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| City Guide - Jerusalem - Getting Around | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Getting Around Public Transport The Egged Co-operative (tel: (03) 694 8888; e-mail: amita@eggedtlalim.co.il or incoming@eggedtlalim.co.il; web site: www.egged.co.il/egged.htm or www.eggedtlalim.com also provides a cheap and efficient urban bus system, serving routes throughout West Jerusalem. Most services do not run between sunset on Friday and sunset on Saturday (Sabbath) or on Jewish religious holidays. Tickets are purchased from the driver at a cost of NIS4.70. If you plan to spend more than a few days in Jerusalem it is worth buying a kartissiyah, a punch card which offers eleven journeys for the price of ten, or an Israbus pass for overseas visitors, valid on all Egged bus lines for periods of seven, 14, 21 and 30 days; both of which are available from any Egged Tours office. There are also various Palestinian bus companies serving East Jerusalem and beyond, operating from the East Jerusalem bus station, located on the street Sultan Suleiman, between the Damascus Gate and Herod's Gate. These buses are painted blue or green and white, and while they tend to be crowded and rickety, they're cheap and unlike their Egged counterparts they do run on Saturdays. Payment is made to the driver on boarding the bus. Both Egged and the Palestinian bus services run 0500-2400. Taxis and Sheruts Taxis are equipped with a meter that they are required by law to operate, however, you will often need to insist that it is switched on before you commence your journey. If, as frequently happens, you find the meter to be 'broken', then either agree on a fare beforehand, or find another taxi. Taxis can be either hailed in the street or booked in advance. Tipping the taxi driver is not compulsory. The following companies are recommended on the local government web site Beit Hakerem Taxis, 217 Jaffa Road (tel: (02) 500 0101) and Israel Taxicab Ltd, 11 Hahistadrut (tel: (02) 625 2333; fax: (02) 623 4666). A popular alternative is the sherut, a service that uses seven-seater minibuses and follows the exact routes of the public bus lines, but allows passengers to get on and off anywhere along the route. Fares are usually the same as the bus fare (approximately NIS5). Limousines The major provider of limousine tours is Baker Gidon (tel: (02) 538 3318). Rates are about NIS1600 for a nine-hour tour for two people. Driving in the City Driving in West and East Jerusalem is relatively straightforward, although vehicles are only permitted to enter the Old City through Jaffa Gate, following the road through the Armenian Quarter, where there is limited parking. Alternatively, the Karta parking lot, located below the walls of the Old City near Jaffa Gate has space for 5000 vehicles. It is open six days a week, but closed on the Sabbath. Street parking is strictly regulated and is legal only in streets where blue and white stripes are painted along the kerb. A cartise (parking permit) purchased from post offices or kiosks must be displayed on the windscreen. Car Hire The majority of car hire companies are located in West Jerusalem. These include: Avis, 22 King David Street (tel: (02) 624 9001; web site: www.avis.co.il); Hertz, 18 King David Street (tel: (02) 623 1351 or 625 6334; web site: www.hertz.com) and Budget Rent-A-Car, 8 King David Street (tel: (02) 624 8991; web site: www.budget.co.il). Hire fees are expensive and rates are seasonal - at their highest in July and August. Visitors may get a better deal from a local company, such as Eldan Jerusalem, 24 King David Street (tel: (02) 625 2151 or 2152; fax: (02) 625 2154; web site: www.eldan.co.il). Visitors should expect to pay about NIS180 for a four-door saloon per day during high season. To rent a car, visitors must be over 21 and in possession of a full driving licence with at least one year's driving experience, insurance and an international credit card. Although an International Driving Permit is not compulsory, it is recommended. Bicycle & Scooter Hire In Jerusalem, no infrastructure for safe cycling exists whatsoever; however, useful information about cycle tours and routes around Jerusalem can be found (web site: bike.org.il/jm/index_e.html). |
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