Jerusalem finally has its own city card! Jlm City Pass was launched in June 2018, and you can use it for most attractions in Jerusalem. Right, Jlm means Jerusalem. This is the first city attraction discount card designed for tourists, like ever! So whether you are a first-timer in Jerusalem, or you want to explore Jerusalem more, here is your best chance!
*Disclaimer: The author hasn’t used the card yet, but is simply sharing information found online + corresponding emails
What is “Jlm City Pass”?
Jerusalem is a great city, personally, it attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims and travelers with or without this card. But hopefully, this card will attract more people to come! You buy Jlm City Pass, and you get to visit 3 attractions. And from the 4th attraction onwards you get discounts. That’s pretty simple!
Go to Jlm City Pass official website >>
What are the Benefits of Jlm City Pass?
☆Free entry to 3 Jerusalem Museums/some attractions
☆The 4th attraction onwards, you can enjoy discounted tickets
☆ Discounts on tours
☆ Maybe get a drink with Bitemojo
Where Can “Jlm City Pass” be Used?
These are 20 popular attractions in Jerusalem that work with Jlm City Pass. More details will come later because this card is still new. You can definitely pick 3 free museums to visit in Jerusalem. These are the other attractions that can be visited free: Ramparts Walk, Temple Mount Ascent Tour from City of David/Entrance to City of David, Night Spectacular at Tower of David, or Entrance to Tower of David.
Note that you need to visit the 3 museums you want to visit in order. Also, you can’t use 2 free entries at the same attraction. For example, if you use 1 of your 3 free entries to Night Spectacular Show in Tower of David, you cannot use another of 3 free entries to Tower of David. (You wouldn’t want to anyway, but it’s just their rule)
Now the burning questions are which 3 attractions should you choose? Well here is a list. You can pick 3 from the top, read the exception from the notes. Once you used up 3 attractions, the 4th attraction onwards will be discounted. And the attraction/tour categorized in the bottom such as Segway aren’t offered for free. You get some discounts though!
Jlm City Pass Prices
Currently, there are two types, both valid for 7 days. The difference is with or without transportation, the following is the price of 2018.06 (purchase here)
1. “Attraction Card” Museum & Attraction without Transportation
Cost: $36/130NIS
Includes: Free access to 3 Jerusalem Museum and some attractions + Discounts on Attraction
2. “Attraction + Transportation Card” Transportation + Museum & Attraction
Fees: $63/230NIS
Includes: Free access to 3 Jerusalem Museum and some attractions + Discounts on Attraction+ Airport shuttle bus (worth 36NIS) + Weekly transportation ticket in Jerusalem city (worth 65NIS)
Which One Should You Get? Or Should You Get Any At All?
Well, let’s look at the first part. The attractions. You pay $36 so that’s roughly 130NIS. These are the 3 attractions that I will pick for my 3 free entries with Jlm City Pass.
Israel Museum (original price 54 NIS) + David Tower Light Show Night Spectacular (original price 55 NIS) + David City Upward Tour (original price 45 NIS) = 144 NIS
=> This adds up to 144NIS. So yes, get the card! Because there are many other interesting attractions! (for example, you get 20% discount on Western Wall Tunnel, so you save an additional 7 NIS)
But I will be hesitant on buying the attraction+ transportation card ($63/230NIS), isn’t it quite pricey?
And there are many rules attached to it. I don’t think it’s a good deal when you don’t plan on taking a bus to/from Jerusalem to the airport within 7 days. Also if you do the math, you basically save 1NIS only. It’s not cost-effective.
Some Rules to Know…
It’s a new card. So after corresponding with Jlm City Pass staff, here are some notes:
1. You can Get Your Jlm City Pass ONLY AT AIRPORT
You must purchase your Jlm City Pass online, and collect it at the airport. It means if you are coming through the land border, sorry!
2. Definition of 7-day Validity
Yes, it’s 168 hours. It will start from the moment you enter your first free attraction.
3. Every Attraction/Museum Offers Deals Differently
Though it says “free entry to 3 Jerusalem museum/attraction”, it doesn’t mean ANY museum or attraction you see on the pamphlet. Better to ask. If you don’t have time to ask, read the list above. There are also these exceptions:
- #15 Yad Vashem itself is free entry already, is a 20% discount on an audio guide (value 25NIS)
- #17 Emek Tsurim archaeological itinerary is not free, only discounts
- #18 Bitemojo Free drink is offered when you purchase something
- #20 Zuzu Tourism’s Segway or bicycle trip is not free. You get a 30% discount, so the trip fee is 155NIS for one person, and it requires at least 6 participants.
- #12 Ramparts and #16 Zedekiah’s Cave can only be used as free attractions, and they don’t offer discounts
Conclusion: Should You Buy Jlm City Pass?
While everyone seeks different things in traveling, the short answer is yes. Can you save money with this card? Sure, even though not a whole lot. And the purpose of this card is truly simple- get more tourists to come and know this beautiful city. And when you have this card in hand, for sure it will make you want to explore Jerusalem deeper.
