Getting Around Ashkelon
Ashkelon is a compact coastal city, and most visitors find it easy to navigate. Whether you are arriving from elsewhere in Israel or simply moving between the beach, the marina, and the city centre, you have a handful of straightforward options: local buses, taxis and ride-hailing, and your own two feet.
Arriving by Train
Ashkelon has a railway station on the outskirts of the city, served by Israel Railways. Trains connect the city with Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Beer Sheva, and Jerusalem — though reaching Ashkelon from Jerusalem requires a transfer. The station's position on the edge of town means you will usually need a bus, taxi, or ride-hailing service for the final leg to your accommodation.
Arriving by Bus
Intercity buses link Ashkelon with the central bus stations of Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva. These services arrive at Ashkelon's central bus station, which sits in the centre of town — a convenient base for continuing on foot or by local transport.
Arriving by Boat
There are no ferries or cruise services to Ashkelon, but private boats can enter the marina. If you are coming from abroad, call ahead before entering Israeli waters to arrange immigration and customs clearance. Larger vessels should head for Ashdod, roughly ten miles north, which is a large commercial port with round-the-clock entry facilities.
Local Buses
The city is served by local bus lines that run every day until midnight and cover most parts of Ashkelon. These are operated by Dan BaDarom. A few routes are especially useful for visitors:
- Lines 4 and 4א, along with line 5, are the most frequent services.
- The beach and the marina are served by lines 3, 6, and 18, with line 9 added in July and August.
- Line 8 runs a single trip each day in each direction; it is a cemetery service, but it also stops in the southern parts of the city.
The fare is about ₪4 per ride, which makes the bus an inexpensive way to cross town.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis operate either by meter or by agreed fares. Fares are negotiable, and a typical agreed fare is usually between ₪20 and ₪23 for a trip anywhere inside Ashkelon. The Yango ridesharing service is also available in the city if you prefer to book through an app.
Getting Around on Foot
Ashkelon is small enough that walking is a genuinely practical option. You can walk across the entire city in less than two hours, so many trips between the centre, the beach, and the marina can be done on foot if you have the time and the weather is on your side.
Getting from the Airport into Ashkelon
Ben Gurion Airport is connected to Ashkelon by Israel Railways, with trains running directly to the Ashkelon railway station. Because that station lies on the outskirts of the city, plan on a local bus, taxi, or ride-hailing trip to reach the centre or the coast once you arrive. If you prefer the bus, intercity services from Tel Aviv and other major cities arrive at Ashkelon's central bus station in the heart of town.