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Getting Around By Air
A comprehensive service linking Tel Aviv with Eilat and other cities is run by Arkia/Israel Inland Airways (IZ) (www.arkia.co.il) and by Israir (6H) (www.israirairlines.com). Flights operate daily except Shabbat (Friday evening and Saturday).
Getting Around by Water
Ferries operated by Kinneret Sailing Company (tel: (04) 665 8008) run across Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) from Tiberias on the west side to Ein Gev kibbutz on the eastern shore. There is no other navigable water in Israel.
Getting Around by Rail
Israel Railways (tel: (03) 577 4000; www.israrail.org.il) operates six lines, 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 Caesaria 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. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are connected by rail along a scenic route that takes about 75 minutes. A new high-speed rail, expected to be running by 2011, will cut the journey time in half. Reserved seats for trains can be ordered in advance. There is no railway service on Shabbat and public holidays. ISIC card holders get a 20% discount.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. An excellent system of roads connects all towns. However, driving is aggressive and there are frequent accidents. Hitchhiking is very common, and is considered normal among young people. However, it requires fine judgments about drivers that may be difficult for tourists to make, and is not recommended.
Bus: Israelis make considerable use of buses, with frequent and comprehensive services linking even the smallest communities. The EGGED cooperative (tel: (03) 914 2000; www.egged.co.il) provides these extensive services, which are fast and efficient as well as cheap. With a few exceptions, services are suspended on religious holidays and Shabbat (between sunset on Friday and sunset on Saturday). Sherut: Unique to Israel, these shared vans seat seven to 10 passengers and follow the intercity and local bus routes. Prices are around 30% higher than the bus. They run during Shabbat and are useful in getting between cities when EGGED is not operating. Taxi: Services are either run by companies or by individuals. There are both shared taxis and ordinary taxis. Taxi drivers are required by law to operate a meter, but you may have to ask to turn it on as some drivers may attempt to overcharge. Car hire: Available at airports, ports and all major towns. Hire fees are not cheap. Regulations: Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in urban areas, 80kph (50mph) in non-urban, 90kph (56mph) on a divided highway, and 110kph (68mph) on a designated ‘high-speed road' unless signs indicate a different limit. A roadsign showing a house means you are entering an urban area. The internationally recognised ‘motorway' sign indicates a high-speed road. Speed cameras and radar traps operate and fines for speeding are high. It is compulsory for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. Documentation: Full driving licence and insurance are required. Getting Around Towns and Cities
The EGGED bus company provides very frequent, inexpensive local services in all the main towns except the Tel Aviv area, where the DAN company (tel: (03) 639 4444; www.dan.co.il) runs the city's transportation system. Taxis are available; they are metered and drivers mostly speak some English. A tip is not expected, and many people do not tip, while others do - 10% is not unusual.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Tel Aviv to other major cities and towns in Israel.
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