East City Travel Guide

By Road
Israel has an excellent road network and, because the country is relatively small with varied scenery, travelling by car can be a great pleasure. However, the 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 seatbelts at all times and children under 14 should not travel in the front seat. Road signs are international, distances given are in kilometres 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 licence from any country or an International Driving Permit. Insurance is mandatory in Israel and is organised 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.

The Automobile and Touring Club of Israel (MEMSI) (tel: (03) 564 1121; website: www.memsi.co.il) provides information and assistance, with free services for members of affiliated motoring organisations, such as the AAA (in the USA) and the RAC (in the UK). Before taking their car to Israel, visitors should contact their motoring organisation at home to get details of the procedure for contacting MEMSI in an emergency.

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.

Driving times to Tel Aviv: From Jerusalem – 1 hour; Haifa – 1 hour.

Bus services: The Egged National Bus Co-operative (tel: (03) 694 8888; website: www.egged.co.il), a worker-owned co-operative, is Israel's national bus and coach service operator.

The comprehensive network of buses to all parts of the country depart from Tel Aviv's huge Central Bus Station, 108 Levinski Street (tel: (03) 638 4040). Despite the frequency of most services, travellers are advised to buy tickets from the fourth floor of the bus station before boarding the bus. Services come to a complete halt for Shabbat (generally from around 1500 on Friday to about 1900 on Saturday). All travellers may expect to be stopped and searched on arrival or at any time while inside the building, as security at the bus station is very tight, and travellers should never leave their belongings unattended. At busy times there are long queues simply to get into the bus station as people wait to have their bags searched at the entrances.

Coach services also run from Tel Aviv into Egypt. Buses to Cairo (journey time – about 15 hours) depart daily at 0900, as well as Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 2030. They can be booked from Metzada Tours, 141 Ibn Givrol Street (tel: (03) 544 4454; website: www.mazada.co.il).

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 centre, 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 1 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.