Getting from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is fast, frequent, and cheap, and for most travelers the choice is easy: take the train. The electrified high-speed line links the two cities in around 30 to 35 minutes for roughly the price of a sandwich, running from Tel Aviv’s central stations straight to Jerusalem’s underground Yitzhak Navon station in the heart of town. If the train does not suit your timing, intercity buses, shared sherut taxis, private cabs, and rental cars all cover the 60-or-so-kilometer hop. This guide compares every option by time, cost, and convenience, and explains what changes on Shabbat, when the trains and buses stop.
Whether you are based in Tel Aviv and visiting Jerusalem for the day, or moving between the two, here is how to make the Tel Aviv to Jerusalem trip painlessly. Fares are approximate 2026 figures in shekels (ILS) and shift periodically, so treat them as a close guide. Pair this with our Ben Gurion to Jerusalem transfer guide and our Jerusalem transportation guide.
The Options at a Glance
| Option | Time | Approx. cost (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed train | ~30–35 min | About 20–24 shekels | Almost everyone: fastest and cheapest |
| Intercity bus (e.g. 405 / 480) | 45–60 min | About 16–20 shekels | Budget travelers, city-center to bus station |
| Sherut (shared taxi) | 60–75 min | Around 35 shekels (more on Shabbat) | Travel during Shabbat |
| Private taxi / app (Gett, Yango) | 45–60 min | Roughly 250–350 shekels | Luggage, groups, late nights |
| Rental car | 45–60 min driving | ~150–250 shekels/day + fuel | Onward day trips from Jerusalem |
The High-Speed Train (Your Best Bet)
The train is the standout choice. The fully electrified line runs through tunnels and over tall viaducts to cover the distance in roughly 30 to 35 minutes, and it deposits you at Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon, a modern station deep under the city center beside the Central Bus Station — not on the outskirts. You can board in Tel Aviv at several stations, including Savidor Center (the main hub by the Arlozorov terminal), HaShalom (by the Azrieli towers), HaHagana (south, near the old central station), and University in the north.
- Travel time: about 30–35 minutes, Tel Aviv to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon.
- Cost: roughly 20–24 shekels one way; pay with a Rav-Kav card or a contactless bank card.
- Frequency: generally around every 30 minutes through the day, thinner late at night.
- First and last: first departures around 5:30am on weekdays; the last leaves Tel Aviv late in the evening, close to midnight.
- Shabbat: no service from Friday afternoon until Saturday night, or on Jewish holidays.
- Tickets: buy at station machines, the Israel Railways app, or a counter — no seat reservation needed, just board.
One thing to know about the Jerusalem end: Yitzhak Navon is one of the deepest train stations in the world, built far below the surface, so allow a few minutes for the long banks of escalators down to and up from the platforms. At street level you step straight onto the light rail and city buses to reach your hotel, and Mahane Yehuda Market is only a stop or two away on foot or by tram.
Intercity Buses
Buses are the budget alternative and connect bus station to bus station. The long-standing direct routes between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (commonly numbered in the 400s, such as the 405 from Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station and the 480 from the Arlozorov terminal) run very frequently — often every 10 to 20 minutes at peak — and take 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic, which can be heavy on the approach to Jerusalem.
- Cost: around 16–20 shekels one way with a Rav-Kav or contactless card.
- Frequency: very frequent by day, less so late evening.
- Shabbat: like the train, no service from Friday afternoon to Saturday night.
- Arrival: Jerusalem Central Bus Station, on the light rail Red Line for onward travel.
The bus is slightly cheaper than the train but slower and more exposed to traffic on the climb into the hills, so most visitors prefer the train unless they are starting right by a bus terminal. Route numbers occasionally change, so confirm the current one in a journey app such as Moovit before you set off.
The Sherut (Shared Taxi)
A sherut is a shared minibus-taxi, typically a yellow van seating up to ten, that follows a fixed route and leaves when it fills up rather than to a timetable. The Tel Aviv–Jerusalem sherut runs from near the Central Bus Station and costs around 35 shekels per person, a little more on Shabbat. The journey takes 60 to 75 minutes, since it waits to fill and may make stops.
The sherut’s great advantage is that it keeps running through Shabbat, when the trains and Egged buses stop, making it the main affordable public option between the cities on a Friday night or Saturday. Pay the driver in cash and tell them where you want to get off.
Private Taxis and Ride Apps
A private taxi door to door takes 45 to 60 minutes and is the most comfortable option with luggage, a group, or a late arrival — at a price, typically somewhere in the region of 250 to 350 shekels, with surcharges late at night and on Shabbat. The apps to use are Gett and Yango, both of which show the fare up front and spare you any negotiation; Uber operates only in a limited form here. If you hail a cab on the street instead, insist on the meter (ask for the “moneh”) or agree a fixed price before setting off.
Renting a Car
Driving between the cities is straightforward on Highway 1, a modern freeway, and takes about 45 to 60 minutes outside the rush. But a car earns its keep only if you plan onward independent trips from Jerusalem — to the Dead Sea, Masada, or the Galilee — because in Jerusalem itself parking is scarce and pricey (street parking and garages run from a few shekels an hour up), and the historic center is largely off-limits to cars. For the city alone, the train plus walking and the light rail beats driving comfortably.
- Cost: roughly 150–250 shekels a day for a compact, plus fuel; international and Israeli firms operate at the airport and in both cities.
- West Bank note: standard Israeli rental cars are generally not insured to enter Palestinian Area A (Bethlehem, Jericho, Hebron), so plan those by tour or local driver.
- Driving: traffic is on the right, and motorway signs appear in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.
Traveling Between the Cities on Shabbat
This is the detail that catches people out. From roughly Friday afternoon until Saturday nightfall, and on major Jewish holidays, both the train and the Egged intercity buses stop entirely. If you need to move between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem during that window, your realistic choices are:
- Sherut shared taxis, which keep running and are the main affordable option (fares a little higher than on weekdays).
- Private taxis and the Gett/Yango apps, which operate with Shabbat surcharges, so expect to pay more.
- A rental car, with the bonus that the roads are noticeably quieter.
If your plans depend on crossing between the cities on a Friday evening or Saturday, decide your method in advance rather than turning up at a closed station. For what the day itself is like in Jerusalem, see our Shabbat in Jerusalem guide.
Making It a Day Trip
The short, frequent train makes Tel Aviv an easy day trip from Jerusalem, or vice versa. With a 30-minute hop each way, you can spend a full day at the beach, in the markets of Jaffa, or among Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus streets and still be back for dinner — just remember the Shabbat timetable if your day touches a Friday or Saturday. In the other direction, day-trippers from Tel Aviv can comfortably see the Old City highlights; our one day in Jerusalem itinerary maps out a tight, rewarding single day. For more ideas beyond the two cities, see our day trips from Jerusalem guide.
A Note on Ben Gurion Airport
Ben Gurion Airport sits between the two cities, on the same rail network. If you are flying in or out, the train connects the airport to both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon directly, the cheapest and often fastest option, though it does not run on Shabbat. Shared and private taxis cover the airport run at other times. The full breakdown, including current fares and the Shabbat workaround, is in our dedicated guide to the airport run. Before any of that, make sure your entry paperwork is sorted: our Israel visa requirements guide covers the ETA-IL that visa-exempt travelers now need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?
The high-speed train takes about 30 to 35 minutes city center to city center. Intercity buses take 45 to 60 minutes, and driving or a taxi is also roughly 45 to 60 minutes outside peak traffic, longer when the approach to Jerusalem is busy. The train is consistently the fastest and most reliable because it bypasses road congestion entirely.
How much does the train from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem cost?
A single ride is roughly 20 to 24 shekels (around US$6), paid with a Rav-Kav card or a contactless bank card at the gates. Buy from station machines, the Israel Railways app, or a ticket counter; no seat reservation is required. Fares are adjusted from time to time, so treat that as an approximate figure.
Is there a direct bus between the two cities?
Yes. Direct intercity buses (commonly the 405 from Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station and the 480 from Arlozorov) link to Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station very frequently through the day, taking 45 to 60 minutes. They are slightly cheaper than the train but slower and subject to traffic. Confirm the current route number in a transit app before you go.
How do I travel between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Shabbat?
From Friday afternoon to Saturday night the train and Egged buses do not run. Your options are shared sherut taxis, which keep going and are the main affordable choice, or a private taxi or ride app with a Shabbat surcharge. A rental car works too, with quieter roads. Plan your method ahead rather than relying on a station that will be closed.
What is the cheapest way from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem?
The bus is marginally the cheapest, at around 16 to 20 shekels, but the train is only a little more and much faster, which is why most travelers pick it. Either way, paying with a Rav-Kav or contactless card is cheaper and simpler than buying single paper tickets. The sherut and taxis cost more but solve the Shabbat problem.
How far apart are Tel Aviv and Jerusalem?
Roughly 60 to 70 kilometers (about 40 to 45 miles) by road on Highway 1, climbing from the coastal plain up into the Judean Hills, which is why Jerusalem is noticeably cooler. The short distance and frequent train make day trips between the two cities genuinely easy in either direction.
Where does the train arrive in Jerusalem?
At Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon, a deep underground station in the city center next to the Central Bus Station. From street level the light rail Red Line and city buses connect onward to all the main neighborhoods, and Mahane Yehuda Market is within easy reach. Allow a few minutes for the long escalators up from the platforms.
The Bottom Line
For nearly every Tel Aviv to Jerusalem trip, take the train: around 30 minutes, roughly 20 to 24 shekels, frequent, and arriving right in the center. Buses are a slightly cheaper, slower backup; sheruts and taxis are your friends on Shabbat when the rail line sleeps. Whichever you choose, mind the Friday-to-Saturday shutdown and you will glide between the two cities. Plan onward with our Jerusalem transportation guide, our guide to getting in from the airport, and our Jerusalem travel tips.
