Getting arround: busses, sherut, trains...
Buses, lifelines or annoyance?One thing about Tel Aviv, you will have plenty of transportation choices. A legacy of more socialist times is the bus and sherut system. Tel Aviv has buses running to almost every street and corner. The system is not 100% efficient and you will have to wait. But it will take you to anywhere! I REALLY MEAN ANYWHERE. To help the old bus system, which was started a few decades ago, private individuals started the "sherut" service (in Hebrew literally means 'service'). These are (mostly) yellow vans that run along popular bus lines and go to outside cities. The advantage of "sherut" is they will stop anywhere, just stick out a finger and they will stop (buses are only allowed to stop at stations). A bus ride is 5.10 shekels for an adult and there are no transfers. You pay for a ride every time you get on a bus. You can buy a multi ride "Kartisiya" which come in 10 ride increment.
If you are not pleased with the bus or sherut, you have other choices. Taxis can be found on most busy streets and there are taxi stands at central locations and hotel curbs. Car rental in Israel is a little pricey but there are many large and small services to choose from (Avis in Israel, Hertz in Israel). In general, Israel is not a country that you will need a "driver", like funny old movies of distant lands and dangerous places. The roads are well marked and for a few extra dollars a day you can have a GPS system in your rental car. The maps are excellent, but make sure you have an international driver's license. Israeli police will tolerate valid American licenses for a short period of time (up to three months) but make sure you carry a passport. (Israli police driving page).
OK so you want to really get around. If you are in shape, there are also choices in bicycle rental. Your hotel can find you a rental company which will bring you a bike and route maps. You can also call a local bicycle store and ask about rentals, locations near hotel tourist area near the beach have a few units for rent, specially in the summer. Take a look at the Tel Aviv Guide bicycle story.
If you need to get to other parts of Israel, there is a new train system that is fast and comfortable. Israeli's are learning from Europe how to ride on trains and it's becoming a normal form of transportation. The train story will need an article by itself.
The new train from Tel Aviv
Editor's note, NOT for the faint at heart... Once you are in Tel Aviv you will notice the mopeds ridden by the 20 something crowd. Delivery runners, young soldiers in uniform and sexy mini-dressed women all ride these noisy quick-buzzing machines. Officially you need to obtain an Israeli license for mopeds and therefore they are not available for rental readily. But if you are truly in NEED, ask around.
If you are not pleased with the bus or sherut, you have other choices. Taxis can be found on most busy streets and there are taxi stands at central locations and hotel curbs. Car rental in Israel is a little pricey but there are many large and small services to choose from (Avis in Israel, Hertz in Israel). In general, Israel is not a country that you will need a "driver", like funny old movies of distant lands and dangerous places. The roads are well marked and for a few extra dollars a day you can have a GPS system in your rental car. The maps are excellent, but make sure you have an international driver's license. Israeli police will tolerate valid American licenses for a short period of time (up to three months) but make sure you carry a passport. (Israli police driving page).
OK so you want to really get around. If you are in shape, there are also choices in bicycle rental. Your hotel can find you a rental company which will bring you a bike and route maps. You can also call a local bicycle store and ask about rentals, locations near hotel tourist area near the beach have a few units for rent, specially in the summer. Take a look at the Tel Aviv Guide bicycle story.
If you need to get to other parts of Israel, there is a new train system that is fast and comfortable. Israeli's are learning from Europe how to ride on trains and it's becoming a normal form of transportation. The train story will need an article by itself.
The new train from Tel AvivEditor's note, NOT for the faint at heart... Once you are in Tel Aviv you will notice the mopeds ridden by the 20 something crowd. Delivery runners, young soldiers in uniform and sexy mini-dressed women all ride these noisy quick-buzzing machines. Officially you need to obtain an Israeli license for mopeds and therefore they are not available for rental readily. But if you are truly in NEED, ask around.
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