Jerusalem Travel Forum

Does anyone have any info on when and where the buses leave Jerusalem for Masada and Bethelem. In particular I'm wanting to know what time the earliest bus leaves for Masada and if the buses stop by the Dead Sea. Additionally if anyone has any info on buses that do go directly to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem it would be appreciated. Finally how much would a taxi to Masada and Bethelem cost? Thanks in advance!

The same bus from Jerusalem goes to the Dead Sea hotels area (Ein Bokek) and stops at both the Dead Sea and at Masada.

It leaves from the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem, from Platform No. 3.
It has stops at Shikun Habad, Tzomet (Junction) Bar Ilan, Givat Hatahmoshet (Ammunition Hill) and Wadi El Josz.

The first one leaves at 8.45 am, arrives in Ein Gedi at 10.05 and at Masada at 10.24.

Sorry I don't know anything about buses to Bethlehem. A taxi there is best arranged for at the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem.

The English version of the Egged bus site seems to be not working well right now - the schedules show up in Hebrew only. You can give it a try later:
http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/

Thank you for your answer...very helpful...do you by chance know when the latest bus leaves Masada for Jerusalem. Also out of curiousity, why does it take so long to get to Masada from Jerusalem...I thought it was only 8 miles south of Jeruslem...or are there alot of checkpoints?

The last bus leaves Neve Zohar at 4 pm. and reaches Masada at 4.16. It arrives in Jerusalem at 6.10

The Masada entrance/guest house is well off the main road.
If you can get to the main road or to Ein Gedi there is a much larger choice of buses (includes those coming from Eilat), also a large number of group taxis that travel from the hotel area of Ein Bokek directly to the Jerusalem Central Bus Station.

The distance as the bird flies is not the distance by road :)
Also the bus does make a number of stops in settlements that are off the road, so that travel time is extended for going into and back out of these, some of which have very small and winding roads. A nice scenic ride in many ways.

BTW - the schedules do change on different days of the week and especially on Fridays and holiday evening, so be sure to double check the schedule for the exact date that you want. I used Sunday for searching the schedules.

You can call information at: 03-6948888 (972-3-6948888) or *2800.
Sunday through Thursday: 07:00 - 20:00
Friday and holiday eves: 08:00 - 15:00
Saturday & Jewish festivals: 30 min after conclusion of Shabbat to 23:00
(Local time of course, GMT +2)

Masada is about 100 km (65 miles) south of Jerusalem, not 8 miles. You must mean Bethlehem, which is about 8 miles south of Jerusalem.

If I remember correctly, shared taxis from Jerusalem to Bethlehem leave from the Damascus Gate, not Jaffa Gate.

YOu need to go to the Damascus gate area to get either an Arab Taxi or Arab bus to Bethlehem. You also need to bring your passport. There is a border type crossing to enter.


Masada is a lot further than 8 miles from Jerusalem.

Hello,
Check my Bethlehem transportation tip:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/905f9/1c7d0d/9/

jacob

Masada is about 50 miles south of Jerusalem.