Planning a Trip

Arriving

By Plane -- Flights arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport at Lod, on the outskirts of the city. There is a fixed daytime taxi fare of approximately NIS 135 ($30) from Ben-Gurion to central Tel Aviv. This fare includes one suitcase per passenger; additional suitcases are NIS 3 (65¢) each. After 9pm and on Shabbat, the fixed fare is NIS 105 ($23). To get to Tel Aviv by public transportation, take bus 475 (fare is NIS 10/$2.20) from Ben-Gurion to the Central Bus Station in southern Tel Aviv (far from most hotels). For the Tel Aviv Hotel district, take the train to Ha-Shalom station or "Tel-Aviv Center" stations and get a bus or a taxi from there to the hotels area.

By Train -- The Central Railway Station (sometimes called North Railway Station because it's in the northern reaches of the city) stands at the intersection of several major arteries -- Petach Tikva Road, Haifa Road, and Arlosoroff Street. From here, municipal buses will take you throughout the city.

By Bus -- From the Central Bus Station into town, take bus no. 4, which runs along Allenby Road and then up Ben-Yehuda Street. As you ride along Ben-Yehuda, you'll be parallel to and a block away from Ha-Yarkon Street, where many hotels are located. Ask the driver for the stop closest to your hotel. Take the no. 5 bus to Dizengoff Square.

By Car -- Major highways connect Jerusalem, Haifa, and Ashkelon with Tel Aviv.

Visitor Information

The new Tourist Information Office is located at 7 Mendele St. (tel. 03/520-7600), near Ben Yehuda Street, right in the heart of Tel Aviv's main hotel district. It's open Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm. This office will give you free information about sites in Tel Aviv and throughout Israel, as well as maps, useful brochures, and coupon books. You must come in person. The office is open Sunday through Thursday 8am to 4:30pm.

On the Web, Tel Aviv Guide (www.telavivguide.net) is filled with lots of good information and visitor forums; Tel Aviv 4 Fun (www.telaviv4fun.com) has information about guided and independent tours, travel tips, and reviews of attractions, hotels, and dining.