Israel has so much to offer the traveler, from centuries old ruins to the latest of 21st century technologies, and everything in between. However, whereas Israel may, on a per capita basis, be responsible for more technological developments than any other country in the world, when it comes to public transport it is definitely not among the most developed countries.
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Given that we have an equation of a small country – the standard comparison is that Israel is smaller than New Jersey – with an incredible amount of unique things to see yet an average public transport system, what is the best way to see the country? My advice to all and sundry is to travel by car. Public transportation isn’t all bad, but with a car you are free and mobile at all times. Israel also doesn’t have very much public transportation on the weekends due to religious laws. Therefor if you rent a car in Israel airport you have a better chance of seeing all of Israel.
If you want to stay longer in one particular attraction or location, you are not impacted by a bus or train schedule and you don’t have to worry about finding a taxi. You don’t have to worry about refueling. Israel is a first world country with gas stations located around the country at regular intervals. All gas stations have a self serve or full service option. Also because it is a small country it’s not tiring to drive long journeys, the longest you may have is approximately 4 hours.
The road signs in Israel, for the most, are very good. If you have a smartphone, the country has extensive WiFi coverage so that you can use GPS to assist your navigation. Similarly, the country is so small, renting a car enables you to see the most in the quickest time. It is not a problem to traverse the 424 km (263 mi) from north to south, stopping only to refuel and recharge your batteries, in 5-6 hours. It takes much less time from east to west as Israel is only 114Â km (71Â mi) at its widest point in this direction.
There are numerous local car rental companies in Israel as well as the large multinational companies. The industry is competitive with a large range of cars, competitive prices, and a comprehensive number of branches should you not wish to return the car at the airport. You can even book everything online before departing home. Also, your international driver’s license will be accepted by all rental agencies.
So there you have it, if you want to make the most of your time in this enchanting country, the practical option is to rent a car in Israel airport. Hitchhiking is an option if you are not limited with time and want a more authentic experience. I wouldn’t recommend it very much as it is not the safest country, However If you do decide to hitchhike, be extra careful.
