Travelers to Israel will most likely be flying into Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion International Airport (TLV), but then what? There are so many sites on everyone’s Israel bucket list, and you don’t want to miss anything just because you’re not sure how to get from point A to point B. Here is your quick and concise guide to getting around Israel after you land.
Air Travel
Israel is quite a small country, so the primary means of transportation will be by road to anywhere you wish to go. There is, however, one domestic airport called Ramon Airport (airport code ETM) near the Red Sea resort city of Eilat. If necessary, travelers can fly between TLV and ETM instead of taking the 4-hour drive through the Negev Desert.
Rental Cars
You can rent a car in Israel as a tourist, but pay special attention to the terms of your rental agreement. Most rental car companies in Israel prohibit driving their vehicles into the West Bank, so you will need to arrange other transportation to visit those sites. You will also have to be careful about not cutting through the West Bank, even if that’s the shortest route. You won’t accidentally cross the border without knowing it, but going around the West Bank can take a long time.
Hiring a Driver
Oftentimes, it’s just easier to hire a driver than to wait for public transportation or figure out your rental car situation. Some drivers are also tour guides, but not all, so be sure to confirm if you want one person for both services. Uber is not an option in Israel (as of June 2023), but taxi drivers are available for short trips, of even longer trips if that’s within your budget.
Rav-Kav Public Transportation Pass
The Rav-Kav is a universal public transportation pass, meaning it’s good for all public transportation in Israel. That includes trains, public buses, and the Jerusalem Lightrail. You can purchase the pass at the airport, bus station, train stations, and a variety of shops (like Super-Pharm pharmacies) across the country.
Shabbat
Keep in mind that Israeli public transportation and practicing Jewish taxi drivers are not available on Shabbat (Friday at sundown until Saturday at sundown). Arab and Christian taxi drivers will be available, but be aware that there will be fewer of them to go around in this 24-hour period.
There are many options for transportation within Israel, so choose the modes that fit you best!