Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

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Tel Aviv and Jerusalem sit just over 60 kilometres apart, yet they feel like different worlds. The good news is that the journey between them is one of the most frequent and well-served in the Middle East, with a modern rail tunnel, long-distance buses running through the night, and shared sherut taxis that depart whenever they fill up. Here is how each option works in practice.

The quickest way: Israel Railways to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon

Since the high-speed rail tunnel opened, the train has become the obvious first choice for most travellers. Trains on the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem fast line call at Tel Aviv Savidor Centre (or Tel Aviv HaHagana, depending on the service) and burrow through the Judean Hills to arrive at Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon in roughly 35 minutes. That compares with an hour or more by road when traffic is bad, which on the Jerusalem corridor is often.

Yitzhak Navon station is underground and drops you directly beneath the city centre, a short walk or light rail ride from the Old City, Mahane Yehuda market and most central hotels. Services run frequently throughout the day, including on Fridays until early afternoon, though they do not run on Shabbat (Saturday) or Jewish religious holidays — this is the main catch of the train option. Check the Israel Railways schedule around Jewish holidays before you plan around it.

Fares are modest — the railway is substantially subsidised — and there is no need to book in advance for individual journeys; you can buy a ticket at the station or via the Israel Railways app. Trains fill up at rush hour but there are enough services that waiting is rarely a problem outside festival periods.

The cheapest way: Egged bus or Superbus

Long-distance buses operated by Egged (and on some intercity corridors, Superbus) have connected Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for decades and remain a genuine option, particularly when the train is not running. Line 480 is the classic express route from the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station to Jerusalem's Central Bus Station, taking about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on traffic and intermediate stops. Fares are low and you can pay on board with a Rav-Kav transit card, which is worth picking up if you plan to use Israeli public transport more than once.

The downside is that the buses use the regular road network, so the journey time varies with traffic — Friday afternoons in particular can be very slow as drivers converge on Jerusalem before Shabbat. Buses also run reduced Shabbat schedules, though some services continue where the train stops entirely.

Jerusalem's Central Bus Station is a large, busy terminal in the western part of the city; from there, the Jerusalem light rail connects to the city centre and the Old City area.

The sherut: shared taxi on demand

Sheruts — shared minibus taxis that operate on fixed routes and depart when they have enough passengers — are a characteristically Israeli solution that works well on the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem corridor. You can pick them up at designated points near the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station; they generally depart whenever the vehicle fills, so there is rarely a long wait.

The sherut takes roughly the same time as the bus by road, sometimes a little less because drivers tend to move quickly. The great advantage is that sheruts often operate on Shabbat and holidays when buses and trains are reduced or stopped, making them a vital fallback for travellers with inflexible plans. Fares are a little higher than the bus but still very affordable. Pay the driver in cash when you board.

Sheruts from Tel Aviv typically drop passengers on Jaffa Street in central Jerusalem — a useful stop near the light rail and close to the Old City gates.

Driving on Route 1

The road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is famous for the rusting hulks of armoured vehicles preserved along its shoulder — memorials to the 1948 war. Route 1 is a fast, well-maintained dual carriageway for most of its length, climbing steeply into the Judean Hills as you approach Jerusalem. The drive is around 60–70 km and takes 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on traffic.

Traffic is the biggest variable. The approach to Jerusalem in both directions can back up severely during rush hours, on Fridays before Shabbat, and around Jewish holidays. Parking in Jerusalem is also challenging and relatively expensive in the tourist areas. If you plan to stay in the Old City or central Jerusalem, a car adds logistics rather than convenience.

Hiring a car makes more sense if you plan to explore the West Bank, the Dead Sea, the Negev or other areas where public transport is sparse or inconvenient. For a simple day trip or a direct journey to the city, the train is almost always faster door-to-door.

Getting between airports and the city

Ben Gurion International Airport sits roughly midway between the two cities — about 20 km from Tel Aviv and around 50 km from Jerusalem — and has its own rail station (Ben Gurion Airport station) on the same fast line. From the airport you can take a direct train to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon in about 25 minutes, or to central Tel Aviv in about 17 minutes, which makes the airport a natural connection point if you are doing a one-way journey. Taxis and sheruts also serve the airport to Jerusalem direct.

Which should you choose?

The train is the first choice for most travellers: it is fast, cheap, reliable and drops you underground in central Jerusalem. The main caveat is Shabbat and holidays, when trains stop — on those days, the sherut is your most flexible option, especially for Friday afternoon arrivals. The bus is a fine backup and handy if you need to start or finish at the Central Bus Station. Driving only makes sense if you have a reason to have a car in Jerusalem or are combining the journey with stops along Route 1 or the Dead Sea.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the train from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem take?

The fast line to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon takes approximately 35 minutes from Tel Aviv Savidor Centre, making it by far the quickest option under normal conditions.

Do trains run on Shabbat?

No. Israel Railways does not operate on Saturday (Shabbat) or on major Jewish religious holidays. Check the calendar carefully if you are travelling on a Friday afternoon or Saturday; buses also run reduced schedules, and the sherut is often the best fallback.

What is a sherut and where do I catch one?

A sherut is a shared minibus taxi that runs on a fixed route and departs when it has enough passengers. For Tel Aviv–Jerusalem, pick them up near the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station. They run most days including Shabbat and typically drop passengers on Jaffa Street in central Jerusalem.

Can I get from Ben Gurion Airport directly to Jerusalem by train?

Yes. Ben Gurion Airport has a train station on the fast rail line; trains to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon take approximately 25 minutes and run frequently on weekdays.