{"id":4683,"date":"2024-04-03T18:18:17","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T15:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nissimslama.com\/?page_id=4683"},"modified":"2025-12-31T20:24:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T18:24:31","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nissimslama.com\/en\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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How to get to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv or the Airport?<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Generally speaking, I advise against taking a car, taxi, or bus due to the heavy traffic\u2014especially in the morning\u2014on Route 1 connecting the two cities.<\/p>

My recommendation is to take the train<\/b> using a Rav-Kav card or your phone (see the question “How to get around in Israel”). There are four train stations in Tel Aviv, from north to south: Universita, Savidor Merkaz, HaShalom, and HaHagana<\/b>. From HaHagana station to the Jerusalem \u2013 Yitzhak Navon<\/b> station, the journey takes 37 minutes, with trains departing every half hour.<\/p>

The train stops at the airport station, making it the best way to travel from there as well. Another option from the airport is the Sherut<\/b> (see the question “How to get around in Israel”).<\/p>

The Sherut can take you directly to a specific address. At the airport exit, minivans wait to be filled; once full, they drop each passenger off at their provided destination. While the comfort level is average, this service is helpful if you have many suitcases, are traveling during Shabbat, or prefer not to take a taxi.<\/p>

Note:<\/b> For the time being, from Sunday to Thursday inclusive, the first train is at 06:20 and the last at 00:29. The train does not run on Shabbat (from late Friday afternoon to Saturday evening), and schedules change throughout the year.<\/p>

To get from the Jerusalem \u2013 Yitzhak Navon<\/b> station to the Jaffa Gate<\/b> in the Old City, take the Light Rail (Tramway) to the City Hall \u2013 Safra<\/b> station. If you let me know in advance, I could even meet you on the platform.<\/p>

Quick tip:<\/b> Instead of paying for each trip separately, pay for a “Hofshi Yomi,”<\/b> which is a daily pass. Don\u2019t forget to validate your pass every time you board.<\/p>

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How to get around in Israel?<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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It is possible to rent a car<\/b> from international rental companies (such as Avis) or local ones (Eldan is considered a reputable company). As is the case everywhere, prices vary based on the size of the car, the number of rental days, the mileage allowance, the season, etc. It is possible\u2014and even recommended\u2014to add a collision damage waiver (CDW) to waive your deductible in case of damage, and to refill the tank before returning the vehicle. Rental agencies are located in all major cities and at the airport.<\/p>

Pay attention to toll roads<\/b>: Route 6 and the Carmel Tunnels in Haifa. There are no physical toll booths on Route 6, so it is important to check with your rental agency about their specific arrangement with the companies managing the highway. Please note that insurance for an Israeli rental car does not cover Area A<\/b>, which is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. To drive there, you can rent a car from an agency in East Jerusalem. Driving in the centers of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is generally discouraged. Additionally, blue and white markings<\/b> on the curb indicate paid parking. However, even these spots may be reserved exclusively for local residents at certain times. Parking is paid via the Pango<\/b> or Cello<\/b> apps. For navigation, Waze<\/b> is the preferred app for Israelis.<\/p>

Taxis<\/b> are an option, but they remain the most expensive. Occasionally, some taxi drivers may take advantage of tourists by taking longer routes or detours to increase the fare. For this reason, it is highly recommended to book your taxi using an app, the most common being Gett<\/b>.<\/p>

The “Sherut”<\/b> is a shared taxi (minivan). In some cities, the Sherut follows existing bus lines. It is particularly useful during Shabbat<\/b>, when public transportation does not run, and for getting from the airport directly to your address. Generally, Sheruts only accept cash.<\/p>

Public transportation<\/b> is very well-developed, both between and within cities. You can pay using a card called Rav-Kav<\/b> (an anonymous card costs 5 NIS) or through several GPS-based apps on your phone. To pay for the bus with your phone, you must scan a QR code. For the train and the Tel Aviv light rail, a camera scans the QR code provided by the app, while for the Jerusalem light rail, you simply click “validate” on the app. A well-known app for this is Moovit<\/b>, which also provides navigation for public transit. The Rav-Kav card can be topped up at service counters, automatic kiosks at various stations, or via your phone. The top-up apps are Rav-Kav<\/b> and HopOn<\/b>. To pay with the Rav-Kav card, simply tap it on the payment terminals.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

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What are the main sites to visit in Jerusalem?<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Every person is unique and has different interests, which is why I strongly recommend building your itinerary in advance with a local guide. I can help you with this, so please don’t hesitate to call me. I will help you construct the foundation of your program. In the meantime, here is a list of the city’s main attractions along with some important details to help you.<\/p>

The Old City of Jerusalem<\/b> is, of course, a must-see. You will find sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre<\/b>, the Damascus Gate<\/b>, and the Jewish Quarter<\/b>. I recommend visiting it with a guide and dedicating a full day to it. Afterward, I suggest returning on your own to wander and explore without a guide, as they can never cover every single corner. Note: the Jewish Quarter is quiet on Saturdays for Shabbat, so I would not recommend a guided tour on a Saturday.<\/p>

For Christians, the Mount of Olives<\/b> followed by the Via Dolorosa<\/b> in the Old City are also significant stops. If you are interested in history and culture, a guide is highly recommended. However, if your primary goal is pilgrimage, a guide is not mandatory.<\/p>

For fans of archaeology\u2014especially biblical archaeology\u2014as well as for Zionists and families with children, I truly recommend the City of David<\/b>. Plan for a minimum of 3 hours. It is highly advisable to take a guide or, at the very least, join the group tour organized by the site itself. In the same vein, the Western Wall Tunnels<\/b> are also a highlight.<\/p>

Another essential visit is the Temple Mount<\/b>. However, this visit is logistically complex and may not always interest children. It is more than advisable to use a guide, at least to understand the rules and functioning of the site.<\/p>

In the New City, I suggest strolling through the three “centers” of Jerusalem:<\/p>