Transportation in Jerusalem

Jerusalem's transport web centers on the light rail, a single red line that slices through the city from north to south, stopping at the central hubs of Damascus Gate, Mahane Yehuda market, and the Central Bus Station. Buses fill the gaps, with Egged and the newer electric minivans threading the Old City gates and hillier neighborhoods where the tram doesn't reach. For a first-timer: buy a Rav-Kav card at any light rail stop or central bus terminal. It works on everything and saves the exact-change scramble. Skip the private "sherut" vans that loiter near tourist sites, they're slower, pricier, and often won't leave until full. From Ben Gurion Airport, the train is the cheap, direct choice: one line runs to Jerusalem, Yitzhak Navon station at the western edge of the city, then you hop the light rail or a taxi for the final stretch. Taxis are a splurge but useful after midnight when trains pause, insist on the meter or agree a fare before you load bags. If you're staying near the Old City or East Jerusalem, a taxi from the airport can be worth it to avoid the transfer with luggage.