Getting Around

Jerusalem has an extensive public bus service, and most drivers speak English. Most bus services stop over Shabbat (from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday), which means tourists have to find alternative transport at these times.

Taxis are plentiful, identifiable by a yellow sign on the roof, and can be hailed in the street, ordered by telephone or hired outside hotels and the main places of interest. Taxis are metered and charge more late at night and on Saturdays and public holidays. Passengers should make sure the taxi driver turns the meter on at the start of a journey.

Shared taxis (sheruts) are another popular form of transport, travelling fixed routes and usually costing about the same as a bus. Passengers can get on and off when they need to, though drivers (and fellow passengers) can be impatient when it comes to delays. Ride sharing for a fee is illegal in Israel. Uber does operate in the country, but only as a service for ordering taxis. Other apps that provide the same service are Gett, Raxi and Yango.

Local drivers tend to be unruly and visitors often find driving a bit stressful, especially if they don't understand the road signs. The old city area is compact enough to explore on foot, and this is certainly the most interesting way to get around.