Getting Around Jerusalem: A Practical Guide
Jerusalem's transport network is still developing, and roads remain the primary mode of transportation within the city. However, a combination of buses, light rail, taxis, and an expanding rail connection to the airport and Tel Aviv offer visitors multiple ways to navigate the city. Understanding your options will help you move efficiently, especially since terrain and the city's historic layout can make travel time unpredictable.
Getting to Jerusalem from Ben Gurion Airport
Ben Gurion International Airport, located about 40 kilometers northwest of the city, serves as Jerusalem's main international gateway. Travel from the airport to central Jerusalem typically takes 40–50 minutes, though traffic can extend this significantly.
By Train
Since 2018, a high-speed rail line has connected Ben Gurion Airport directly to Jerusalem. This is now the most convenient option for airport transfers. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes from the airport to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon railway station, which is located near the Central Bus Station and the International Convention Center. Trains run every 30 minutes Sunday to Thursday. On Friday, service runs hourly until early afternoon, and Saturday service begins in the evening. Night trains operate hourly between midnight and 6 AM, except on Friday and Saturday nights when no night service runs. Check rail.co.il for current fares and schedules.
By Bus
Route 485 (operated by Afikim) runs from the airport terminal to Jerusalem Central Bus Station, then makes additional stops in the Knesset and museums area. As of late 2022, this bus operates only on late Thursday nights and Friday mornings; service is expected to diminish further as the rail link becomes more established. The bus costs ₪16 (paid to the driver) and departs hourly. The bus stop for airport-bound journeys is on Yafo Street, approximately 100–150 meters east of the main Central Bus Station exit. From the station, you can reach your final destination by local bus, light rail, or taxi.
By Taxi
Official Jerusalem-airport taxis cost around ₪250 during the day and ₪300 late at night. Pre-arranged taxi companies like Daka 99 may offer lower rates, around ₪160. Your driver may take either Highway 1 or Road 443 (which passes through the West Bank). Be aware that some drivers may overcharge or shortchange passengers; confirm the price before boarding and check your change carefully.
By Shared Taxi (Sherut)
The Nesher shared taxi service operates 10-seat minibuses running approximately hourly, 24/7, between the airport and Jerusalem. The fare is around ₪70 per person one way. From the airport, look for signage to the Jerusalem shuttle outside the Terminal 3 arrival hall; the shuttle departs when full and will drop you at your chosen address in Jerusalem. For return trips to the airport, you must reserve your seat in advance by calling +972 2 623 1231 (Hebrew and English speakers available). Nesher drivers will wait for no one, so arrive on time. The ride can be lengthy as other passengers are dropped off first, and service quality is inconsistent.
Rail and Light Rail Within the City
Train Connections
Israel Railways operates two separate train lines serving Jerusalem. The primary option is the high-speed rail link opened in 2018, which runs from Tel Aviv through Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon station. This underground station sits conveniently near the Central Bus Station. A second, older line runs from Bet Shemesh to southern Jerusalem with two stops: Jerusalem Malha (near Malha Mall) and Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. This line was originally part of the historic Jaffa–Jerusalem railway from 1892 and was restored to service in 2005 after years of disuse.
Light Rail
Jerusalem's light rail network began operating in 2011, providing an important modern transport option. The first line runs from Pisgat Ze'ev in the northeast, passing through French Hill and along Jaffa Road to the Central Bus Station and southwestern neighborhoods. Trains operate with a maximum headway of 12 minutes. Extensions to Hadassa Ein Kerem Hospital in the west and to Neve Yaakov in the north are expected to open in 2025 after experiencing significant delays. Additional lines have been planned but are not yet operational. A light rail stop sits just outside the Central Bus Station, making it easy to connect with intercity buses and taxis.
Buses and Public Transport
City Buses
Egged and Superbus operate the city's bus network, which includes close to 100 lines serving Jerusalem and its suburbs. City buses depart from outside the Central Bus Station (on the street level) and from Shazar Boulevard one block south. Egged buses are the dominant carrier for both intercity and urban routes. To check routes and schedules, visit Egged's website or dial *2800 from any phone.
East Jerusalem is served by a separate system of Arab-run buses that operate from the East Jerusalem Central Bus Station on Sultan Suleiman Street and from outside the Damascus Gate of the Old City. These buses serve Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem and connect to Palestinian towns in the West Bank. While some bus stops are served by both Egged and Arab operators, the two networks are largely separate; Jewish residents rarely use the Arab bus system.
Central Bus Station
The Jerusalem Central Bus Station is the main hub for intercity buses and sits at the western edge of Jaffa Street, the city's primary road. Intercity buses arrive and depart inside the station building. The station has a luggage storage service on the ground floor near the street entrance, offering small lockers for ₪20 per six hours and large lockers for ₪40. A light rail stop sits just outside the station, and taxis are always available in the area.
Important Note on Shabbat
Buses and trains do not operate from Friday evening (after approximately 4 PM) until Saturday evening (around 8 PM). Taxis and the Nesher shuttle service continue to run during this period but may charge extra due to Shabbat restrictions.
Arriving by Bus from Other Israeli Cities
Egged operates almost all intercity bus services to and from Jerusalem. Route 405 connects Tel Aviv Central Bus Station to Jerusalem, departing every 40 minutes from early morning until midnight, with a journey time of about an hour costing ₪16. Route 480 operates from Tel Aviv's Arlozorov station (the central train station) every 30 minutes from early morning until late evening, also taking about an hour for ₪16. Since the high-speed train launched in 2018, bus travel from Tel Aviv is no longer recommended except on Friday afternoon and Saturday evening, when train service is limited.
Connections to Palestinian Areas
The main bus station for connections to Palestinian cities in the West Bank is located just north of the Damascus Gate of the Old City in East Jerusalem. Three separate terminals serve this area: HaNeviim station, Nablus Road station, and Sultan Suleiman station. Regular regional buses serve Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jericho, with blue-striped buses typical of this service. Shared taxis also depart from near these terminals and offer affordable connections throughout the West Bank. These are usually the quickest and most convenient option for traveling to Palestinian cities.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful throughout Jerusalem and can usually be flagged down quickly on the street. Meter rates apply for most journeys. Be cautious: taxi drivers have been known to overcharge or shortchange passengers, so confirm the fare before boarding and verify your change. Some taxi drivers, particularly those familiar with certain routes, may hesitate to take passengers to Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, citing safety concerns. If you encounter difficulty reaching an East Jerusalem destination, consider taking a taxi to the Central Bus Station and then switching to a local taxi from there.
Shared taxi services (sherut) operate on Shabbat and during late-night hours when buses and trains do not run, offering an alternative when scheduled public transport is unavailable.
Walking
From the Central Bus Station, there is a long but rewarding walk along Jaffa Road toward the center of West Jerusalem and onward to the Old City. This route gives a good sense of the city's geography. Finding your way when first exiting the Central Bus Station can be confusing due to limited signage, though bus shelters in the area should display local maps. The building of the light rail line has helped mitigate some of Jerusalem's historically challenging traffic and congestion, though travel times remain variable in areas the light rail does not serve.