When you take this bus called sherut, it takes you to the Allenby border, the most popular border between Jerusalem and Amman. It takes about 1 hour. Easy transportation option.

So where’s this Sultan Suleiman Bus Station?

Transportation: Jerusalem to Amman by Bus (Sherut)

First, take this 10-seater sherut in Jerusalem.  It takes about 40 minutes to the border. Make sure you have exit tax ready in shekels.  Be sure you have a Jordanian visa or Jordan pass. Pay 11JOD for the shuttle bus between borders. It costs another 25JOD to go to Amman by taxi from the border.

The whole trip will take at least 4 hours. (1 hour to Allenby border, 1-2 hours to cross, 1 hour to reach Amman.)

For details, see: Amman to Jerusalem by Jett Bus (via Allenby)

 Bus Fare

The bus fare costs 42NIS. And for luggage 5NIS. Cash only. No reservation needed in advance.

 Sherut Timetable

When you are in the Middle East, get used to the fact that there’s no timetable!  It leaves from 7 AM, every 15-20 minutes or when it’s full.

• The last bus leaves at 1 pm on regular days
• Or at 10 AM on Friday and Saturday

The Sultan Suleiman Bus Station

The entrance to the Sultan Suleiman Bus Station is across Damascus Gate, and near The Golden Walls Hotel.

See the hotel? Enter from here!

Here’s the entrance. I know it’s weird.

So the bus station is basically the parking. And the ticket office is behind the vans.

 About Israeli Exit Tax

Allenby border charges 181NIS to exit.  You pay 5NIS for service fee, which you can save by paying in advance on borderpay.il or from the post office.

Every border charges border exit tax differently, for details please see Israeli-Jordanian Border Crossing.

 Do I need a visa for Jordan?

Most of us can get into Jordan through Jordan Pass. If you previously used this border to arrive in Israel, you don’t need another visa to return Jordan.

How many days do I need in Jordan?

I guess you need 3-4 days minimum! If you don’t have much time, it’s a good idea to go with Abraham Tours (featured in Lonely Planet, a very well-known and well-established brand).  You cross the border faster in a group. Their 3-day package takes you to Petra, Wadi Rum (beautiful stars at night and jeep tour included!), Amman and Jerash. The tour leaves from Jerusalem and costs $560. If you are in a hurry, there’s another 2-day tour and costs $350. If you are new to backpacking in the Middle East, this is the easiest option!  

The day pass is a “contract”, that can only be purchased with a Rav-kav card. There are different contracts/day passes, and #671 is the one you need for Jerusalem!

#671 Day Pass

• Day Pass price： 13.5 NIS
• Area Coverd: Jerusalem (Band 1)
• A single ticket price in Jerusalem: 5.9 NIS

Where Can #671 Be Used?

As a tourist, all you need to know is that,

1. Any stop on Light Rail. So that means Yad Vashem or Israel Museum.
2. You can’t use it for going to the airport. (It costs 17NIS for direct train or 16NIS for airport bus.)
3. Bus… if it’s within city. (Further explanation below)

This is Jerusalem Light Rail, it is more punctual and reliable than taking the bus. So I recommend using it.

 

This is the bus, Egged.

#671 Sample Itinerary

• Arriving Jerusalem Central Bus station, take the light rail to your hotel/hostel
• Take the light rail to Mount Herzl, the stop where Yad Vashem is
• Take the light rail to Mahane Yehuda Market
• Take the light rail to City Hall, the closest stop to the Old City. Watch a sound and light show
• Take the light rail to go back to your hotel/hostel

So this is already 5 trips already!

However, if you aren’t traveling with luggage, I’d recommend walking. It’s an easy and pleasant walk from Jaffa Center to the Old City. Plus, most of the attractions are in or around the Old City of Jerusalem!

Try to plan Yad Vashem, Israel Museum or other attractions which are further away on the same day, and use the day pass for that day!

 

How to Purchase #671?

You’ll find ticket machine/kiosks near the bus stop and light rail stop.

This is the ticket machine at the light rail station. It is written “Day Pass Jer Kernel”. The only package with the price, 13.5NIS.

The Rav-Kav machine at bus stops offers more options for contracts/day passes. Go to Jerusalem Metropolitan, and find #671

Important Notice!

You can only buy a day pass (contract) with a Rav-Kav card. (Click here to know more about Rav-kav card ).

You CANNOT buy a Rav-kav card at a light rail station. You can get one from one of those Sales Points or from the bus drivers. I’d recommend getting one from the train station at Ben Gurion airport!

By the way, ticket inspectors are commonly seen in Jerusalem’s light rail. It’s important to make sure you validate your Rav-kav card EVERY time you board the light rail (or the bus).

 

The Bands? The Zones…

So central Jerusalem is in Band 1. The light rail is in Band 1, which you don’t need to worry about. And I’d say most bus rides fall in Band 1 too. So there’s not much to worry about.

 

These are the exact moshavs (towns) around Jerusalem that also fall into the category of Band 1, in case you want to know.

 

Did this help? Try to remember getting a #671 for unlimited travel in Jerusalem! Leave me a message if you have a question!

Booking &Eldan Car Rental Fees (2019 Feb)

Simply go to Eldan’s Website to make a reservation：https://rent.eldan.co.il/en

The price was really good! For 4 days in February, the cheapest option starts at $96! So that’s $24 a day… including CDW insurance! 

We chose a car from Group E.  The rental fee for 4 days was $112, which means $28 a day.

By the way, the rental system is based on 24 hours. My contract started from Sunday afternoon at 5:30 pm till Thursday afternoon at 5 pm, and this is considered 4 days instead of 5 days!

This is our voucher, this email was immediately sent after making the reservation:

Eldan Car Rental Office

Eldan’s office is located on 24 King David～ Keep in mind that while it’s easy to find this office, it is super hard to find the parking…

No, it is not in the same place… Car rental office and parking garage are separated… 

Finishing Document Procedure at Eldan’s Office

You need to provide the staff with the following documents:

1. Your Reservation Number (from the booking voucher)

2. Driver’s License AND International Driving Permit

3. Driver’s Passport and the blue entry card

Money Saving Tips: Don’t lose your blue entry card!

You’ll receive a blue entry card when you arrive in Israel.  And you will not have any problem leaving Israel if you lose it…. BUT, if you don’t have this blue entry card with you when renting a car or staying in a hotel, you will likely be requested to pay Israeli’s 17% VAT!

After the staff scans all your documents, you’ll see the contract, and you’ll sign it. You’ll go over some reminders, and maybe the staff will ask you whether you’d want to purchase SCDW. (Read more about CDW and SCDW in Israel here)

I bought my insurance from a third party insurance company, and instead of paying Eldan $68 extra for SCDW, I only spent $12… (leave me a message if you want to know which company it was)

Picking Up Your Car (Return Your Car Here too)

You’d receive the instruction on finding the parking garage over email, but… unless you already know what you are looking for, I found it hard to read this instruction.

The location is sort of behind YMCA, but there are some stairs… just look around and ask someone there.

Once you found the entrance to the parking, go down via elevator. And look to your right!

There’s this tiny office. Well, that’s Eldan.

Our car group was Peugeot 208 (E), and we got this car. This was their “cleanest” car!  The staff here would go over the check-up with you, and she/he would “describe” the dents and scars with words, and then she/he would circle the damages on a tiny form.  Even with the cleanest car, I think she marked pretty much all places…

You can put on the English subtitle to watch my vlog

When you return the car, you need to come back here. The drive lanes in this parking are tiny… it’s okay because we are from Asia, and my aunt could manage this. But if you are used to driving in congested cities, well, I don’t know what you’d do. Just keep in mind that Israeli are not patient and they are generous in using horns.

I didn’t have any problem returning the car It was quick and easy!

By the way, if you use the only toll road in Israel, you have to pay the toll and service fee to the car company. The service fee is normally $18-$20. And I got the bill from Eldan after 3 weeks.

The Definition of Shabbat

Shabbat, or Sabbath, starts from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Public transportation stops from 3 PM on Friday to 9 PM on Saturday.  It’s possible that you just found the cheapest air ticket to Israel… because you are arriving on Shabbat hours!

Transportation Option From Tel Aviv

By the way, Tel Aviv is only 15km to the airport! These are the options that you have on a Shabbat, and how to arrange them.

1.NEW!Abraham’s Airport Shuttle

This is a new service from Abraham Tours, a well-reputed tour company in Israel. The shuttle bus leaves every 2 hours, on every day including Shabbat. You need to book at least 12 hours ahead. Expect to pay ₪70 ($20).

2.Taxi

From the airport, you will see taxis from the taxi stand, expect to pay ₪150 ($40).  There’s no sherut (shared taxi) option.

From Tel Aviv, just ask your hotel reception to assist you in getting a taxi.

3.Flo Taxi?

The other option is by taking Flo Shuttle. It costs $17 per head and you should book advance online. But people don’t recommend it on TripAdvisor as they never show up. So it looks like from on their website, they no longer offer the Airport to Tel Aviv route.

Transportation Option From Jerusalem

Jerusalem is 52km to the airport! These are the options that you have on a Shabbat, and how to arrange them.

1. Sherut Taxi (Cheapest Option)

Since there is no public transportation option on Shabbat, your next option is taking a sherut taxi. It’s like a mini-van, and they do school bus style.

From the airport, you will see sherut taxis from the taxi stand, expect to pay ₪69($19). Or you can pay online (₪75) to Abraham Tours in advance, the taxi will drop you to Abraham Hostel in downtown Jerusalem.

From Jerusalem, just ask your hotel reception to assist you in arranging a sherut pickup.

2.Taxi

From the airport, you will see taxis from the taxi stand, expect to pay ₪273($80). (On regular days it is ₪228)

From Jerusalem, just ask your hotel reception to assist you in getting a taxi.

3.Airport Bus 485

Though there’s no train on Friday, the 485 airport bus runs till 2-3pm. Check their website for schedule. And the bus resumes service on Saturday around 7 pm. A ride costs 16NIS.

Conclusion

If you haven’t booked your air ticket, try not to arrive on a Shabbatas your transportation options are limited to private services. But it’s not the end of the world, as you only need to pay a bit more to hire taxi.

Buying Ticket & Fare

Similar to how you buy a train ticket to Tel Aviv, you buy your ticket to Jerusalem with cash, credit card or with Rav-Kav stored value (if you already have Rav-Kav card) There’s no need to buy a ticket online in advance.

See, the fare is 17 NIS (roughly $5). That’s pretty cheap! (And about the same price as airport bus #485)

(You could buy a ticket online if you want, but you must have a Rav-Kav card in hand….)

 Timetable

The earliest train leaves at 06:31, and the last train of the day leaves at 19:31. The schedule runs every 20-30 minutes. But there’s no train on Friday ….. (How to travel from the airport on Shabbat) and the train resumes service at 22:00 on Saturday….

Timetable<<< Click here

The last train on Thursday is at 19:31. And then there’s no bus on Friday and Saturday until the next train ride at 06:31 on Sunday. 

It’s the same thing on between Sunday and Monday, the last ride is at 19:31 and the first ride is at 06:31 the next morning.

Experience of taking the Direct Train to Jerusalem

It was smooth, no delay. I love this double-deck train. Wifi was working. WC was kind of clean.

My only problem was there wasn’t enough room for storing luggage near the seats. If it is “airport train”, then it is important to have racks near the doors.

I talked to an Israeli engineer about this, and he said “Yes Israeli are stupid”. That was so confusing as in Taiwan, we love Israeli and we think this small nation has a lot to learn from.

Expired News: The Free Ride Information in Next 90 days

You need to meet all these terms to enjoy free rides in the next 90 days (from 25 Sep). Free rides from Jerusalem to ANY city in Israel! 

Terms and Condition：

1. You must leave from Yitzhak Navon Train Station in Jerusalem  It works both ways now. Free rides from the airport and from Yitzhak Navon Train Station.

2. You must have a personal or semi-anonymous Rav-Kav card with you already . You need to key in the numbers in the back of your Rav-Kav card.

3. Then make your “booking”. You can book up to 3 seats with one Rav-Kav card. You’ll get a voucher but you don’t need to print it out.

Register Your Voucher Here: Click Here

4. You still need to exchange a real ticket with your voucher. But you’ll not be charged. If you miss your train, you can take the next train.

No need for pre-booking a voucher! Read more here

5. Choose any destination, even Nahariya that is 2.5 hours away!～ (Change train at the airport)

6. Free chocolate is waiting at Yitzhak Navon Train Station in Jerusalem for you！

References: Janglo

Rav-Kav Types & Purchase Methods

• Anonymous/Rav Kav Anonimi: It costs ₪5. You can get it from train stations, central bus stations, some hostels and from some bus drivers.
• Personal/Rav Kav Ishi: It’s free, but you can only get this personal card at sales points. Your photo will be taken, and your name will be written in this card. The discount for elders and students apply only to residents of Israel. So this card will not give you more discount than the anonymous one, it’s fun but you cannot transfer this.

Where can Rav-Kav be Used? 

Except for Arab buses and Shabbat sheruts in Tel Aviv, you can use it on most transportation systems, for example, Jerusalem Light Rail, train, Egged bus, Superbus, GNB tours, Haifa’s Metronit etc.  

How to Use Your Rav-Kav Card? 

1. Validate when You Board

When you board intracity buses or light rail, you will see a sensor near the door. Use your card to validate only when you board, and since the ride is fixed (for example, 5.9NIS per ride).

2. Communicate with a Driver

If you board an intercity bus, it’s pretty cool that you can use Rav-Kav card to pay for your ride. But you have to tell your bus driver your destination, and the driver will deduct the fee accordingly.

On every bus, there is a sensor like this. Place your Rav-Kav card on it, and tell the driver your destination. You don’t need to (and can’t) do the math. The driver will tap a few buttons.  Don’t remove your card until the driver finishes. If you are paying for more than 2 passengers with this card, make sure you tell the driver in advance.

You’ll get a receipt (useless though) when it’s done!

3. Use it for Ticket Machine/Ticket Counter

For trains and Haifa’s metronit, you need to buy your ticket in advance with cash or this Rav-Kav card.  This is a train station:

And this is Haifa’s metronit.

How to Load Your Rav Kav?

There are 6 ways…  (Rav-Kav Online)

I’ve used these methods:

1.Rav-Kav Machines near bus stations or Light rail stations

2.Ticket machines at train stations

3. Drivers can load your card for you (but this option is no longer applicable in Jerusalem) This method exists because you cannot find Rav-Kav machines in rural areas.

Benefits of Using Rav-Kav

 1. Extra 25% Value

This is the reason why people use Rav-Kav! When you load 100, you get 125! That’s a big difference!  You can only load 30 / 50 / 100 / 150 / 200, and you get 37.5/62.5/126/187.5/250 stored value in return.

2. Discount on Return Ticket

If you are making a return trip to a city on the same day (for example Jerusalem to Tel Aviv), then instead of buying 2 single rides, you can buy a return ticket with your Rav-Kav card. I think you get 20% off! (Ask the driver!)

 This is probably cancelled! 

3.The Day Pass Option

You must have a Rav-Kav card to buy a Day Pass. It means you can have unlimited travel in one area or region. For example, you can use #501 Day Pass for Haifa + Akko, you pay 21.5NIS this trip would have cost you at least ₪38.8.

By the way, you cannot use your stored value to buy a day pass. You must use cash or credit card to buy a day pass. Stored value is only good for buying single tickets. And you can have different packages of a day pass (or weekly pass) PLUS having some stored value for single rides in one single Rav-Kav card.

4. You can pay for 9 people with 1 Rav-Kav card

Maybe you are traveling as a group, so it saves time to pay for everybody with 1 Rav-Kav card. (But you cannot pay for multiple passengers for using day pass)

With an exception on Jerusalem’s Light Rail

5. The 90 Minutes Free Transfer Rule

When you use your Rav-Kav card to buy for a single ride, the system will record the time you board your first ride. You can have unlimited transfers for 90 minutes! Using the same single-ride ticket!

With an exception on Jerusalem’s Light Rail

The Disadvantages of Rav Kav

1. The loading amount is fixed,  30 / 50 / 100 / 150 / 200.  So if you are a tourist in Israel, then for sure you will have unused stored value in this card.

2. Anybody can use your anonymous Rav-Kav card

3. There’s no refund？？？？？

4. Maybe there’s still some integration problem? I’ve heard someone had less than 10NIS balance, but when he loaded his card, he lost that balance?!

Where to Get Personal Rav-Kav Card? (Rav Kav Ishi)？

I think it makes more sense to buy the anonymous card and NOT this personal one as tourists. But in case you want your name in Hebrew and a photo taken, the make sure you bring your passport to certain Sales Points. Here is the list.

Conclusion

1. If you are going to give away this card, get an anonymous card even though it costs 5NIS (which is nothing in Israeli standard)

2. Except for Jerusalem, you can load your card on buses

3. You have to buy a ticket using train and metronit. For other transportation, you can jump on and validate Rav-Kav on board

4. There’s a discount of an extra 25% value when loading money on Rav-Kav card

References

www.trans-reform.org.il/docs/english.pdf

The sharing code of this day pass is #501, and the cost is 21.5 ONLY!

How Do I know #501 is Right For me?

Well, first of all, the idea of Day Pass means you can have unlimited travel in certain areas/zones. If you are making a day trip, then get a day pass!

Without a day pass, the train from Haifa to Akko would cost you  ₪13.5 already! Plus you need to consider a single bus ride would cost you ₪5.9. That’s almost the same as buying a #501 day pass, which would cost you ₪21.5 ONLY. And plus you get to travel unlimited in Haifa and Akko.

If you are not returning to Haifa on the same day, then you don’t need to buy a day pass.

And if you are exploring beyond Akko from Haifa in one day, then check other options here.

There are many options. But if you don’t want to overcomplicate thing, just remember #501 is the right pass for Akko from Haifa.

How to Purchase Day Pass from the Train Station in Haifa?

1. You Need a Rav-Kav card

There are two types of Rav-Kav cards. The anonymous one costs 5NIS, the personal one is free but you need to go to certain sales points. Get a Rav-Kav card that suits your need!

2. Tell the Ticket Counter “#501”

Tell the counter that you want to purchase “Day Pass #501”. You can buy your Rav-Kav, load it, and purchase this day pass from the counter. And then you will receive a receipt which is most likely useless as all data is stored in the card!

Alternatively, you can use a ticket machine and choose from the screen.

Once you have bought your day pass, it will be stored in your Rav-Kav card.

Types of Transportation You’ll Encounter

1.Train (Haifa to Akko)

You’ll use this type of train.

Once a day pass package is recorded in your card, you will not be charged anything extra when you validate your Rav-Kav to go in and out of the train station.

2.Bus (Akko Train Station to Old Town)

You can take unlimited bus rides for free with a day pass, but you still need to validate your Rav-Kav as you board the bus.

Normally, you will get a receipt. It doesn’t have any use though.

3.Metronit or Buses (Haifa)

If your hostel or hotel is not in walking distance from the train station in Haifa, then you can use Metronit or bus for free too!

Rav-Kav card is like a SIM card, you can buy ‘add-ons’.

What’s a Day Pass?

A day pass allows you to have unlimited traveling in a certain zone for the whole day. You will NOT get another physical ticket, but everything is stored your purchase in the system. (see below)

Should I buy a Day Pass?

The rule of thumb is you should get a day pass if you are making a return trip to a destination on the same day. For example, if you are making a day trip to Akko from Akko.

Without a day pass, it would have cost you ₪38.8, plus bus ride fare if you cannot walk to train station. But with #501 Day Pass (Haifa + Outskirts Extended), it costs ₪21.5 ONLY!

In Jerusalem, a one-way ticket is 5.9NIS. And if you plan to take at least 3 rides in a day, consider the #671 day pass that costs 13.5NIS.

How to Find a Day Pass that Suits You? 

There are so many types of a day pass. Go to either of these 2 websites:

1.Rav-Kav Online

Rav-Kav Online

Rav-Kav integration started in 2016. So always check up-to-date information from the official website. Though it’s in Hebrew only. (Open it in chrome for Google translation). 以

2.Trans-reform Website

http://www.trans-reform.org.il/docs/english.pdf

This document is in English, though only Haifa, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, and Beersheva are included.

3. Egged

http://www.egged.co.il/Article-801,1427-Monthly-Weekly-Day-Pass.aspx

It has the most detailed information in English. Egged is the company of public bus. It’s easy to search on this website.

Common Day Passes

These ones are probably the more common day passes

• #671, Jerusalem + Outskirts, Band 1) ₪13.5
• #698, Dead Sea Valley (Bik’at Yam Ha-Melech, Band 3) (Ovnat, Vered Yeriho, Kalya, Almog, Beit Ha-Arava, Mitspe Shalem, Ein Gedi) ₪ 13.5
• #677,  (Jerusalem Metropolitan Area, Band 1+2+3)₪37.5
• #740, Golan Heights, Kinnereth, Upper Galilee  ₪21.5
• #501 Haifa + Akko (Band 1+2) ₪21.5

How to Buy a Day Pass? 

You can tell the driver, go to the counter in a train station, or use the ticket machine in each station. The step by step guide will come later!

The easiest way is probably by getting help from Rav-Kav counter!

But ticket machines are easy to operate!

Land Border

These are the 3 land crossings. They all have two names… That is why it can be confusing sometimes.

Here’s the confusing part: Which border accepts Jordan Pass? (equivalent to visa), and the other rules.

Basically, all 3 crossings accept Jordan Pass, including King Hussein Bridge/Allenby Bridge crossing!

If you don’t want to buy Jordan Pass, you can get a visa on arrival at BOTH the northern and Southern border (tested on 28th Oct 2018)

Opening Hours on Jewish Holidays

Note that during Jewish holidays, the opening hours are shortened. It’s recommended that you refer to this document to confirm the hours.

Be aware of the Day of Atonement, and Muslim’sEid Al Adha. On these days all crossings close..!

And just a heads up on how a ‘day’ is defined. Jewish days start 6 hours earlier. So if 19th Sep is the Day of Atonement, that actually means the sunset on 18th. So it means there will be no public transportation afternoon on 18th. You just have to convert the time, as this is something that “you are supposed to know” in Israel!

Transportation Tips

1. Jordan River Crossing

Go to Beit She’an by bus. Then it’s ₪50 a taxi to the border. Luggage is ₪5 a piece. Remember there’s a departure tax for ₪106. Shuttle Bus between two borders is compulsory and charges ₪5.5. From Jordanian side, get a taxi to Amman for 44JD. Alternatively, spend some time in Jerash before going to Amman, expect to pay 55-60JD.

You can read this experience here.

3. Yitzhak Rabin Crossing

There are two borders in Eilat. One goes to Aqaba in Jordan. The other goes to Taba in Egypt. Don’t go to the wrong border! From Jerusalem, taxi bus 444, get off early at Rabbin border-Road 90, then walk to the border! 

Besides getting a taxi, you have the option to travel with this 10-seater mini-van called Sherut in Israel. There’s no fixed timetable or stop. You see it, you wave. Don’t be over conscious, just wave. That’s how it’s done!

This is a happy sherut. It’s in yellow!

Sherut Route

The first one is No.4. This is the approximate route:

The first one is No.5. This is the approximate route:

How do you know which mini-van’s route number? Look closely! The number is hanging behind the window shied!

If you cannot see No.4 and No.5 ….  maybe it’s better to ask the hotel reception which other sherut runs in that area.

Sherut Fare

It is normally 8NIS. Maybe it is 10NIS on a Shabbat. When you board the bus, find a seat first. You can pass your money to the person in front of you, there will be someone helping you. And they will pass change back to you if there’s any.

Sherut Stops

Since there’s no formal stop, when you see a sherut… just wave!!! You don’t need to wave like a drowning person. Just wave like you are waving for a normal taxi.

Confirm your destination with the driver. There’s always someone willing to help you. Israelis are quite reliable in their willingness to help strangers.

Sherut: Interior

It’s kind of spacious! If you are traveling with luggage, I actually think it’s easier to travel with sherut. There’s more room on a sherut since it can only carry 10 people. (I think?)

You can try sherut in Tel Aviv!