Tel Aviv, Israel — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Tel: (03) 975 5555.
Website: www.iaa.gov.il
Ben Gurion International Airport, also known as Tel Aviv Airport, is located near Lod on the main Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway (Highway 1), about 20km (12 miles) southeast of Tel Aviv and approximately 45km (29 miles) west of Jerusalem. It is Israel's principal hub for international and domestic air traffic.
Whether flying in or out of Israel, the normal check-in period is three hours prior to departure. All passengers are normally subject to one-to-one interview by security personnel. High-tech body scanning machines may also be used.
Approximate flight times: Flight time from London is 4 hours 30 minutes, from Los Angeles 17 hours, from New York 11 hours, from Toronto is 10 hours 55 minutes if direct and from Sydney 14 hours 35 minutes.
Airport facilities: Facilities include 24-hour banks, restaurants, duty-free shops, general shops, post office and 24-hour tourist information. Avis, Budget, Eldan, Hertz and Sixt all provide car hire services. It is worth noting that most airport services (including public transport) are reduced on Shabbat (approximately one hour before Friday sunset to one hour after Saturday sunset).
Transport to the city: Public transportation services from the airport are located in the three-story bridge on the second floor, next to Gates 21 and 23. Israel's national bus network is mainly operated by the Egged National Bus Co-operative (tel: (03) 694 8888; website: www.egged.co.il/Eng). Egged run a shuttle bus around the airport connecting with bus services to Jerusalem (buses 945 and 947). The fare can be paid on the bus. Buses terminate at Jerusalem's Central Bus Station on Jaffa Road in west Jerusalem. Taxis are located on the right outside the airport arrivals hall: the fare to Jerusalem is about NIS225. The Nesher Company (tel: (02) 623 1231) runs a sherut (shared taxi) service between the airport and Jerusalem, charging a fixed rate per passenger of around NIS45. For an extra charge, they will take passengers and their baggage to (or collect from) anywhere in the city. It is also possible to travel to Jerusalem by train direct from the airport: the station is at the entrance to Terminal 3.
Getting There By Road
Israel has an excellent road network and, because the country is relatively small with varied scenery, traveling by car can be a great pleasure. However, major roads can be very congested, so motorists are advised to allow plenty of time for journeys. Traffic drives on the right and road rules are similar to those in Western Europe and North America. The minimum legal driving age in Israel is 18 years, while the maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05%.
All passengers must wear seat belts at all times and children under 14 should not travel in the front seat. Road signs are international, distances given are in kilometers and all signposting on major roads is in Hebrew, Arabic and English. The speed limit is 100kph (62mph) on motorways, 80kph (50mph) on intercity roads and 50kph (31mph) within towns. It is compulsory to carry either a national driving license from any country or an International Driving Permit. Insurance is mandatory in Israel and is organized by the government. Visitors driving their own vehicles can purchase the insurance through a local agent. The certificate must be carried in the car at all times - a photocopy is not acceptable. A departure tax is payable for those who leave Israel by land if they arrived in the country by air.
The Automobile and Touring Club of Israel - MEMSI (tel: (03) 564 1122; website: www.memsi.co.il, Hebrew only) provides information and assistance, with free services for members of affiliated motoring organizations, such as the AAA (in the USA) and the AA and RAC (in the UK).
Emergency breakdown services
MEMSI (tel: (03) 564 1111).
Routes to the city
The Ayalon Highway is the four-lane motorway linking Haifa to Tel Aviv. It skirts Tel Aviv, with exits to different parts of the city, Ramat Gan and suburban towns. Highway 1 runs east from Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport and to Jerusalem.
Coach services
Depending on the security situation en route, local tour companies also run coach services from Tel Aviv to Cairo (journey time - about 15 hours). They can be booked from Metzada Tours, 141 Ibn Givrol Street (tel: (03) 544 4454; website: www.mazada.co.il).
Getting There By Rail
Israel Railways (tel: (03) 577 4000; website: www.israrail.org.il) is the national rail transport provider. Railways in Israel, previously an unused legacy of British Palestine, have undergone a rapid revival and expansion, with new, modern air-conditioned trains brought into service and new railway tracks laid.
Tel Aviv Central Station (tel: (03) 693 7456) is located to the north of the city center, at the junction of Haifa Road, Arlosoroff Street and Peta Tikva Road. It is the city's main station serving national destinations as well as suburban routes. Facilities include tourist information, ATM, public telephones, restaurant, cafeteria, shops and secure parking. There are three other stations in Tel Aviv.
Rail Services
Currently there are six routes in operation, with regular services down the coast from Nahariya to Ben Gurion Airport, stopping at Akko (Acre), three stations in Haifa, Binyamina, four stations in Tel Aviv, and five other smaller locations en route. A second line runs from Binyamina and Caesarea to Ashkelon, via Netanya, Herzliya, Tel Aviv and Ashdod. The other lines run from Tel Aviv to Kfar Saba; to Beersheva; to Rishon le Zion; and between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, which follows a particularly scenic route. Reserved seats may be ordered in advance. There is no railway service on Shabbat and public holidays.
Trains from Tel Aviv to Haifa take about one hour 15 minutes. Tel Aviv to Beersheva takes 70 minutes. There is also a service several times daily to Jerusalem, which is scenic but much slower than road travel. Tickets can be bought at the train station upon departure.
Getting Around in Tel Aviv, Israel
Public Transport
Due to Tel Aviv's increasing expansion and traffic congestion, plans are underway to construct an underground transit system. For now, transport around the city is on the bus network operated by the Dan Bus Co-operative (tel: (03) 639 4444; website: www.dan.co.il).
Many different bus routes radiate from the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station to all parts of the city, including Old Jaffa. The bus service is fast, punctual and economical, with over 300 bus stops situated throughout the city. Most buses follow circular itineraries starting and finishing at the Central Bus Station, 108 Levinski Street (tel: (03) 638 4040), with routes throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. The network is extensive, with almost all buses running through Ben Yehuda Street and Dizengoff Street. Buses in the city run daily 0530-2400 (except Shabbat).
An ordinary single-fare ticket in central Tel Aviv is available for purchase on the bus, whether traveling one stop or all the way across town. Few locals buy these as most people have a pass. If you're planning to use public transport ask the bus driver for a cartissiya, a 25-ride ticket for the price of 23 single fares. It's not a big saving but it is convenient and saves looking for small change each time you board a bus. Senior citizen and students (with ID) can buy all bus tickets at a discount.
It is wise to avoid bus travel during the morning and evening rush hours (0700-0800 and 1600-1800) when there are big traffic jams.
During the intifada, public buses and school buses were the favorite target of the Palestinian suicide bombers and some visitors may feel that bus travel is too risky to bother with. Despite the fact that Israeli bus drivers are highly trained to anticipate and deal with danger, this proved inadequate when dealing with the particular threat of suicide attackers. However, since the construction of the security barrier separating Israel from the West Bank, suicide attacks have been brought to an almost complete stop. Buses remain the most popular and economical form of transport. Nowadays, the risk is slight, but the rule is that anyone noticing anyone or anything suspicious (while waiting for a bus, boarding a bus or during a journey) should always walk quickly up to the front of the bus and tell the driver immediately, even if the bus is moving. All bus drivers speak some English, and it is considered sensible and acceptable to express any doubts openly rather than take even the smallest chance.
Taxis
Taxi fares are controlled by meters based on tariff 1 (0530-2100) and tariff 2 (2100-0530 and Shabbat). Tariff 2 rates are 25% higher than tariff 1. Tipping is not usual and not expected, although a very small gratuity of say 5% is sometimes given. When starting a journey, the driver is legally obliged to activate the meter. Even though this is strictly enforced, a few drivers may claim to offer a better price than would be shown on the meter (the advantage to him is in not having to pay tax on the fare). To avoid being cheated, it is worth asking your hotel receptionist or the tourist office for some idea of what the fare to specific destinations should be.
Taxis can be hailed on the street or by telephone in advance. There are dozens of taxi firms. Reputable companies include Hameshuhrar Ltd (Liberated Taxi Ltd), 94 Allenby Street (tel: (03) 566 1818), and Kastel Radio Taxis Ltd, 18 Bar-Eli Street and many offices around town (tel: (03) 699 3322 or 1296/8; website: www.kastel.co.il).
To distinguish them from sherutim (see below), taxis are colloquially known as 'special taxis'. The Controller of Road Transport, 8 Hamelacha Street (tel: (03) 5657199), is the governing body for taxis and sherutim, handling all enquiries and complaints.
Sherutim
An alternative to a taxi or bus is the popular sherut (literally 'service', ie service taxi; the plural in Hebrew is sherutim but visitors should be aware that this word is also used for 'toilets'). These shared taxis are usually stretched Mercedes or minibuses, seating seven or 12, and they generally follow fixed public bus routes. However, they allow passengers to get on and off anywhere on the journey and may take alternative routes when necessary to dodge heavy traffic. Delays are rare and passengers should board quickly as drivers pull away sharply - both drivers and passengers are very impatient of anyone holding things up. Some sheruts run on Shabbat. Fares are usually about the same as the bus fare.
Driving in the City
The extensive, low-cost bus and sherut service, and the close proximity of all the main attractions, means that driving in the city is not really required - thankfully, as it cannot be recommended. Tel Aviv drivers tend to drive fast, be irritable and impatient - and quick to use the horn. In addition, visitors who opt to drive should beware of such time-saving local tactics as driving on the pavement in order to get in front of other vehicles. Experienced drivers should remain calm and cautious when driving through the city.
Street parking is strictly controlled. Tel Aviv has switched to the EasyPark smartcard system (which was invented here). This in-car electronic device (about the size of a pocket calculator) automatically deducts the cost of street parking from the driver's credit or debit card and can be read electronically by parking attendants. Most locals have one of these devices in their car, but it is also possible to buy traditional parking cards. These can be obtained from street kiosks, post offices and gas stations. This is a strip of paper with punched tabs for the hours of the day; drivers tear a tab to designate the month, day and hour they parked. Various different curbside color codes indicate what parking is permitted. Blue and white means parking is allowed with pre-paid parking cards, however, visitors should always check the signs as well for the hours of operation and any restrictions. Visitors should not park where there is any other curbside color as they all represent restrictions; many streets in Tel Aviv operate 'residents only' parking schemes. No line probably means free parking, but visitors should always check for the signs, as parking regulations are rigorously enforced.
There are also informal, unregulated pay-to-enter parking lots scattered about in the city, including by the beach south of Opera Tower and on the approach into Jaffa.
Car Hire
Cars can be hired on presentation of a passport and a valid driving license - drivers must be over 21, although those between the ages of 21 and 23 may be required to pay a slightly higher insurance rate. Car hire agencies also sell the mandatory insurance required in Tel Aviv (see Getting There by Road).
The main Israeli car hire firm is Eldan, 114 Hayarkon Street (tel: (03) 527 1166; website: www.eldan.co.il/en). It has a user-friendly website accepting secure online payment and offers substantial price discounts for Internet bookings. Other major car hire companies in the city are Avis, 113 Hayarkon Street (tel: (03) 527 1752; website: www.avis.co.il), Budget, Dan Hotel, 99 Hayarkon Street (tel: (03) 524 5233; website: www.budget.co.il), Hertz, Atarim Station, 148 Hayarkon Street (tel: (03) 527 9821; website: www.hertz.com) and Sixt, 122 Hayarkon Street (website: www.e-sixt.com). Most of these companies, and others, have desks in other parts of the city and at Ben Gurion Airport. In addition, most have toll-free booking numbers in the USA.
Bicycle Hire
Bicycles are a great way to tour this flat, warm and dry beachside city. After a campaign by Tel Aviv Bicycle Association (tel: (03) 566 9667; website: http://bike.org.il/taba/index_e.html), the city introduced a number of bike paths and trails. Nevertheless, cyclists are advised to wear a helmet and should be aware of the city's fast, aggressive driving style and severe congestion during rush hour. The Tel Aviv Bicycle Association organizes a weekly Friday afternoon group ride in the city and provides information about biking throughout Israel.
Bicycles can be hired from Round Trip, 5 Bograshov Street (tel: (03) 527 5731; website: www.geocities.com/round_trip_il).
