TEL AVIV FAQ`S

What is the main airport servicing the city of Tel Aviv?

The main airport servicing the city of Tel Aviv is the Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), located in the city of Lod. This is the main international airport in the country situated about 10 miles or 20 minutes drive from Tel Aviv. The airport offers trains, shuttles, taxis and rental cars.

What types of transportation can I find at the airport?

If you have not booked a private transfer with us then you have a few options to get from the airport to your hotel including the train, taxis and rental cars.

Trains run at the airport to Tel Aviv and depart from Level G in Terminal 3 (which is on the Arrivals level). There are two trains every hour from 6 am until 12 am and one train every hour from 12 am until 6 am. Tickets cost approximately 15NIS to the city center and can be purchased from ticket machines. Keep in mind trains and most transportation stop running on Friday afternoons until Saturday evenings due to Shabbat.

The main stations in the city that are on the route from the airport include Tel Aviv HaHagana (8-minute ride), Tel Aviv HaShalom (13-minute ride), Tel Aviv Merkaz/Savidor (18-minute ride) and Tel Aviv University (25-minute ride).

Taxis are available at the airport and taxi stands are located on the ground level of Terminal 3. Taxi fares from the airport to the city cost approximately 100 - 175NIS. Taxis are available 24/7 and during Shabbat but are much more expensive during this time.

Uber and Gett are alternatives to taxis in Tel Aviv where you order your ride through the company`s app. Simply download Uber or Gett from your smartphone and enter in your pickup and drop off destination, payment is processed via credit card on the app.

There are several international rental car agencies such as Hertz, Avis, Budget and Sixt which can be found at the airport. The car rental reservation desks are located inside the arrivals hall.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

The Tel Aviv Central Railway Station (Tel Aviv Savidor Merkaz or Arlozorov) is the main station located in the city and one of the busiest stations in the country. The station is located on the eastern side of the city between Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. The Central Bus Station, Alozorov Bus Terminal or Tel Aviv 2000 Terminal is the main bus station in the city situated next to the train station and taxis can be found outside the station providing you further transportation options to get to your hotel.

Most of the stations located in the city are situated on the edge of the city so a bus or a taxi will be required to get to your hotel.

How do I get around the city using public transportation?

Buses in Tel Aviv are the most common form of public transportation and buses are operated by Dan Bus Company. Buses operate from 5:30 am until midnight with night buses that run until 4 am and the cost of a single ticket is around 6.90NIS depending on the total distance traveled.

Bus #5 is one of the most popular routes in the city connecting the Central Bus Station to the Central Train Station with stops at Rothschild Blvd, Dizengoff Street, Nordau Blvd, Pinkas/Yehuda Maccabi Street, Weizman Street and Namir Road. Bus #4 is another useful route with stops at the Central Bus Station along with Allenby Road and Ben Yehuda Street. Visit www.dan.co.il or www.bus.co.il for more information on stations and timetables.

Trains run throughout the city connecting passengers to destinations throughout the country. Tel Aviv Central Railway Station is the main train station in the city and services most railway lines in Israel with six passenger platforms. High-speed trains are very inexpensive and a great way to get around the city and the rest of the country. Visit www.rail.co.il for more information on tickets and timetables.

There is a Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tour (Bus 100) departs from the Old Port and stops at major attractions throughout the city. The sightseeing bus operates Sunday to Thursday from 9 am until 4 pm and from 9 am until 1 pm on Fridays.

`Sherut` is a shared taxi system used in Tel Aviv, with minivans that shuttle up to 12 passengers and are cheaper than a regular taxi. There are `Shertu` stations situated throughout the city. Number 4 and 5 Sheruts run the same routes as bus #4 and 5 and operate 7 days a week.

Keep in mind most public transportation stops running during Shabbat which begins on Friday afternoon until Saturday evening.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis can be found throughout the city and are especially popular outside the bus and train stations as well as hotels and tourist attraction. Taxis can be hailed from the street or ordered by phone (there is an additional surcharge when ordered by phone). The cost of a ride within the city starts around 11NIS and increases based on the total time traveled, but a journey within the city will normally cost between 30 - 50NIS. Taxis cost 25% more from 9 pm until 5:30 am and during Shabbat. Signs on the taxi`s roof are illuminated when they are available for hire.

Is Tel Aviv a walking city?

Tel Aviv is the largest city in Israel, the city is flat and very easy to navigate on foot making it a good walking city. Exploring the `tayelet` (boardwalk) on foot provides visitors with spectacular views of the beaches and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and gives access to several waterfront restaurants and shopping destinations. Taking a stroll through the ancient narrow alleyways in some of the districts is an enchanting journey on foot with quaint cafes and upscale boutiques around every corner. White City is a fantastic neighborhood to roam around and see the stunning white Bauhaus architecture of the buildings that dominate this area. Neve Tzedek is the oldest and by far one of the prettiest neighborhoods in the city with narrow streets decorated with beautifully restored buildings boasting stunning vibrant flowers.

Can I ride a bike in the city?

Riding a bicycle around Tel Aviv is a wonderful and fun way to see the sights of the city. There are over 74 miles of dedicated bike paths that run along the main thoroughfares making cycling safe. The city boasts plenty of parks that are the perfect destination for a bike ride. Cycling along the waterfront along the scenic `Tayelet` or seafront promenade gives visitors access to plenty of dining, shopping and entertainment venues.

Tel-O-Fun is a citywide bike sharing system features over 150 bicycle docking stations throughout the city. The first 30 minutes are free and then the fares start around 5NIS for another 30 minutes and go up accordingly. A daily pass can be purchased for about 17 - 23NIS and a weekly card is about 70NIS. Simply pick up your bike at any of the stations and return to another station in the city. Visit www.tel-o-fun-co.il for more information.

Is Tel Aviv a dangerous city, is there anything I should be aware of?

The city of Tel Aviv is a very safe city to visit. There are very low crime rates in the city compared to most Western cities. The usual caution and street smarts should be practiced when visiting any major city. Keep your belongings secure at all times as pickpockets are not uncommon in crowded areas and markets. Do not wander into unlit or unpopulated areas late at night and keep your wits about you.

What are some popular areas for shopping?

Tel Aviv is developing into one of the hottest destinations for shoppers and has become an international center for fashion in recent years with breakthrough Israeli designers like Gottex swimwear and the city hosted Fashion Week in 2011 for the first time since the 80`s. Some of the main shopping streets can be found in the heart of the city on streets like Dizengoff where shoppers will find the Dizengoff Center Mall along with upscale boutiques and eateries.

The Markets in Tel Aviv offer shoppers everything from food to spices, jewelry and crafts and much more in a fun authentic and vibrant atmosphere. Be sure to venture to Carmel Market when you visit Tel Aviv, this is the city`s largest and busiest market filled with vibrant delicious fresh produce, fresh fish, and clothing.

What is the currency? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The official currency in Tel Aviv is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). US Dollars are not accepted. You will need to exchange your dollars for Shekel upon arrival; there are ATM machines inside the arrivals hall at the airport. You can also exchange your money at the local banks and some hotels. For information on tipping in Tel Aviv please see our comprehensive guide. Tipping in Israel

What is the food like?

Tel Avi is a world-class destination for restaurants offering an amazing variety of dining and cuisine to choose from. Diners can enjoy the traditional Israeli dishes, Moroccan, Spanish, Tunisian and Yemenite cuisine can all be found in the Metropolitan city. There are also over 100 sushi restaurants spread out throughout the capital. Some of the popular local delicacies in Tel Aviv include hummus, falafel, Tahini, Kanafeh, Shakshuka and baba ganoush.

The beautiful city offers many different dining options from upscale restaurants with celebrity chefs, hole in the wall local restaurants, street food at the markets and waterfront dining along the Mediterranean Sea. Coffee shops and quaint cafes have become a big part of Tel Aviv`s lifestyle for locals where they like to hang-out, they can be found around every corner in the city.

What is the nightlife like?

Tel Aviv has a legendary nightlife scene and is said to be `The city that never stops`. The capital city is known worldwide for its nightlife, boasting a very energetic and diverse scene with a wide variety of pubs, clubs, bars, and nightclubs where International DJ`s regularly perform.

Tel Aviv Port is where visitors will find the largest concentration of clubs and bars, Hoaman 17 is the city`s version of New York`s Roxy situated in the Florentin quarter, other famous clubs and venues in the city include TLV, Radio EPGB, and Penguin.

Some of the city`s popular drinks include the locally brewed Goldstar beer and the Arabic drink named `Arak` which translates to sweat.

Due to the city`s climate and location along the Mediterranean Sea, plenty of nightlife can be found on the beautiful beaches and along the waterfront of this beautiful city.

I don`t speak Hebrew will there be many people who speak English?

The official language spoken in Tel Aviv is Modern Hebrew and the formal languages consist of Hebrew and Arabic. English is spoken and understood by most individuals in the service industry. We suggest you get a good English-Hebrew/Arabic Guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you and numbers 1 - 10.

What should I do if I need medical assistance or need to go to the hospital?

In case of an emergency dial 100 for police, 101 for an ambulance and 102 for fire and rescue.

Hospitals:

Tel Aviv Souasky Medical Center tel. 972-3-697-4000

Sheba Hospital tel. 972-3-530-3030