Q&A

You asked, we answered!

Question

I am coming to Jerusalem in July and would like to ride the Light Rail through the city. How does it work?

 

Answer

The Light Rail is wonderful if you follow this rule:

You MUST buy your ticket ahead of time, and swipe it through the machine inside the second you enter.

Information you should know:

There are two kinds of ticket:

Single, same day 90-minute day tickets.

Multiple tickets for 10, 15 or 20 rides.

A multiple ticket is called a Rav Kav. They are personal tickets and only for the person whose name is on the ticket. They are available at the Mount Herzl Station parking lot, at the Central Bus Station, and at Safra (Municipal) Square.

Single tickets can be purchased at all stops.

Children under five with an adult ride free, unless they are with other children under five. From the second child on, they must have a ticket. Babies in strollers need a ticket, an open stroller with nobody inside requires a ticket during rush hours :7:00-10:00; 15:00-19:00 Sunday through Thursday, Friday until service ends (in summer, around 17:00).

Both types of ticket are good for 90 minutes, and include bus travel. If you buy your ticket at a train station, you must take the train first before you take the bus. If you buy a ticket on the bus, you get a transfer for use on the train.

If you have used your card and reboard within the 90 minutes (and the machines aren’t accurate – 80 minutes, to be sure) you must swipe it again. No need to do anything but keep your bus ticket/transfer with you at all times.

Discounts for students, soldiers and older folks are available for the Rav Kav but not for single tickets.

Single tickets cost NIS6.60.

Rav Kav – Not available for tourists!

The web site for citypass is http://www.citypass.co.il and it is in English, Hebrew and Arabic.

 

Question

What is the weather like in June?

 

Answer

It is quite warm in Israel from June through the beginning of October. Temperatures can get up to 32 in Jerusalem and even higher in the desert areas. Jerusalem and the Western Negev cool off at night, however! Sometimes it is cooler in Tel Aviv than in Jerusalem, but still hot and sticky. And it stays that way all day!

 

Question

How should I get around in Jerusalem?

 

Answer

It is wise to pick a hotel inside the city center or the Old City so that you can walk almost everywhere. When you want to go to the Jewish market, or to the Holocaust Museum, you can take the Light Rail.