Getting Around : Isreal

Bus Buses are the most popular and convenient means of traveling around Israel. Except for the Dan Company (tel. (03) 561 4444) in Tel Aviv and the Arab buses serving the West Bank and Gaza, the Egged Bus Cooperative has a monopoly on intercity and most intracity buses in Israel. Many direct (yashir), express, and local (me’asef) buses travel between the major cities each day. Buses are generally modem, air conditioned, and quite inexpensive. Students with ISIC receive a 10% discount on all fares; just be sure to show your ID a number of times-first to the ticket seller, then to the driver, then to the ticket inspector, then to interested passengers.

Buses are sometimes crowded, especially on Saturday nights after Sbabbat. Don’t be afraid to push your way in and out of the bus door; just preface each push with the word sliha (excuse me; or-ironically-I’m sorry), as Israelis do.