In January 2020, I finally embarked on a journey to a city that had long occupied my dreams—Jerusalem. Its name alone conjured images of ancient history, religious significance, and a culture as rich and diverse as the tapestry of its streets. Surprisingly, what I had imagined to be a complex and challenging trip turned out to be one of the most straightforward and serene adventures I've ever had. From the moment I stepped off the plane at Tel Aviv Airport, I felt the allure of this extraordinary destination drawing me in.

Join me as I share five invaluable tips that made my visit to Jerusalem not just a dream come true, but a seamless and unforgettable experience.

You can take a fast train from Tel Aviv Airport to Jerusalem. 

Getting to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv Airport was a total breeze. After landing and going through passport control, I just bought a one way ticket on a high speed train called the King David Line and then made it down to the palm tree lined platform to wait for the train, which departs every 30 minutes. The entire ride was less than a half an hour and dropped me right off at the Yitzhak Navon Station. From there, it was just an easy walk to my AirBnb near Machaneh Yehudah Market. I could have also caught a tram, but saw no reason to do this since it was such a beautiful day and I didn’t mind the walk. 

Everything closes on Friday night for Shabbat. 

Well, just about everything anyway. The big deal is that the public transportation shuts down everywhere in Israel so you are left to take taxi hire (GETT in Israel), your own car, or your own two feet. I took taxi hire on Saturday morning because I needed to get across town for a religious service. It was easy to “hail” one—I just used the app, which just like Uber and Lyft lets you pay for it in the app and follow along with the rider on the interactive map to see where you’re headed. That was particularly helpful in my case because the driver had a hard time finding where I wanted to go and the map was a good way to give him further directions. 

There are only certain days and times you can go to the Temple Mount. 

I really wanted to go up to the Temple Mount during my visit. After doing a little research, I quickly learned that non-Muslims can only visit the site on certain days and times. Luckily the very last day I was there, it was open for a few hours in the morning.

There is only one entrance for non-Muslims to the Temple Mount. It’s the elevated wooden covered walkway that is directly to the right of the women’s section of the Western Wall (note: Jewish people also call the Wester Wall by the Hebrew word for wall, “Kotel” and Westerners often refer to it as the “Wailing Wall.”) You’ll have to go through security at the top, just like you do when you enter the Western Wall Plaza.

You Can Score Great Deals on Airfare to Tel Aviv from Europe

I went to Jerusalem in January of 2020. I had 5 days at the end of a European trip and wanted to leave things flexible as to where to go next. I conducted an “Everywhere” search on Skyscanner from Krakow and found that I could go to Tel Aviv for only $28! Sold! Then, to return to Europe (where my USA bound flight was scheduled), I found a one-way flight back to Amsterdam for only $78. If I had just flown from my home airport roundtrip to Tel Aviv, I still would have connected in Europe, and my flight would have easily been $1500 or more. I got my flight to Europe and my flight to Israel for FAR less than that!

I highly recommend looking at this strategy as an option to get to Tel Aviv. To do it, first price out a flight to Europe from your home airport. Then, see how much it’ll cost to take a one way to Tel Aviv and then another one-way back to Europe. Play around with dates and cities in Europe to see if you can score some great deals like I did! By the way, January was a perfect time to be in Israel!

Embrace the Hummus, Falafel, Baklava, and the Gelato!

I am a HUGE fan of hummus and it’s a good thing because that’s a main food staple in Jerusalem! The first thing I ordered there: a falafel pita with tahini and hummus.  I was in HEAVEN! I ate a falafel pita just about everyday. I also soon realized that gelato is a big deal in Jerusalem, too, for some reason. At least, I made it a big deal! I also had that everyday, too.

On Friday morning, I knew I needed to prepare for Shabbat since everything would be closed by sunset. So, I went to the Machaneh Yehudah Market which was steps from my AirBnb and first had a breakfast at a hummus place (yes, I got a huge plate of hummus with mushrooms and pita), then I bought my staples for Shabbat: baklava. I did try to be a little healthy by picking up some oranges, too.

Middle Eastern cuisine, in my opinion, is some of the most delicious in the world. And you certainly cannot go wrong with the delicious offerings throughout Jerusalem. Just don’t forget to top it all off with some Italian gelato. Any flavor is amazing.

Wrap Up 

Jerusalem is one of the most historically and religiously significant city for many people throughout the world. If you get a chance to visit, do not pass it up!

FAQ: Traveling to Jerusalem - Top Tips

Taking the fast train, known as the King David Line, is a convenient way to reach Jerusalem from Tel Aviv Airport. The train departs every 30 minutes and the journey takes less than half an hour, bringing you to the Yitzhak Navon Station. From there, it's a straightforward walk to your destination.

On Friday nights, many places in Jerusalem, including public transportation, close down for Shabbat. Taxi hire services like GETT are available, or you can rely on your own vehicle or walking. Apps like GETT make it easy to hail a taxi and navigate through the city.

Visiting the Temple Mount is possible for non-Muslims only on specific days and times. There's a designated entrance to the elevated wooden covered walkway, located to the right of the women's section of the Western Wall. Prepare for security checks similar to those at the Western Wall Plaza.

Yes, you can find great deals on airfare to Tel Aviv from Europe. Using flight search engines like Skyscanner and looking for one-way flights can help you discover budget-friendly options. By exploring one-way tickets to both Tel Aviv and another European destination, you might save considerably on your travel expenses.

Jerusalem offers a variety of delicious foods to savor. Embrace Middle Eastern cuisine by indulging in hummus, falafel, and baklava. Gelato is also popular and widely enjoyed in the city. Make sure to try these delectable offerings during your visit.

To prepare for Shabbat closures, consider visiting local markets like the Machaneh Yehudah Market to stock up on essentials. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at a hummus place and gather supplies like baklava and fruits. Remember that many establishments close by sunset on Friday for Shabbat.

Jerusalem holds immense historical and religious importance for people around the world. As a city rich in culture, heritage, and spirituality, it offers a unique and meaningful travel experience that should not be missed.

While any time of year offers its own charm, January can be an excellent time to visit Jerusalem. The city's cultural offerings, historical sites, and delightful cuisine are waiting to be explored and enjoyed.