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Jerusalem day trip without a guide

Montréal
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16 posts
1 review
Jerusalem day trip without a guide
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Hi!

We are a couple visiting from Canada.

We are planning to spend some time in Tel Aviv in June and our schedule is tight.

We were thinking of going to Jerusalem for one day, on a Thursday. This is the only free time we would have to visit the city.

Our plan is to wake up early, jump on the public bus, visit most of the main sites in Old Jerusalem by foot, have dinner, and jump on a bus back to Tel Aviv that same day.

How doable is it for two foreigners?

Is it safe to do?

Are most of the main sites reachable by foot ?

Thanks in advance!!

Fox Point, Wisconsin
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1. Re: Jerusalem day trip without a guide
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Completely safe.

The Old City is very walkable.

NYC/Israel
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2. Re: Jerusalem day trip without a guide
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As said above the Old City is safe and walkable.

You wrote back in Sept. that you were coming to Israel for the Gay Pride Parade. It was also recommended back then that you spend more than 1 day in Jerusalem. There is so much to see outside the Old City. You are seriously limiting yourself to one day in only the Old City.

Montréal
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1 review
3. Re: Jerusalem day trip without a guide
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And in terms of the logistics of doing the public bus back and forth.... also easy to do?

Thanks a lot again for the help!

NYC/Israel
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4. Re: Jerusalem day trip without a guide
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There is no problem taking either the 405 or 480 from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Then from the Central Bus Station to the Old City, it is a long but doable walk. You may opt to take the Light Rail.

Tel Aviv, Israel
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5. Re: Jerusalem day trip without a guide
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You can take the Sandemans "free" introductory walking tour of the Old City :

http://www.neweuropetours.eu/Jerusalem/en/sandemans-tours/tour-view/FREE-Tour-of-Jerusalem

Israel
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6. Re: Jerusalem day trip without a guide
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As said, take the 405 or 480 from Tel Aviv (which is better depends on where in Tel Aviv you are staying; the 405 goes from the central bus station and the 480 from the bus terminal next to Tel Aviv Savidor Merkaz railway station). Both buses go every 10-15 minutes. Just turn up and get on the next bus; buy your tickets on the bus, NIS 16 per person one way. Both these buses will take you straight to the central bus station in Jerusalem.

From there you can walk for about half an hour or take the light rail (tram) in the direction of Heyl Haavir and get off at City Hall (the closest station to the Jaffa Gate) or Damascus Gate (self-explanatory). There is only one light rail line, so you can't make a mistake. Buy your tickets in the machine on the platform before you board the tram, and validate your tickets as soon as you enter the tram. Any passenger can show you how to do this.

If you haven't already done so, read this thread about the Rav-Kav smartcard for public transport.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293977-i1733-k10246840-Rav_Kav_smartcard_thread_updated-Israel.html

The same card is valid on all public transport in the country. Load a sum of money on it to use as you like. You can share a card, except on the Jerusalem light rail, where each person needs their own card. If you are sharing a card and using the light rail only twice (once in each direction) or even once because you want to walk one way, just buy a single ticket for one of you in the light rail machine.

Modi'in-Maccabim-Re...
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7. Re: Jerusalem day trip without a guide
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Jerusalem is easy to wonder around and explore on your own and of course perfectly safe. One day will allow you to see some of the Old City, but nowhere close to most of the main sites. Decide what you would like to see in advance. Print out a map from the Internet so you can have your tour planned out and check opening hours of sites you plan to visit. This will prevent you from walking aimlessly around trying to find the next destination. Give yourself a minimum of 1.5 hours each direction traveling time (may take 2 hours or more depending on the hour) from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and back.

Chana

Israel

Montréal
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16 posts
1 review
8. Re: Jerusalem day trip without a guide
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You guys are awesome :)))

9. Re: Jerusalem day trip without a guide

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