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City Guide - Tel Aviv - Road | ||
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Road Israel has an excellent road network, and because the country is relatively small with varied scenery, driving can be a great pleasure. However, the roads can be very congested, so motorists are advised to allow plenty of time for journeys. Main arterial routes are designated by route numbers (similar to North America). Traffic signs are marked in English, Hebrew and Arabic. Traffic drives on the right and it is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear seat belts. The speed limit is 100kph (62mph) on motorways, 90kph (56mph) on intercity roads and 50kph (31mph) within towns. The minimum age for driving is 18 years and the maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.05%. National licences from EU countries are accepted, although International Driving Permits are required for longer visits. It is compulsory to drive with headlights on at all times. A departure tax of about NIS60 is payable for those who leave Israel by land if they have arrived by air. The Automobile and Touring Club of Israel (MEMSI; tel: (03) 564 1122; web site: www.aitgva.ch/israel.htm) can provide more information. Emergency breakdown services: MEMSI (03) 564 1122 Routes to the city: The Ayalon Highway is the new four-lane motorway, which comes from the north, via Haifa and Netanya, into the eastern part of Tel Aviv. The motorway links the northern and southern parts of the city, with exits leading to various parts of Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. Ayalon South continues onto Ben Gurion Airport and to Jerusalem. Driving times to Tel Aviv: from Jerusalem - 50 minutes; Haifa - 1 hour 15 minutes. Coach services: Egged Bus Company (tel: (03) 537 5555; web site: www.egged.co.il) provides both urban and intercity services, which depart from the Central Bus Station, 108 Levinski Street (tel: (03) 638 4040). After North America's Greyhound, Egged is the largest bus company in the world. There are daily services to Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheva and Ashdod. Despite the frequency of most services, it is advisable to buy tickets from the fourth floor of the Central Bus Station before boarding the bus. Services will only operate until 1500 on Friday and resume at 1900 on Saturday. Visitors may be stopped and searched on arrival, as security at the bus station is very tight. Belongings must not be left unattended. |