The bus from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is frequent, fast, and cheap. It’s also the best way to get from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in most cases. Leaving from two places in Tel Aviv and arriving at the Jerusalem Central Bus Station, the journey takes about one hour. It runs frequently every day other than Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset).
Buses from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
There are two buses from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem:
Bus 405
Runs from the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station to the Jerusalem Bus Station. This is the more convenient option if you are coming from the south of the city. It departs from platform 603 / 607 (sixth floor).
Bus 480
Runs from Tel Aviv’s Arlozorov Bus Terminal (the Tel Aviv 2000 Terminal, next to the Tel Aviv Central Train Station). This is more convenient for many people – you don’t have to navigate the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station (which was, until 2010, the largest bus station in the world!). It connects very easily with the train if you’re traveling from the north of the country. It is clearly marked with signs saying ‘bus to Jerusalem’.
If you are coming from downtown Tel Aviv you can go to either the Central Bus Station or Arlozoroff Terminal – check our guide to using the bus in Tel Aviv for more information about local buses.
Both the 405 or 480 buses cost NIS 18 for a one-way fare or NIS 30 for a return fare. They run frequently, every 10-20 minutes throughout the day. There is nearly always a bus being loaded up and waiting to go. Most buses have Wifi, and the route is express. This means that it only stops once between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (at the Jerusalem suburb of Mevasseret Zion).
Buses from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv
The reverse bus routes from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv have the same numbers as from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Both leave from neighboring platforms in the Jerusalem Central Bus Station.
Bus route 405 leaves from platform 315, route 480 leaves from platform 316.
For information about connections for the Jerusalem Central Bus Station, read about using the bus in Jerusalem.
Tour Buses from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
Many tourists who need to transfer from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem do so as part of the convenience of a day tour. It’s possible to start tours in Tel Aviv and end in Jerusalem at no extra cost, bringing luggage with, and being picked up and dropped off at your hotel. The most popular option is a Jerusalem Day Tour. Many other tours, including the Masada and Dead Sea tours, Jerusalem and Dead Sea tours, and other tours allow you to travel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as a by-product of their route.
