On traveling to any country one of the basic items of planning is how to get around. In all countries there are usually several modes of transportation. Which one is chosen will depend on age, interests and not least financial considerations.

Alternative Transportation

Often this subject is not dealt with in depth by various travel agencies or information sites, causing many travelers to either waste a lot of time or using money intended for other purposes. With proper information before setting out and before arriving to the desired destination a lot of unnecessary headaches can be avoided.

I am not expert on world travel possibilities. My expertise is my country of residence, Israel. My knowledge on this subject is not just from living here, but also from meeting and working with foreign visitors as a official licensed guide, for groups and as private guide.

The topic of transport will be divided into two parts: public transport and private transport. I will try to give the pros and cons, the ins and outs of both major categories as well as their sub-categories.

Public Transport

Your urban and interurban buses

Egged Bus

The original mode of transport was by bus, but on urban routes and interurban routes. Until recently there was pretty much just one bus company, Egged, a government subsidized cooperative.
Egged been privatized and meeting competition from new companies has made bus traveling better, but sometimes a little more complicated.

All towns in Israel have central bus stations, and all bus companies have stations there for the interurban routes. Information on which company and which bus to use can be had from the information counter or via each company’s website (usually also in English).

Many urban routes pass the central bus stations, so that getting there or continuing the travel is reasonably easy. Once in a city it will be obvious which company has the concession there. Egged is still by far the largest company, and if you are traveling between the major cities, you are most likely to be using their services.

Information about all Israel bus companies, check out this site

Your Trains

Though Israel has a very extensive and fully developed road system, it was considered a necessity to develop and modernize the rail system. This very much stems from Israelis love of their car, causing terrible congestion, particularly in the central part of the country. Since busses use the same road system as cars, train was the logical solution.

This system has been and is still under construction for almost 20 years. It is today possible to travel from the north (Nahariah) to Be’er Sheva in the Negev. The system began in Tel Aviv, and it is in Tel Aviv there are the main stations for changing lines.

The system also goes inland, although not yet to Jerusalem, due to the special topographic conditions involved in building the line. It is under construction, but will take many more years before this line is operational.

Most towns have one train station, though some of the larger ones like Tel Aviv and Haifa, have several. Busses usually connect to the stations from most part of the towns. In addition there are usually large parking areas adjoining the stations.

Information on routes and departure times can be had through Israel Railways website (also in English).

Dare the Taxis

Taxis are taxis all over the world, and Israel being part of the world is no exception. By law all taxis must have a taximeter, and they do. By law the driver must turn on the meter as soon as the taxis drives with passengers, and they don’t always do.

There are plenty of taxis around. They are easily identified, as they must be white and they all have that yellow “cap” saying taxi. Even though white is a popular color for cars in Israel, taxis are still easy to spot, as the taxi number is written on the side.

*  It should be noted that all buses and trains stop for Shabbat and all Jewish Holidays. Taxis operate, but at a different rate, and in reduced numbers.

Private Transport

Car Rental

There is an abundance of car rental companies in Israel, including the large international companies. These as well as the large Israeli rental companies have offices in the airport, so if this is your preferred mode of transport, you can pick up and drop off the car in the airport.

It is fairly easy to find one’s way around Israel, as there are excellent road signs in three languages, Hebrew, English and Arabic. You may occasionally get a good laugh, as the road department sometimes seem to go easy on translation or spelling.

The main problem with driving is having to deal with Israeli drivers. They can be very aggressive, and not too courteous. At least those are the drivers that are most noticeable.

Guided Coaches

Tour Bus

This mode of transport is of course the preferred one for group tours. In fact it’s the only sensible mode of transport for group tours.

Private Guided Car

This is the mode of transport and getting around for the more affluent traveler, or the traveler who does not want to deal with public transport, or wants to get the most of his/her time in Israel.

One type of private car

The private car is driven by a licensed tour guide, so getting from A to B is no issue. At the same time much knowledge and understanding of the country will be gained from this method of getting around.

Now you have the breakdown on How to Get Around in Israel. Which method you prefer, which method suits you best, is up to you to decide, when you plan you trip to Israel.