Pillar 3 · Movement · Orientation

Infrastructure & Access — How to Navigate Israel

Israel is small, but not simple. You cross climates in an hour, pass historical layers in minutes, and shift landscapes faster than your phone can recalculate the route. Getting around is part of the experience — and the infrastructure is built for movement, clarity, and surprising efficiency.

1. The Big Picture — How Israel Moves

Despite its size, Israel’s transportation network is modern and intuitive:

• Roads: well-maintained, clearly signed, easy to navigate with apps.
• Rail: fast-growing, clean, reliable — especially between major cities.
• Buses: extensive coverage, including remote towns.
• Taxis & Ride Apps: available almost everywhere.
• Walking: ideal in old cities, markets and coastal promenades.

Unique stays usually sit outside main highways and rail lines — meaning your experience depends on the route you choose.

2. Car Rentals — Freedom, Flexibility & Access to Remote Stays

For most unique stays — cabins, domes, eco-lodges, farm stays — a car is the easiest way to reach them. Many are located on small access roads, hills, or desert paths where buses don’t reach.

Why travelers choose to drive

• You can reach the Galilee, Golan and Negev without transfers.
• Most roads are wide, well-lit and easy for foreigners.
• Parking is common in rural areas and kibbutzim.
• Night driving is safe, but desert roads require awareness.

Driving tips

• Use Waze — Israelis rely on it daily.
• Expect roundabouts in northern towns.
• Check fuel before desert drives — stations can be far apart.
• Speed cameras are frequent — follow posted limits.

3. Trains — Fast, Clean & Reliable for Major Cities

Israel Railways efficiently connects key regions:

• Ben Gurion Airport → Tel Aviv → Haifa (fast, frequent)
• Tel Aviv → Jerusalem (~40 minutes)
• Tel Aviv → Beer Sheva (gateway to the Negev)

Trains don’t reach most unique stays, but they’re excellent for:

• Starting your trip stress-free.
• City-based boutique hotels.
• Reducing the number of rental days.

4. Buses — Wide Coverage, Especially in the North

Israel’s bus network is extensive across the Galilee, Golan, Judean Hills and smaller towns. Reliability varies slightly by region, but coverage is strong.

Buses work best for:

• Reaching towns where hosts can meet you.
• Budget travel.
• Kibbutz or village stays.

Remote cabins and desert eco-lodges are rarely on direct bus lines.

5. Taxis & Ride Apps — Practical in Cities

Apps like Gett dominate city transport, offering safe, metered taxis. Rural taxis exist but may require advanced booking.

Useful when:

• You’re avoiding car rentals inside big cities.
• You’re connecting between train stations and smaller stays.

6. Region-by-Region Access Breakdown

Galilee & Golan

• Car required for cabins, villas and remote stays.
• Buses reach towns but not properties off small roads.
• Scenic but winding routes — drive slowly at night.

Haifa & Akko

• Train + short taxi is ideal.
• Walkable historic districts.

Tel Aviv & the Coast

• Excellent train access.
• Walkable beachside neighborhoods.
• Scooters everywhere.

Jerusalem

• High-speed rail from Tel Aviv.
• Old City best explored on foot.

Judean Hills

• Car recommended — vineyards and farms spread out.

Dead Sea & Ein Gedi

• Car or direct bus works well.
• Road 90 is simple and scenic.

Negev Desert

• Car essential for most stays.
• Eco-lodges may be kilometres off paved roads.
• Avoid unnecessary night driving in remote areas.

Arava Valley

• Car or bus works; off-grid stays often require host guidance.

Eilat

• Reachable by flight, car or bus.
• The city itself is very walkable.

7. How Access Shapes the Experience

The way you reach a place becomes part of how you remember it: the descent into the Ramon Crater, the climb up into the Golan, the curve of the coastal highway at sunset, or the long quiet stretch of Road 90.

Israel is rich not only in destinations, but in movement — the transitions between regions that make the country feel larger than it is.