Israel Railways
A stroll to the Ben Gurion train station may very well be the first thing you do when you say goodbye to your busmates. Israel's modern and affordable rail system is the best way to get between the airport and the city of Tel Aviv--a 20 minute, $5 ride--and many other parts of Israel. Train tracks stretch up to Haifa and Acre in the north, Sderot on the border with the Gaza Strip, and Be'er Sheva, the gateway to the Negev desert. The Jerusalem terminus is to a southwest corner of the city boundaries, far from the city center, so it's not a great way for most tourists to travel to Jerusalem. A high speed line that will go into downtown Jerusalem is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
Egged Bus
To take the train, the train needs to go where you need to go. Egged Bus, the intercity bus system, really does go everywhere. And while the train may be useful if you're originating in Tel Aviv, travel from Jerusalem is all about the bus. Buses stop at the the central bus stations or terminal in each city, major junctions, and everywhere in between. The CBS in west Jerusalem is a major transit hub. The one in south Tel Aviv is massive and inconvenient; you may find it more convenient to use the Tel Aviv 2000 (also known as Arlozorov) outdoor terminal in the center of the city. The Egged website features a useful trip planner though lacks maps.
Sherut
Intercity sheruts, private shared minivans, ply the routes between Tel Aviv and major cities. For just slightly more than the bus fare, sheruts leave when full, you get to avoid the security line getting into the bus station and the maze to find your gate, and they even run on Shabbat. Sherut central is by Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station on Tzemach David Street. Just ask the vans for their destination until you find the one you want. From Jerusalem, they're a great way to get to Tel Aviv because they leave from a spot just off central Zion Square. The pick up point can be tricky to find but is between Ha-Nevi'im and Efrayim Di-Zahav Square.
Local versions in Tel Aviv mostly mimick the 4 and 5 bus routes. The 4 runs between the Central Bus Station and Allenby and Ben Yehuda Street. The 5 covers the CBT to Dizengoff Center and Weitzman Street.
Jerusalem Light Rail
For years construction of the light rail ripped up the seams of the city. Now that it's complete, it has revolutionized how people move around the ancient capital. The trams run every few minutes from Mt. Herzl in the west, stopping at the bus station, the Mahne Yehuda market, the pedestrian city center, City Hall and Damascus Gate by the Old City walls, and up to Jerusalem's northeastern residential neighborhoods. The single ride fare is around $2 and multi-ride passes that also allow transfer between the rail and local buses are also available.
Flights
There's only one domestic commercial flight route in Israel. It's between Tel Aviv and Eilat. If you're looking for a beach getaway, Arkia or Israir can get you to the sun in an hour or less of flight time. Prices hover around $100 or less each way. The bus from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem to Israel's literal south beach is roughly a 5 hour, $25 ride.
Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the streets of cities big and small just like in the States. All have meters.
Rental Cars
If you want to get off the beaten path, a car is a great way to get around on your own schedule, especially if you have friends to split the rental and gas costs with. Rentals are fairly inexpensive, though gas can be pricey and public transportation is quite accessible. Driving is on the right side of the road. International rental agencies can be found at the airport and in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Local Bus
Cities and municipalities are well covered by local bus services. Riding the bus is quite safe. In the past, during the times of the second intifada, horror stories of suicide bus bombings were an all too regular occurrence. These do not happen anymore.
Biking and Tel-O-Fun
Tel Aviv is the latest international capital to host a bike share program. Tel-O-Fun bike docks dot the city. You can take one and pedal yourself around for low access and usage rates. Israel also has extensive and scenic bike routes throughout the country. Leave your Tel-O-Fun within the city limits, but you can often rent bikes at hostels in the vicinity of some of the country's best trails, like biking around the Kinneret.
Nesher Taxi
Nesher provides 24 hour shared taxi service between Jerusalem and Ben Gurion airport for around $17 and the will pick you up and drop you off anywhere you want to go in the city. You may get lucky and be the last pickup (or first drop off) or you may be in for a scenic Jerusalem tour. The other budget alternative of getting to the airport from Jerusalem is taking a bus from the CBS. But that means getting your ass to the bus station and a $9, 50 minute trip to the airport that includes a transfer to the 5 bus. And the last 5 bus gets to Ben Gurion at 9:30pm so if you are taking those after midnight flights to JFK or Newark you'll be waiting a while. I used to take the bus anyway to save the 8 bucks because I was stupid. Just take the Nesher.
A stroll to the Ben Gurion train station may very well be the first thing you do when you say goodbye to your busmates. Israel's modern and affordable rail system is the best way to get between the airport and the city of Tel Aviv--a 20 minute, $5 ride--and many other parts of Israel. Train tracks stretch up to Haifa and Acre in the north, Sderot on the border with the Gaza Strip, and Be'er Sheva, the gateway to the Negev desert. The Jerusalem terminus is to a southwest corner of the city boundaries, far from the city center, so it's not a great way for most tourists to travel to Jerusalem. A high speed line that will go into downtown Jerusalem is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
Egged Bus
To take the train, the train needs to go where you need to go. Egged Bus, the intercity bus system, really does go everywhere. And while the train may be useful if you're originating in Tel Aviv, travel from Jerusalem is all about the bus. Buses stop at the the central bus stations or terminal in each city, major junctions, and everywhere in between. The CBS in west Jerusalem is a major transit hub. The one in south Tel Aviv is massive and inconvenient; you may find it more convenient to use the Tel Aviv 2000 (also known as Arlozorov) outdoor terminal in the center of the city. The Egged website features a useful trip planner though lacks maps.
Sherut
Intercity sheruts, private shared minivans, ply the routes between Tel Aviv and major cities. For just slightly more than the bus fare, sheruts leave when full, you get to avoid the security line getting into the bus station and the maze to find your gate, and they even run on Shabbat. Sherut central is by Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station on Tzemach David Street. Just ask the vans for their destination until you find the one you want. From Jerusalem, they're a great way to get to Tel Aviv because they leave from a spot just off central Zion Square. The pick up point can be tricky to find but is between Ha-Nevi'im and Efrayim Di-Zahav Square.
Local versions in Tel Aviv mostly mimick the 4 and 5 bus routes. The 4 runs between the Central Bus Station and Allenby and Ben Yehuda Street. The 5 covers the CBT to Dizengoff Center and Weitzman Street.
Jerusalem Light Rail
For years construction of the light rail ripped up the seams of the city. Now that it's complete, it has revolutionized how people move around the ancient capital. The trams run every few minutes from Mt. Herzl in the west, stopping at the bus station, the Mahne Yehuda market, the pedestrian city center, City Hall and Damascus Gate by the Old City walls, and up to Jerusalem's northeastern residential neighborhoods. The single ride fare is around $2 and multi-ride passes that also allow transfer between the rail and local buses are also available.
Flights
There's only one domestic commercial flight route in Israel. It's between Tel Aviv and Eilat. If you're looking for a beach getaway, Arkia or Israir can get you to the sun in an hour or less of flight time. Prices hover around $100 or less each way. The bus from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem to Israel's literal south beach is roughly a 5 hour, $25 ride.
Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the streets of cities big and small just like in the States. All have meters.
Rental Cars
If you want to get off the beaten path, a car is a great way to get around on your own schedule, especially if you have friends to split the rental and gas costs with. Rentals are fairly inexpensive, though gas can be pricey and public transportation is quite accessible. Driving is on the right side of the road. International rental agencies can be found at the airport and in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Local Bus
Cities and municipalities are well covered by local bus services. Riding the bus is quite safe. In the past, during the times of the second intifada, horror stories of suicide bus bombings were an all too regular occurrence. These do not happen anymore.
Biking and Tel-O-Fun
Tel Aviv is the latest international capital to host a bike share program. Tel-O-Fun bike docks dot the city. You can take one and pedal yourself around for low access and usage rates. Israel also has extensive and scenic bike routes throughout the country. Leave your Tel-O-Fun within the city limits, but you can often rent bikes at hostels in the vicinity of some of the country's best trails, like biking around the Kinneret.
Nesher Taxi
Nesher provides 24 hour shared taxi service between Jerusalem and Ben Gurion airport for around $17 and the will pick you up and drop you off anywhere you want to go in the city. You may get lucky and be the last pickup (or first drop off) or you may be in for a scenic Jerusalem tour. The other budget alternative of getting to the airport from Jerusalem is taking a bus from the CBS. But that means getting your ass to the bus station and a $9, 50 minute trip to the airport that includes a transfer to the 5 bus. And the last 5 bus gets to Ben Gurion at 9:30pm so if you are taking those after midnight flights to JFK or Newark you'll be waiting a while. I used to take the bus anyway to save the 8 bucks because I was stupid. Just take the Nesher.