Jerusalem District Travel Forum

Hi there,

I will be inb Tel Aviv onyl for 2 days, and I would like to visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem on one of those days, as a day trip!

Is it possible to do that in 1 day, by public transport? If not, how much would it cost to arrange a private car/driver to take me there and back to Tel Aviv?

And another question (and please forgive my ignorance!): I seem to remember that Bethlehem is part of Palestine. Does that mean there's some border in place, or is Bethleham going to be part of a FUTURE Palestinian independent country???? Sorry, again, if this question sounds really stupid!

Chris
Thanks for all your information!

Jerusalem is about 60 km away from Tel-Aviv, so you can get there in 45 minutes, depebding on traffic. It's not a problem takinh a bus (bus number 480, or number 405) from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. In order to get to Bethlehem you need to take a bus from the station outside of the Damascus gate of the Old City. These buses are used by the Palestinians. You will need to pass a checkpoint right before Bethlehem. Bethlehem is very close to Jerusalem, so you can also take a taxi to the check point. After crossing the check point, you can just walk or take a Palestinian taxi.

While it can be done in one day. You wouldn't really have time to see anything in Jerusalem. You will need several days to explore the Old City of Jerusalem. And, if you only have one day, you better just stay there and skip Bethlehem.

To add to what was already written. You can also take an Arab taxi from the Damascus Gate area of Jerusalem. ( same place you would get the Arab bus) From what I understand ( not personal experience) if you get on the correct bus it goes to the center of Bethlehem. Bethlehem is part of the autonomous Palestinian Authority--that means they have full control over the area. You DO pass a border type of crossing and it is necessary for you to have your passport with you. And odds are if there ever is a independent country called Palestine, Bethlehem will be part of it.!

Also as said, it makes for a very full day. I suggest you get up very early and plan on a long Jerusalem day. The 405 leaves from the Central Bus station, the 480 from near the Main Tel Aviv train station. Depending upon where you are staying dictates which bus is better for you.

Hi again,

Thanks for all the useful information!
I will be staying at a hotel on Gordon Street (Gordon Inn Hotel), which I believe is at the center of Tel Aviv?? Could you tell me which one of the 2 buses is closer to me (i.e. is the central bus station near Gordon Street?)

Thanks again!

Chris

From Gordon St. Walk to Dizengoff St. and take bus # 5 to the central bus station of Tel-Aviv, then hop on the bus to Jerusalem.

I fully agree with the former reply: Jerusalem is a whole world, full of interesting things to see and to do, and very diverse as well. If you only have one day you'd better dedicate it to Jerusalem (you'll only do a small part of it anyway), and leave Bethlehem for next time!

Have a great time,
Ilan

Thanks Ilan!

I'll follow advice and concentrate on Jerusalem! Looking forward to it!!

Chris

The train station is closer to where you stay. From Dizengoff street (200 mters from your Inn), there are plenty of buses going there. Bus number 5 (the other direction), 20 and all the ones which are 60-something. Ask the driver to "Arlozorov train station". Cross the street and you find bus 480 in the bus terminal next to the train station.

If you choose to take bus 405 from the central bus station. It's better to take bus number 4 from Ben-Yehuda street and not bus number 5 from Dizengoff as it's a little closer to where you stay.

You can see all the buses on the Dan bus company sute: http://www.dan.co.il.

If you need a dynamic map of Tel-Aviv (or any other place in Israel), go to: http://www.emap.co.il. Click the "English" button to go to the English section.