Whilst, Israeli drivers dont have a great reputation, but renting a car and driving in Israel is a convenient and generally easy way to get around in Israel. Israel has a great, modern road network which spans the width and breadth of the country which are signed in English as well as in Hebrew and Arabic making navigation easier for visitors. Israel drives on the right hand side of the road (like most of Europe and the US), and there are GPS and maps available in English.
As a rule of thumb, Israeli highways are numbered even for north-south, and odd for east-west. The major highways in Israel are:
- Route 1 – Tel Aviv to Jordan River
- Route 2 – Tel Aviv to Haifa
- Route 4 – Erez Border Crossing (Gaza) to Rosh HaNikra
- Route 6 – Kiryat Gat to Barkai
- Route 20 – Rishon LeZion to Herzliya
- Route 40 – Lotan to Kfar Saba
- Route 65 – Caesarea to Afula
- Route 70 – Zichron Yaakov to Shelomi
- Route 90 – Taba Border Crossing to Metulla
Parking in Israel varies greatly from place-to-place. It is generally not a problem, however, can be tricky in the major cities, especially in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In these cities in particular (but across the country) parking is enforced on the road fairly strictly, and it is simple to establish whether parking is allowed from the color of the curb. Whilst these regulations are pretty general, and different municipalities can use them in different ways, they are a good general guide, however, be sure to pay attention to signs and if in doubt try to ask! To avoid all doubt, however, it is often easiest to find a car park where you can pay when you are finished and you save the hassle of searching around.
- Red and white markings: parking is generally not allowed (but in some places you can park on them at night).
- Red and yellow markings: spaces reserved for specific vehicles such as bus stops – so you cant park on these at any time.
- Blue and white markings: parking is allowed if you buy a parking permit. Often you can get these from machines at machines at the side of the road, but in other places you’ll have to buy them from kiosks.
- Never park over at the side of the road, in a handicapped bay, or over a driveway.
