By Train
To get from Tel Aviv city centre or Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem, simply hop on a modern air-conditioned train with power sockets & free WiFi.
There are 4 station in Tel Aviv and you will arrive in Yitzchak navon Station, which is connected to the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem.
You have to buy a Ravkav, a smart card to travel. You can buy them at train stations and tourist information centers. If you come back on the same day ask someone to help you and upload a daily ticket with all transportation in both cities included.
Once you have reached the Jerusalem Central Bus Station, go through the security checkpoint and make your way inside the Bus Station building. From there, simply follow the crowd and go towards the main entrance/exit of the Station.
When you exit the Central Bus Station of Jerusalem, you will face Jaffa Street. Cross this street and continue for a few meters until you cross the tracks of the Jerusalem Light Rail. Turn right and go to one of the ticket vending machines, where you should purchase a ticket for the Light Rail. Please do not attempt to ride the Jerusalem Light Rail without a ticket, as there are frequent inspections on the train.
There is only one line for this Light Rail. Make sure to enter the train that goes towards ‘Heil Ha-Avir. You will have to ride the Light Rail for five stations. The station at which you will get off is called City Hall.
Once you have gotten off the Light Rail, continue to walk in the same direction as the train. You will soon see the corner of the Old-City walls in front of you. Cross the street at the junction and continue to walk along the Old City Wall, which will be on your left.
After walking for about ten minutes, you will reach a big entrance gate to the Old City. You have now reached your destination Jaffa Gate, where your Booqify-guide will be waiting for you.
In order to reach Jaffa Gate on time, you should leave your hotel in Tel Aviv by 08:00. It will take you about 30 minutes to reach the Central Bus Station or Arlozorov Bus Station. The bus ride from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem takes about one hour (due to heavy heavy traffic, this ride takes longer on Sundays). It will then take you about 30 minutes to get from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station to Jaffa Gate.
Be careful not to take the train through the Judean Hills, it end in Jerusalem malkha Station, takes over 2 hours and is an experience in itself as you’re riding the historic Jaffa-Jerusalem Railway of 1892.
There are two main bus stations in Tel Aviv:
- Arlozorov Train and Bus Station (also known as Savidor, Tel Aviv Central or Tel Aviv Merkaz) is located in the northern part of the city, at the junction of Namir Road and Arlozorov Street. The bus depot is located outside of the train station, adjacent to Namir Road. From there, bus #480 will take you directly to Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station.
- Tel Aviv Central Bus Station (HaTachana HaMerkazit) is located in the southern part of the city on Lewinsky Street. There is a large number of bus lines that reach the Central Bus Station. Once there, make your way to the 6th floor and look for bus line #405, which will take you directly to Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station.
Once you have reached the Jerusalem Central Bus Station, follow the info from above.
By Shared taxi / Sherut
These mini buses leave from the Central Bus Station, ground floor behind the station. They will have a sign “Jerusalem” on the front window.
The sherut will leave when the bus is full and drives straight to the center of Jerusalem, to the Russian Compound. From there walk down to Jaffa street, go left on Jaffa street and continue.
You will soon see the corner of the Old-City walls in front of you. Cross the street at the junction and continue to walk along the Old City Wall, which will be on your left.
After walking for about ten minutes, you will reach a big entrance gate to the Old City. You have now reached your destination Jaffa Gate, where your Booqify-guide will be waiting for you.
