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Driving in Israel
Driving in Israel requires a valid driver's license and a compulsory insurance.
- Your regular driver's license, or international driver's license, must be replaced by an Israeli license one year after your first date of entry into the country.
For all information on driver's and vehicle licenses in Israel (including converting a foreign driver's license), please check the Driver's Booklet of the License Bureau .
- Driving without a valid driver's license invalidates both compulsory and comprehensive insurance. Check with your insurance company if your home car insurance conforms to Israeli standards.
- Seat belts must be worn at all times by both front and back seats passengers.
- Headlights must be turned on in daylight when driving on intercity roads between November 1 - April 1.
- Children under 12 years old are not allowed in the front seat (unless they are infants in a safety seat).
Helpful Tips:
- Driving in Israel is on the right side of the road.
- Distances and speed limits are marked in kilometers.
- Speed limit:
- 50 Km/h (31 Miles) in urban areas
- 90 Km/h (56 Miles) on inter-city roads, unless otherwise stated
- Road signs are normally featured in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
- When renting a car, drivers must be over 21 years old, and hold a valid drivers license. (For most nationalities there is no need for an International Drivers License).
- Crossing the border to Sinai or Jordan in a rented car is not allowed.
- Before renting a car, check if your credit card company covers insurance, as some rental companies' rates include insurance.
Arrival in Israel:
Airports
Israel's main international airport - Ben-Gurion International Airport - is located approximately halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and serves both cities.
Flights arrival information by phone: 03-9723344.
Israel's second international airport (used mostly by charter carriers) is located at Ovda near Eilat.
Note: Security measures above and beyond what you might encounter in most countries are taken for flights both to and from Israel. These measures are undertaken for your and other passengers' safety and security. Arriving at the terminal at least three hours before your flight is well advised, as Israeli security procedures can be time-consuming.
Israel has its own national carrier, El Al , which possesses direct international connections with many European and North American cities. A large number of international carriers also fly regularly into Israel - these include British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, Iberia, American Airlines, Thai Airlines and Air Sinai (a subsidiary of Egyptair).
There are buses to and from Ben-Gurion airport to Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa. Another recommended way is by train. Train service is available from Tel-Aviv to Nahariya via Haifa, every 20 minutes. Unfortunately, train service to Jerusalem from Ben-Gurion Airport is expected to be launched no earlier than 2008.
Taxi service is available at the airport, though not particularly cheap. A better option is a shared taxi, (Sherut) - these are available outside the airport terminal.
Seaports
The sea ports of Haifa and Ashdod are easily accessible by public transportation as they are located in major cities.
Boat arrival in the following Marinas: Herzliya (north of Tel-Aviv), Ashkelon (South of Ashdod).
Entry by Car
There are land routes to both Egypt and Jordan from Israel. There are no land routes to either Syria or Lebanon owing to the continuing state of hostilities with these countries. These border crossings have security measures similar to the airports. Israeli rental cars are not generally permitted across the borders for insurance purposes.
Public Transport in Israel
Getting around Israel:
Note: In getting around Israel, pay attention primarily to the Sabbath: from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, there is effectively no public transportation available in Israel (there are though taxis and a limited Sherut services).
By Bus
Buses are the most common form of public transportation in Israel. The extensive national bus system is run by a public corporation called Egged (tel 03-6948888).
Additionally, a bus company called Dan, operates solely in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
By Sherut (Shared Taxi Service)
Faster than the bus companies are the minivans, known as monit sherut or "service taxi", that follow the bus routes but can be hailed from anywhere. Sherut fares usually cost the same or slightly less than the bus, but during Sabbath, when normal buses do not operate, sherut fares will increase.
By Train
The train currently runs along Israel's Mediterranean coast, being particularly useful for connections between Haifa, Tel Aviv and the airport.
Central Phone Number: 03-5774000.
By taxi
Taxis are very common in Israel. It is advised to ask the driver to use the meter.
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