It’s the single most-travelled tourist route in Israel — barely 60 km, yet there are four genuinely different ways to do it, and the “best” one depends on whether you care most about speed, price, or where exactly you start and finish. Here’s the honest comparison, with real numbers.
At a glance
| Option | Duration | Cost (one way) | Frequency | Runs on Shabbat? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed train | 30–35 min | ₪16–25 (~$4.50–7) | Every 20–30 min | No |
| Bus 480 | 50–70 min | ₪16 (~$4.50) | Every 10–20 min | No |
| Bus 405 | 55–75 min | ₪16 (~$4.50) | Every 15–20 min | No |
| Sherut (shared taxi) | 50–70 min | ₪25–35 (~$7–10) | When full | Yes |
| Private taxi | 45–70 min | ₪280–400 (~$75–110) | On demand | Yes |
All public fares are paid with a Rav-Kav card or the mobile app — see our transportation guide for how that works.
The high-speed train (the default choice)
Since the fast line opened, the train has become the obvious pick for most travellers. It runs from Tel Aviv’s four city stations (HaHagana, HaShalom, Savidor Central, University) underground into Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon, the deepest station in the country, in about 30–35 minutes. Trains leave every 20–30 minutes through the day.
- Pros: fastest, immune to Route 1 traffic, comfortable, predictable, connects directly from Ben Gurion Airport on the same line.
- Cons: Navon station is at the western edge of central Jerusalem — you’ll need the light rail (one connected ride) or a short taxi to reach the Old City or many hotels. Doesn’t run on Shabbat.
If you’re coming straight from the airport, the train is a no-brainer: same line, no transfer into the city centre needed. See airport transfers.
Buses 480 and 405
The two Egged express buses are the cheapest option and the most frequent — a bus pulls out every 10–20 minutes at peak.
- Bus 480 runs from Tel Aviv Arlozorov (Terminal 2000), beside Savidor Central station, to Jerusalem Central Bus Station.
- Bus 405 runs from Tel Aviv Central Bus Station (the southern terminal) to the same Jerusalem terminal.
Both take roughly an hour but are at the mercy of Route 1 traffic, which can be heavy in the morning and Sunday-evening rushes (Sunday is a workday). Jerusalem Central Bus Station sits on the light rail line, so onward travel is easy. Pick the bus whose Tel Aviv terminal is closest to where you’re staying.
- Pros: cheapest, very frequent, arrives at a central, light-rail-connected hub.
- Cons: slower and less predictable than the train in traffic; no luggage racks on some services.
Sherut shared taxis
Sheruts are yellow minibuses (10 seats) that run the same corridor, leaving when full rather than to a timetable. They’re the route’s secret weapon for one reason: they keep running on Shabbat, when the train and buses stop. Fares are a touch higher than the bus and they can drop you closer to specific points than a bus terminal.
- Pros: run on Shabbat and late at night; flexible drop-offs; no fixed schedule to miss.
- Cons: you wait until the van fills; cramped with luggage; cash often preferred.
Private taxi and ride apps
A private taxi door-to-door costs roughly ₪280–400 depending on time of day, traffic and any Shabbat surcharge. It’s the priciest option by far, but unbeatable if you’re travelling as a group of three or four (split the fare), have heavy luggage, are moving late at night, or want a single hotel-to-hotel ride with no transfers. Insist on the meter or agree the fare first. Ride apps work in both cities.
Which should you choose?
- Most travellers, weekday: the train — fast, cheap, stress-free.
- On a tight budget or near a bus terminal: bus 480 or 405.
- Travelling on Shabbat or late at night: sherut (cheap) or taxi (comfort).
- Group of 3–4 with luggage: a shared taxi can rival public fares for door-to-door convenience.
Once you’ve made the hop, dive into our Jerusalem region guide and 3-day Jerusalem itinerary, or compare the two cities head-to-head in Tel Aviv vs Jerusalem. For the wider transport picture, see getting around Israel.