIS 70. If you need help, dial *6070 to talk to the call center.

In Jerusalem, there are a number of bicycle paths to ride, including the landscaped 5-km (3-mile) pedestrian and bike path that goes along the old train tracks, starting at the First Station, where you can rent bicycles. A new circular bike trail opened in Jerusalem's Metropolitan Park, and there are plans to expand it in coming years.

Bikes are welcome on intercity with luggage holds. Trains accept bikes Sunday through Thursday during nonpeak hours (between 9 and 3 and after 7) and anytime on Friday. Folding bicycles stored in carrying bags are always allowed.

Bike maps in English can be hard to find, but Israel Bike Trails has comprehensive trail information listing elevations and level of difficulty on its website.

BIKE CONTACTS Israel Bike Trails. www.israelbiketrails.com.

Last Updated: January 2019 3 of 10

Jerusalem Institute of Justice – Travel resources Israel Cycling. 054/333–9543; www.israelcycling.com.

Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael. Jerusalem, Jerusalem. www.kkl-jnf.org.il.

Sovoo Jerusalem Bike Rental. First Station, 4 David Remez St., Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9354102. 02/648–0334; smart-tour.co.il/eng/sovoo-bike-rentals/.

Tel-O-Fun. Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv. www.tel-o-fun.co.il/en.

 Bus Travel

Buses can take you almost anywhere in Israel. Most in Jerusalem are run by Egged and most buses in Tel Aviv are serviced by , though other city bus companies also operate. Buses in Israel are clean, comfortable, air- conditioned, and some have Wi-Fi. Intercity bus fares vary according to distance traveled. During weekday rush hours, allow time for long lines at the obligatory security checks to enter most bus stations. Buses are often overcrowded on Saturday night as people return home after and always packed on Sunday morning when it looks like the entire Israeli army is returning to base after a weekend at home.

The Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv resembles an M.C. Escher drawing: a jumble of staircases and appearing to lead nowhere. The stark concrete building has multiple entrances and exits on several levels, endless corridors, and a dizzying array of platforms. It's all topped off by dozens of kiosks selling fast food and cheap merchandise, plus Asian minimarkets serving the local community of foreign workers. By contrast, Jerusalem's Central Bus Station is clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. There's a pleasant enough food court, ATMs, information desk, and branches of some of the country's best-known stores.

Although buses resemble those in most other countries, there are a few quirks. When you're in Jerusalem, lines 1 and 3 primarily service ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods and end at the area. On bus lines like these, it's generally accepted that women sit separately, in the back of the bus, and men in the front half. Although gender segregation is not compulsory by law, in ultra-Orthodox society it is the norm. If you’re a woman and sit in an empty seat next to an ultra-Orthodox man, you shouldn't be surprised if he would rather stand than sit beside you. (In case you're wondering, ultra-Orthodox women generally accept this arrangement.)

Frequent bus service is available between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Egged Bus 405 runs from the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station every 15–20 minutes, and Bus 480 from the Arlozorov Street terminal (near the Savidor train station in Tel Aviv) leaves a bit more frequently, depending on the time of day (NIS 16 for each). There’s a similar service to Jerusalem from most major cities, terminating at the Central Bus Station. The three small bus stations in are for Palestinian-operated bus lines, with daily service to towns such as and Ramallah. The main bus depot is next to light-rail stop.

FARES For both local and long-distance travel, drivers accept payment in shekels. Drivers on long-distance buses grumble when they have to make change for a bill over NIS 100, so make sure to have smaller denominations. Unless you are running to catch a bus, it's almost always faster to buy your ticket at the office in the bus station. On city buses you don't need exact change. Children under age five ride free whether or not they occupy their own seat.

Last Updated: January 2019 4 of 10

Jerusalem Institute of Justice – Travel resources If you need a round-trip bus ticket, you have to buy an electronic Rav Kav card from the bus driver. It costs NIS 5 but you can load money on the card and use it for all tickets on all Israeli buses, trains, and Jerusalem’s city tram.

The fare on most central city routes is NIS 5.90. If taking another bus within 90 minutes, ask for a free ma'avar, or transfer ticket.

Intercity fares are based on distance traveled. The one-hour trip between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem cost NIS 16, while the 2½-hour journey between Tel Aviv and runs NIS 37.50. There are no advance reservations except to Eilat or the Dead Sea area.

SCHEDULES Most major bus lines are available Sunday to Thursday from about 6 am to midnight. Keep in mind that public transportation in all cities except Haifa ceases to run on and Shabbat, which lasts from sundown Friday afternoon to an hour after sundown Saturday evening. Be sure to give yourself extra time if traveling just before Shabbat.

Every large bus station has an information booth with schedule and platform information in English. The Egged website has an easy-to-use trip planner that includes timetables, routes, and fares.

BUS INFORMATION Dan. 03/639–4444; www.dan.co.il/Eng/.

East Jerusalem Bus Station. Sultan Suleiman St., opposite Damascus Gate, East Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. 02/627–2881.

Egged. 03/694–8888; www.egged.co.il/eng.

Jerusalem Central Bus Station. 224 Rd., Romema, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. 03/914–2237; egged.co.il/eng.

National Bus Hotline. *8787; www.bus.co.il.

 Car Travel

The Hebrew word for a native-born Israeli is sabra, which is the name of a prickly cactus that’s sweet inside. You meet sweet if you get lost or have automotive difficulties—helping hands are quick to arrive—but behind the wheel, Israelis are aggressive and honk their horns far more than their Western counterparts.

Some travelers feel more comfortable hiring a driver, and there are plenty of ways to find someone reliable. Ask for recommendations at your hotel. Every hotel has taxi drivers who serve their guests, and most are familiar with all parts of the country and happy to quote you a daily rate.

Israel's highways are numbered, but most people still know them simply by the towns they connect: the Tiberias– Road, for example. Intersections and turnoffs are similarly indicated, as in "the Tiberias Junction." Brown signs indicate tourist sites.

ADDRESSES

Last Updated: January 2019 5 of 10

Jerusalem Institute of Justice – Travel resources In Israel, streets are generally named after famous people or events, meaning that almost every community has a Herzl Street and a Ben Gurion Street. Don't worry about the "boulevard" or "alley" attached to many street names—Israelis just use the proper name. You don’t find a Jabotinsky Street and a Jabotinsky Alley in the same city. What you likely encounter is a street that changes names after a couple of blocks. Street numbers follow the standard format, with odd numbers on one side and even numbers on the other.

If you know history, you'll have an easier time finding your way around Jerusalem's neighborhoods. In Baka a block of streets are named after biblical tribes, in Rehavia they're medieval Jewish scholars, and in Old Katamon, the brigades who fought in Israel's War of Independence.

Towns in Israel that have functioning Old Cities, some dating back to biblical times, include Jerusalem, Jaffa, Akko, and Tzfat. Streets and alleys in these areas have names, but sometimes it’s hard to find numbers.

GASOLINE Gas stations are found at regular intervals along the country's major highways, except in the . On highways they're generally always open, while those in the city tend to close at midnight. Prices are standardized, so it doesn't matter which station you choose (though gas tends to be cheaper in Eilat). Most offer both full- and self-service pumps. If you go the full-service route, ask for a kabbalah (receipt). Attendants don’t expect to be tipped. Most rental cars take unleaded gas, which at the time of this writing costs NIS 6.15 per liter. Most stations accept international credit cards.

PARKING In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, parking laws are stringently enforced. Expect a ticket of NIS 100 on your windshield if you've overstayed your welcome at a paid parking spot. Cars are towed if parked in a no-parking zone. Pay attention to the curb, as parking is forbidden where it’s painted red. In downtown areas, parking is permitted only where there are blue and white stripes on the curb, meters, or pay stations.

Parking in Jerusalem costs NIS 5.70 per hour, and in central areas, pay stations print out small parking tickets to wedge at the top of the car window on the curb side. Parking in Tel Aviv costs NIS 6.20 an hour and you can only pay with a cell phone payment service like Pango. Read the signs carefully: in some areas free evening parking begins at 6, in others at 7 or 8.

Sound complicated? Stick to parking lots. Covered and open parking lots are plentiful in the major cities and can cost around NIS 15 per hour or NIS 70 per day.

RENTAL CARS If you plan on heading north to the Golan or Upper , a rental car is a significant time-saver. If sticking to cities, a rental car is often more bother than boon. In Jerusalem, a combination of walking and taking cabs and the city tram is your best bet.

Familiar American car-rental companies operate in Israel, as do local ones such as Eldan. Rental rates in Israel start at around US$35 per day and US$200 per week for an economy car. Minivans and four-wheel-drive vehicles are very popular and should be reserved well in advance, especially during high season. Allow plenty of time to pick up and drop off your vehicle if renting from a city office.

Drivers must be at least 21. Your driver's license is acceptable in Israel.

RENTAL CARS IN THE WEST BANK

Last Updated: January 2019 6 of 10

Jerusalem Institute of Justice – Travel resources There are no restrictions on driving Israeli rental cars into West Bank areas under full Israeli control (known as Area C). However, your rental-car insurance coverage doesn’t extend to West Bank areas under Palestinian control. If you rent from companies at the airport, in Tel Aviv, or in , you are unable to drive the car to Bethlehem, , and other towns under the Palestinian Authority. If you plan on visiting these areas by car, use Dallah or one of the other Palestinian-operated car-rental companies in East Jerusalem. Have your passport with you to show Israeli guards at West Bank checkpoints if asked.

Even if you're using GPS, it's always a good idea to discuss possible routes with your car-rental company if you plan on passing through the West Bank.

LOCAL RENTAL AGENCIES Best. *8883; www.best-car.co.il/English.

Dallah Rent A Car. American Colony Hotel, 1 Louis Vincent St. , East Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. 02/627–9725; www.dallahrentacar.com.

Eldan. 03/977–3400; rent.eldan.co.il/en.

Green Peace Car Rental. Hotel, 53 Mount of Olives Rd., East Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. 02/585–9756; www.greenpeace.co.il.

ROAD CONDITIONS Israel's highway system is very modern and has signs in English as well as Hebrew and . Route 6, the main north–south toll road, can save significant time on longer journeys. The highway starts at the Maahaz Junction, south of (south of Tel Aviv), and ends about 138 km (85 miles) north at the Ein Tut Junction near Yokneam (in the Lower Galilee). Electronic sensors read your license plate number and transmit the bill to your rental-car company. Car rental companies set their own rates for driving on Route 6, so be sure to ask what they charge. Expect to pay around NIS 60 to drive the length of the highway.

Route 1 is the chief route to Jerusalem from both the west (Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion International Airport, Mediterranean coast) and the east (Galilee via Jordan Valley, Dead Sea area, Eilat). The road from Tel Aviv is a divided highway that presents no problems except at morning rush hour (7 am to 9:30 am), when traffic backs up at the entrance to the city. For this reason, some drivers prefer Route 443—via Modi'in—which leaves Route 1 just east of the , and enters Jerusalem from the north (most convenient for East Jerusalem locations). Route 1, which enters Jerusalem under the Bridge of Strings, is more convenient for Givat Ram, West Jerusalem, and downtown.

Jerusalem, Haifa, and Tel Aviv are all clogged with traffic during the workday. In Jerusalem, the and are closed to private vehicles, with traffic routed around the periphery. Don't consider driving in Jerusalem if not comfortable negotiating narrow spaces or parking in tight spots.

If driving through the Negev, watch out for camels that can come loping out of the desert and onto the road. In the winter rainy season, sudden flash floods sometimes cascade through the desert wadis (streambeds that are usually dry) with little warning, washing out roads and posing danger to motorists. It's best to postpone your desert trip if there's heavy rain in the forecast.

The desert can be unbelievably hot, sometimes even in the winter. It's a good idea to carry extra water—both for yourself and your car—while driving at any time of year.

Last Updated: January 2019 7 of 10

Jerusalem Institute of Justice – Travel resources ROADSIDE EMERGENCIES In case of an accident or roadside emergency, call the police. Should anything happen to your rental car, call your rental company for roadside repair or replacement of the vehicle.

EMERGENCY SERVICES Police. 100; www.police.gov.il.

RULES OF THE ROAD By law, drivers and all passengers must wear seat belts at all times. Police crack down on drunk driving; the legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%. It's against the law to use a cell phone while driving.

Speed limits vary little across Israel: motorways (represented with blue signs) have speed limits of 110 kph (68 mph). Highways with green signs have speed limits of 80 or 90 kph (50 or 56 mph). Urban roads are 50 kph (31 mph).

Headlights must be turned on in daylight when driving on intercity roads from November 1 through March 31. A flashing green traffic light indicates that the red stoplight is about three seconds away and you should come to a halt.

Children under eight must be seated in age-appropriate car seats, and children under 13 aren’t allowed in the front seat.

 Taxi Travel

Taxis are the most convenient way to get around cities. They’re not cheap, but if you need to get somewhere fast or are unfamiliar with the area, a taxi (monit in Hebrew) is your best bet. Hail one on the street or order by phone. Taxis are white sedans with a yellow sign on the roof. On the whole, drivers are knowledgeable, talkative, and like to practice their English with tourists. But be warned: some try to take advantage of tourists, charge hefty prices, or run up the meter.

According to law, taxi drivers must use the meter. Be firm when you request this (moneh is meter in Hebrew) and make sure the meter is running at the beginning of the ride. The exception is if you hire a driver for the day or a trip out of town, for which there are set rates. In those cases, agree on the price before you begin the journey and assume that the driver has built in a tip. In the event of a serious problem with the driver, report his cab number (on the illuminated plastic sign on the roof) or license plate number to the Ministry of Tourism or the Ministry of . It is not customary to tip drivers.

Certain shared taxis or minivans have fixed rates and run set routes, such as from Tel Aviv to Haifa or from the airport to Jerusalem or Haifa; such a taxi is called a sherut (as opposed to a "special," the term used for a private cab). Some sheruts can be booked in advance.

Sheruts are an option if traveling between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. They operate from the (grungy) side street alongside Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station seven days a week, departing when they fill up (NIS 24 on weekdays; NIS 35 on Saturday). They end their journey with stops near the Jerusalem Central Bus Station and 31 Haneviim Street, about a block from Zion Square. From Jerusalem, the sherut leaves from 31 Haneviim Street. A "special" cab on this route costs NIS 320, or about NIS 350 after 9 pm and on Saturday and holidays.

Last Updated: January 2019 8 of 10

Jerusalem Institute of Justice – Travel resources

JERUSALEM TAXI CONTACTS Hapalmach. 02/679–3333.

Hapisgah. 02/642–1111.

Rehavia. 02/625–4444.

Smadar. 02/566–4444.

EILAT TAXI CONTACTS Hacohanim. 08/631–6007.

Taba. 08/633–3333.

 Train Travel

Train travel between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is more a pleasant and scenic excursion than an efficient way to travel. The journey currently takes nearly an hour and a half, compared to an hour by bus. It's a comfortable ride, and many just do it for the attractive scenery. The train, which departs every one to two hours, runs nonstop between Jerusalem's Malcha Station and Tel Aviv's Savidor Station. You can cut the time if you take the train to Ben-Gurion airport and from there to Tel Aviv.There are connections to Haifa and other destinations to the north. Service ends midafternoon on Friday and resumes about two hours after dark on Saturday. The fare to or from Tel Aviv is NIS 20 one way and NIS 32 round-trip.

Other cities—including , Beersheva, , Haifa, Herzliya, Akko, and Nahariya—are easily reachable by train from Tel Aviv. There are no different classes of service. All carriages are clean, spacious, and comfortable with well-upholstered seats. They’re often crowded, however.

All train stations post up-to-date schedules in English. Complete schedules are also available on the website of the Israel Railway Authority. Tickets may be purchased at the ticket office in the station. Reserved seats are available Sunday to Thursday and may be bought up to a week in advance at the ticket office. Reserved seating is not available for the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv line and other short rides in metropolitan areas.

Jerusalem has a light-rail train, the country’s first. It’s a much more comfortable way to traverse the city than the bumpy roller-coaster rides on the city’s buses. There’s only one tram line, but it hits many points of interest. For information, see www.citypass.co.il/English.

INFORMATION . 08/683–1222; www.rail.co.il/EN.

 Helpful Links!

Israel Airports Authority

Last Updated: January 2019 9 of 10

Jerusalem Institute of Justice – Travel resources

Israel Meteorological Service

Yellow (Golden) Pages

Israel Ministry of Tourism

Universal Currency Converter

Israel Railways

Israel Museums

Last Updated: January 2019 10 of 10