2.2 Get Around
There are loads of options - read about them here, and see which is best by scrolling down or clicking here.
Car rental
Israel is served by international car rental firms including Avis, Hertz, Budget, Sixt, and Europcar, whilst there are many local firms, the largest of which is Eldan. These firms all have desks at Ben Gurion Airport, as well as in towns and cities across Israel. Click here for more information.
Bus
Intercity buses are provided throughout the country by Egged, the world's second largest bus company. They run 1,038 routes across the country connecting not only cities but also rural settlements. Inter-city services in the north are also run by Nazareth Transport & Tourism including the cities of Haifa, Nazareth and Karmiel. Services between Safed and Nahariya, Hadera and Netanya, and Tel Aviv and Netanya are operated by Nateev Express. Please note that most bus services do not operate on the Sabbath.
Bus lines within cities are operated by:
Egged in Haifa and Jerusalem The Dan Bus Company in the Tel Aviv Area United Nazareth Buses in Nazareth Metrodan in Beer Sheva
Train
Inter city train services in Israel are operated by Israel Railways with services connecting major cities including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa, as well as to Ben Gurion Airport. These services are served by regular, modern trains, which are clean and pleasant to ride. Train fares are reasonably priced, and trains generally run on time. Please note that these services don't operate on the Sabbath.
In Haifa, a small metro system, the Carmelit, operates making six stops up the slopes of Mount Carmel.
Taxi
Taxis are widely available in Israel. Within cities, fares are calculated using a meter (a 'moneh') in Hebrew, and it is important, as a tourist, you ensure the driver uses this. Inter-city services have fixed rates. Night rates have a 25% surcharge, and there is a starting fare of NIS 9.10 in cities.
In Israel, unlike other countries, taxis are not very significantly more expensive than other means of transport and so when traveling with more than two people, should be considered.
Shared taxi (sherut)
Sheruts are Israel's shared taxis and operate across the country both on local and inter-city routes. Generally these are the same price as, or slightly cheaper than buses, and stop anywhere along their routes. Inter-city routes operate on Sabbath, which make them a great way of getting around.
Internal flights
Internal flights operate from Eilat to Tel Aviv and Haifa, and are operated by two airlines, Arkia and Israir.
So which should I use to get around in Israel?
Its always a difficult question to answer, and it does depend on your trip, but we are impartial and honestly dont see any transport method in Israel as a no-go. One by one...
Train - very useful and reasonably priced service which is comfortable especially for connecting to the airport, to Haifa, Tel Aviv, and intermediate cities. Some trains run 24 hours although stations arent always in city centers, so do be aware of this.
Taxi - cheap by European standards, cabs in Israel are widely available and generally modern safe cars, with helpful drivers. Sometimes, when there are a few passengers for example, they might work out cheaper, and for getting around cities, they are possibly the easiest way - you dont waste time working out buses and get to your destination fairly fast.
Sherut (shared taxi) - very useful for inter-city travel, sheruts are not only quicker than buses, but also drop you at your destination, very useful if you are going from the airport to Jerusalem of Haifa. They are more expensive than buses, and can be sometimes a bit confusing and daunting to work out for those not used to them!
Bus - Israel has an extensive inter and inner city bus service. This is reliable and reasonably priced. For inter-city travel, this is often the best option as it has the widest reach and is the lowest cost. For inner-city travel, buses are also good, and web resources can help you to work out which bus to get!
Car rental - in our opinion the easiest way of getting around the country if you are touring - you go where you want, when you want, for a fixed fee - simple as that. The roads in Israel are pretty good and if none of the other options work out, it shouldnt be seen as a last resort!
How to get around on Saturday?
Saturday, Shabbat, or the Sabbath is the one day of the week when travel in Israel is harder. Public transport is very limited and with exceptions, impossible. This reduces your options to taxi, sherut or car hire (which should be collected on Friday and returned on Sunday). Some buses run, for example within the city of Haifa, whilst private tours may operate. Trains dont operate at all, however, between sun-down on Friday and sun-down on Saturday.
